We love cast iron griddles and cooking grills and as do most people passionate about bbq. The biggest reason we love them is that they heat up really well and also maintain high temperatures for longer. This ensures the meat cooks well and you get a nice char too. Cleaning cast iron griddles are the easiest and so is re-seasoning them. And the durability is unmatched, they will last you longer than any other grilling accessory you have.
Cast iron griddle and grills have always been the first choice for us and we have got great results with both meats and veggies. We have reviewed the best-cast iron griddles in the market right now and would highly recommend adding one to your kitchen. Just a bit of care and maintenance and these are going to last you a long, long time.
Here’s our review of the best-cast iron electric griddles available.
1. Lodge LPGI3 Pro-Grid Cast Iron Reversible Griddle/Pan
The cast iron griddle from Lodge fits over two stove burners and comes pre-seasoned with vegetable oil. The ready to use grill has reversible design and can be flipped over to use as either the griddle or as a grill. The griddle has easy to grip handles on either side. The handles are large and ergonomically designed.
Both sides gave us good results even heat distribution, and a large cooking surface. A few users have complained of the griddle getting cracks while cooking. The manufacturer mentions that the griddle can be used on a glass cooktop. Just take care not to scratch the glass top when handling the griddle.
2. Lodge L9OG3ASHH41B Cast Iron Griddle and Hot Handle Holder
Lodge has been making cast iron cookware close for over a 100 years and their products are obviously well-loved. The Lodge L90G3 cast iron griddle from the brand has a round shape and a diameter of 10.5 inches. The griddle comes pre-seasoned with vegetable oil baked into the product, giving it a smooth black finish on the flat surface. The seasoning improves with every use.
The product is heavy and the weight can take some getting used. The griddle has good heat distribution and gives a good sear. Meats cooked well for us on this one. It comes with a silicone handle cover, do ensure that you handle it carefully as the handle can get pretty hot. The product is not dishwasher safe because dishwashers may damage the nonstick coating.
3. Vremi 20 inch Large Non-stick Cast Iron Griddle for Kitchen Stove Top – Two Burner Flat Pancake Grill Griddle Pan
This is a reversible griddle and fits over two stove burners and has a cooking area of about 20 sq. inches. The griddle has well designed and large handles on each side. The reversible sides have a griddle on one side and a grill on the other. The cast iron surface comes pre-seasoned and can be washed with warm water and mild soap, not dishwasher safe.
The griddle also has a slope to trap the grease.This grease trap is ideal for drip-free pouring whenver you’re trying to get rid of excess grease. Also keep in mind that the griddle is narrow and can fit about 4 pancakes only at a time. It does have good heat distribution over the entire surface but the griddle side finish leaves a lot to be desired.
4. Lodge Cast Iron Reversible Grill/Griddle, LDP3
A reversible griddle from Lodge this one is made to fit over two burners and can work with all kinds of stoves. The griddle comes pre-seasoned and has a superior smooth finish. The heating is uniform across the flat cooking surface, just let it heat up and then place the food with some butter.
We missed having a grease reservoir on the griddle side and would have loved more depth to avoid the occasional splattering. It is durable and can last long with proper care and handling. Do not use harsh detergent/soap or put it in a dishwasher. Mild soap,hot,water and a lint free cloth is all you need to clean it properly.
5. Reversible Pre-Seasoned Cast Iron Griddle
This reversible griddle cast iron grill plate is from camp chef and is very spacious. It has a cooking area of 384 sq. in. The griddle is pre-seasoned and ready to use. It has molded handles on each side for easy grip. The griddle is pretty heavy and does not give easy portability.
We loved the size of the grill but the quality does not seem too good. A lot of users have complained about the griddle getting cracked. Another gripe we had was that the griddle is warped which can cause grease to collect and overflow from one side.
Whichever griddle you pick remember that you let it heat it before you start cooking. Always pre-heat at medium-low for best results. Once properly heated a well-seasoned cast-iron griddle is non-stick.
Why should you buy a cast iron griddle?
A few quick point for the nay-sayers or if you are on the fence about getting a cast iron griddle.
- All-weather cookware – Cast iron griddle pans griddles can in any weather and can be used for both outdoor and indoor cooking. The cast iron grills and griddles can be used to cook any food. With their versatility, these can very well be the only cookware you need.
- Natural and non-stick – There has been a lot of speculation on non-stick surfaces being a health hazard. While all good brands have safe non-stick surfaces, it always feels better to use natural materials. Cast iron griddles are non-stick on account of the platina that forms on the surface on seasoning. Most griddles we have reviewed above come pre-seasoned. Anyhow seasoning is pretty easy and requires the least bit of effort.
- Heat retention and distribution – Cast iron griddles take time to heat up but have great heat retention and distribution. This ensures that you get even heating while cooking and no cold spots. It makes cooking easier and the food doesn’t get dry, giving great results.
- Durability – Cast iron cookware is going to last you a long time, like really long.
- Easy to clean – You can use a mild soap or do away with soap altogether to clean a cast iron grill or griddle. The food lifts off easily and you simply put the hot pan (use mitten or a cover on the handle) under running water and scrape off any leftover food with a metal spatula.
- Iron in food – It is widely accepted that cooking in durable cast iron increases the content of iron in the food. It is especially true when you cook acidic foods.
- Versatility – Your cast iron griddle is going to be the most versatile cookware you are ever going to own. You can use it over a stove or put it in an oven too.
Features to Consider When Choosing the Right Griddle
It’s always good to explore all the features of griddles before you buy one. Here’s a quick look at some griddle aspects people often worry about.
Surfaces It Can Be Used On
One of the biggest benefits of these cast iron skillets is that you can use them on just about any type of cooking surface. These griddles are practical for a gas burner, gas stove, electric stoves, electric stovetop. They can be used inside ovens, or they can be used on the open flame of a fire.
The only limitation to this type of cookware is that not all of them are induction cooktop compatible. For induction stovetops to work, the magnets need to be able to create heat. Only certain types of metal can create that magnetic field that will spark warmth.
The ridged edges of the griddles’ design can interfere with the contact the pan makes with your stovetop, which in turn, can affect its functionality.
Design Differences
Cast iron griddles are available in a wide variety of sizes and designs. One thing you should always keep in mind when you shop for a good griddle is the weight. We all love a large cooking surface but cast iron is extremely heavy compared to other metal types.
The added weight does give these cooking vessels a unique character, but it can be hard to move a huge cast iron pan around. Smaller griddles tend to be more popular because they’re easier to store and handle, whereas huge griddles often end up unused in the back of the cupboard.
Grip Handles
Proper handles can make it much easier to move and grip your griddle. You should keep in mind that these utensils aren’t designed with coated handles because the coatings can melt away inside ovens or over extreme temperatures. Your griddle should have handles that are large enough to allow you to firmly grab the hot plate with oven mitts.
Build Quality
Cast iron is a rugged material that can last a lifetime, or even several lifetimes, if it receives the needed care and maintenance; but not all griddles are manufactured from 100% cast iron materials.
Enameled cast iron pans are made with a combination of materials in order to reduce the weight and cost. These affordable models are easier to handle but they might not be quite as durable. If you’re looking to invest in a family heirloom that can last a lifetime then it’s better to spend more on a quality brand.
Maintaining your cast iron griddle
Proper maintenance is critical for keeping these expensive pans in great condition. Cast iron is a tough material but it’s not indestructible.
Certain cleaning methods like putting it in a dishwasher, using harsh chemicals or steel wool, and failing to properly clean it can damage your cookware. Here’s a quick look at the best ways to maintain and care for a cast iron skillet and other cast iron cookware.
Cleaning
Clean the cast iron griddle as soon as you finish cooking. Safely remove it from the heat and clean it with either running water or warm water. You can use any mild soap. Some people don’t use soap on their cast iron cookware but we do and recommend it too. You can use a metal spatula to get any food stuck on the griddle. Just scrape it off and clean the spot thoroughly. But ensure the running water is a little warm and not cold as it may warp your griddle.
Do not put your cast iron griddle or any other cast iron cookware in a dishwasher.
It is important to dry the griddle as soon as you wash it. Do not leave it submerged in water. Either dry it carefully with a paper towel or put it on low heat over the stove. Till all the water/moisture is gone.
Seasoning
Once the griddle is completely dry put some vegetable oil on a paper towel. Rub this on the griddle till its smooth and shiny. After covering it with vegetable oil keep it over low heat for about 2 minutes to seal in the seasoning completely. Overtime several layers of seasoning get backed on the griddle making it non-stick and rust-resistant.
You can use sunflower oil, flax seed oil, soybean or any other vegetable oil for seasoning.
Storage
Clean and seasoned griddles can be stored anywhere where there is low moisture in the air. You can place a paper towel on it while storing to ensure it is protected against moisture. It also ensures that the surface does not get scratched if you are stacking the griddle.
Maintenance
- Do not leave any acidic food for too long on your cast iron griddle. Though it is ok to cook them or any other kind of food on it. There are a lot of myths regarding these foods and cast iron cookware, but rest assured you can cook them all you want on your griddle.
- Use low or medium heat to cook on a cast iron griddle.
- Clean the griddle or grill right away after cooking.
Pick any griddle from our list above and enjoy cooking on this all-time favorite cookware.
Last Updated on September 1, 2021 by Judith Fertig
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