Bring Back The '70s Electric Skillet: What Happened To The Iconic Appliance

If you were a child of the '70s, you most likely remember waking up to the smell of bacon and eggs coming from the kitchen. Following the smell, you also most likely came upon your mom cooking breakfast in her favorite all-purpose appliance, the electric skillet. Unlike many of the worst aspects of the '70s kitchen (like avocado green everything), the electric skillet might be something you'd like to see return in popularity. After all, this fancy appliance made cooking meals seem like a dream. One pan to cook them all, as it were. But as quickly as you could sing the jingle from the Enjoli perfume commercial, your mom's electric skillet was gone.

So, what exactly happened to this iconic kitchen staple? It most likely wasn't one specific thing. If you think about today's appliance trends, mini appliances, giant slushy machines, and bespoke appliances are all the rage — but for how long? The electric skillet possibly saw a decline in popularity due to the rise of dual-income households — moms weren't home as much to cook a sit-down meal. And although the electric skillet was perfect for cooking multiple items at once, it could be a real pain to clean. You couldn't throw it in the dishwasher, which meant it had to be washed by hand, and who has time for that? Besides, it was much easier to just toss something in your brand new microwave, and as the quality of electric stovetops improved, the need for the separate powered frying pan waned. Whether due to a culture shift, convenience, or shiny new technology that came to replace it, the electric skillet saw its way out.

Many vintage kitchen appliances are seeing a resurgence in popularity and can still be an asset for the modern cook. While you'll often find these kitchen essentials at your local thrift store, electric skillets didn't disappear to some random part of the appliance graveyard; they're likely still available at your local department store. Whether you decide to add one of these all-in-one cooking appliances to your kitchen is truly about your specific needs.

Unlike a typical stove burner, electric frying pans have temperature controls that make it easy to dial in just the right amount of heat. They're great for all kinds of breakfast, lunch, and dinner dishes. An electric skillet maintains a consistent temperature, is perfectly suited for dorm rooms and small apartments, and allows you the ability to cook a variety of foods. Since it uses less energy than a stovetop, it's especially handy when you only need one pan for cooking a meal.

Modern electric skillets have had many wonderful updates. Many come with a ceramic coating and removable pans (which can go in the dishwasher), and they appear in various shapes, sizes, and stylish colors to suit your space. But vintage models are still a great option — it's always a good thing to save something from the landfill. If you plan on buying a vintage one, be sure to have it checked by an electrician for safety.