Have you ever thought, “This tiny frying pan won’t work” halfway through making breakfast for a group? Been there. That’s why so many home cooks swear by an extra large electric skillet: it’s like having a secret weapon in your kitchen.

You could pour out batter and fit a complete line of pancakes side by side, all browning at the same time, with no awkward pushing or batter puddles overflowing over the edge. Bacon comes to the party, eggs take their place, and all of a sudden, everyone at your table is eating at once instead of waiting for the next batch. Fewer complaints and more smiles.

What do you want to eat? The options just keep getting better. Steak strips and rainbow vegetables sizzling in their own lanes make for a great fajita. Like grilled cheese? Think about how easy it is: you can fit enough sandwiches for all the kids plus a pan of tomato soup on another burner. Even doing a stir fry for six is straightforward, because there’s room for the vegetables to keep crisp and nothing to fall out.

Another big win is control. You can set the heat on most of these skillets with great accuracy. One minute you’re searing, and the next you’re softly cooking grandma’s meatballs. The food comes out just right, and almost nothing sticks. Cleaning up? Put aside your steel wool. Most of the time, all you need is a soft sponge to clean up.

I would be wrong not to mention party tricks. That huge skillet is your best friend over the holidays when the oven is full to the brim. You can make hash browns for brunch or keep a lot of meatballs warm without taking up too much kitchen space. Your guests might start to wonder how you’re doing it all.

Sure, storage could be a little tricky. It won’t fit in your smallest cupboard. But you won’t regret creating room for it because you’ll use it so often. Under a shelf, next to your biggest pot, or anyplace else easy to reach, because you’ll want it close by.

The best part is how much easy it is to cook for a lot of people. Things get less crazy during gatherings. It’s easier to make meals and clean up after them. Soon, your friends and family will be gathered around your table with full plates, and you’ll wonder why you ever used a standard pan. An update to your kitchen that gives you actual, everyday wins—no magic, just more room to cook.