The best griddler adds more variety and flexibility to your culinary experience as opposed to the best grills found on the market. Whether you’re cooking during an outdoor escapade or entertaining a large number of guests indoors, electric griddlers let you swiftly whip up mouth-watering meals.
These sturdy appliances are best-known for fitting into tight spaces (compact electric griddlers) and packing multi-functional modes that toggle between grill, griddle, and panini settings. But it doesn’t stop there. You’ll also find hi-tech features on them, like control dials, indicator lights, sear functions, and dual temperature controls. The best griddler grill comes with an integrated drip tray and scraper tools for an easier and time saving cleaning process.
Keep reading our buying guide to get an in-depth understanding of all the major considerations that should be on your radar when shopping for griddlers.
Top Griddlers
#1 Cuisinart GR-4NP1 5-in-1 Stainless Steel Griddler
Award: TOP PICK
WHY WE LIKE IT: It is ideal for users who want complete control over the heating and temperature of their food since it features three temperature control knobs. The griddle cooks a wide variety of foods and comes with a scraping tool for quick and easy cleaning.
[su_row][su_column size=”1/2″][su_box title=”Pros” box_color=”#4DB227″ radius=”0″][su_list icon=”icon: check” icon_color=”#4DB227″]- Three temperature knobs for efficient temperature regulation
- Cooks a wide variety of foods
- Comes with a scraping tool that makes it easy to clean
- No support for dual temperature control
Cuisinart is easily one of the most well-respected kitchen brands in the market. The brand is synonymous with high quality, and the Cuisinart GR-4NP1 is no different. Made out of brushed stainless steel, the GR-4NP1 is an 8-pound griddle that has five functions built into it. It has a contact grill, a panini press, a full grill, a full griddle, and a half grill half griddle. It features red and green indicator lights that allow for easy operation and comes with a dishwasher-safe scraping tool that makes it pretty easy to clean. Unfortunately, it does not allow for dual temperature control.
This griddle is pretty compact and is a perfect pick for anyone who would want to grill their meat indoors. As opposed to outdoor grills, its use of electricity to heat the grilling places means that there won’t be any smoke produced, and since it features both flat and grated cooking plates, users will have a wide range of options to choose from depending on what they would want to cook, including sausages, grilled cheese, steaks hamburgers, and Paninis. The griddle also features three temperature knobs that make it easy to regulate the temperature of the top and bottom 9 by 11-inch cooking plates.
#2 Courant CPP-4140 4-Serving Panini Press and Sandwich Griller
Award: HONORABLE MENTION
WHY WE LIKE IT: It has an adjustable floating hinge that can accommodate various food thicknesses. It is compact and has a non-stick coating that makes it pretty easy to clean.
[su_row][su_column size=”1/2″][su_box title=”Pros” box_color=”#4DB227″ radius=”0″][su_list icon=”icon: check” icon_color=”#4DB227″]- The adjustable floating hinge accommodates various food thicknesses
- Has a nonstick coating that makes cleaning easier
- Serves four individuals
- No form of temperature control
The Courant CPP-4140 sandwich griddle is a standard indoor grill that opens up to 180 degrees. It has a floating hinge that can be adjusted to accommodate any thickness and comes with a non-stick coating that helps make it easier to deal with when cleaning. It also has a removable drip tray that catches unwanted grease and two indicator lights that signal when it’s ready to start cooking. Unfortunately, it does not have any form of temperature control.
This griddle has a decent cooking surface that measures about 9 by 9.5 inches and is compact enough to be used on a standard kitchen counter. It is available in either Stainless Steel or Black and can cook enough food for up to four individuals.
#3 Cuisinart GR-300ESP1 Elite Stainless Steel Griddler
Award: BEST FOR VARIED COOKING
WHY WE LIKE IT: It is ideal for cooking different types of food, and its dual-zone temperature control feature allows users to cook food at different temperatures.
[su_row][su_column size=”1/2″][su_box title=”Pros” box_color=”#4DB227″ radius=”0″][su_list icon=”icon: check” icon_color=”#4DB227″]- Dual zone temperature control
- LCD display with timer for timed cooking
- Large cooking area
- 17 pound weight may be difficult for some to handle
The Cuisinart GR-300WSP1 is what some would call a premium griddle that offers six cooking options and features an electronic LCD display that lets owners set a timer for how long they would like to have their food cook. One of the highlight features of this griddle is its dual-zone temperature control, which means owners will be able to cook separate foods at different temperatures on the two other cooking plates when opened or closed. Still, its 17-pound weight may prove challenging to handle for some.
This griddle also comes with an integrated drip tray to catch excess grease spillage and features a unique sear function that can sear up to 500° Fahrenheit for up to two minutes. The stainless steel griddle also offers a generous cooking space of up to 240 square inches and features removable cooking plates with a nonstick coating to make them easy to clean.
#4 Yedi Total Package 6-in-1 Digital Indoor Grill, Waffle Maker and Griddle
Award: BEST FOR LARGE VOLUME COOKING
WHY WE LIKE IT: Its 12.7 by 8.8-inch cooking plates are great for making food for large groups of people, and since it also has dual-zone temperature control, owners can use it for cooking different types of food separately.
[su_row][su_column size=”1/2″][su_box title=”Pros” box_color=”#4DB227″ radius=”0″][su_list icon=”icon: check” icon_color=”#4DB227″]- Dual zone temperature control
- Built in drip tray that handles excess grease when cooking
- Large-sized cooking plates
- 17 pound weight may make it slightly difficult to move around
The Yedi 6-in-1 indoor grill is a sleek-looking grill that’ll make it easy for users to grill their hamburgers, hot dogs, or chickens, panini presses their sandwiches, or make their waffles indoors. Unlike other alternatives, the Yedi griddle features egg rings that make it easy for users to make their eggs in the morning, and since its top also has an adjustable hinge, owners will be able to easily adjust it according to the thickness of the food they want to cook. Still, some may find it slightly challenging to move around due to its 17-pound weight.
The build quality of this indoor grill is pretty impressive, and since it also has dual-zone temperature control, owners will be able to cook their food precisely as they want or even extend its cooking plates and cook two types of food at once. This griddle also features a built-in drip tray that handles extra grease when cooking, and it also ships with a spatula to handle the food more easily. Its cooking plates are also pretty large, measuring 12.7 by 8.8 inches.
#5 Breville BGR820XL Smart Grill
Award: BEST FOR HEAT LOSS CONTROL
WHY WE LIKE IT: Its Element IQ technology ensures that lost heat gets quickly recovered, and it also has a timer for users who would like to have their food cooked for a specific period. Its top plate has six adjustable height settings and is easy to clean.
[su_row][su_column size=”1/2″][su_box title=”Pros” box_color=”#4DB227″ radius=”0″][su_list icon=”icon: check” icon_color=”#4DB227″]- Heat loss detection and recovery technology
- Features six adjustable height settings
- Timer controlled cooking
- No dual zone temperature control
The Breville BGR820XL Smart Grill is a mid-sized indoor grill that is perfect for a larger family. It is also praised for its incorporation of Element IQ technology, which is beneficial since its use of heat sensors ensures that any heat loss is immediately detected as a result of placing cold food on a heated surface. Once this is done, what follows is a rapid injection of heat to ensure that food continues cooking at the right temperature. The Smart Grill also features six different height settings, and this adjustability means that users will be able to position the top and bottom cooking plates according to the thickness of the food being cooked. However, some may not appreciate its lack of dual-zone temperature control when cooking different foods.
The cooking plates on this grill are designed not to lose the heat they generate, which is critical because it significantly shortens the pre-heating time. The grill also features an LCD screen that shows the status of its settings and also includes a removable drip tray that collects all the excess grease during cooking. One other unique feature is that its bottom plate is tiltable, meaning users will be able to adjust the angle of the base to conveniently drain fats.
#6 Presto 07211 Liddle Griddle
Award: BEST FOR CONVENIENT PLACEMENT
WHY WE LIKE IT: It is pretty compact and ideal for users who do not have as much counter space. It is dishwasher friendly and has a drip tray to collect excess grease.
[su_row][su_column size=”1/2″][su_box title=”Pros” box_color=”#4DB227″ radius=”0″][su_list icon=”icon: check” icon_color=”#4DB227″]- Compact size for convenient placement
- Has a built in drip tray for collecting excess grease
- Dishwasher friendly
- Not ideal for cooking large amounts of food
The Presto 07211 is arguably one of the most compact griddle picks on the market. Weighing only 3.3 pounds, it is very easy to maneuver, and since it is made of cast aluminum, it can distribute heat evenly when cooking. This mini griddle also features a built-in drip tray that collects excess fats and grease, and its surface also has a non-stick coating that makes it pretty easy to clean. Its 8.5 by 10.5-inch grilling surface is just enough for personal use or a small family, and it can also be used to cook a wide variety of foods. Because of its limited grilling surface, it would not be efficient for cooking large amounts of food.
This griddle also has a master heat control function that automatically regulates its operating temperature varying from warm to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. It can also maintain high temperatures for long periods.
Beginner’s Guide to Griddlers
What is a Griddler?
Unlike traditional grills that have a grated grilling surface, an open flame, and produce a lot of smoke, a griddle, or indoor electric griddle (like a great raclette grill), is a cooking appliance made of aluminum, cast iron, or steel, and features a large and flat surface. Widely referred to as flat-top grills, these jumbo cookers are the most versatile cooking appliances you’ll ever encounter.
These appliances are manufactured as electrical models for home use. From cooking cheese sandwiches to getting the perfect sear on your steak, you can experiment with virtually any food item and cooking technique with these modern electric griddles. For a great indoor griddle, check out our review of the Secura GR 1503XL.
Griddlers also pack additional tools, like a removable drip tray and scrapers, and feature simple controls for the temperature and indicator lights that turn on when the griddle reaches the desired temperature. Dripping trays collect the excess oil while scrapers loosen the stubborn deposits stuck to the surface. Some high-end models have special dual control temperature functions that let you cook different items at different temperatures and special sear functions that sear food at 500 degrees for two minutes before slowly simmering the insides.
Griddlers vs Other Electric Grills
Both griddlers and electric grills perfectly fit into your kitchen and use electricity as their heat source to whip up some of the best meals.
Electric grills, much like outdoor barbeques such as the Blackstone 28-inch outdoor flat-top gas grill, have raised ridges that leave distinct grill marks on your hamburgers, sandwiches, and steaks. Plus, if you are health conscious, these appliances are the ultimate cooking choice as the ridges on the plate effectively hold the food above the oil and grease, which is later collected in an in-built recessed container (grease tray). Some models are the size of a traditional barbecue and intended for use outdoors.
Griddlers, on the other hand, is a type of electric grill that is meant for indoor use and is small enough to sit on your countertop. Along with a flat cooking surface, many manufacturers include grilling functions, resulting in a highly functional, multi-purpose appliance. The 5-in-1 griddle, for example, embodies several cooking elements in one and features meat cooking settings, a flat-top griddle and grilling modes, a half grill/half griddle mode, a panini press, and waffle plates. In some models, the grilling plates have both a smooth and a ridged side to meet your needs.
How a Griddler Works
As noted, these kitchen appliances are electric standalone appliances that sit on your countertop. Today, more people are choosing electric griddlers as these have a larger surface area that can be evenly heated for perfectly cooked food while reducing the cooking time.
Start by plugging the electric griddle into an outlet, and then set the desired cooking temperature so that the top surface rises to 350°F. If you’re new to cooking on a griddle, it’s best to stick to basic food items. With practice, you’ll get the hang of operating it. After that, you can move on to more elaborate recipes.
If you’re preparing a simple dish like pancakes, you’d want to apply a little oil or butter on the griddle’s flat cooking surface before pouring the batter. It’s important not to miss out on this step, especially if your top lacks a non-stick finish. Once the batter begins to bubble and the glossy sheen starts to dull, turn the pancakes over. If you’d like, you could even prepare a batch of scrambled eggs right after without any trouble. After you’re done, thoroughly cleanse the surface.
You’ll likely find that the top griddle models have efficient heat distribution, take a good 10 minutes to heat up properly, and feature a half-inch thick non-stick cooking surface that allows for even heating.
Why Should You Buy a Griddler?
If you’re looking to eliminate a bit of fat from your diet, a griddle is your go-to. They’re also a convenient way to prepare grilled meats without needing to worry about buying charcoal or propane tanks.
Are Griddlers Worth Buying?
- You Want Healthy Meals: Modern griddlers are made of non-stick ceramic materials, allowing you to completely eliminate oil and butter from your dishes for healthier cooking options.
- You Love the Versatility of Griddlers: You can go all out with your cooking adventures and prepare just about any type of food item, from fish and fried eggs to bacon and seared steak.
Why a Griddler May Not Be for You
- You Need to Feed a Large Group: Griddlers don’t have large cooking surfaces. So, if you’re cooking for a large group of people, it may not be the right tool for the job.
- You Prefer Smoky Flavors: If your taste buds are accustomed to the signature flavors of fire-cooked foods, the best charcoal smoker will be better for you.
- High-end Griddlers are Pricey: Griddlers don’t come cheap and can easily cost you up to a few hundred dollars. However, if you get into high-quality models, the price points even out.
How Long Will a Griddler Last?
All good things come to an end, and even your top-notch griddle will eventually break down. However, with proper maintenance, you can get quite a few years out of it — two decades, according to experts.
To get the most out of your appliance, make sure it’s kept clean after every cooking session to prevent the build-up of grime and dirt. Unlike a traditional grill that’ll require the best grill brush for cleaning, most griddlers can be cleaned faster due to their non-stick surface. Every few weeks you should also do a deep clean to target the deep-set grime.
However, the electric components shouldn’t come into contact with water or other cleaning solutions. If you follow these basic maintenance tips and refer to the instruction manual, you can expand its lifespan.
How to Choose a Griddler
When it comes to selecting the best griddle, there are many factors you’d want to keep in mind, like griddle configuration, fuel type, and cooktop measurements. Let’s look at these and more below.
Best Griddler Key Factors
1. What Heat Control System Does the Griddler Have?
If temperature precision while cooking isn’t your priority, an electric griddle with a single thermostat will suffice for your cooking needs. Whether you’re trying to get the perfect sear on your steak or whip up the most delicious scrambled eggs, you’ll have to make do with a single temperature setting. However, most electric griddlers today feature a dual thermostat for cooking two dishes that require varying heat requirements at the same time.
Going up the price spectrum, you’ll find griddlers with either a high, low and medium temperature setting or a fully adjustable temperature control panel that lets you key in the exact temperature for precise cooking and control.
2. What Type of Electric Griddler Do You Prefer?
Electric griddlers come in three varieties — a conventional flat top grill, a griddler and grill combo, and a multipurpose griddler.
The conventional griddler is the most basic griddler of all three. It features a flat plate that gets heated evenly for cooking pancakes, eggs, sandwiches, steak, and much more. Sometimes, if these appliances have lids, they resemble a sandwich or panini press.
You can also find electric griddlers that offer the added grill function so that your food gets distinct grill marks. This griddle-grill combo is ideal for those who want more cooking flexibility than what they’ll get with just a flat-surfaced model. Moreover, they take up less space on the countertop and are an economical option compared to buying two separate appliances. However, keep in mind that these combo griddlers weigh more than conventional models, so you may have to compromise on portability.
Lastly, you have the multi-purpose electric griddler with interchangeable non-stick plates to prepare a wide variety of meals. Like a griddle-grill combo, these appliances take up minimal space, however, they’re more challenging to clean as you’ll have to scour each plate insert till it’s free of grime.
3. How Much Cooking Surface Area Do You Require?
To arrive at the right-sized griddler for your kitchen space, you need to ask yourself three basic questions. How many people do you regularly cook for; what’s the maximum number of people you’d cook for (when entertaining guests); and how often do you cook for them?
Typically, you’ll find electric griddlers offering 200-250 square inches of cooking space. If you want a spacious, high-end smokeless indoor grill for in-home get-togethers, you’ll want to choose a griddler that has 300 and more square inches of real estate. However, for a small family of 2-3 people, mini electric griddlers that measure no wider than 75-100 square inches will suffice. This way, you’ll never have to give up on the idea of griddling.
4. Does It Come With a Lid?
While electric griddles without a lid are easy to store, griddlers have a hinged top half that offers extra cooking power to cook your food evenly. This allows you to cook a food item on both sides simultaneously, resulting in the perfect overall sear.
Other special features to keep an eye out for are dishwasher-safe plates, a dripping tray to collect excess oil, adjustable feet, versatile scrapers to remove the stubborn burnt food while cleaning, and long-handled wooden spatulas.
5. What’s Your Budget?
There are many types of griddlers to fit any budget. They range from inexpensive mini griddlers costing less than $30 to large models with 350 square inches of cooking space and multi-purpose cast-iron griddlers that have price points up to a few hundred dollars.
The best-in-class models will usually feature intelligent hi-tech settings, such as dual temperature control, a thick stainless steel construction, sear functions, and drip pans. These will cost you anywhere between $300 to $500, but if it fulfills all your cooking requirements at home, it’s definitely a smart purchase.
