Have you ever tried to scrub a pan that seemed to hold on to last night’s food with the power of a rock climber? You didn’t realize you needed an electric skillet with removable base, but it’s the unsung hero you needed. Believe me, it’s like having a sous-chef help with the cleaning.

So, what makes this setup superior than those all-in-one ones that don’t quite fit in the corners? Let’s get started. After the third or fourth casserole, most electric skillets are no longer useful. That cheese that won’t come off? It makes fun of your sponge. But one where you can take the pan out and put it in the sink or dishwasher? Hey, it’s Sunday morning and there are no worries about pancakes. And if you really want to save time (pun intended), certain versions let you switch out the pan while the other one is soaking. The scent of burnt bacon won’t be in the air anymore.

Gail, my neighbor, says her electric skillet reminds her of college. Everyone had a plug-in skillet back then, and they all had scars from fights and stains that weren’t very good. She says that now it’s a different story. Her new one comes apart quickly, so even her teenage son can clean it in less than five complaints.

Another cool thing is that the removable pan makes it more useful. Do you want to bake cornbread in the skillet and then fried chicken? After one fast rinse, you won’t taste anything from what you made before. The subtleties are what make it so smart: snap releases, nonstick surfaces that last a long time, and deep sides for when stew night gets out of hand.

Of course, there are times when you forget to snap the pan into place and your eggs end up all over the place instead of inside it. That’s simply how much advancement costs. Real cooks know that the more you use and clean an appliance, the more likely it is to become your go-to. No one wants to fight with a filthy, electric monster merely to avoid turning on the stove.

And if you don’t have a lot of room in your kitchen, getting rid of the need for a lot of pots and pans is a huge help. An electric skillet with a separate pan accomplishes the work of half your cabinet and doesn’t whine or make snide comments when you burn the rice.

It’s time to stop thinking that cleaning up is the price you have to pay for a good supper at home. This simple change to a classic can make you look forward to doing the dishes. Almost, though.