Traditionally, backyard grilling has been a mainstay of any culture for a long time. If anything, it’s hard to spot a home without a grill.
Now, as efficient as the grills are for cooking steak, chicken, or bangers, they cannot accommodate greasy-spoon staples like eggs, patties, crepes, bacon, or even pancakes.
While you might argue it’s possible to prepare the pancakes with a regular pan, we all know it can turn into an ordeal, especially if you’ve several mouths to feed.
The prospect of juggling between multiple pans, a limited stovetop, and oven space can be appalling, at the very least, and this is why you should consider a griddle.
Electric griddles are by far the most versatile kitchen equipment since they allow you to prepare several meals in big batches.
They're an intriguing option, especially for those who need to prepare the classic American breakfast, which includes several delectables such as sausages, eggs, bacon, and cereal.
They’re also handy if you also need to prepare an evenly-cooked meal, without worrying about getting your kitchen counter dirty.
More importantly, griddles come at an amazingly competitive price.
But with plenty of griddles in the market, narrowing down to your preferred option can be quite a daunting task.
Fortunately, we shall help you with the selection process.
In our best griddle review, we've prepared a guide detailing the top griddle in the market. We've also included a handy buying guide to help with the selection process.
Quick Comparison Table & Our Pick
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Best Top 5 Griddles In The Market For The Money
Cuisinart GR-4N 5-in-1 Griddler - Editor’s Choice
Topping our list is the Cuisinart GR-4N Griddler, a reliable and performance-oriented griddle.
For me, it seems to hit all the right spots for the ideal griddle for home use.
The performance of this model is quite impressive, and I love how it griddles well, providing tender and juicy steak.
The best feature, however, is the 5-in-1 functionality, letting you use the griddle for a variety of purposes.
Features and Benefits
5-in-1 Functionality
Cuisinart GR-4N 5-in-1 Griddler is a multi-functional griddle going beyond the normal range of a simple electric grill.
GR-4N doubles up as a contact grill, panini press, full grill, full grill, and a half grill/half griddle.
It’s quite the value purchase you’ve been looking for since it combines several cooking equipment into one.
It also has the added benefit of freeing up some of your counter space, while at the same time letting you make healthy meals, even when you’ve no time.
Construction
For equipment going to spend a lot of time on your countertop, they better look good as they perform, and the Cuisinart Griddler doesn’t fail on this.
The brushed stainless steel finish on the exterior of this griddle adds a touch of modernity and a classic feel.
More importantly, the stainless steel finish guarantees durability and ruggedness. The griddle won’t show the fingertip marks, stains, or even scratches.
Grilling Plates
Cuisinart GR-4N 5-in-1 Griddler has two sets of 11" by 9" grill plates, which depending on how you configure them can offer a generous grilling surface of 189 square inches.
In line with the versatility of the griddle, the grilling plates have both a smooth side and a ridged side to allow the preparation of different foods.
Moreover, it’s possible to swap out the existing plates for the included waffle molds.
Unfortunately, the size of the cooking surface is not big enough to warrant entertaining guests. It's only suitable for personal or for family use.
Easy to Use
Cuisinart GR-4N 5-in-1 Griddler was designed with convenience in mind.
The dripping tray, for instance, collects all overflow oil and excess dripping from the cooking plate.
The griddle also comes with a special scraper to help to loosen any stubbornly stuck-on deposits.
The temperature control dial, alongside the indicator light, on the other hand, helps to guide when the griddle comes to the right heating condition.
Pros
- 5-in-1
- Adjustable temperatures
- Dishwasher safe
- Easy to use
Cons
- Not suitable for entertaining guests
Check Cuisinart GR-4N 5-in-1 Griddler Price on Amazon
Presto 07211 Liddle Griddle - Most Compact Griddle
A huge griddle is grand for hosting friends.
But if you’re looking for a simple griddle, just with the sufficient space for some burgers, pastries or fried eggs for you and your family, the Presto can be an intriguing option.
Features and Benefits
Design
Generally, Presto is known for manufacturing rather bulky griddles with a large cooking surface, which puts them at a disadvantage, especially for those who lack sufficient counter space storage.
The Presto 07211, however, has a compact design than most of other Presto griddles.
The compact design allows the Presto 07211 to fit just about anywhere, including your cabinet, sink, or even in the dishwasher.
At the same time, it saves your precious kitchen counter space.
Material Construction
The body of the Presto 07211 is built from cast aluminum, which is light and quite rigid.
The aluminum construction also defies warping, while at the same time dispersing heat evenly across the surface of the griddle.
While the aluminum construction is quite decent, some of the users are concerned with the plastic handles, which they think aren’t sturdy enough and risk breaking down.
Grill Surface
Presto has a grill surface of 8-1/2" X 10-1/2", which is a bit lean.
However, for personal use, the griddle offers sufficient space for the various types of foods.
The best part of the griddle surface is the non-stick surface that doesn’t get stuck with food items.
With the non-stick surface, you can now enjoy different types of foods, and you won't be limited to just eggs, pancakes, or burgers.
Master Heat Control
To bring the best out of your meal, the master heat control function automatically maintains the temperatures varying from warm to 400 degrees F.
With the temperatures holding to a maximum of 400 degrees F, there’re few if any meals you can’t prepare with this griddle.
The lower temperature range is suitable for simple meals such as eggs, grilled cheese, and quesadilla, while the higher temperature will support the cooking of steak.
Heating Performance
Heating on the Presto is even for the most part, though some regions are slightly hot.
We think the compact size is responsible for the heating performance since there's not much room to cover when heating up.
Again, the grilled can maintain temperatures for longer periods, a crucial feature when thinking of preparing foods such as pancakes.
While the heating performance can't match that of the higher-end models, it's still quite impressive, especially for a countertop griddle that is affordable.
Pros
- Compact
- Lightweight
- Durable
- Even heating
Cons
- Not suitable for large batches
Check Presto 07211 Liddle Griddle Price on Amazon
Cuisinart GR-300WS Griddler Elite Grill - Most Versatile
Cuisinart GR-300WS is yet another versatile option, and in many ways resembling the Cuisinart GR-4N we had reviewed earlier.
Notably, this model has six cooking options, adding to the versatility of the model.
In addition, it also incorporates several other desirable features such as finer searing capacity, adjustable temperature setting, and completely adjustable cover.
Features and Benefits
Design
Cuisinart GR-300WS is quite a stylish model, with the brushless stainless steel offering a shimmering finish on any countertop.
Unfortunately, the Cuisinart GR-300WS is quite bulky.
Well, while it’s by no means heavy, its dimension and weight are by far differentiated from the other griddles on our list. For instance, it’s double the weight of the Cuisinart GR-4N.
The same case applies to the size, so it will gobble much of your countertop space.
Six Cooking Options
The storage flaw is overshadowed by the different cooking options that allow you to use the Cuisinart GR-300WS for different purposes.
This multi-functional tool can easily replace a grill. It can be configured to several cooking settings for cooking meat, a full grill mode, a full griddle mode, a half grill/half griddle mode, and a Panini press for making the toasted sandwiches.
Either way, the Cuisinart GR-300WS embodies a true value purchase, by incorporating several cooking elements into one.
Cooking Surface
The plates for the different modes are reversible and easy to remove, making the switching process quite simple.
The plates are also non-stick, so you shouldn’t worry about your food getting encrusted onto them.
They’re easy to wash, and even dishwasher safe, so they offer an easy and painless way to maintain them.
Dual Temperature Control
The dual temperature control function is controlled independently, which means it’s possible to cook different food items at different temperatures.
Sear Function
The sear function lets you heat at extreme temperatures of up to 500 degrees for a short time of two minutes.
It's handy features, for instance, when you need to sear the outside of a steak before simmering the inside.
Large Grill Space
When used in an open configuration, this griddle can offer a large area for cooking.
Depending on how you configure the 10” by 11” cooking plates can extend up to 120 square inches.
With such a large surface, it's easy to make large batches for entertaining your guests.
Pros
- Multi-functional
- Versatile
- Large cooking surface
- Temperature control
Cons
- Bulky
Check Cuisinart GR-300WS Griddler Elite Grill Price on Amazon
Breville BGR820XL Smart Grill - Best Smart Griddle
If you’ve been looking for a sizable indoor electric grill for a larger family, the Breville BGR820XL Smart Grill is a great option.
This model has the added benefit of incorporating smart technology that helps with the grilling process.
Features and Benefits
IQ Technology
The biggest benefit of Breville BGR820XL Smart Grill and probably what cuts this griddle over the rest is the IQ Technology.
Normally, countertop grills experience a temperature drop when you place meat or veggies, even if the griddle was pre-heated. In most cases, the grill doesn’t recover the lost heat; instead, it starts to heat up slowly.
With the Breville BGR820XL Smart Grill, however, the IQ Technology incorporates heat sensors that detect the heat loss immediately. From there, they compensate for the lost heat by injecting rapid heat to the grill to ensure the food continues cooking at the right temperature.
6 Adjustable Height Settings
The 6 height settings allow you to adjust the griddle depending on how thick the food you’re preparing is.
The adjustability means it’s possible to cook a variety of foods, ranging from sandwiches to chicken, provided you choose the right height setting.
Grilling Plates
Breville BGR820XL Smart Grill features two grill plates in a clamshell design.
There’s a flat plate and ribbed plate. And the good thing is both plates are interchangeable.
The benefit of the clamshell design is it increases the versatility of the grill plates, allowing you to create various grilling modes.
Notably, the barbeque mode, which is achieved by opening the grill plate completely flat, can be used for preparing steak dinner, grilled sandwiches, pancakes, and other recipes.
Embedded Heating Design
The heating elements are designed inside the grill plates, meaning they don’t lose the heat they generate.
Instead, the heat generated goes directly into the plates; one more reason, the Breville BGR820XL Smart Grill takes a relatively shorter time to preheat and recover.
Variable Temperature Control
The variable temperature settings make it easy to regulate the overall temperature of the griddle.
In effect, it’s easy to prepare different types of dishes with ease.
The ease of use is further manifested through an integrated removable drip tray that makes cleanup of the griddle a cinch.
To clean the griddle, you simply need to take out the tray and put it in a dishwasher machine for cleaning.
Pros
- IQ technology for rapid heating and recovery
- Height adjustment feature
- Variable Temperature control
- Easy to clean
Cons
- Pricey
Check Breville BGR820XL Smart Grill Price on Amazon
Camp Chef Flat Top Grill
If you want the option of a traditional gas grill and griddle surface, there's no better option than the Camp Chef Grill.
Camp Chef is a flat top griddle that can also be used as a traditional grill.
A griddle is also an ideal option for those planning to throw the larger parties because it has a generous griddle surface.
Features an
Design
As we had mentioned above, the Camp Chef Griddle is two-in-one cookware.
It combines both a griddle and a grille.
However, unlike other griddles that work by repurposing the grill plates, the Camp Chef has each function independently of each other.
Easy and Fast Cooking
At the core of the Camp Chef, we’ve four 12,000 BTU burners, which provide sufficient griddling heat.
The burners supply heat evenly across the surface of the grilling plate, so you'll feel comfortable preparing large batches of foods.
The griddling process also becomes a lot faster and efficient, too.
Large Grilling Space
The main fun of using this griddle is the generous 600 square inch space, allowing you to prepare food or at least 50 people.
Few, if any, griddles on our list or even in the market can manage to accommodate such a huge volume of the food items.
Despite the large accommodation capacity, you can always be sure the Camp Chef will deliver tasty and scrumptious foods.
Portability
With such a large grilling surface, I bet you would think the Camp Chef is quite bulky and not portable.
Of course, the larger grilling surface translates to extended width and surface, and we've to admit the 142 pounds is a bit on the higher side.
Fortunately, the manufacturer was aware of the bulkiness, and so they included four roller wheels that enhance portability and support the griddle when dragging it outside the home.
Shelf Space
When you need more space on this griddle, you can make use of the metal shelf that lets you create more space for storage.
At the same time, you can equally downsize the griddle by folding down the metal space.
Pros
- 2-in-1
- Portable
- Ideal for large parties
- Durable
Cons
- Bulky
Check Camp Chef Flat Top Grill Price on Amazon
Best Griddle Buying Guide
When selecting the best griddle for your needs, there’re several critical factors you need to consider.
These include:
Size
The size of the griddle influences how many mouths you can feed and the size of the batches you can make.
Griddles come with sizes ranging from as huge as 35” by 9” to as minute as 9” by 13”.
Of course, the larger sized griddles will allow you to accommodate more people, while the small-sized griddle might be suitable for several people.
So, when choosing a griddle, you first need to determine how many mouths you need to feed.
Again, you need to consider the size of your space. You need to ensure the griddle will fit into your space, and won’t cause any obstruction.
Number of Burners
Though electric griddles are popular, gas burners have an equal widespread usage.
Now, if you’re using the gas griddle, you need to ensure it has sufficient burners to allow you to heat the complete surface area of your griddle faster and more thoroughly.
The higher the number of burners, the more the temperature control.
However, if you’re simply preparing foods in small batches, you don’t need many burners.
Material
There’re two popular materials used for the griddles; metal and non-stick.
There’re pros and cons of each, and here’s a breakdown of the common materials;
- Aluminum: Aluminum conducts heat thoroughly and cooks fast, making it an ideal option for searing.
- Stainless steel: It's commonly used in commercial-grade kitchens. Though strong and easy to maintain, staining and sticking of food are quite common.
- Cast Iron: Irons heat unhurriedly, but once heated, it retains heat for long, and works well for steak and meat.
- Non-Stick: Ceramic is the most resilient kind of non-stick coating. Non-stick materials heat up quite fast, but more importantly, they’re easy to clean.
Easy To Clean
The biggest challenge with any cooking material is clean up.
Ideally, the best griddle to ease the cleaning process.
It should, for instance, feature a removable plate and detachable part, allowing you to clean and rinse them separately without getting the heating elements wet or damaged.
Also, consider a griddle with a drip tray to reduce grease and draining of the excess oil.
Heat Control
Another handy feature for the griddle is the heat control function letting you program the temperature settings for the various foods.
The temperature dial permits you to make temperature adjustments during your cooking to bring the best flavor of your foods.
Portability
The ability to move a griddle is always a welcome bonus.
The best grills should be lightweight and compact.
For the bulky griddle, the presence of wheels might help to enhance the portability element.
Wrap Up
Griddles are a highly versatile cookware tool.
Unlike the grills or cooking pans, griddles can be used in preparing virtually any food.
The griddles are also less maintenance-intensive since they’re easy to clean.
And depending on the type, you might also come across a griddle with temperature control settings that enhance your overall cooking experience.
That said, we’ve already provided you with a list of the best griddles in the market, and all you’ve to do is simply select a model you think will suit your needs.
Editor Notes:
Verdict
While most grills will meet your demands, nothing compares to the Cuisinart GR-4NP1, and that is why it tops the list. Similar to the others, it is built to last longer thanks to the stainless steel construction. The 5 in 1 operation means you have an expansive application of the griddle. It is lightweight and compact, so you can carry it anywhere for grilling. Even more, it uses little power, and at 110volts, you’ll save energy. Finally, the adjustable controls available on the griddle mean you’ll cook a variety of delicacies.Current Best Selling Griddles!
