A cast iron griddle is an essential tool in the kitchen and can be used to prepare various foods like eggs, pancakes, bacon, and many others. This one is intended for use on both the oven and stove, and if properly taken care of, it can be an asset for many years. The high-grade cast iron griddles are often made from stainless steel and aluminum, which are excellent conductors of heat and rather long-lasting. The following are some guidelines to consider when searching for a griddle that will be suitable for frequent use for a long time. This article aims at guiding you on how to choose the right cast iron griddle for your cooking needs.
List Of 10 Best Cast Iron Griddle Reviews
1. Lodge Pre-Seasoned Cast Iron Reversible Grill/Griddle
Reviews:
- With this Lodge Pre-Seasoned Cast Iron Reversible Grill/Griddle, you will have the perfect appliance for your kitchen. With its dimension of 16.75 inches, this cooking surface is large enough to cover two stovetop burners and is ideal for those who have limited space in their kitchen. It has dual handles for easy handling and boasts of heat retention and even heating, which makes it perfect for searing your meat, baking potatoes or cornbread, broiling thin cuts when necessary, or even frying chicken tenders.
- In terms of flexibility, there is no better option than the Lodge pre-seasoned cast iron grill/griddle. Crafted in a modern black finish with two handle grips, this reversible cast iron griddle is ideal for cooking delicious breakfast meals such as pancakes and bacon, as well as searing meat or baking potatoes. It can also be employed to broil thin cuts of meat or to fry chicken tenders, for example.
- The Lodge pre-seasoned cast iron is ready to use right from the box with 1% Natural Vegetable Oil for ultimate heat retention and heat distribution. A good thing about this grill/griddle is that you will not need to worry about placing it in the oven because the Lodge is oven safe up to 500 degrees Fahrenheit.
Why Choose this Product:
- Pre-seasoned cast iron griddle for easy cooking and cleanup
- Unrivaled heat retention and even heating
- Designed with a sleek black finish and dual handles
- Perfect size for any home kitchen
2. Camp Chef Reversible Pre-seasoned Cast Iron Griddle
Reviews:
- Preparing food is a delicate process that involves elements such as heat and time, and this is why the Camp Chef Reversible Pre-seasoned Cast Iron Griddle is designed to help you get the most out of your cooking. With its reversible pre-seasoned cast iron cooking surface, it transforms your camp stove into a 2-in-1 appliance.
- This dual-use grilling and griddling surface is ideal as it enables cooking of two meals at the same time. The mold on handles allows for a better grasp when picking it up and moving from one side of the stovetop to the other or even when carrying it on rough ground in a camping environment and ensures that it is always transported safely.
- The True Seasoned Finish cast iron grill/griddle can hold heat and sear meat to ensure proper cooking. It heats up the food to the right temperature; hence, one is able to spend more time relaxing—enjoying the cooked meal is time well spent! The cast iron grilling ridges enable you to create grill marks like a barbecue.
Why Choose This Product:
- The reversible cooking surface
- Ergonomic handles for transferring
- Well-built and sturdy
3. Lodge Pre-Seasoned Cast Iron Reversible Grill/Griddle With Handles
Reviews:
- The Lodge Pre-Seasoned Cast Iron Reversible Grill/Griddle With Handles is a versatile piece of cookware that will enhance any kitchen. This is due to the fact that the grill is made from cast iron and you get two 20 by 10.5 inches surfaces to prepare your meals.
- Thankfully, this griddle comes with a pre-seasoning feature meaning you will not have to go through the tedious process of seasoning before you cook your meal. All you need to do is wash it by hand after use!
- All these features together with oven safe temperatures of up to 500°F make this griddle very versatile for use in your current kitchen needs such as frying bacon and scrambling eggs in a skillet which is just slightly larger than the average personal plate!
- This is a true wonder of the kitchen as it has a dual-use, one side of the surface is a grill while the other side is a griddle. Great for family use with sufficient space to prepare food from bacon and eggs to hamburgers. This will ensure that your food remains hot while you are preparing the other side of the grill. Cooktop compatibility is extensive and can include many surface materials, including those that are safe for use with microwave ovens.
Why Choose this Product:
- Suitable for a variety of cooking styles
- Cast iron construction resists warping
- Heavy-duty reversible design with tough cast steel handles
4. Lodge Cast Iron Grill Pan
Reviews:
- The Lodge 10-Inch Square Cast Iron Grill Pan is ideal for all your grilling requirements. Sturdily constructed and manufactured in the United States of America, this rugged item is designed to withstand years of service and is oven safe right out of the box thanks to its reinforced seasoned surface. Additionally, it is oven safe, meaning you can proceed to prepare your desired dishes as soon as you purchase it.
- Feel free to use it on your outdoor grill or keep it in your kitchen to make fried eggs anytime you want to. This cast iron skillet is tough and can take on any challenge you throw at it, literally! When preparing for your next camping trip, we advise that you should fry some bacon and sausage in the morning. Using natural fire energy for cooking, you will be able to prepare your meals and break camp in no time!
- Designed by the lodge, the cast-iron grill pan is a brand new piece of cookware that you can add to your collection. A versatile and indispensable grilling tool, this specially designed item can be used on any type of stove or fire. It collects every drop of the flavor that falls while it retains heat to cook some of the most delectable meals that you will be craving for days. This one can be safely put into the oven, and it is just as useful as the previous one and even better in some ways.
Why Choose This Product:
- Easy to clean with its non-stick coating
- Fire-proof and oven safe
- Pre-seasoned surface
5. 1-Piece 16.50 Inch Cast Iron Griddle Plate
Reviews:
- This best cast iron griddle plate is thicker and more durable than most of the other models available in the market. This one is a unique plate made of molten iron that has been pre-seasoned and is reversible with dishwasher safe properties; perfect for preparing a variety of meals! The thick and heavy body of Cast Iron ensures that it retains the heat and is perfect for cooking steaks or chicken to get that restaurant quality taste.
- Heating food evenly is not only delicious but also makes the process much faster since you do not have to occupy a large part of your stovetop with food at once. Also, if you take good care of it; cast iron does not dent or degrade your food in any way and can handle both acidic and alkaline foods without losing its sharpness or flavor or altering the food in any way and leaves it tasteless.
- Here’s the cast iron griddle plate which is ideal for frying eggs, pancakes, and bacon or hash browns on one side and searing a steak on the other. It can also be used as an oven roasting pan when the two pans are placed on top of each other.
- It is important to keep the temperature consistent throughout the cooking process. That is exactly what the cast iron griddle plate does! Constructed from high-quality cast iron, this 1-piece 16.5-inch griddle also boasts two handles that make it easy to carry when in transport. Be it in your small kitchen at home or outside on the grill, this product makes quality achievable and is quite stable during use with leveling feet on one side for stability while frying eggs, pancakes, bacon strips – whatever you would like.
Why Choose this Product:
- A heavy, solid grate with a large cooking surface.
- Easy to use handles for transport.
- A reversible plate adds versatility to the griddle plate.
6. Backcountry Cast Iron Skillet Large Reversible Grill/Griddle
Reviews:
- The backcountry cast iron skillet large reversible grill griddle is ideal for preparing meals from omelets to pizzas. Constructed with strong, long-lasting materials and professionally seasoned, the skillet has excellent heat retention and non-stick coating for the perfect, professional finish.
- One of its key benefits is the reversible griddle that can be used on the range or stovetop as a grill. Simply place it over your oven range to transform it into a flat top grill. This is a heavy-duty cast iron skillet, so you can be assured that it will hold up well on camp cooking surfaces too.
- Cast iron provides even heat distribution which is suitable for any meal that requires grilling, restaurant-like searing, and non-stick Teflon-like surface when used with oil. It can range from 200 degrees Fahrenheit to as high as 500 degrees Fahrenheit depending on the dish being prepared.
- This is the large size, which is ideal for preparing any dish that needs a lot of space on the surface. The cast iron construction provides durability and the handles are made of solid wood that makes it convenient to handle and the pan is also dishwasher safe as it is pre-seasoned.
Why Choose this Product:
- Durable and easy to clean
- Even heating
- Large size
7. Cuisinart CCP-1000, Pre-Seasoned Cast Iron Griddle Pan
Reviews:
- The 10” Cuisinart’s Pre-Seasoned Cast Iron Griddle is a great tool for anyone looking to make delicious meals on the go. If you are in the market for some already seasoned cast iron cooking or are in search of a new option, this piece is an excellent choice due to its versatility as it can be used both indoors and outdoors and holds heat well with minimal fuel. With 10 inches of cooking space available on both side, you can prepare anything from a simple grilled cheese sandwich or eggs to a more complex dish such as roasted vegetables or cobblers!
- It also has a pre-seasoned coating that allows the food to not stick to the surface of the pan and also makes it easy to clean. It also enables them to add salt or any other seasoning of their choice to their product!
- The Cuisinart CCP-1000 is a cast iron pan with a diameter of 10 inches and a pre-seasoned surface that enables the cooking of any type of meal. It has cast iron grates that heat up uniformly and hold heat to help in sealing in the moisture; therefore, you can prepare delicious steaks and fresh vegetables without having to worry about over-charring your food or under-cooking your vegetables. Nonstick guaranteed! The Cuisinart Griddle Pan comes with the pre-seasoned design and it is ideal for browning tender filets mignon as well.
- This item has been used by campers, tailgaters, and other people who enjoy the outdoors and require a simple and effective method of cooking tasty meals without compromising on quality. These properties enable one to use it indoors as well – ideal for those seeking a change from the conventional pot pans.
Why Choose this Product:
- Provides even heat
- Solidly-constructed product, with a durable pre-seasoned cast-iron surface
- It comes with a convenient handle that folds down for easy storage
8. Amazon Basics Pre-Seasoned Cast Iron Reversible Grill/Griddle
Reviews:
- The Amazon Basics Pre-Seasoned Cast Iron Reversible Grill/Griddle is the ultimate griddle and grill for your kitchen. It comes pre-seasoned to ensure that food will not stick and scratch the cast iron surface of this griddle or grill.
- The Amazon Basics Reversible Grill/Griddle is an excellent choice when looking for an addition to your kitchen accessories. Whether you need to prepare pancakes for breakfast or cook bacon for sandwiches, it is perfect for this purpose, as it has two sides with pre-seasoned surfaces that are safe for oven use up to 500 degrees Fahrenheit.
- The cast iron is ideal for heat distribution and retention because if the food is not well cooked on the surface and still raw in the middle then it is not perfect. The dimensions of this product are 20 x 10.39 x 0.98 inches (LxWxH) thus it is advisable to ensure that you have enough space on your stovetop for this pan especially when grilling or cooking large items such as steaks or pork chops.
- Use the reversible grill or griddle to prepare your meals. Copper for even heat conduction and retention, not non-stick and should be hand-washed.
Why Choose this Product:
- Easy to clean.
- Two sides with pre-seasoned surfaces.
- Non-stick griddle surface for easy cooking.
9. Commercial Chef Round Cast Iron Griddle Pan
Reviews:
- The Commercial Chef Round Cast Iron Griddle Pan is perfect for preparing delicious meals every day. The heavy-duty and durable griddles are versatile and non-stick, meaning one can be able to prepare mouth-watering meals in the comfort of their homes or while on the move. Use these cast iron griddle skillets for preparing healthy and delicious meals for your family.
- Griddle pans are not just reserved for making pancakes and bacon in the morning. Prepare pancakes, eggs, bacon, and any other meal that you desire on these heavy-duty commercial chef griddles. The flat surface ensures even heating across the pan, and the slightly raised sides are convenient when flipping meat using a spatula.
- These are some of the most durable pans that come with a non-stick surface, thus making the cooking and cleaning process a breeze. You will enjoy the bacon that doesn’t stick to the pan bottom, the cheese sandwich that doesn’t burn at its edges, and more importantly, no more grease fire. The Cast Iron Griddles by Commercial Chef come in 8-inch diameter, 10-inch diameter, and 12-inch diameter sizes. Round cast-iron griddle skillets are available pre-seasoned to use right away without the need for additional seasoning.
Why Choose This Product:
- Sturdy and High-Quality Griddle Pan
- Flat cooking surface for uniform cooking
- Heavy-duty cast iron that is durable and will last a lifetime
- Easy to clean
10. MGKKT 10.6 inch Cast Iron Griddle Plate
Reviews:
- The MGKKT 10.6-inch Cast Iron Griddle Plate is one of the most useful pieces of equipment that you can have in your kitchen. One side features smooth cooking surfaces, which you can use to make anything from grilled cheese sandwiches to pancakes—no flipping required! However, on the flip side, it provides a professional finish with very little oil, as seen with seared salmon or grilled chicken kebabs.
- Place these versatile griddles on top of each other to create an even more practical and extensive cooking surface. You can grill a burger and a steak, then use the same surface to sauté carrots, fry eggs, and more without any additional utensils!
- Your favorite breakfast, lunch, and dinner are now ready in 20 minutes. It is seasoned with 100% vegetable oil, which makes it very easy to clean since it does not stick to the pan. It comes with instructions on how to cook the perfect steak, but it is also ideal to pair with scallops seared to perfection, grilled vegetables, or even hearty breakfasts.
- The handle is made of heavy-duty metal, and it is convenient for both holding and flipping without adding too much weight like in other brands that become spongy near the heating coils, thus transferring some heat to the food, which is not what you intended to do after spending much time trying to get the right temperature on the griddle.
Why Choose This Product:
- It can go at any temperature in your kitchen, even if it is on a low heat setting.
- It can withstand at least 500 degrees of heat for an hour.
- The silicone surface does a great job of evenly distributing heat, so you don't need to worry about your food burning.
Features to Consider When Choosing a Cast Iron Griddle
If you are considering buying a cast-iron griddle, there are certain aspects that you should take into account to help you find the right one for your needs.
1. Thickness and Material
The first factor to consider when purchasing a cast-iron griddle is the thickness and type of the grate. A grate thickness of 3/8 of an inch would be ideal as it offers even heat distribution and can easily be moved around using one hand as it is not too bulky. Also, since it is thick, it will not allow the food to pass through it and fall on the floor when you shake or remove it. Also, do not buy a cast-iron griddle with a thin grate because it is very difficult to clean and the heat is not distributed evenly across the surface.
2. Side Handles
When purchasing a cast-iron griddle, it is also crucial to consider the side handles because not all of them are the same. The handles of the model should be ergonomic to enable you to move the griddle around with ease without having to touch any hot parts. Also, if it has silicone grips then it will not slip from your hands even when wet because silicone has a non-slip feature.
3. Size
The size of the griddle that you will require will depend on the number of people that you are going to prepare food for and the specific meals that you are planning to make. There are smaller ones with a diameter of 24 inches and they are suitable for cooking breakfast for two or three persons while the large ones range from 32 to 36 inches and are suitable for preparing meals when more than four persons are present.
In addition, it is recommended not to underestimate the significance of selecting the appropriate size of the cast iron griddle because it will not only let you prepare more food at a time but also enhance your cooking abilities due to the fact that large griddles have better heat distribution than the smaller ones. Also, if the model you are using has two burners, then you will be able to cook different meals at the same time.
4. Burner Location
When choosing your griddle, ensure that the model has a burner between the front and back legs so that it does not come into contact with the surface of your deck or countertop since this enhances the stability of the griddle.
5. Additional Features
Some other features that may be useful but not mandatory for a cast-iron griddle include nonstick coating (very useful for cleaning), accessory griddle tops (useful if one needs a larger space), or burner extenders (useful if the burner is not large enough).
6. Bare Vs. Enameled
There are two types of cast-iron griddles available on the market: bare and enameled. The unseasoned ones do not have an enameled coating so you have to season them to prevent food from sticking to its surface while the enameled ones are pre-seasoned and has a special coating which makes it so that food will not stick but they are more fragile than the regular cast iron ones. First and foremost, it is advisable not to expose the enameled cast-iron griddle to water as this may lead to some damages in the unit.
7. Weight
There is also the weight of the cast iron griddle which is something that you should also look into because the weight does make a big difference in the overall experience that it provides. If you decide to carry your griddle from one place to another then you should consider a griddle that weighs less than 10 lbs as they are light and can be moved easily since they are made of lighter materials.
In contrast, if you enjoy cooking indoors and prefer to have your griddle remain stationary, then it is advisable to go for a model that has some more weight so that it will not be easily moved by the wind or children playing outside.
8. Maintenance
While a cast-iron griddle is a material investment that will serve you well in your kitchen for many years, it requires proper care to maintain its longevity. When you first bring your new unit home, it is recommended that you wash it with hot water and soap or scrub it gently with steel wool to remove any residue that may be left by the manufacturer.
Also, it is not advised to leave this type of griddle in contact with water for the night and this may lead to some damages on the surface of the griddle. However, if there are still remnants of hard food particles on the cooking surface to clean after preparing a meal, use a stiff brush to clean them but do not use acidic cleaning solutions as they can cause metal to corrode and wear away some of the metal coating. Also, it is recommended that you should always dry your cast-iron griddle before storing it because if you leave it wet, the materials used in making the griddle will be affected.
9. Temperature Control
In order to heat up your cast-iron griddle, you have two options: on a gas or electric stovetop. As for the second one, always bear in mind that this kind of appliance is compatible with flat/smooth types of cooking surfaces; thus, it is best to use a fat burner and not another appliance. However, if you are using a gas stove, then it is advisable to go for an adjustable knob because this will enable you to better regulate the temperature of your unit and therefore your food will be well done with a beautiful brown color every time you cook.
10. Cleaning
After you have done cooking, it is important not to wash your cast-iron griddle using soap and water because this will remove the nonstick surface on the griddle. Wait for it to cool down completely and then use a soft sponge or brush to wipe off any remaining food particles. After that, all you need to do is to clean the surface with a damp cloth and then sprinkle some salt on it.
Then, it is recommended to use your hand to spread the salt evenly across the griddle surface so that it will become shiny again, and then let it dry in another room or simply leave it on the kitchen counter for the night before storing it away. Also, do not forget to re-season your cast-iron griddle every month to prevent it from changing the way it distributes heat during future uses; re-seasoning is merely a process of applying oil to the iron surface to prevent it from rusting and food from sticking to it.
11. Budget
Last but not least, always consider your budget when shopping for new cooking utensils and equipment. The last thing you need is to purchase a griddle that costs all your savings and then realize that it does not meet your needs so make sure to consider the different models that are available in the market and their prices before making your decision. However, it is worth mentioning that even if you have a large amount of money to spend, it does not mean that you have to purchase the most expensive model because there are plenty of units out there that provide the same level of functionality as the more expensive ones but for a lower price.
How to Cook on a Cast Iron Griddle
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Are cast iron griddles better?
With a cooking space of up to 10.5 inches in width, it is convenient to prepare meals for a large number of people in your family or when you have guests over! You can prepare any type of meal ranging from pancakes to lasagna without compromising the taste of the food; this is because this oven has a great heat retention hence making baking very convenient for anyone who is using it including those who are new to using the stove.
2. Do cast iron griddles need to be seasoned?
The surface of the skillet is meant to create a layer of seasoning as it is used over time. In this case, each subsequent layer that is formed on the cast iron pans will give the new features and a unique effect to each of the kitchen tasks performed on it!
3. How do you keep a cast iron griddle from sticking?
Always add a teaspoon of oil when using the pan, and never forget to heat the pan on the stove or in the oven. After using the pan for cooking allow it to cool then to remove the food particles that are stuck on the pan one can either use the nylon brush and hand dryer together or using one after the other to gain more strength. You can also add some more olive oil later on as well if required by removing any residual moisture that was left behind from the previous use of the product like oils.
4. How do you clean a cast iron griddle?
To ensure that your cast iron cookware is durable, it is important to clean it regularly. It is recommended to use soap or an SOS pad to clean out the food particles from the pan if necessary and then scraping off any remaining stains with a scraper immediately after the washing process to prevent further damage to other parts.
5. What do you cook on a cast iron griddle?
A cast iron griddle is a good choice for cooking at home if you need a pan that can perform various functions. The edges of this piece are quite shallow which makes it easy for the users to access while preparing food and flipping pancakes or French toasts requires one to use the best spatula ever!
A traditional pancake prepared using a conventional frying pan will have holes appearing on the surface when they should not be there due to oil dripping on one side of the pancake during the frying process due to one accidentally trying to flip another item nearby or even yours. However, this is not a big issue here as these are flat and uncovered surfaces which are meant for holding sauces only and one does not need to spill anything here.
6. Can you cook a steak on a griddle?
Steaks are best cooked medium-rare. For well done, simply continue to cook it until it reaches the desired level of doneness.
Ensure that the heat on your griddle or pan is up to 300 degrees before placing the steaks on it as this will help in breaking down any toughness in the meat caused by abuse and torture of animals during processing of beef products like sirloin tip roasts. It is preferable to let these sit for about 5-10 minutes before eating in order to enjoy them while they are still warm but not scorching hot.
Conclusion
Cast iron griddles are very beneficial and a must-have in any kitchen. They provide flexibility, with the ability to work on stovetop and oven both. A good cast iron griddle should be made from stainless steel or aluminum and should have a large and heavy base to avoid moving when cooking. We are confident that this article has provided valuable information on how to select the right product considering these factors.
