The electric griddle has become a staple in kitchens of households big and small because of its versatility, and there’s so many factors that contribute to finding the best electric griddle for you. Whatever your needs, the convenience of cooking different types of food using a single appliance makes it a must-have.
Cooking for the family is only half the battle. Cleaning afterwards and storing everything is the other! That’s definitely one thing to take into consideration when choosing the right appliance. We’re going to get into the rest over the course of this article.
Many of us would agree that in the middle of all the changes we undergo as a society, having a meal with the family is still the most fulfilling thing you can do.
Why not combine the beauty of a healthy meal and the joy of spending time with the family?
This device can help you do so with minimal stress.
It’s pretty hard to enjoy that simple but sacred family time when you’ve spent hours slaving over a hot stove. Well, with an electric griddle, you can maximize family time and reduce the energy spent cleaning up afterwards.
4 of The Best Table Top Electric Griddles
Let’s take a closer look at the best tabletop electric griddles for you and your family. We have identified 4 models that meet the top qualifications most homemakers consider important when selecting the griddle for the easiest meal preparation.
Let’s find out more about the similarities and differences. Cast-iron electric griddles may sound old-fashioned, but it’s a material also used to make high-quality commercial griddles normally found in restaurants. They vary in size, and they can be electric or heated over a burner. Burners are often more efficient because they conduct heat evenly.
Griddles or any other cookware made of cast-iron have health benefits since you will use less oil compared to a non-stick electric griddle or pan, not to mention it is chemical-free.
The ceramic electric griddle is considered the safest and most eco-friendly because it doesn’t contain the chemicals used in Teflon cookware, but it has a shorter lifespan compared to its counterparts.
I’ll help you explore non-sticks, electric pancake griddle and even small electric griddle products that you might want to consider purchasing based on the factors that are most important to you. I’ll also go into the benefits of selecting a particular brand based on your personal preferences.
In my case, the surface area is of utmost concern.
I prefer a large electric griddle so I can cook a variety of dishes like pancakes, bacon, eggs and French toast all at the same time, saving energy and giving me additional time in the morning to look after the kids.
It also makes Sunday Family meals much more fun, especially when we set it up in the middle of the dining table along with different types of meat such as thinly sliced pork, beef, vegetables and side dishes, to enjoy a Korean or Japanese-style lunch.
Each household probably has various reasons for wanting an electronic griddle, but whatever the reason, we all want to make the most out of our purchase.
I want to help users find their perfect match in the kitchen and be able to experience bliss when cooking any meal, no matter what time of day.
That’s why I will be sharing with you my findings based on research, personal observation, experience, and comments from friends, family members and other users.
I hope this article will fill you in on everything you need to know before you purchase. Time is of the essence when our family’s gastronomic pleasure is on the line!
* Presto Electric Griddle with Removable Handles
With all the brands and models available in the market, it may feel like searching for a needle in a haystack. Let’s take a moment to reflect on the benefits that having your very own electric griddle will afford you.
Let me start with the brand known for superior performance, not only based on my personal experience but from other users’ remarks as well. Taking into consideration both the good and not-so-good reviews about this product, you should be able to gauge perfectly if this is the right electric griddle for you and your family.
Your efforts will not be wasted, as you should be able to narrow down your list. It may take some time before you can find the perfect product, but I assure you that your effort will pay off.
It’s important to maximize the functionalities of a product and make the most of our hard-earned money when we finally decide to buy. Along those lines, this Presto Electric Griddle is one of the first items to land on our list.
If you type in “the best electric griddles in the world” on your search engine, this sleek 22-inch non-stick electric griddle tops the chart.
But apart from that, you will also find thousands of reviews from satisfied users with minimal negative comments. I had to try this and experience it myself before I could believe all the buzz, and so my trial run with this product began. When the item was delivered, unboxing didn’t seem complicated at all.
I scanned the instruction manual to familiarize myself with the parts, ensure safety, and avoid causing damage to the product. I then proceeded to remove all the packaging material, pair of handles, drip tray, heat control and griddle.
I decided to wash the griddle first. Carefully following the care and cleaning instructions, I used a sponge and washed the griddle with warm sudsy water and dried it using a clean cloth. Properly assembling before first using the appliance is necessary to reduce the risk of fire.
I wanted to see how this griddle would work its magic in my kitchen, so I got ready to set it up.
After meticulously latching the handles on both sides, I noticed how sturdy the legs were. The rubber feet do their job so well that you won’t have to worry about the appliance slipping or sliding while you’re cooking.
I then slid the drip tray onto its tracks and installed the Control Master heat control probe into the griddle, making sure that the two electrical pins were fully inserted into the heat control, which fit snugly.
Turning my Control Master heat control to 325º, the right temperature setting according to the instructional manual, I started filling the non-stick electric griddle with a pack of bacon strips. Boy, was I satisfied with the available space!
I was able to cook 20 slices of bacon, which is approximately 1 pound. After 10 minutes, I was looking at an array of perfectly cooked bacon strips. The even heat distribution gave the bacon a crispy finish.
The griddle is slanted very slightly towards the grease pan. Considering the angle, it’s a bit difficult for the grease to flow to the catcher, which left my bacon still a bit greasy. I had to use paper towels to remove the excess oil.
I also tried cooking pancakes, following the same cooking instructions and settings. Using only a bit of butter, our pancakes came out pretty well, and again, with the extra-large cooking surface, cooking more pancakes cut my cooking time drastically!
The premium non-stick surface gave my pancakes a fluffier texture.
Everything came out golden brown except for one or two which ended up having darker patches. I’ve seen customers dissatisfied with how their pancakes turned out, as the griddle leaves the pancake with noticeable stripes.
As for the food that people find the most challenging to cook — sunny side up eggs — this griddle passed with flying colors.
The eggs came out exactly the way we wanted. The heat control automatically maintains its consistency depending on your desired cooking temperature. The eggs did not stick to the surface while cooking and not a single egg accidentally turned scrambled.
They were not overcooked; just firm egg whites and moist yolks. I left three eggs to cook a little bit longer just to get that browned crunch on the edges. It performed exactly as expected.
But we’re not done yet.
While I did enjoy using this griddle for cooking, I had to find out if the time I saved would only be wasted on the clean-up.
I waited for the equipment to cool down before I removed the handles (no need for tools by the way), heat control and drip tray so I could wash it together with the griddle. This phase is probably the most daunting when preparing meals for the family.
It’s the task where, if only there was a skip button, I’d hit it every time. After removing the heat control, the griddle can be immersed in water. It’s recommended to clean the surface of the non-stick griddle with a soapy sponge.
The grease, grime and dirt came off without the need to apply too much pressure and scrubbing. I rinsed it, then wiped it with a clean cloth and stored it in my kitchen cabinet, where it fits perfectly.
This product should be able to cover most of the requirements you’re considering when selecting the ideal product for you and your family. Whatever your decision may be, these products are meant to help us have a more meaningful and fruitful day, every day. Let’s allow such equipment to make cooking a wondrous activity rather than a daunting task.
Love should still be the main ingredient in cooking. We can’t do it if we are always up and about, running frantically, planning breathlessly and rummaging or kitchen counters for the right cookware for the menu that takes forever to complete.
Enjoying a sumptuous meal with the family should always be a bonding experience for all members of the family, including the one who prepared the meal.
I would say that what I heard and read are definitely not rumors, since I was able to witness them myself, and the experience fully met my expectations for this product. I have yet to find out how long its performance will last or if it will fail anytime within the year, but the One-year limited warranty should be able to cover me for that time.
Hopefully it lasts longer, because I’m already planning all the exciting meals I want to put together for my friends and family!
Think about it: maximize your time spent with the family, cook delicious and healthy meals while ensuring that it’s still warm when served, and talk to each other while munching on your favorite dishes without a care in the world.
What’s also fun about having this product is that I can teach my kids to help me afterwards. There’s really so much to love.
Pros:
- Large, premium non-stick and easy-to-clean surface
- Cooks evenly
- Automatic temperature control
- Can get quite hot depending on the temperature setting
- Easy to assemble and convenient storage
- Comes with one-year warranty
- Plug fits perfectly
- Removable handles remain cool even while cooking
Cons:
- Uneven heating surface
- Warping and discoloration may happen overtime
- Smaller draining area compared to its counterparts
- Very slight angle of the griddle going to the grease drain
- The clips/latch holding the handles seem fragile
* Family-Sized Electric Griddle with Warming Tray & Drip Tray
Next on this list is a popular brand for small kitchen and home appliances, Black + Decker’s Electric Griddle deserves a spot on this list for its functionalities and performance in the griddle world. I checked this item out when we were about to throw a Yakiniku style lunch reunion for my aunt and cousins.
It’s been on the list of kitchen gadgets I’ve been meaning to get hold of for awhile now, so I decided that this would be the perfect time to try this Black + Decker Electric Griddle and find out for myself if the reviews and comments are true.
Though the name already shouts quality, I still want to assure you that it has still been fully tested, as this insight will be beneficial to those who have not yet decided which Electric Grill to choose.
The product is a dream to use right from the beginning. You may even feel some sort of pressure slowly being lifted away and replaced with light, serene and peaceful thoughts.
The product should be able to help you with any difficulty you’re experiencing when it comes to food preparation. You should no longer feel as if it’s a burden that you need to take care of just because it’s your responsibility.
Instead, let this product help you look at cooking from a different angle, a much more vibrant attitude: you cook for your family because you love them, because cooking is an activity you enjoy and because you know that every time you share a meal with your family you are opening doors and windows that are otherwise closed.
This non-stick electric griddle will help you become famous in your family as they hail you champion during mealtime because of the variety of dishes you can cook on this 10”x 20” griddle. It allows you to cook, mingle and entertain without missing a beat.
In fact, it gives you so much pleasure just thinking about using it that you start coming up with more reasons and more occasions to celebrate no matter how introverted you might be.
With this thing, you start looking forward to the next get-together, no longer contemplating a torturous cleanup. Here are the things I found out about this electric griddle and what I like most about this powerful appliance.
What I like about this griddle is the large surface which makes it a large electric griddle ideal for healthy and quick food preparation for the whole family. The non-stick cooking surface heats up evenly and allows you to cook more without having to add more oil since your food won’t stick to the griddle.
I noticed that you still need to put in a bit of grease before cooking to ensure that nothing sticks to the griddle, but only a bit. It’s important to make the cleanup as easy as possible!
You may also cook a variety of food simultaneously while keeping already-cooked food on the built-in warming tray, perfect if you are anticipating additional guests.
You need to pay close attention to the temperature control, as some users have experienced the temperature going down in the midst of preparing a scrumptious meal.
Set-up is effortless with only several parts for assembly, including the thermostat power cord, drip tray and warming tray which means cleanup won’t be a problem. The removable drip tray did collect all the excess oil. I didn’t have any issues removing the grease from my griddle, and disposal is effortless.
Look at spending time and sharing food as an opportunity to get to know your family more, to deep dive in their innermost thoughts and uncover secrets and revelations that would not be shared on a different setting or occasion.
Compared to other electric griddles in the market, this is a little lighter at 4.96 pounds, using hard plastic materials on some parts of the griddle. Even so, it still looks elegant at the center of your table because of its polished black exterior. But don’t just rely on the look and feel of an appliance; consider the more substantial benefits you will be enjoying, as well.
To sum up, there may be a lot of things you need to consider in your quest for a new electric griddle, the one that will not only allow you to cook the best meals for your family but also improve the quality of your life overall.
Pros:
- Non-stick and spacious cooking area
- Removable drip tray
- Warming tray for cooked food
- Easy to heat-up and cool down
- Size is just right for cooking large quantities of food
- Cleaning is not a problem
- Affordable price
- Cool touch handles
- With two-year limited warranty
Cons:
- Surface scratches easily due to thin coating
- The cords are short, you may need an extension cord
- Poor temperature distribution
- Some parts are made with hard plastic
* Broil King Professional Portable Nonstick Griddle
There are a lot of reasons for the increasing number of households investing in electric griddles over traditional cookware and appliances.
It helps you save money, since it’s an all-purpose appliance with even heat distribution, resulting in faster cooking time and preparation. It’s also much safer to use because you won’t be needing any flammable chemicals in order to prepare food.
First of all, assess the lifestyle that you currently have.
Do you spend most of your time at home planning what meal to prepare on a weekly or daily basis, or are you someone who is always on-the-go, managing a household on top of having a full-time job?
This information is important because you need to consider how you will manage your time, from planning the perfect meal, to cooking, preparing, eating the meal with the family up to the time when you’ll need to clean up and store everything.
This will help you decide if you need to buy an electric griddle for the family and if it is feasible within your current budget.
You also need to check out the most suitable brand for your home.
Some households prefer certain brands, not only because they are popular, but because they have been tried and tested. Scout the market for price ranges; you may also do this conveniently online. Consider the price range so you won’t go overboard. There are a whole lot of choices and you may be overwhelmed if you forgo setting a price range.
Go beyond the looks. There are plenty of attractive-looking appliances that may be lovely to look at but may not be appealing in terms of quality and durability. Don’t be fooled. Be wise; look beyond the way it matches the rest of your kitchenware.
Ask yourself once again, do you really need it, or are you only curious because you saw one in an advertisement? Also, don’t forget to ask yourself how often you will be using it.
You wouldn’t want to spend your money on something that will be left in some part of your kitchen collecting dust. Make sure that you will maximize the benefits of this product. You deserve to receive the service that you paid for.
Read, read and read.
Don’t simply rely on what the brand or product has promised. Read information from outside the website of that product. Search for honest product reviews, raw comments, and unbiased blogs/vlogs.
Remember, your life should improve when you purchase this product. Therefore, if and when you decide to purchase the item after careful consideration and meticulous review, it has to serve its purpose.
Your food preparation should be more pleasurable, you should become more productive, and you should gain more time enjoying the food rather than cleaning up.
With all this in mind, get ready to have a more economical cooking experience. This is because cooking time is cut in half, so electricity consumption will also be lessened. In terms of versatility, you cannot deny the fact that electric griddles allow you to become more creative when cooking, not to mention always having a pleasant experience before, during and even after cooking.
What I really like about this Broil King PCG Non-stick Griddle is the removable stainless-steel back splash, which prevents oil from splattering everywhere. It’s also removable for a trouble-free clean-up.
Aside from the surface area of 21”x12”, which is really helpful for people who cook a lot or need to cook for a larger number of people, this is a competitive product that is also worth the amount paid for.
I’m a bit concerned about the heat distribution on this griddle though, as it’s made of heavy-duty cast aluminum. So, I really monitored the heat while cooking a batch of pancakes. The pancakes cooked up pretty well, though some have darker brown lines compared to the others in the same batch.
The heat seems to have higher concentration on the right side compared to the left. It is noticeable but it’s not that big of a deal. I’ll be able to manage, at least, and I can make the most if it if I choose to cook meat and vegetables at the same time.
Also, since the heat is adjustable up to 450ºF, it’s advisable to cook a variety of meals.
The griddle has a non-stick coating that is PTOA and PTFE-free, a chemical that can be harmful to the body. I liked the tilt drain angle because it eliminates the need to tilt the griddle manually. The surface is tilted using its adjustable rear legs for draining out excess oil from the non-stick surface.
The surface looks durable even after the clean-up, and I do hope that it will take a long time before discoloration and flaking happens.
With its size and parts looking complicated and difficult to clean, it is actually manageable because removable parts and the drip tray definitely make cleaning less complicated.
Storage is a different story though, because unlike its counterparts who were aiming for easy storage, this griddle seemed to deviate from the norm with bulkier parts such as adjustable back legs and splatter guard.
For me it’s acceptable enough, but you need to consider the existing space in your kitchen. You will probably need enough room on a countertop and a kitchen cabinet big enough to fit this equipment inside.
Pros:
- Easy cleaning
- Commercial quality
- Large cooking space
- Heat is adjustable up to 450ºF
Cons:
- Other users find the splash guard flimsy
- Adjustable feet may have the tendency to fall off
- Finding the perfect storage is a challenge
* Zojirushi Gourmet Sizzler Electric Griddle
If you’re still hesitating about purchasing an electric griddle, I’ll give you more reasons why many people consider this magical kitchenware. Breakfast, lunch, or dinner prepared all at once is definitely possible when you have your very own electric griddle.
A large electric griddle whose flat surface can accommodate a variety of dishes in one go allows you to monitor all the dishes you want. No more thinking twice on whether or not you are going to cook for your family or just order Chinese food! You will always have a reason to cook healthy meals rather than feel tired just thinking about it.
Well, if you ask me, I already made a promise to myself and to my family that we will try to avoid eating out or ordering in from fast food chains. We normally have sunny side-up eggs, pancakes, grilled veggies, fish, pork belly or lean beef depending on our family’s cravings.
If you’ve already made a decision of purchasing this particular griddle, you may want to consider the size of your family, the type of meals you typically enjoy, how you plan to clean your griddle, and available kitchen space. There are other factors you may want to consider when purchasing, too, whether it is your very first griddle or a replacement for a worn out or broken one.
You might want to think about the size of the griddle, especially if it’s only you and your spouse. In that case, an average-sized one may be enough. Consider how often you will use the griddle: will you only be using it twice a month? Once a week?
If you suspect that it will only collect dust under your kitchen sink, then I suggest you check out another kitchen appliance.
It’s also crucial to check out the surface coating, as there are also a variety of available options, such as a non-stick coating surface which is very common, the ceramic electric griddle which is economical as you would only need a drizzle of cooking oil each time, and the cast-iron griddle which is considered the most healthy since the pan fortifies the food you cook with the mineral iron.
The Zojirushi Electric Griddle is slightly smaller than the other griddles, but we cannot deny that it is definitely worth a try. Boasting a durable and easy-to-clean ceramic cooking top with titanium enhanced non-stick coating, this griddle is a must-try.
This particular griddle combines durability and elegance in a single appliance. This is why it is one of our top choices.
What sets this equipment apart for me is the convenient lid for speedy cooking. It comes handy when cooking soufflé pancakes, meat and even veggies.
This large electric griddle is still spacious, with a 19”x 12-1/2” cooking surface ideal for big families and family gatherings. Feeding your family a sumptuous meal every single time is much more fun if you have equipment like this. The convenience and freedom afforded make family bonding moments more memorable and more common.
The adjustable heat setting is as fantastic as it looks, too, especially with its Keep Warm feature, which can maintain the heat of the food while waiting for everyone to get seated. The maximum heat is at 425ºF, ideal for cooking meat.
The materials used for this griddle are also remarkable, with its ceramic and titanium-enriched triple-layer nonstick coating, its body guard, and a cooking plate which can be fully immersed in water for an easy breezy clean-up.
Safety is also the priority with this product, with its low-profile design and cooking plate, which sits in the body guard and protects users from scalding or grease splatters.
This product gives you a ton of value for your money. All the benefits afforded by this griddle definitely make it one of the best decisions you’ll ever make.
Pros:
- Large cooking surface
- With keep warm heat setting
- Cooking surface has titanium enhanced non-stick coating
- Cooking plate and body guard can be immersed in water
- Comes with lid
Cons:
- Heat is not spread evenly
- Durability may be an issue for some
Issues with temperature control- Grease does not drain
Conclusion
We are in an era when our choices are mostly influenced by external factors such as social media, comments from other product users and suggestions from those who are considered experts in their field. There was a time when decision-making was much simpler and less complicated.
It would help if we acquired items based on our personal preferences, and not just because everyone else is using the item or a huge number of people like it. You may need to go back to basics and rely on our own assessment based on practical and realistic factors.
It would also help you tremendously if you changed your mind about your cooking experience. Bring back the time when you used to look forward to all the noise and commotion in the dining area; only now, the noise will no longer be about whose turn it is to wash the dishes or who will be the next to set up the table. Now, you can allow everything to flow naturally just by changing one area of your cooking style.
Brace yourself for the transformation that you and your family deserve. I hope that this review will enlighten you and bring you to the wisest purchase decision. At the end of the day, what we want is to be able to receive what is equivalent to our money’s worth. Here’s to wishing that you select the best electric griddle for you and your family.
