This post is really old, there is a new version here called Best Electric Griddle ~ Juliet 🙂
You can use your stove for cooking almost anything if you are resourceful, but using an electric griddle can be the better choice for some types of food. Although your frying pan can technically do the job, griddles usually have a bigger surface which provides even heat distribution, making it easier to control of the temperature and the final outcome of your dish.
Electric griddles are most helpful when you are having people over as it can be used for cooking in bulk, as well as for keeping your food heated. This makes it easier to make food in large quantities and ensure that doesn’t end up going bad. How to choose one for yourself? Well, there’s plenty to choose from, but like any other kitchen appliance, it is important to assess your needs and preferences in order to get the option that best matches with it.
Presto 07061 22-Inch Electric Griddle with Removable Handles
 The cooking surface of the Presto 07061 is 22 x 11 inches which is large enough to accommodate a family or a group of friends. The size is also among the largest available in the market today. Because of this, most of the cooking time can be cut in half, and you can cook multiple items at a time. The removable handles make it easy for you to clean the griddle and store it neatly away in a typical 18-inch kitchen cabinet, and you wouldn’t need any extra tools to have them removed. You can even stow it with your cookie sheets because of its low profile.
The non-stick surface doesn’t only make cooking more convenient, but cleaning also wouldn’t be as messy and difficult. This is a great feature, especially if you cook a lot. You need not worry about ruining the griddle in the event that you overheat something. It also has a slide-out drip tray that is very easy to detach and clean up. Though it may not have rubber feet, it still doesn’t slip and is pretty stable when you put it on a table or a countertop.
The Presto 07061 has a power of 1500 watts and temperature range of 200ÂşF to 400ÂşF, which is perfect for frying bacon, cooking pancakes, sausages, burgers, and basically any meal you can think of. The master heat control can automatically maintain the appropriate cooking temperature, making it easier for you to manage the quality of your food. It becomes fully immersible when you take out the heat control, so you can have it cleaned in the dishwasher. As it is made of durable cast aluminum, you can be sure that it is tough enough to give you years of happy cooking. Best of all, this electric griddle is also one of the most affordable options you can come across, with a price tag of only $34.90 on Amazon.
Although the Presto 07061 is a good choice, there are some things that you should take note of. Electric griddles usually promise even heating across its cooking surface, but overtime the Presto 07061’s heating power may become uneven due to its tendency to bow towards the center. It may therefore cause the corners to have cold spots, and your food (particularly eggs and pancakes) may end up having weird shapes. Overall, the positive things about this griddle definitely outweigh the negatives, and it will prove to be a great investment especially if you are looking for something that can help make your cooking a lot more convenient.
Cuisinart GR-4N 5-in-1 Griddler
If you are looking for a kitchen appliance that can be useful in many situations, then the Cuisinart GR-4N 5-in-1 Griddler may be the one you’re looking for. Depending on the occasion and the food you’re planning to cook, it can be used as a contact grill, a full grill, a full griddle, a half grill and half griddle, and a Panini press. At $67.24 on Amazon, it might be double the price of most electric griddles, but it has more functions and features that will allow you to get more creative with your cooking. Expensive doesn’t always mean overpriced—in this case, you’re paying for extra conveniences that would make cooking easier for you.
The contact grill option is best used for boneless meat, burgers, as well as thin cuts of vegetables and meat. This is the best option to use if you’re planning creating a quick meal or when you want to grill something the healthy way. For small family gatherings, this is also useful. Your food will be cooked much faster when you’re on contact grill mode at it will heat both sides simultaneously. The full griddle option, on the other hand, is better suited for eggs, French toasts, hash browns, pancakes, and breakfast meats like bacon and sausage. The large cooking area will allow you to cook for a big family or to prepare various types of food at the same time.
The full grill is good for steak, burgers, fish, boneless chicken, and vegetables. It isn’t recommended to use the full grill for bone-in chicken as it may end up not cooking evenly. The full grill is probably the most versatile option on the Cuisinart GR-4N 5-in-1 Griddler as it allows you to work on various foods without worrying about mixing their flavors. The half grill and half griddle option works best when you’re going for full meals. For example, you can use the griddle side for eggs and bacon while the grill side can be used for potatoes.
Lastly, if you love sandwiches or anything with bread, the Cuisinart GR-4N 5-in-1 can also act as a Panini press. Using freshly-baked breads are highly recommended to ensure that your sandwich would taste great and have excellent texture as well. If you want an electric griddle that can do more than just grill food, then this is probably the best choice for you. It may cost considerably more than the Presto 07061 Electric Griddle, but the features may be worth the extra price if you’re the type that likes variety in their food.
BLACK+DECKER Family-Sized Electric Griddle with Warming Tray & Drip Tray
For people who have a limited budget, the BLACK+DECKER Family-Sized Electric Griddle may already be more than enough. With a $28.66 price tag on Amazon, you can already cook a lot of food with its 10 x 20 inch cooking surface. It also has a non-stick surface which makes it easy to cook food and clean up afterwards. The built-in sliding warming tray also allows you to keep your food hot while you prepare and cook other stuff. This ensures that you’re always serving hot food, even if it does take you a while to prepare everything else. You also don’t have to worry about too much oil because any excess grease will just drain into the removal drip tray for easy cleaning.
The BLACK+DECKER Family-Sized Electric Griddle is also very easy to clean and store, and it is also lightweight. This is great news for people who live alone and don’t really enjoy the cleaning aspect of working in the kitchen. There are some downsides, however. Some caveats include a short cord which may be a problem if your power outlets are far from any cooking surface. The drip tray may also be small if you’re frying foods that have too much grease. However, if you just need something that will get the job done and do so efficiently without a hefty price tag, then this electric griddle may already be all you need.
