Presto 06857 Foldaway Skillet: A 16-Inch Pan That Packs Its Base Inside

The most useful question about the Presto 06857 is not whether a 16-inch skillet can hold dinner. It is whether a large electric pan will still fit your cabinet after dinner. This model tackles both sides of that problem: its high-sided cast-aluminum pan gives a broad cooking and serving area, while folding the handles releases the pan from the base so the base and inverted cover can nest inside it.

That makes the 06857 appealing for family breakfasts, skillet dinners, and buffet service, but the storage trick is only one part of the buying decision. The current manufacturer sheet identifies stock 06857, UPC 075741068572, a 120-volt 1500-watt rating, and pan dimensions of approximately 15.75 by 11.87 by 2.87 inches. Those are pan measurements, not the whole appliance; the assembled out-of-box dimensions are 20.00 by 12.00 by 8.10 inches.

The detachable base turns a large pan into a neater package

To store the skillet, the manual says to release the handle latches, rotate the handles inward, place a protective cloth or paper towel on the cooking surface, set the inverted base inside the pan with its rubber feet facing up, and then invert the cover over the pan. That sequence is more useful than a vague “compact” claim because it explains exactly what leaves the countertop and what still needs cabinet room.

The removable base also simplifies sink access. With the heat control removed, the pan can be washed in warm, soapy water. However, the current manual explicitly says not to put the skillet pan in a dishwasher because repeated dishwasher cycles can reduce the ceramic coating’s nonstick properties and discolor the underside. The glass cover is dishwasher-safe, but it should be allowed to cool before washing.

Adjustable heat supports more than frying

The Control Master probe lets you select a cooking temperature, and the indicator cycles as the skillet maintains that setting. Presto’s manual includes temperature guidance for foods ranging from eggs and pancakes to chops and grilled sandwiches, plus directions for simmering, braising, and holding cooked food warm. The built-in pour spout doubles as a spoon or spatula rest, which is a small but practical benefit when serving at the table.

The ceramic surface can cook with little or no oil, but the manual advises against aerosol nonstick sprays because they may make the surface tacky. Use heat-resistant nylon, plastic, wood, or rubber utensils rather than metal, and do not cut food in the pan. Despite its size, this is not a deep fryer; Presto explicitly excludes deep-frying from intended use.

The glass cover deserves deliberate care

The tempered-glass cover makes it easier to watch food without lifting the lid, but it defines the product’s most important limitation. Presto warns that the cover can break if it is scraped, gouged, chipped, cracked, roughly handled, or exposed to a sudden temperature change. Do not move a hot cover onto a cold or wet surface, and do not handle it with a wet towel. Steam can also escape from the pour spout when covered food is boiling, so keep hands and face away from that opening.

These instructions do not make the skillet difficult to use, but they do rule out a casual “cook, rinse, and stack” routine. Buyers who prefer an all-metal lid or want every major part to go directly into the dishwasher should choose another design.

Who should buy the Presto 06857

The 06857 fits cooks who want one appliance to pan-fry, grill, simmer, braise, and serve a family-sized meal, then store with less wasted volume than a fixed-base skillet. It is especially sensible when the removable base and 16-inch pan solve real counter or cabinet constraints.

It is less persuasive for small households, deep-frying, or buyers unwilling to hand-wash the pan and follow the glass-cover precautions. Also note Presto’s current Washington State shipping exclusion before relying on the manufacturer as the seller. The best reason to buy this skillet is the combination of usable pan area, adjustable heat, and a genuinely explained nesting system—not a promise that cleanup or glass care is effortless.