A 16-inch electric skillet can do much more than fry a few eggs. With high sidewalls, a lid, and enough surface area for larger meals, it can handle everything from breakfast and stir-frying to stews, casseroles, and family-size dinners. The Presto 06852 and 06856 are both built around this idea, but they aren’t quite identical.
Both skillets use 1,500 watts and heavy cast aluminum construction, and both have ceramic nonstick cooking surfaces. The differences are mainly in their design details, weight, dimensions, and included features. After comparing the two, I see the 06852 as the slightly more traditional and versatile option, while the 06856 is appealing if I prefer its lighter body and ceramic-focused design.
Key Difference Between Presto 06852 vs 06856 Electric Skillet
The Presto 06852 and 06856 are both 16-inch, 1,500-watt ceramic electric skillets, but the Presto 06852 emphasizes a tempered glass cover, cool-touch design, and buffet-serving capability, while the Presto 06856 is slightly lighter and has a slightly more compact overall profile.
Presto 06852 vs 06856 Comparison Table
| Feature | Presto 06852 | Presto 06856 |
|---|---|---|
| Skillet Size | 16-inch | 16-inch |
| Power | 1,500 watts | 1,500 watts |
| Voltage | 120V | 120V |
| Cooking Surface | Ceramic nonstick | Ceramic nonstick |
| Construction | Heavy cast aluminum | Heavy cast aluminum |
| Weight | 9 lb | 8.5 lb |
| Dimensions | 22.25 × 112.12 × 8.5 in. listed | 22.25 × 12.25 × 8.25 in. |
| Lid | Tempered glass | Included lid |
| Handles | Cool-touch design | Not specifically listed |
| Temperature Control | Control Master | Heat control |
| High Sidewalls | Yes | Yes |
| Buffet Serving | Yes | Not specifically listed |
| Immersible | Yes, control removed | Not specified in supplied details |
| Best For | Cooking + serving | Cooking with lighter handling |
| Check Latest Price & Deals | Buy on Amazon | Buy on Amazon |
Detailed Comparative Review
The 06852 and 06856 are close enough that I wouldn’t choose between them based simply on the 16-inch size or 1,500-watt rating. Those fundamentals are shared.
Instead, I’d look at how each skillet fits into the kitchen. The lid, nonstick surface, handling weight, serving options, and cleaning routine are the details that make one model more attractive than the other.
- Roast, fry, grill, stew, bake, make casseroles and more
- Roast fry grill stew bake make casseroles and more
Design
The Presto 06852 has the classic large electric-skillet shape I’d expect from this category. Its 16-inch pan has high sidewalls, giving me more usable depth than I would get from a flat electric griddle.
That extra height is useful when I’m making foods with sauces or larger quantities. A skillet like this isn’t limited to pancakes and bacon; I can use it for stews, casseroles, fried foods, braised dishes, and other meals that benefit from deeper sides.
The tempered glass cover is another feature I appreciate. Being able to see what’s cooking without constantly lifting the lid is convenient, particularly when simmering or braising. The stay-cool handle is also a practical touch.
The 06852 weighs 9 pounds, so it isn’t exactly lightweight, but the substantial construction makes sense for a 16-inch skillet.
The Presto 06856 keeps the same basic 16-inch format but is slightly lighter at 8.5 pounds. Its listed dimensions are also slightly smaller overall, measuring 22.25 inches wide, 12.25 inches deep, and 8.25 inches high.
The grey ceramic appearance gives it a different visual character from the black 06852.
For me, the design decision comes down to priorities. I like the 06852’s glass cover and cool-touch design, while I appreciate the 06856 for being half a pound lighter. That’s not a dramatic difference, but it can matter when I’m moving a large skillet around the kitchen.
I’d give the 06852 the design advantage, mainly because the supplied features give me more information and practical touches for everyday use.
- Roast, fry, grill, stew, bake, make casseroles and more
Ease of Use
Both models are straightforward electric skillets. I don’t need to turn on the stove or heat the oven, and the 1,500-watt heating systems provide the power needed for the skillet’s large cooking surface.
The 06852 uses Presto’s Control Master heat-control system, which automatically maintains the selected cooking temperature. That’s useful when I’m frying or simmering something and don’t want to constantly adjust the heat.
The high sidewalls are also helpful when cooking larger quantities. I can stir food without worrying as much about ingredients escaping over a shallow edge.
The glass lid makes the 06852 particularly convenient for recipes where I want to retain heat or moisture. I can check the food visually without removing the cover.
The 06856 offers the same broad cooking capability and uses a heat control, but the supplied specifications provide fewer details about the control system. It does include a lid, skillet, and heat control in the listed components.
Because both are large skillets rather than small countertop pans, I would still expect them to require a little more counter space during use. The 06856’s half-pound weight advantage makes it marginally easier to handle.
In everyday use, though, I would call the two very close. The 06852 gets my vote because its glass lid and Control Master details make the cooking process feel a little more refined.
- Roast fry grill stew bake make casseroles and more
Functions
This is where both skillets prove their versatility.
The 06852 can roast, fry, grill, stew, bake, and prepare casseroles. The high sidewalls give it enough depth to handle meals that would be awkward on a conventional flat griddle.
I particularly like this type of skillet for one-pan meals. I can brown ingredients, add sauce or other liquids, cover the skillet, and continue cooking without transferring everything to another pot.
The ceramic nonstick coating is applied to the inside and outside of the skillet and is described as PFAS-free. That gives the cooking surface a useful nonstick characteristic while also making the skillet easier to clean.
The 06852 can also double as a buffet server. That’s a surprisingly useful feature when I’m preparing food for several people. Rather than transferring everything to another serving dish immediately, I can use the skillet itself to keep the meal available.
The 06856 is similarly versatile. It is also designed for roasting, frying, grilling, stewing, baking, and casseroles. Its jumbo 16-inch pan and high sidewalls provide the same general advantage for family-size cooking.
Its ceramic nonstick surface covers the inside and outside of the skillet, helping with both cooking and cleanup.
The supplied information also emphasizes that the 06856 can be more efficient to use than a range burner or oven. That’s one of the reasons electric skillets remain useful even in kitchens that already have a full-size stove.
Functionally, I see very little difference in what I can actually cook. The 06852 gets a slight edge because of the buffet-serving feature and clearly specified tempered glass cover.
Maintenance
The ceramic nonstick surfaces are the first thing I would consider when comparing maintenance.
The 06852 has a ceramic surface inside and out, which helps reduce sticking and makes wiping down the skillet easier after cooking. Its heavy cast aluminum base is also described as virtually warp-proof.
Another major advantage is that the skillet is fully immersible with the heat control removed. That’s particularly convenient because a large skillet can be awkward to clean around permanently attached electrical components.
I’d remove the heat control before washing and follow Presto’s cleaning instructions rather than treating the electrical component as water-safe.
The 06856 also has a ceramic nonstick surface inside and out, so the basic cleaning experience should be similarly straightforward. Its heavy cast aluminum construction is designed to resist warping.
The supplied information doesn’t specifically state that the 06856 is fully immersible, so I wouldn’t assume that feature solely because the two products are similar. I’d follow the manufacturer’s instructions for that specific model.
Overall, the 06852 has the clearer maintenance advantage based on the supplied specifications, particularly because its immersible design is explicitly stated.
Presto 06852 Electric Skillet With Glass Cover
- Roast, fry, grill, stew, bake, make casseroles and more
Pros:
- Large 16-inch cooking surface
- 1,500 watts of power
- Ceramic nonstick surface inside and out
- PFAS-free cooking surface
- High sidewalls
- Tempered glass cover
- Stay-cool lid handle
- Control Master heat control
- Doubles as a buffet server
- Heavy cast aluminum construction
- Fully immersible with heat control removed
Cons:
- Slightly heavier than the 06856
- Takes considerable counter space
- Large size may be excessive for small households
- Requires proper care of the ceramic surface
Presto 06856 Ceramic Electric Skillet
- Roast fry grill stew bake make casseroles and more
Pros:
- Large 16-inch cooking surface
- 1,500 watts of power
- Ceramic nonstick surface inside and out
- High sidewalls
- Heavy cast aluminum construction
- Slightly lighter at 8.5 pounds
- Includes lid and heat control
- Useful for roasting, frying, stewing, baking, and casseroles
- Slightly more compact listed dimensions
Cons:
- Fewer specific convenience features listed than the 06852
- Buffet-serving capability is not listed in the supplied specifications
- Lid details are less specific
- Immersibility is not specified in the supplied information
Presto 06852 vs 06856: Which One Would I Buy?
If I were choosing between these two for my own kitchen, I’d buy the Presto 06852.
The difference isn’t huge, and I wouldn’t describe the 06856 as an inferior skillet. Both provide the important basics: a 16-inch cooking area, 1,500 watts, ceramic nonstick surfaces, high sidewalls, and heavy cast aluminum construction.
The 06852 simply gives me a few more useful details and features that I value in an electric skillet. The tempered glass lid is especially convenient because I can monitor food without lifting the cover. The stay-cool handle adds another practical touch.
I also like that the 06852 is explicitly designed to double as a buffet server. If I’m cooking for guests, that’s more useful than it might initially sound. I can prepare a large meal and keep it in the same pan for serving.
The 06856 does have one advantage I wouldn’t ignore: it weighs 8.5 pounds compared with 9 pounds for the 06852. That’s only half a pound, but if I frequently move the skillet between storage and the counter, every bit helps.
Its slightly smaller listed dimensions may also appeal to someone trying to save some space.
But for me, those advantages aren’t enough to outweigh the 06852’s more clearly documented feature set.
Final Verdict
The Presto 06852 is my overall winner.
I’d choose the Presto 06852 if I want the more feature-rich 16-inch electric skillet, especially for family meals, covered cooking, and serving food directly from the skillet.
I’d choose the Presto 06856 if I find it at a better price or prefer its slightly lighter and more compact design. It still offers the core cooking capabilities I expect from a large Presto electric skillet.
The most important point is that neither model is dramatically more powerful than the other. Both use 1,500 watts, so the decision comes down to design and convenience rather than raw electrical power.
For my money, the 06852 is the better all-around choice, while the 06856 is the sensible alternative if its price or lighter weight makes it more attractive.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between Presto 06852 and 06856?
Both are 16-inch, 1,500-watt ceramic electric skillets with high sidewalls and heavy cast aluminum construction. The 06852 adds a clearly specified tempered glass cover, stay-cool handle, buffet-serving capability, and immersible design. The 06856 is slightly lighter and has slightly smaller listed dimensions.
Is the Presto 06852 better than the 06856?
I’d give the 06852 the overall advantage because it offers more clearly specified convenience features, particularly the tempered glass lid and buffet-serving capability. However, the 06856 remains a strong alternative if it is cheaper or its slightly lighter weight is important.
Are the Presto 06852 and 06856 the same size?
Both are 16-inch skillets with high sidewalls, but their listed dimensions differ slightly. The 06852 is listed at 22.25 inches wide and 8.5 inches high, while the 06856 is listed at 22.25 inches wide and 8.25 inches high.
Can I use the Presto 06852 for more than frying?
Yes. The 06852 is designed for roasting, frying, grilling, stewing, baking, and making casseroles. Its deep 16-inch pan and high sidewalls make it much more versatile than a flat electric griddle.
Which Presto electric skillet should I buy?
I’d choose the Presto 06852 for its combination of ceramic nonstick cooking, tempered glass cover, Control Master heat control, buffet-serving capability, and immersible design. The 06856 is worth considering if you prefer its slightly lighter body or find it at a significantly better price.
