PCB Reflow with a Skillet: Part 1

The skillet I bought is a Farberware 12" x 12" ceramic skillet, model FW6110027877. Searching the web for this model turns up nothing, so it's probably specific to Wallyworld. This idea is supported by the absurdly short power cord, which is barely 2 feet long including the plug. I did my test with the skillet under the vent hood above my stove, which meant I had to use a heavy-duty extension cord to reach the nearest outlet in the wall just to the side of the stove. Annoying shortcuts like this is how they sell at such low prices.

My initial plan was set the skillet's control to its maximum temperature of 450℉ (232℃) and record the surface temperature of the empty skillet in the center and the corners of an imaginary 9" square as it warmed up. I'd been thinking the center of the skillet would be its hottest spot, but it's actually one of the coolest. Within two minutes the center had topped 350℉ (180℃) and the corners hotter, too fast for me to record good readings, so I gave up trying to be scientific about it. By three minutes the center had reached 450℉ (230℃) and was still rising, while the corners were approaching 500℉ (260℃). Clearly hot enough to reach my target temperatures.