Rival S16G 16-Inch Electric Skillet

Rival S16G 16-Inch Electric Skillet
by Rival

Category: Kitchen
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Product Summary

Manufacturer: Rival
Brand: Rival
Model: S16G
Color: Black
Product features:

Non-stick coating
Tempered glass lid with steam vent
Adjustable temperature control probe
Fully immersible with temperature control removed
Extra large cooking surface

Kitchen and Housewares Reviews of Rival S16G 16-Inch Electric Skillet

Customer Review: Room for improvement, but used frequently
Summary: 4 Stars

Previously, I owned a Rival S16 electric skillet, but gave it to my mother when she moved. I replaced it with this S16G almost one year ago. It's still going strong.

I use my electric skillet quite often. Traditional skillets simply don't have enough area to cook many things at once - pancakes and grilled cheese, for example.

The S16G met most of my expectations as far as electric skillets go. I would certainly buy either this model or the S16 model again. Though I don't regret my purchase, there are a few ... areas of improvement.

- Initially, I thought that the glass top would prove beneficial by allowing me to better keep an eye on the cooking process. More often than not, I still have to remove the cover in order to monitor the food due to steam/condensation build-up. The glass lid was the main reason I opted for the S-16G as opposed to the S-16. It turns out that this isn't as big of a deal as I thought it would be.

- One of the things I liked about my older S16 was that it provided a sort of prop on the side that would hold the lid while you tend to the contents of the skillet. The S16G doesn't provide that and I'm constantly trying to find a place to put the cover. One would think this could easily be improved in future models.

- This item has a non-stick coating and so I only use wooden or plastic utensils to prevent scratching. Even so, there still seems to be small scratches in the coating. It doesn't seem to affect the cooking results, but it's one reason I don't often purchase non-stick cookware. This is a problem I've had with most non-stick cookware, so I can't say it's specific to this product.

- I believe that another reviewer made note that this appliance cooks unevenly. This is correct. The heating element seems be of an oblong shape and so there are hotter spots than others. In my experience, this has never resulted in underdone or burnt food - though you want to stir casserole-like recipes (sauces, in particular) frequently to prevent burning directly above the coil. I use this for things from pancakes (375 degrees) to casseroles to burgers - even grilled cheese. Sometimes, I might get some uneven browning on the pancakes, but other than that, I'm happy with it. I've looked at many other models and most seem to have similar designs for the heating element - which I imagine would result in similar uneven cooking. Rival might get a leg up on its competition if they could resolve this one.

Again, even though I've listed a couple potential improvements, I'm generally happy with this product and would buy it or the S16 again without hesitation.

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Description of Rival S16G 16-Inch Electric Skillet

Rival 16" Electric Skillet

Free up stove top space with this extra-large electric skillet. Use it to cook in a dorm room, cabin, or RV. Saute, poach, or braise in the S16G; it's also great for an after-school grilled cheese, Sunday pancakes, or pan-fried trout. Turned down to "warm," it even works as a chafing dish on a buffet table. Sensitive temperature control means a boil can reduce to a simmer in seconds, much like cooking over a gas burner. The dial reads in degrees like the dial of an oven; the 300-degree mark on the temperature control is equivalent to medium, a good heat for pan frying.

A glass lid shows what's cooking without having to remove the lid. Both the interior and exterior of the pan are coated with a Dupont Teflon nonstick surface; to avoid scratching it, wooden and nylon utensils are best. The pan is fully immersible after removing the temperature control probe, so clean-up takes only a few quick swipes of a warm, soapy sponge. (Nylon scrubbers only; steel wool will scratch the nonstick finish).

The cooking surface measures 16 by 12 inches; the actual dimensions of the appliance, including handles and legs, are 19-1/2 by 12 by 5-1/2 inches. Rival provides a limited warranty against defects in material and workmanship under normal use conditions. --Garland Withers