Best Electric Griddles
People love to start their day with a hot morning meal; so much so, they’d rather have a sweet or savory breakfast than a passionate encounter.
With health experts claiming breakfast is the most important meal of the day, you may want to join the crowd and up your nutrition quotient.
We recommend an electric griddle. This handy appliance is the perfect conduit to cooking classic breakfast favorites, as well as burgers, quesadillas, snacks and more.
An electric griddle is simple to use; just plug it in, heat it up, and voilà, the perfect cooking surface for breakfast, lunch and dinner!
Not sure which model will suit your needs? We’re happy to narrow down the choices so you can get your griddle on sooner, rather than later.
Best Electric Griddles
Our Top Pick: BLACK+DECKER Family-Sized Electric Griddle
If large family gatherings are your thing, then you’ll want an electric griddle big enough to handle a hungry crew.
The extra-large capacity griddle serves up 200 square inches of surface space, large enough to fit eight servings of eggs, pancakes, bacon, burgers, grilled cheese sammies or sausages in a single pass.
The Black + Decker Family-Sized electric griddle GD2051B is a sleek, black, streamlined appliance that will fit nicely on a kitchen counter or table. At just under 5 lbs and measuring 13 by 22 inches, it’s lightweight enough for any member of the family to handle. Plus, its non-stick, easy clean cooking surface is non-toxic and PFOA-free.
If you love lots of convenient features, then this is the model for you. A removable drip tray catches excess grease, and a built-in warming tray keeps cooked food hot and ready to serve as you prepare the rest of the meal. Both trays pop into the dishwasher for a quick cleanup.
The Black + Decker Family-Sized electric griddle also has a click & lock thermostat. The removable probe features an adjustable temperature knob that maintains the ideal heat for every cooking task. What makes this unique is the removable feature; once the thermostat is unplugged, the griddle can be put into the sink and washed with warm soapy water.
Pros
- Easy to clean, non-stick, non-toxic surface
- Removable drip tray for easy grease disposal
- Extra-large capacity
- Cool-touch base
Cons
- Drip tray is a bit small and may overflow
- Temperature gauge control can be inaccurate
Best Griddle For the Novice Cook: DASH Everyday Nonstick Electric Griddle
You like the idea of an electric griddle. In fact, your best friend has one and dishes on it all the time.
While you’d love to add one to your countertop, cooking is not your super power and your repertoire of recipes is pretty non-existent.
We recommend the DASH Everyday Nonstick Electric Griddle for the beginner cook planning their first brunch party, or for a convenient way to whip up a hot and delicious breakfast.
This model comes with a handy recipe book and access to recipe database, so you won’t have to spend hours Googling ‘what to cook on an electric griddle’.
At an impressive 1500 watts, the Dash DEG200GBAQ01 Everyday Griddle has some enviable features: anti-slip feet, a non-stick heating surface, a drip tray and a unique stylish vibe that will add a touch of décor to your kitchen. You can choose from four cool colors – aqua, red, black or white – for a personalized look.
This model would make a superb house-warming or wedding gift, too.
And the best part? It’s super easy to use. Just plug it in and turn it on. It heats up in minutes and the large surface is ready to accommodate everything from eggs, cookies and pancakes to grilled-cheese sandwiches and burgers. A separate grease tray catches all that bacon and burger fat before it hits the counter, for faster cleanup.
Pros
- Backed by a one-year warranty
- Heating probe for precise temperature control
- Non-stick cooking surface is PFOA-free
- Choice of colors
Cons
- At 6.5 lbs, it’s a bit heavier than other models
- Not dishwasher safe
- Cooktop not removable to immerse in sink for clean up
Best Pick for Most Versatile: Secura Smokeless Indoor Grill
Serious chefs prefer appliances that truly deliver, with thoughtfully designed features to make the culinary experience fluid and fault-free. For the kitchen connoisseur who demands more bang for their buck, we recommend the versatile Secura Smokeless Indoor Electric Griddle.
This model packs an impressive 1800 watts of power with a reversible, non-stick cast-iron cooking plate. Flip one side, and it’s the perfect griddle for pancakes, eggs, bacon and hash browns. Flip it to the other side, and you have a grill to barbecue burgers and steaks. Fully portable, you can take it into the backyard for a summer of grilling heaven.
We can’t get enough of all the special features that come with this model, like a removable glass lid. Genius. The lid prevents splatter, keeps in smoke and odors, and retains heat while you barbecue. Food will not get soggy with the lid on; any extra moisture vents out from the sides, keeping food crispy. A decent-sized cooking surface of 15.5 inches by 11.5 inches is perfect for entertaining.
Pros
- Griddle and grill options
- Removable glass lid prevents splatter and keeps in smoke
- Cool-touch handles
- Easy-clean drip tray
- One-year limited manufacturer warranty
- Heating indicator light
Cons
- More than twice the price of a regular electric grill
- A bit heavy at 13.6 lbs
- Can only be used with North American Electrical standards
Best Compact Electric Griddle: Presto Liddle Griddle
They don’t call it the Liddle Griddle for nothing. Tiny homes are all the rage, as are small condos and bachelor-apartment living, and just because you live in a small space, it doesn’t mean you have to miss out on the joys of an electric griddle.
Even with limited counter space, the Presto 07211 Liddle Griddle is easy to set up and takes up less room than a toaster oven. It is the perfect choice if you’re cooking one or two servings of pancakes, French toast, eggs or bacon. With an efficient 8 ½-inch by 10 ½-inch deluxe non-stick cooking surface, this model has another great feature, a heavy cast aluminum base that is virtually warp-proof. We recommend it for its durability, portability, and easy-to-handle 1.5lb weight – easy to carry, store and you can even take it to the cottage or on the boat.
Another bonus of this compact electric griddle is its efficient cooking area. The master heat control maintains a constant, proper temperature for perfect pancakes every time.
The 1000-watt griddle plugs into any 120-volt outlet and automatically maintains temperatures ranging from warm to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. As for clean up, a built-in grease tray catches all the drippings, and when you remove the heat control mechanism, the griddle is fully immersible in water for a quick wash with warm, soapy water.
Pros
• Lightweight at only 1.5 lbs
• Slightly textured, non-stick surface
• Covered by a one-year warranty against defects
• Affordable price
• Compact size perfect for small spaces
Cons
• Legs need to be assembled
• No indicator to show griddle is still hot after use
• Grease collector is not removable
Best Foodie Choice: Zojirushi Gourmet Sizzler Electric Griddle
When only the best will do, we recommend a high-end model that goes over and above in style, convenience, features and ease of cooking.
The Zojirshi EA-DCC10 Gourmet Sizzler Electric Griddle doesn’t disappoint, with its large 19-inch by 12 ½-inch durable ceramic cooking surface that is coated with a titanium non-stick coating.
Perfect for breakfast, lunch or dinner, this electric griddle has variable heat settings from Keep Warm to a high of 425 degrees Fahrenheit. The easy-to-use temperature control makes a clicking noise to let you know its been inserted correctly.
As for clean ups? A fully immersible body guard and cooking plate means you can wash it quickly in the sink with warm soapy water.
This electric griddle looks good with clean, sleek lines, and is available in a unique stainless brown colour. Pretty much the Cadillac of electric griddles, this model comes with many features, including a cover with stay-cool side handles for speedy cooking. The cover also keeps in splatter, smoke and smells.
With 1350 watts, this model packs a powerful punch. The 6.6-ft power cord is a bonus, too, giving you the freedom to place the electric griddle close to your prep and cook areas, regardless of where the wall socket is located.
Pros
• Large cooking surface
• Fitted cover with stay-cool handles
• Variable heat settings for even cooking
• Durable ceramic surface
• Easy to take apart and clean
Cons
• Price. Slightly four times more expensive than a traditional electric grill
• At 12 lbs, it’s a bit heavy
Things to look out for:
Consider these things when choosing an electric griddle that best suits your needs:
The size of the electric griddle
There are number of factors to take into consideration when it comes to the size of the electric griddle that would work best for you.
If you’re just cooking for one or two people, you may not need a large cooking surface. If you live in a small place with limited counter space, you’ll want a more compact model that will fit easily into a cupboard or sits nicely on top of the fridge, out of the way.
If you love cooking for a large crowd and want to prepare a variety of foods for the picky eaters in your group, then choosing an electric griddle with a spacious cooking surface will be a smart purchase, especially if you have enough cupboard and counter space for cooking and storage.
Surface coating
Most electric griddles have a non-stick surface, and we would not recommend purchasing one that does not have this feature. A non-stick surface guarantees your eggs, pancakes, French toast and other low-fat foods will lift off the griddle with ease. It will also make cleaning up less of a chore. Try and find a ceramic surface or a non-stick coating that is non-toxic and PFOA-free.
Grill inserts
If all you want is an electric griddle, then a regular model will do, but if you also like to barbecue and want the convenience of using the same appliance, choose a 2-in-1 option. Flip one side and use the griddle, flip to the other side and there’s a handy grill for steaks and burgers.
Temperature range
Different foods cook best at different temperatures. When shopping for an electric griddle, look for a model that offers a range such as low, medium and high. This will allow you to prepare a variety of foods be it for breakfast, lunch or dinner.
Cost
Electric griddles come in a wide range of prices, although there are many models around the $30 to $40 range. It’s always best to buy something that is within your budget and price range. It’s best to pick one that truly suits your purposes.
However, higher priced models do come with extra features and bells and whistles that can make the cooking experience more fun. As well, many higher-priced models sometimes offer a good warranty or guarantee that can come in handy in the future.
Easy to clean
Cooking and eating is fun; cleaning, not so much. Try and find an electric griddle that has non-stick, easy-to-clean cooking surface, and features like a drip and warming try that are easy to remove and dishwasher safe. Models where you can detached any heat controls from the cooking surface so it can be immerse in warm soapy water will make the cleanup easier, too. Keeping your electric griddle clean is a good maintenance tips to help it function well, last longer and makes it ready to use after each wash.
Drip Trays
While this feature is not essential, it does help keep bacon and burger grease in one place. This will help keep your counter tops clean, and removable drip trays make disposing the grease and oil easy. If there isn’t a drip tray, a model that has holes in the cooking surface to drain fat into the tray will work well, too.