I am really torn between rating this a 3 or 4, but I went with the 4 because it does many things quite well. However, the primary reason I wanted it was for frying things--I find it much easier to fry things in electric pans because it's easier to control the temperature and it makes less mess. I have a large electric pot that I really like, but sometimes I just want to make some tacos or something and don't actually want to deep-fry (the pot uses a TON of oil, and there are often only 2 of us, so it's wasteful); the description (and the box) said you can fry chicken in this, so I thought it would be ideal for my needs. Unfortunately it doesn't get anywhere near hot enough to fry anything successfully. I put about 1/4 inch of oil in it, put it on 5 (high), and let it preheat for 30 minutes (my pot requires a 30 minute preheat, but it's a lot deeper--I watched this thinking I'd turn it down when the Canola oil started to smoke, but it never did). I broke off a small piece of tortilla (see pic) and dropped it in. It was in the oil for 4 minutes and barely got golden on one side; it was a greasy mess when I removed it. I was disappointed because that was the primary reason I wanted the pan.The next day I was making eggs Benedict for breakfast, and since I was using my two large burners for poaching eggs and making the Hollandaise sauce, I put the bacon in this pan. It did a fine job with the bacon, and a really nice job with pancakes afterward, so it's useful for basic stuff. It doesn't get very hot (I had to cook the bacon on 4, and the pancakes on 3), but it does release food really well and it is nice for when my burners are all otherwise engaged. It washed easily with a sponge and dish soap, and stores well (it has a pretty flat profile for an electric pan). The fact that you can remove the element to wash it makes it super easy to use (and clean).It's a good pan, but they should stop claiming you can fry in it because that would be some greasy, rare chicken if you attempted it in this pan (IMO is not really even hot enough for stir-fry.I'll stick with my wok). It comes with a lid you can see through (the only assembly, aside from plugging in the heating element, is screwing the top on the lid). It has handles that stay pretty cool. One thing I liked is that it didn't make my countertop super hot like my electric pot does (I always put a cookie sheet under it so it doesn't damage my counters, but they only got warm under this).Depending on your needs, you could give this a higher (or lower) rating. For the price, it's a good pan, but they need to tweak the description to more accurately reflect its capabilities.
🍪 Good Cook AirPerfect Nonstick Cookie Sheets: 2-Pack Insulated Carbon Steel - Medium 14"x12" and Large 16"x14
3 Review
Pyrex Basics Clear Glass Baking Dishes - 2 Piece Value-Plus Pack for Versatile Cooking: 3 Quart Oblong & 2 Quart Square
8 Review
🍞 Farberware Bakeware Nonstick Toaster Oven Pan Set - 4-Piece Baking Set in Gray
7 Review
🍪 USA Pan Half Sheet Baking Pan with Bakeable Nonstick Cooling Rack: Premium Metal Set for Perfect Baking
7 Review