If you are one of those people who love to cook without having the mess of cleaning up after you are done cooking or don’t like to hassle with using all of your pans and appliances just to cook a meal then you will want to own the best electric griddle that money can buy.
This kitchen appliance is one of the more crucial appliances in your kitchen arsenal. The reason being is that you will be able to cook literally just about anything on it without having to use a bunch of other pots and pans. Also, the cleanup is a cinch.
In this article, we will go over what to look for when buying the best electric griddle as well as some of the different types of griddles available. We will also cover some of the electric griddles that are available for purchase on the market today and which one may be the best fit for your needs in the kitchen.
How to Choose the Best Electric Griddle
It is a common misconception that electric griddles are only used to cook breakfast foods when in fact they can also be used to cook any meal during the day. They are able to cook anything from bacon and eggs in the morning to burgers and brats for dinner. There is no question about it why this would be a great addition to any kitchen. Some electric griddles are sometimes referred to as electric grills but there are some differences between the two types.
When choosing the best electric griddle, the first thing you want to make sure of is if the product comes with a warranty or some kind of guarantee by the company selling the griddle. Since this will be an appliance you may end up using more often than any other kitchen appliance, it is best to have all your bases covered. A warranty will come in handy when the griddle breaks or decides to stop working someday.
Most of the electric griddles out there are very easy to clean because of the design and the surface. Some of these models are also able to be washed in the dishwasher which is a huge plus. If the plates are removable, this makes the cleaning process that much easier and seamless.
Whichever model you decide to go with, just make sure it is easy to clean and store. There are going to be many different types of griddles with many different features for each model. Make sure the model you purchase is not made with cheap materials, is well constructed and most of all, is very reliable.
Construction and Design
Electric griddles are generally all pretty much the same type of design. There are only a few different factors that set them apart from each other. They can come in many different sizes from compact to very large as you might see in a commercial kitchen.
When it comes to the overall design of the griddle, there are two different variations. There are electric griddles with a lid or top burner and there are those without. Now between those two types, there are some subtle factors that may make them different such as a flat top surface or slightly tilted model.
One of the best features about electric griddles is that they will heat evenly throughout the whole flat top surface so you will not have to be constantly looking for that hot or cold spot. There are some models that have the ability to have different temperatures on different places on the griddle. Usually, these types have multiple temperature controls.
Thermostatic or Manually Controlled
Electric griddles have temperature controls that are either thermostatic or manually controlled. If you are experienced with cooking on electric griddles then you will have no problem using the manual controls. But if you are a little greener than the average joe then maybe the thermostatic controlled system will be a better choice for you.
Thermostatic controlled electric griddles are griddles that have a digital interface in which you are able to set the temperature before cooking. These types are generally more expensive than manual controls but are usually worth it in the long run of things. There are also some electric griddles that are able to be hooked up to alternate energy sources such as gas just in case. This feature may come in handy when there are no electrical outlets available but is not necessary when choosing an electric griddle.
Griddle Plate
The construction of electric griddles is pretty simple and straight forward. There are only a few different factors to look for in this category. One of these factors is the thickness of the electric griddle plate which the food is actually cooked upon. The thicker the electric griddle plate is, the better it will retain heat and create a more even cook.
The thicker plates are generally more expensive but worth it when it comes to the best electric griddle. The thinner plates are cheaper but they also heat up and cool down much faster. This may come in handy when you are in a hurry or don’t have much time to spend in the kitchen but it does have a fallback. The thinner plates are prone to breaking, cracking and burning most food items, so you might find yourself looking for a new electric griddle if this happens to you.
Materials
The materials used to construct the surface of the electric griddle plate will determine how long the product will last, how long it will take to cook food and the overall durability of the electric griddle. Just like electric skillets, the more high-end models will use steel or chrome-plated steel as the material for the surface. This will usually instill great durability and excellent heat retention.
These surfaces will last longer but they will be more expensive than other materials such as aluminum or cast iron. These materials will work just as well but will also come with their own sets of problems. Some surfaces are also textured or slotted to give your foods grill marks and aide in the process of runoff grease and juices.
Best Electric Griddles for Your Kitchen
Presto 7072 Black Slimline Griddle
The Best Electric Griddle
The first electric griddle on the list is the best in the business. It has just about everything you could want in an electric griddle. It is available for about $50 which is fairly reasonable when compared to others but does not come protected by any kind of warranty.
The griddle surface plate is constructed of cast aluminum and is very thick which means it will last forever and won’t break, crack or warp overtime. The cooking surface area is also quite large coming in at 13×23 which means you could cook entire meals at the same time without having to cook a second time. The cooking surface is also nonstick and comes with a slide out drip pan which makes cleaning incredibly easy. The grill plates are also dishwasher safe. The temperature is easily controlled with the master controller for even cooking temperatures.
- The electric griddle has a large cooking surface area which is also non-stick.
- The griddle plates are removeable and very thick which retain heat very well.
- The griddle comes with a slide out grease trap and is dishwasher safe which makes cleaning very easy.
- There is no warranty to protect the product.
BLACK+DECKER GD2051B Electric Griddle with Warming Tray
The Next Best Thing
This electric griddle will have the whole family raving about your cooking. It is not far off in similarities from the previous griddle as well. It is cheaper than the previous model and still does not have any warranty.
The cooking surface area is quite large as well coming in at 200 square inches and also features a non-stick cooking surface. The griddle plate is also very thick which makes it very durable. The click and lock thermostat make it easy to reach high temperatures and remain there. The removable griddle plates and slide out drip tray make cleaning very easy and are both dishwasher safe. This electric griddle also has a warming tray that pulls out and allows you to keep cooked foods warm while you continue to cook food on the top side of the griddle.
- The electric griddle features a non-stick cooking surface of 200 square inches.
- The griddle plates and slide out drip tray are both dishwasher safe.
- There is a warming tray under the griddle to keep food warm while you continue to cook on top.
- While this model is very affordable, there is no warranty to protect it.
DASH DEG200GBRD01 Everyday Nonstick Electric Griddle
The Look Alike Electric Griddle
This electric griddle is very similar to some of the other electric griddles we mentioned on the list. It is priced moderately and does not come with a warranty to protect it. It has a large cooking surface area and a PFOA free non-stick surface making food release very easy. It has a built-in drip tray to catch all grease and slip resistant feet on the bottom to keep it in place while in use.
The heat is easily controlled by the removable dial and powered with 1500 watts of heating power. It comes in 4 different colors of your choosing and while it may be easy to wipe the surface clean from its non-stick surface, it is still not dishwasher safe and needs to be cleaned by hand.
- The temperature is easily controlled by the removable dial and powered with 1500 watts of heating power.
- The electric griddle has a non-stick surface that is easy to clean and a drip tray to catch all unwanted grease.
- It has a large cooking surface area and slip resistant feet on the bottom to keep the griddle from moving around while in use.
- The electric griddle is fairly priced but does not come with a warranty to protect it.
- The griddle is not dishwasher safe.
BELLA (14606) Copper Titanium Coated Non-Stick Electric Griddle
Could Have Been a Contender Electric Griddle
This electric griddle has a couple pluses but in the long run could be much better. It is very affordable to purchase but does not come with a warranty to protect it. The griddle is constructed of reinforced titanium to make it extra strong and has a copper coated non-stick surface which conducts heat up better and cooks up to 30% faster than other metal surfaces.
Bella griddle features a 1500-watt heating system with cool to touch handles and a built-in ledge to catch grease and make flipping easier. The removable dial allows you to control the temperature with ease and there is a grease trap to catch all unwanted fluids. The electric griddle is not dishwasher safe and needs to be cleaned by hand.
- The electric griddle is constructed of reinforced titanium and has a built-in ledge to keep liquids in the griddle.
- The griddle has a copper coated non-stick surface that conducts heat better than other non-stick surface and cooks faster.
- The handles are cool to touch and the electric dial has a 1500-watt powered heat supply.
- The electric griddle does not come with a warranty to protect it.
- It is not dishwasher safe.
Zojirushi EA-DCC10 Gourmet Sizzler Electric Griddle
The Best Covered Electric Griddle
This electric griddle may be the best-covered griddle because it has all the features you would need in a griddle. However, it is very expensive and does not come with a warranty.
The cooking surface area is the largest one yet with over 240 square inches of cooking space. Plus, the extra thick griddle plate is covered in titanium non-stick coating for easy cleaning. The slide out drip pan and griddle plate are both dishwasher safe as well. The temperature is easily controlled and with the airtight lid, food is cooked extra fast.
- The lid and griddle plate are dishwasher safe.
- The air tight lid helps to cook food faster than usual.
- The 240 square inch cooking space is covered with titanium non-stick coating.
- The electric griddle is very expensive and does not come protected by a warranty.
Presto 07211 Liddle Griddle
The Best Compact Electric Griddle
This electric griddle would be perfect for anyone with little to no space available in their kitchen. A college student could keep one in a dorm with no problem. It is very affordable but does not come protected by a warranty.
The griddle plate is coated with a non-stick coating for easy cleaning. There is a channel for collecting any grease or juice that may drip down and the entire unit is dishwasher safe without the heating element attached. The cast aluminum construction is impermeable to warping or cracking and is able to heat up to 400 degrees.
- The cast aluminum griddle plate has a non-stick coating for easy cleaning.
- There is a channel that collects unwanted grease.
- The entire unit is dishwasher safe without the heating element attached.
- While this product is very affordable, it does not come with any warranty.
Dash DMS001RD Mini Maker Electric Round Griddle
The Smallest Electric Griddle
This very small electric griddle could be a blessing or a curse by how small it is. It is about the size of a waffle iron so don’t expect a lot of cooking space. It does have a non-stick coating to prevent food from sticking and can be heated up to 400 degrees. The whole unit weighs only 1 pound and can be kept or stored literally anywhere. However, it is not dishwasher safe and needs to be cleaned by hand. But it’s very cheap and comes with a 1-year warranty to protect it from all damages and defects.
- The electric griddle is very compact and weighs only 1 pound.
- The griddle plate has a non-stick coating.
- The unit is only $10 and it comes with a 1-year warranty.
- The electric griddle is not easily broken down and is not dishwasher safe making it a little harder to get clean.
Conclusion
So, depending on your situation, whether you have little space or a lot of space there are several options for both. But make sure that the electric griddle you go with is easy to use, clean and won’t break on the first time.