Griddles are appliances that speed up and simplify the process of cooking small foods. Think of a griddle as a very large, rectangular pan without the cooking oil. Some can be electric while others are better for sticking over campfires.
With griddles, the cooking process is much like a sandwich/panini press but there’s no press down. This is what makes the griddle perfect for grilling large quantities of small foods in a short period of time. If it fits on the griddle, you can cook it.
Before you purchase a griddle, there are a few things you should consider:
Grease
- After cooking fatty and greasy foods, there’s likely to be leftovers on the griddle. Try to reserve these foods for the pan or cut them into smaller pieces so there is little to no cleanup.
Cost
- Most griddles are affordable and below $100. The bigger ones will still cost more, however.
Best Overall
Presto 22-inch Electric Griddle
The Preseto 22-inch griddle is our favorite appliance because it combines size and easy cleanup. It comes with a drip-tray for foods that produce a lot of greases or are liquidy to begin with. The surface is non-stick so you don’t have to spend money on non-stick spray. The handles that line the side of the griddle are detachable so you can easily store it in a thin or vertical cabinet.
Best Under $30
The DuraCeramic Griddle by Oster may look a little different than the previous griddle but it does its job nonetheless. Perhaps the biggest difference between it and the rest of the griddles is the inclusion of a warming tray. The warming tray keeps completed foods warm while you cook the rest; no one likes cold pancakes!
Best Under $40
Lodge Cast Iron Reversible Grill/Griddle
The Lodge Cast Iron Grill is not an electric griddle but a versatile substitute nonetheless. This griddle works just as fine on top of stoves or over campfires in the outdoors. It has two sides as it is reversible so you can create flat or ribbed foods depending on your preference. The Lodge reversible griddle would be an excellent addition to a camping or your next outdoor excursion with a group.
Best Under $80
Magicook Electric Reversible Grill Griddle
The Magicook combines many of the key aspects of the griddles on this list. Complete with handles, an adjustable dial for temperature, a drip tray, and a reversible flat/ribbed tray for various cooking styles. It also makes use of smokeless cooking so its perfect for the indoors or outdoors.
Best Under $90
Broil King Professional Portable Nonstick Griddle
The Broil King is another large 29-inch griddle that comes with a metal backlash against foods that pop when heating up. It has a dial to set the heat from anywhere up to 425 degrees. Like most griddles, the handles can be removed along with the temperature meter so it can fit neatly in a cabinet. It’s the largest griddle on our list and is still less than $90.
Is a Griddle Worth It?
If you are a big eater or usually cook for a large family, a griddle can be a convenient way to speed up the cooking process. If you were to just use pots and pans on a stove, it would take longer and cleanup can be messy. The best part is that the griddles listed above are all very affordable and require little maintenance besides routine cleaning of drip trays.