You can’t know what fires of hell are until you try to prepare enough pancakes for two growing boys and one sweet-tooth husband.
There is a catch in this sentence – there can never be enough. I’m lucky if I get my hands to one pancake. But, to watch them eating with joy – there isn’t anything better in the world for me.
Best Electric Griddle Reviews
It doesn’t get any better with grilled meat. Electric griddles can be quite a life-saver for families such as mine, not only during a “pancake fever”, but also for preparing breakfast in time for all to make it to school and work.
If you share my fate, you will be happy to know that there are plenty of electric griddles that can make your life easier.
Here is a short guide that should help you to find the greatest electric griddle on the market and enjoy these treats without breaking a sweat.
I’ve researched them myself chosen the perfect one and kept it in my kitchen ever since.
Things You Should Know Before Buying an Electric Griddle
There are very few people who don’t enjoy a good, healthy meal. Not so many of them have enough time to fully devote themselves to culinary art and spend hours upon hours behind the stove.
Fortunately, the small appliance industry once again provided the perfect solution for our kitchen dilemmas in the form of the electric griddle that, effectively, eliminates the dishes out of the process and allows you to cook several different meals at once.
It is also worth mentioning that the food is not fried but rather cooked in its own juice, which gives you yet another perk.
As you can probably guess, the market is flooded with different products, not all of which may suit your taste or be worthy of your money.
Here are a few things you should pay attention to in order to find the leading electric griddle on the market:
1. Plate Material
The material of the plate may be the most important property of your future flat griddle. Of course, each one of them has its own pros and cons:
Steel
Steel is one of the most common griddle plate materials. It’s durable, easy to clean, and conducts heat very well. On the other hand, steel also requires a lot of maintenance because if it’s not frequently oiled, it will rust. The solution to this problem, however, can be found in the form of stainless steel griddle tops.
Cast Iron
Cast iron electric griddles feature even better heat conduction, and this material is, admittedly, much cheaper than steel. Unfortunately, cast iron is also considerably heavier and equally susceptible to rusting as iron.
Composite
The most common variety features a core made out of aluminum, which is a very light material that provides excellent heat transfer. Unfortunately, aluminum is not all that durable.
Chrome
Chrome is very easy to clean and, because of its smooth surface, it’s suited for flipping food like pancakes or eggs (see also: my family’s great electric egg cooker). Chrome surfaces, though, can be damaged by cleaning with abrasive or sharp materials.
2. Plate Thickness
The thicker plates can store a lot of heat and BTUs, which means they can recover faster when handling frozen food. If you are going to use the griddle for sandwiches and other “lightweight” food, you can get away with a thinner plate. Hamburgers, sausages, ground meat, and more “demanding” meals will require something thicker. Generally speaking, griddle plates can be divided into three groups:
- Standard – 1/2”
- Medium – 3/4”
- Heavy-duty – 1”
3. Ceramic Coating
Ceramic coating makes plate surfaces more durable and easier to clean.
Now, some plate materials need this option more than others, but, because it doesn’t really affect the weight of the product, we can agree that owning a ceramic coated electric skillet is never a bad thing.
Related: My favorite pancake mix in 2022
4. Control Styles
The control styles of the current countertop griddles can be roughly divided into two groups:
Manual controls – Aimed primarily at customers who are using electric griddles for lightweight duties, manual controls usually give you only the basic low-medium-high or 1 through 5 heat settings.
Thermostat controls – Giving you the option to adjust the exact temperature on your countertop griddle, thermostat controls are definitely something you should want if you consider yourself a real chef.
5. Size
I already mentioned that griddles make preparing abundant meals very fast and streamlined.
Well, that is the case only if the griddle has enough capacity to allow you to prepare a couple of different meals at once.
Smaller units may have better portability, but this appliance will spend the most time in the kitchen.
6. Temperature
Wider the temperature range, the better.
Keep in mind that, if you want to cook steaks and other substantial meats safely you will need temperatures that go up to 600 degrees Fahrenheit.
If you plan on preparing vegetables, sandwiches, and other meals that are safe to eat even when they are somewhat raw, lower temperatures will do the job as well.
7. Removable Plates
Cleaning large electric griddle knows to be quite awkward and tedious, especially if you are frequently using the device to prepare sandwiches.
What you should look for are units that feature removable (and preferably dishwasher-friendly) plates and grates.
8. Special Features
And by special features we mean anything ranging from grill inserts that leave the “grill-like” marks on the food to more meaningful things like dual thermostats (they allow you to cook two meals at different temperatures at the same time), warming drawers, and drip trays.
If they come at a reasonable price, the latter group of upgrades is always a welcomed thing.
9. Cord Length
Dragging the extension cords around the kitchen to find the place where you can prepare your lunch is not something you should strive to.
Always check does the length of the cord suits your kitchen’s layout before making a purchase.
Most Recommended Electric Griddles: Detailed Reviews 2022
Let’s take a look at the five top-rated electric griddles on the market and see how they measure to the before-mentioned standards.
I’ve researched and tested them for quite a while before giving any conclusions.
Presto 07061 22-inch Electric Griddle – The Best Pancake Griddle
- Heavy cast aluminum plate with the premium non-stick surface.
- Master heat control controls the temperature automatically.
- When the temperature controls are removed the Presto 07061 is fully immersive.
- The size of the plate is 18”.
Presto 07061 is very simple, streamlined and good-looking. The heavy cast aluminum plate is reasonably durable, and the premium Teflon coating makes sure that cleaning any kind of stains is a breeze. When temperature controls, handle and foot units are removed, the plate can be safely put into the dishwasher with the rest of the dishes.
The cooking surface of 18” (width) is pretty generous, and you’ll have no problem preparing a lot of pancakes, French toasts, and sandwiches at once. The Presto griddle makes butter, margarine, and other high-calorie oils as good as unnecessary. Even if you use them, the drip pan will make sure everything is still clean and tidy.
Unfortunately, this Presto electrical griddle can reach temperatures only up to 400°F, which means you’ll use the unit mostly for pancakes, sandwiches, veggies and other food that doesn’t require too much processing.
What I Liked
- The Presto grill looks great, and, when all the parts are detached, the unit is very portable.
- A lot of cooking surfaces to play with.
- The griddle is extremely easy to clean.
What I Didn’t Like
- With only 400°F, you won’t do much grilling on this unit.
- The griddle bows toward the center, which can cause a problem if you are trying to keep food separated.
BLACK+DECKER GD2011B Family-Sized Electric Griddle – Prince and a Beggar
- The dimension of 12” x 22” can take up to eight servings.
- Non-stick plate surface.
- The griddle has a drip tray for easier cleanup.
- Thermostat heat control.
At a first glance, BLACK+DECKER GD2011B is very similar to the rival griddle Presto 07061. So much so, that the only thing that makes them any different are their flaws. But, let us start with the good things first.
Once again, the plate is very spacious. The total surface of 210 square inches will allow you to cook approximately 12 strips of bacon, or eight pancakes, which is really admirable for a device so cheap. The Black and Decker griddle is also very easy to dismantle, and the cooking plate is easy to clean. It’s good to know that the unit has thermostat heat control, but the max temperature of 400°F renders it to nothing more than a pancake griddle.
The heat distribution is very uneven, and lightweight aluminum bows toward the center after just a couple of months. Also, although it is advertised as a dishwasher safe unit, the only dishwasher safe part is the dripping pan.
What I Liked
- Very solid-looking and spacious unit.
- The unit is slender and very portable.
- The optimal cooking temperature can be reached in less than three minutes.
What I Didn’t Like
- A couple of electric griddle reviews point out that the plate bows towards the center.
- The only dishwasher safe part is the dripping pan.
- Unevenly distributed heat.
See also: Favorite Pancake Griddles in 2022 – Reviews
Presto 07211 Liddle Griddle – Atom Ant
- Compact dimensions of 8 3/4 ” x 10 3/4 ”.
- Cast aluminum heating pad.
- In-built drip catching mechanism.
- According to the manufacturer, the device is fully submersible.
This electric griddle completes the first three-entry trinity of affordable entry-level units with similar functions. This griddle, however, is designed for portability.
The cooking surface is smaller than 90 square inches which can be both good and bad. On the bright side, this small flat grill is very portable, and it doesn’t take too much space in the dishwasher (the plate is dishwasher friendly). Also, a smaller cooking surface means that the heat is more evenly distributed.
However, the obvious drawback of this situation is that you can’t put too much food on the plate. Two eggs, a couple of bacon strips and that are it. Also, because of the smaller dimensions, the dripping mechanism had to be built-in which makes the device much harder for cleaning.
The cast aluminum surface is built well, and it won’t flex too much as time goes by. All in all, a good griddle for users who like their fried eggs on the go.
What I Liked
- The device performs really well.
- Although you can reach the temperatures only up to 400F, the griddle maintains the temperature automatically.
- Small, lightweight and very portable.
What I Didn’t Like
- At best, you can prepare meals for only two people at once.
- The price doesn’t justify the compromises you have to make.
Cuisinart GR-4N 5-in-1 Griddler – A Versatile Performer
- The unit can work as the electric grill, griddle, half grill/half griddle, contact grill, and a panini press.
- Floating cover that adjusts to the thickness of the food.
- Brushed stainless steel housing.
- Removable and reversible non-stick cooking plates.
- Integrated drip tray.
This may be the oddest entry on the list, but the odd properties give this product a lot of value. For a start, Cuisinart GR-4N 5 in 1 Griddler is a press, and that is a good thing.
That doesn’t mean that the whole press concept is without flaws – the device is considerably bulkier than rival griddles. Also, if you are going to use the device as a press, the cooking surface amounts to approximately 100 square inches. Finally, although it goes up to 425°F, the total temperature is still a far cry from what you’d expect from a heavy-duty grill.
However, when unfolded, Cuisinart griddle plates offer a very comfortable 200 square inches. When you fold the press, you get a very even, two-sided 425F heat distribution that can handle even raw meat. The build quality is excellent, and a sturdy stainless steel body looks like it can last for ages. Replaceable plates make the unit easy to clean and are a nice addition.
What I Liked
- Excellent build quality.
- Performance-driven device.
- Great versatility.
- You can use the device as a griddle and grill at the same time.
What I Didn’t Like
- Cuisinart GR-4N indoor grill’s price may be a bit too much for users who just want to fry eggs or make a couple of pancakes.
- When you use the device as a press, the cooking surface amounts only to 100 square inches.
Related: Most wanted Panini Press in 2022
Oster CKSTGRFM18W-ECO DuraCeramic Griddle – Good-Looking but Flawed Griddle
- The unique, durable DuraCeramic coating makes the griddle four times more durable.
- Easy to clean ceramic surface.
- According to the manufacturer, the device cooks 20% faster and saves more energy.
- The cooking surface of 10” x 18” inches.
- Convenient warming tray.
This device finally brings something new to the table, and, as you can guess, this refreshing upgrade comes in the form of the warming tray. But is this addition good enough to raise Oster DuraCeramic electric griddle above the rival griddles?
Yes and no. While the tray makes keeping the cooked food warm extremely convenient, because of the poor design the tray is prone to melting. Also, the nonstick surface is very subjected to burning and staining. It does make the cooking surface more durable, though.
On the bright side, the cooking surface is pretty spacious and easy to clean. If you don’t dial the heat controls to the max, the warming tray will prove to be an extremely useful addition. This is very unfortunate because the dial allows you to bump the temperature up to 420°F. The Oster electric griddle is very energy efficient, and it can save you a lot of money in the long run.
What I Liked
- A reasonably priced energy-efficient product.
- The Oster DuraCeramic grill looks and feels very solid.
- The device allows you to prepare family-sized meals.
What I Didn’t Like
- The non-sticking surface is not that non-sticking.
- Curious design flaws prevent this unit from rising to excellence.
See also: Quality Electric Grills in 2022
And the Perfect electric griddle you can buy is…
When all is said and done, making the final jury on the greatest electric griddle out of the five is a surprisingly difficult task.
However, it is hard not to notice that Cuisinart GR-4N 5-in-1 Griddler, in spite of its bulky design and limited cooking surface, offers the most versatility and the best overall performance.
The relatively high price tag may put off a huge number of users that need a slender and portable device that can tackle family-sized meals and perform most of the day-to-day tasks.
But, if you want a quality unit that will last for ages and offer stellar performance, even if you need to spend more time in the kitchen, the money you’ll invest in Cuisinart GR-4N is money well-spent.
That’s what I did, and it never disappointed me ever since.