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Hamilton Beach Electric Skillet 38529K vs CRUX Electric Skillet 14620 Side-by-Side Comparison

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Hamilton Beach Electric Skillet 38529K vs CRUX Electric Skillet 14620

Overall Verdict

The Hamilton Beach 38529K topped our list among nine products due to its outstanding scores across all categories. As for the Crux 14620, despite its attractive appearance, it falls short in cooking performance and build quality.

Priced at $61.70, the Hamilton Beach offers great value with its detachable and reversible pan with a ceramic non-stick coating. It ensures easy cleaning and safe cooking, delivering perfectly cooked pancakes and juicy steaks.

In contrast, the Crux impresses with its polished copper linings, but its pancakes were average, and the heating cycle wasn’t suitable for a medium-rare steak. Though it had better heat distribution than other medium-sized skillets, its low temperature stabilization point hindered its ability to cook food perfectly like the Hamilton Beach.

Moreover, the Crux skillet’s coating on the pan rim showed chipping, and the base had grainy specs protruding. These issues detracted from its overall quality despite being priced cheaper, at $46.80.

Ranking by
Showing: 2/2 Items

Pros & Cons

  • Great heat distribution
  • Stable temperatures
  • Sizzling hot pan for searing
  • Durable ceramic non-stick coating
  • High build quality
  • Fast heating
  • Even heat distribution
  • Ceramic non-stick coating
  • Handles need clip-locks
  • Chipped coating
  • Stubborn burn-ons may require some effort

Key Specs

Dimensions
L18.78 x W11.97 x H7.48 inches
L14.96 x W11.97 x H7.68 inches
Cooking Capacity
7.5 quarts
6.8 quarts
Material
Cast aluminum
Cast aluminum
Coating
Durathon ceramic
Ceramic
Dishwasher-Safe
Yes
Yes
Detachable
Yes
No

Where to Buy

Price at publication
$61.70
$46.80

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Analysis and Test Results

Performance

Overall Performance Scoring
9.2
7.4

Analyzing Heat Distribution

8.8
9.0
The Hamilton Beach Ceramic Non-Stick Electric Skillet 38529K with a white oil-absorbent sheet covering the surface of the pan. The dark rectangle indicates where the heating element is.
The Crux Non-Stick Electric Skillet 14620 with a white oil-absorbent sheet covering the surface of the pan. The dark double circles indicate where the heating element is.
Temperature
High heat / 400°F
High heat / 400°F
Temperature Differences
5.9%
5.2%

Making Pancakes

9.4
7.3
The top side of a golden brown pancake inside an air fryer basket. In the corner is the Hamilton Beach Ceramic Non-Stick Electric Skillet 38529K.
The top side of a golden brown pancake inside an air fryer basket. In the corner is the Hamilton Beach Ceramic Non-Stick Electric Skillet 38529K.
The bottom side of a golden brown pancake inside an air fryer basket. In the corner is the Hamilton Beach Ceramic Non-Stick Electric Skillet 38529K.
Two hands breaking a pancake apart. In the background is the Hamilton Beach Ceramic Non-Stick Electric Skillet 38529K.
The top side of a golden brown pancake that’s dark around the edges inside an air fryer basket. In the corner is the Crux Non-Stick Electric Skillet 14620.
The top side of a golden brown pancake that’s dark around the edges inside an air fryer basket. In the corner is the Crux Non-Stick Electric Skillet 14620.
The bottom side of a golden brown pancake that’s dark around the edges inside an air fryer basket. In the corner is the Crux Non-Stick Electric Skillet 14620.
Two hands breaking a pancake apart. In the background is the Crux Non-Stick Electric Skillet 14620.
Heating Time
3 min 20 sec
2 min
Temperature
Medium heat / 350°F
Medium heat / 350°F

Cooking Steaks

9.3
6.8
A piece of deep golden brown steak inside the Hamilton Beach Ceramic Non-Stick Electric Skillet 38529K. In front of the skillet is a digital timer and a meat thermometer with its probe inserted into the steak.
A piece of deep golden brown steak inside the Hamilton Beach Ceramic Non-Stick Electric Skillet 38529K. In front of the skillet is a digital timer and a meat thermometer with its probe inserted into the steak.
Slices of medium-rare steak on a wooden cutting board. In the background is the Hamilton Beach Ceramic Non-Stick Electric Skillet 38529K.
A hand in black glove using a fork to pick up a slice of steak. In the background is the Hamilton Beach Ceramic Non-Stick Electric Skillet 38529K.
A piece of deep golden brown steak inside the Crux Non-Stick Electric Skillet 14620. In front of the skillet is a digital timer and a meat thermometer with its probe inserted into the steak.
A piece of deep golden brown steak inside the Crux Non-Stick Electric Skillet 14620. In front of the skillet is a digital timer and a meat thermometer with its probe inserted into the steak.
On the cutting board, a tong is holding the steak while a knife is slicing the steak.
A hand in black glove using a fork to pick up a slice of steak. In the background is the Crux Non-Stick Electric Skillet 14620.
Heating Time
4 min 30 sec
3 min
Temperature
High heat / 400°F
High heat / 400°F

Design

Overall Design Scoring
8.6
7.0

In the Box

On the upper right is the Hamilton Beach Ceramic Non-Stick Electric Skillet 38529K. On the left is its cardboard box. Below the skillet from right to left is an instruction manual, a thermostat, and a detachable base.
On the upper right is the Crux Non-Stick Electric Skillet 14620. On the left is its cardboard box. Below the skillet, on the left is a thermostat and on the right is an instruction manual.

Dimensions

The Hamilton Beach Ceramic Non-Stick Electric Skillet 38529K is 18.78 inches in length, 11.97 inches in width, and 7.48 inches in height.
The Crux Non-Stick Electric Skillet 14620 is 14.96 inches in length, 11.97 inches in width, and 7.68 inches in height.
Length
18.8" (47.7 cm)
15.0" (38.0 cm)
Width
12.0" (30.4 cm)
12.0" (30.4 cm)
Height
7.5" (19.0 cm)
7.7" (19.5 cm)
Weight
8.8 oz (250 g)
5.4 lbs (2.4 kg)

Pan

9.0
7.0
The pan of the Hamilton Beach Ceramic Non-Stick Electric Skillet 38529K is 14.96 inches in length, 11.69 inches in width, and 2.48 inches in depth.
The pan of the Hamilton Beach Ceramic Non-Stick Electric Skillet 38529K is 14.96 inches in length, 11.69 inches in width, and 2.48 inches in depth.
The bottom of the detached pan of the Hamilton Beach Ceramic Non-Stick Electric Skillet 38529K.
The pan of the Crux Non-Stick Electric Skillet 14620 is 11.8 inches in length, 11.8 inches in width, and 2.8 inches in depth.
Cooking Capacity
7.5 quarts
 6.8 qt.
Dimensions
L14.96 x W11.69 x H2.48 inches
L11.8 x W11.8 x H2.8 inches
Material
Cast aluminum
Cast aluminum
Coating
Durathon ceramic
Ceramic
Handle
Thermosetting plastic
Thermosetting plastic
Spout
No
No
Dishwasher-Safe
Yes
Yes

Lid

10
9.0
The tempered glass lid of the Hamilton Beach Ceramic Non-Stick Electric Skillet 38529K has a steam vent.
The tempered glass lid of the Crux Non-Stick Electric Skillet 14620 has a steam vent.
Material
Tempered glass
Tempered glass
Handle
Steel
Thermosetting plastic
Steam Vent
Yes
Yes
Dishwasher-Safe
Yes
Yes

Base

8.0
6.0
The detached base of the Hamilton Beach Ceramic Non-Stick Electric Skillet 38529K.
The base of the Crux Non-Stick Electric Skillet 14620 has four stands with anti-slip pads.
Material
Steel
Thermosetting plastic
Detachable
Yes
No
Anti-Slip Pads
Four
Four
Dishwasher-Safe
Yes
Yes

Thermostat

7.0
7.0
The thermostat of the Hamilton Beach Ceramic Non-Stick Electric Skillet 38529K has 6 settings including Warm-200–250-300-350-400°F.
The thermostat of the Crux Non-Stick Electric Skillet 14620 has 6 settings including Warm-200–250-300-350-400°F.
Temperature Range
Warm-200–250-300-350-400°F
Warm-200–250-300-350-400°F
Detachable
Yes
Yes
Indicator Light
Yes
Yes
Dishwasher-Safe
No
No

Power Cord

The flat two-prong power cord of the Hamilton Beach Ceramic Non-Stick Electric Skillet 38529K is 28.74 inches long.
The flat two-prong power cord of the Crux Non-Stick Electric Skillet 14620 is 31.1 inches long.
Type
Two-prong
Two-prong
Length
28.7" (73.0 cm)
26.6" (67.5 cm)
Power
1500 W
1300 W
Rated Output
120 V ~ 60 Hz
120 V ~ 60 Hz

Usability

Overall Usability Scoring
9.3
8.8

Ease of Use

9.5
9.0
The Hamilton Beach Ceramic Non-Stick Electric Skillet 38529K simply lifts off its base.
The Crux Non-Stick Electric Skillet 14620 with its thermostat inserted.

Cleaning and Storing

9.0
8.5
Burnt caramel on the surface of the Hamilton Beach Ceramic Non-Stick Electric Skillet 38529K.
Burnt caramel on the surface of the Crux Non-Stick Electric Skillet 14620.