If you’re here, then it probably means you need a griddle to help make great meals at home. They are super easy to use and clean, help maximize your stovetop and cook a wide range of food.
But more than a dozen stovetop griddles are flooding the market; this makes the decision process a bit tricky and daunting.
Therefore, we’ve researched and expertly cherry-picked the best stovetop griddles that are built to serve your purpose perfectly, whether at home, tailgating, or camping. Also, there’s a buying guide section below that covers several factors that should influence your decision.
America’s Test Kitchen Best Stovetop Griddle 2021 Made in USA
#1. Lodge Pre-Seasoned Cast Iron Reversible Grill/Griddle With Handles, 20 Inch x 10.5 Inch – One tray
Our top recommendation is the Lodge Pre-Seasoned Cast Iron Reversible Grill/Griddle With Handles. This product offers a shopping 20-inch by 10.5-inch cooking space that sits perfectly over two stove burners. Thus, you get two separate heat zones that support cooking different food at a go.
The Lodge Pre-Seasoned Cast Iron Reversible Grill/Griddle With Handles is made with cast iron for even heat distribution and incredible durability. This model’s sturdy construction guarantees that it’s oven safe and able to withstand extreme temperatures.
The griddle comes already pre-seasoned and gets better with every use for an excellent food release. It has a two-side handle design for hassle-free handling and carries. Unfortunately, the handles are not heat-proof. Thus, requiring users to use cooking gloves to handle this griddle while on the stovetop.
Pros:
Robust cast-iron construction
Massive cooking surface
Even heat and unparallel heat retention
Impressive non-stick performance
Cons:
No heat-proof material on the handles
#2. Cuisinart Double Burner Griddle, 10″ x 18″, Stainless Steel
The Cuisinart Double Burner Griddle is another decent choice for people looking to entertain a large group of people or make breakfast for a big family. This griddle is suitable for preparing anything from fish filets to sauteed vegetables to stacks of pancakes.
This model features a Tri-ply construction with a brushed stainless exterior which guarantees the griddles is suitable for your induction stovetop. Also, the pure aluminium core provides you with quick heat up and better heat retention.
More importantly, it comes with the Heat Surround technology that offers a uniform heat distribution along the cookware’s sidewalls and bottom. Further, the Cuisinart Double Burner Griddle has Cool Grip handles riveted with stainless steel for safe and easy handling on the stovetop.
That’s not all: the griddle has a drip-free pouring rim that helps lock your food’s nutrients and moisture for more flavorful, healthier results.
Pros:
Optimal heat conduction and retention
Hard anodized exterior
Dishwasher safe
Ideal for use with induction cooktops
Cons:
Heat distribution could be even
#3. Lodge Pre-Seasoned Cast Iron Reversible Grill/Griddle, 16.75 Inch x 9.5 Inch, Black
Here’s another spot filled by a griddle from Lodge. This griddle comes with a reversible design that allows users to griddle on one side and use the other side as a grill. This versatile cookware is perfect for just about anything, from cooking pancakes and grilling fish and steaks.
The manufacturer pre-seasoned both sides using vegetable oil, which means it comes ready to use for making your favourite dishes straight out of the box. Also, it’s made using cast iron for incredible durability and easy maintenance. The nonstick performance is touted to get better with each use.
What’s more? This functional unit is suitable for use on any cooktops – induction, gas and electric. Additionally, the Lodge Pre-Seasoned Cast Iron Reversible Grill/Griddle can withstand extreme temperature and oven safe.
Sadly, this product has a drawback. It lacks a food drain channel to help get rid of the unwanted fluid and drain fat hassle-free for safer, healthier meals.
Pros:
Durable and sturdy cast iron construction
Suitable to use with induction cooktops
Reversible design with large cooking space
It comes pre-seasoned for excellent food release
Cons:
It lacks a fat drain channel
On the heavier side
#4. Camp Chef Professional Fry Griddle, Two Burner 14″ Cooking Accessory, Cooking Dimensions: 14 in. x 32 in
If you need a flat top griddle to make a quick breakfast for your big family or lunch for the hungriest of crowds, then the Camp Chef Professional Fry Griddle might be just what you need. This product sits right on two burners and features robust construction that guarantees even heat distribution that reduces hot spots when cooking.
This model features a convenient grease drain and restaurant-style high sides to make cooking and cleaning stress-free. It comes pre-seasoned with “True Seasoned Finish” that guarantees the griddle is ready to use.
Its extra-large cooking space is enough to handle cooking for a large crowd. It covers two burners and features heavy-duty steel construction for even heat distribution and excellent retention. More importantly, it has a convenient carry handle for a smooth transition.
Pros:
Large cooking surface
Heavy-duty steel construction
Convenient carry handle
Built-in grease drain for a mess-free cooking experience
Cons:
Food release performance could be more impressive
#5. Lodge Carbon Steel Griddle, Pre-Seasoned, 18-inch , Black
If you need a griddle with ample cooking space to cook just about anything from pilaf to pancakes, then you can’t go wrong with this model. The Lodge Carbon Steel Griddle is one of the best stovetop griddles from this brand.
This unit is a perfect choice for people looking to use their griddle for camp, home or professional use. Crafted using cast iron, Lodge Carbon Steel Griddle is designed to serve your purpose for many years to come.
More so, it comes pre-seasoned with the manufacturer’s proprietary vegetable oil that guarantees easy food release and gets better with use. Its sturdy construction features a heavy 12 gauge carbon steel that makes this product versatile and highly effective cookware.
This product works well with a two-burner home stove, outdoor cooking pits, or camp stoves. Thanks to its well-thought design, this unit is easy to clean with hot water. Sadly, this product is not compatible with induction cooktops.
Pros:
Easy to clean and maintain
12 gauge carbon steel
Withstands extreme heat
Quick heat up and impressive heat retention
Cons:
Tends to warp
Things to Consider When Shopping for the Best Stovetop Griddle
Size
When purchasing the best stovetop griddle, the cooking space offered by a product is the most eye-catching feature. The larger options are perfect for people looking to cook large servings. Nonetheless, they are also suitable for cooking small servings.
In addition, the large griddles are perfect for cooking over at least two burners, which creates different heat zones. Thus, you can cook on one side and use the other heat zone to keep the food warm in low heat.
However, these smaller size models are a decent choice for newbies looking to explore this cookware. It can also be a perfect choice for people looking to cook for a small family or friends.
Materials
This is another important factor that should influence your decision when trying to pin down the right griddle to purchase. Griddles are usually crafted using heavy gauge anodized aluminium and feature a premium nonstick coating. This robust construction guarantees that the griddles are a stress-free cleaning experience and corrosion-free cookware.
On the same note, aluminium offers another important benefit. Aluminium cookware is lightweight. On the downside, they are not compatible with induction cooktops. Besides, you should go with a griddle safe to use with metal utensils to prevent scratching of the nonstick coating.
Another excellent material used in making stovetop griddles is the cast iron, which offers tougher and durable cookware. Also, cast iron griddles can be used on the induction cooktop. The main drawback of this material is its heavy weight and requires a lot of maintenance as you’ve to season after each use for an excellent non-stick performance.
Versatility
While most models come with a flat cooking area, some griddles sport a reversible design that offers two cooking surfaces that will allow you to cook on the griddle and grill on the other side. This design makes this cookware versatile and a good bang for the buck.
Oven safe
It’s important to check if the griddle is oven-safe if you intend to use this product in an oven. Also, you should check the temperature safety range of the griddle, as some products can only withstand up to 500 degrees Fahrenheit. Some models, like aluminium griddles, can’t handle such high temperatures.
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Conclusion
Suppose you’re in the market for a large-sized stovetop griddle that can be used on your kitchen table or countertop. In that case, you can’t go wrong with Lodge Pre-Seasoned Cast Iron Reversible Grill/Griddle. This product heats up quickly with excellent heat distribution. Also, it’s easy to clean and maintain.
But if you want a more stylish griddle, try the Cuisinart Double Burner Griddle. It has a nonstick finish and ample cooking space to handle serving a hungry crowd. Nonetheless, any of the products on our list will serve your purpose for many years to come.