The 9 Best Pancake Griddles of 2023

Our top-rated choice is the Lodge Pro-Grid Reversible Grill/Griddle

We independently research, test, review, and recommend the best products—learn more about our process. If you buy something through our links, we may earn a commission.

Best Pancake Griddles

The Spruce Eats / Chloe Jeong

If pancakes are one of your most beloved breakfast foods, you're not alone—these soft, fluffy morning favorites can be made a hundred different ways to suit anyone's tastebuds. To make them, a griddle is a must; its smooth, expansive surface provides an evenly heated cooktop for turning out stacks of hotcakes and keeping them warm before serving.

But griddles aren't limited to flapjacks. Use them as a restaurant-style flat top to warm toast, scramble eggs, or heat tortillas without having to pull out several frying pans at once. Plus, many of our recommendations can also be used on your grill for making amazingly juicy hamburgers.

Best Overall

Lodge Cast Iron Reversible Grill/Griddle

4.8
Lodge Cast Iron Reversible Grill/Griddle

Amazon

What We Like
  • Virtually indestructible

  • Reversible so you can also use it as a grill

  • Generous surface area

What We Don't Like
  • Heavy

  • Requires care to maintain seasoning

Lodge is an incredibly popular name for cast iron cookware—for good reason. Its pre-seasoned items are ready to use when they arrive, although they get better and better with extra seasoning and more use. This 20 x 10-inch griddle gives you plenty of space for cooking everything from pancakes to bacon, and it’s reversible, with a grill surface on the other side for burgers and steaks. The heavy cast iron does a great job distributing the heat across the entire surface for even cooking, while the slight slope allows fats and juices to drain away to one side.

Our reviewer tested this griddle in her kitchen and backyard and found that it can be used on any cooktop or outdoor grill, but it may not work well on induction because not enough of the bottom surface with be in contact with the stovetop. (Some users noted that it worked well on their induction cooktop, while others reported that the stove didn’t recognize the griddle very well.)

Since it straddles two burners, our tester was able to sear on one part of the grill and maintain a more gentle heat on the other by adjusting the heat on each separate burner. Its slim size also made it easy to store, sliding right into the same space as her cutting boards. Just like any other cast iron piece, it does require some special maintenance, but it is a sturdy piece that can last for a lifetime with proper care.

Price at time of publish: $50

Lodge Pro-Grid Reversible Grill/Griddle with vegetables on a grate

The Spruce Eats / Donna Curie

Material: Seasoned cast iron | Dishwasher Safe: No | Max Temperature: 450+ degrees | Induction Ready: Works with some, but not all

What Our Testers Say

"It heats evenly and retains the heat, so you’ll get consistent cooking and impressive searing or grill marks."Donna Currie, Product Tester

Best Ceramic

Presto 7055 Cool-Touch Electric Ceramic Griddle

4.2
Presto Cool-Touch Electric Ceramic Griddle

Walmart

What We Like
  • Big cooking surface

  • Can be used on countertop to free up burners

  • Fully submersible for easy cleaning

What We Don't Like
  • Only heats to a max of 400 degrees

  • Nonstick surface will degrade with time

Ceramic has become increasingly popular as a nonstick surface since it tends to be more scratch-resistant than many other types of nonstick coatings. This handy electric griddle from Presto offers that ceramic coating on its 20 x 10.5-inch surface, which we found incredibly slick. During testing, it could fit around 12 smaller pancakes or a full package of bacon.

Our tester found the griddle very easy-to-use and could reach its highest temperature (400 degrees). It was very evident, though, that the heating element was centered, since both bacon strips and pancakes on the edges needed a few extra moments to cook. Regardless, the pancakes came out golden, and the bacon crisped up nicely. You will need to help grease along to the drip hole, but once in the drip tray, it's easy to remove to clean. All we needed after was a quick wipe down and it was good as new.

Price at time of publish: $47

Material: Cast aluminum with nonstick coating | Dishwasher Safe: Yes, with heat control removed | Max Temperature: 400 degrees | Power: 1500 watts

Best Stainless Steel

Cuisinart Tri-Ply Nonstick Stainless Steel Double Griddle

griddle

Cuisinart

What We Like
  • Very large cooking surface

  • Oven safe to 500 degrees

  • Loop handles make it easy to transport

What We Don't Like
  • Nonstick coating is susceptible to scratches

This 2-burner griddle is made with tri-ply stainless steel with a dishwasher-safe nonstick layer, which means it can be used on gas, electric, or induction cooktops. Its generous 10.75 x 21-inch size gives you plenty of room to cook your pancakes—and whatever else you're eating for breakfast.

The griddle's oven-safe to 500 degrees, so you can also use it to finish steaks in the oven or for roasting vegetables, and if your favorite cookie sheet disappears, you can even use it for baking cookies or a loaf of artisan bread. The large loop handles make it easy to move when it’s time to serve or when you're transferring it to and from the oven.

Price at time of publish: $65

Material: Stainless steel with nonstick coating | Dishwasher Safe: Yes, but hand washing is recommended | Max Temperature: 500 degrees | Induction Ready: Yes

Best for Electric Stoves

OXO Good Grips Non-Stick Pro Square Griddle

OXO Good Grips Pro Griddle Pan

Amazon

What We Like
  • Big cooking surface

  • Dishwasher safe

  • Oven safe to 430 degrees

What We Don't Like
  • Nonstick coating is durable but will eventually degrade over time

A smooth, flat bottom makes this griddle great for electric stoves, while the roomy cooking surface offers plenty of space for cooking pancakes, bacon, burgers, and more. It’s even oven-safe to 430 degrees, so you can keep the extra flapjacks warm for the late-risers. The griddle is 11 inches square with rolled edges that keep juices from getting onto your stove during cooking.

The internal hard-anodized aluminum with conduct heat evenly across the whole surface, and the stainless-steel handle is super comfortable. The griddle has three layers of nonstick coating for easy flipping of your pancakes and won't leave a baked-on mess for you to clean up after breakfast. For even easier cleaning, the whole thing is dishwasher safe, so you’ll be done with cleanup in no time.

Price at time of publish: $60

Material: Hard anodized aluminum | Dishwasher Safe: Yes, but hand washing is recommended | Max Temperature: 430 degrees | Induction Ready: No

Best Electric

Cuisinart Elite Griddle

Cuisinart Elite Griddle

Amazon

What We Like
  • Versatile functionality

  • Each half has a separate temperature control

  • Removable plates are easy to clean

What We Don't Like
  • Expensive

  • A bit bulky to store

The Elite Griddler offers more space than the original model, along with more precise controls and a few extra features to make cooking easier. For cooking pancakes, this griddle opens flat for a total of 240 square inches of cooking space. The heat on each half can be controlled separately, so you can cook pancakes at one temperature while browning breakfast sausages on the other side at a different one.

The griddle plates can be reversed for grilling, and the grill can be closed for use as a contact griddle or sandwich press. It can also be set to stay open at a variety of heights for heating the top of foods without making contact, which works well when you're reheating pizza or pancakes, or for cooking delicate foods that you don’t want to crush.

Price at time of publish: $184

Material: Cast aluminum with nonstick | Dishwasher Safe: Yes (removable plates) | Max Temperature: 500 degrees | Power: 300 watts

Best for Gas Stoves

De Buyer Mineral B Carbon Steel Crepe & Tortilla Pan

4.6
De Buyer Mineral B Carbon Steel Crepe & Tortilla Pan

Amazon

What We Like
  • Carbon steel heats well

  • Very durable build

  • Also compatible with induction

What We Don't Like
  • Limited oven use

This 12-inch pan is technically designed for making crepes but is great for cooking one or two pancakes at a time. The low sides let you get a spatula easily under the pancakes, and the heavy body keeps the pan stable on your cooktop. The pan is constructed from bare carbon steel and needs to be seasoned before its first use. It will continue to develop a seasoning with continued use, which will help make the pan's surface more nonstick.

Our home tester noted that it heats quickly and evenly, ideal for turning out perfectly cooked pancakes. It also responds well to temperature changes, whether you want to raise or lower the heat to control how quickly your batter cooks. Our tester noted that the pan can only be used in the oven for short amounts of time at 400 degrees Fahrenheit, but that it shines on the stovetop and can be used to also heat tortillas or other flatbreads in addition to making crepes and pancakes.

This pan is very durable and can withstand use with metal utensils. It is also compatible with just about any cooktop, including induction ranges. Like all carbon steel cookware, this pan requires hand washing and a little extra care to maintain its seasoning, but with proper care it should last for many years.

Price at time of publish: $80

Flipping injera on the De Buyer Mineral B Crepe and Tortilla Pan

The Spruce Eats / Renu Dhar

Material: Carbon steel | Dishwasher Safe: No | Max Temperature: 400 degrees | Induction Ready: Yes

Best Splurge

Made In Carbon Steel Griddle

Made In Carbon Steel Griddle

Made In

What We Like
  • Induction-compatible

  • Raised handles for easy moving

  • Very versatile

What We Don't Like
  • Needs maintenance

Manufactured in Sweden, this griddle from Made In is designed to function like a restaurant flat top. The large surface offers maximum contact with burners and is made of carbon steel, resulting in excellent responsiveness when it comes to heat control.

This 24 x 10.5-inch griddle straddles two burners—giving you the option to manage different temperature zones—and offers lots of space to cook fluffy pancakes or crispy bacon. It also features raised, hand-welded handles so you can easily lift and transport the griddle, even with oven mitts on. It weighs just under 10 pounds, making it fairly lightweight compared to its size, and can be used on just about any cooktop, including induction.

Since it's made of carbon steel, it isn't dishwasher safe, but its smooth surface makes it fairly easy to wash by hand. It's also backed by a lifetime warranty from the manufacturer, making the price tag on this griddle well worth the investment.

Price at time of publish: $129

Material: Carbon steel | Dishwasher Safe: No | Max Temperature: 1,200 degrees Fahrenheit | Induction Ready: Yes

Best Cast Iron

Le Creuset 9.5-inch Cast Iron Square Griddle

Le Creuset Square Griddle

Amazon

What We Like
  • Holds heat exceptionally well

  • Excellent quality

  • Comes in a variety of colors

What We Don't Like
  • Smaller size might be limiting

  • Expensive

Le Creuset is a familiar name when it comes to high-quality enameled cast iron cookware and delivers on its reputation with this griddle pan. Like their other cookware, this griddle offers the benefit of cast iron without worrying about seasoning or special cleaning. It’s also attractive, with a porcelain-enameled exterior that’s available in several different colors, all with a black cooking surface.

This skillet can be used on any cooktop, including induction cooktops and your outdoor grill, and you can also use it in the oven. It’s not a huge grill, measuring just 9.5 x 9.5 inches, so it can fit on a single burner, leaving you plenty of space for frying eggs or cooking sausages on other burners. When cooking is done, it’s dishwasher safe for easy cleaning.

Price at time of publish: $100

Material: Enameled cast iron | Dishwasher Safe: Yes | Max Temperature: 450+ degrees | Induction Ready: Yes

Best for Kids

Presto PanGogh Art Batter Pancake Griddle

Pancakes Presto PanGogh Art Batter Pancake Griddle

Amazon

What We Like
  • Great activity for kids

  • Can be used as a regular griddle too

  • Good temperature range up to 400 degrees

What We Don't Like
  • Small size makes it less versatile

  • Only comes with two designs

Pancake art is a lot of fun for both kids and adults, but not all parents can draw well on paper, much less with batter on a hot pan. This set makes artwork easy. It includes a reversible template and four batter bottles for mixing different colors of pancake batter for your masterpieces.

The griddle itself is designed to look like a canvas in a frame, making it even more fun. The included, reversible template gives you the outline of an ice cream cone and a lion; more templates are available for purchase. When you're not using it for colorful and creative cooking, this 11 x 9-inch griddle can be used for hash browns, burgers, and all your other favorite griddled foods.

Price at time of publish: $50

Material: Aluminum with nonstick coating | Dishwasher Safe: No | Max Temperature: 400 degrees | Power: 1000 watts

Final Verdict

We like the Lodge Pre-Seasoned Cast Iron Reversible Griddle/Grill because of its outstanding durability and unbeatable versatility. The De Buyer Mineral B Carbon Steel Crepe & Tortilla Pan is also a versatile and a worthwhile cookware addition.

What to Look for in a Pancake Griddle

Material

For pans designed to cook pancakes, you'll want something that heats evenly and will release your food easily. Aluminum—either cast or hard-anodized—is an excellent conductor of heat, and when paired with a nonstick coating, makes for a smooth pancake flipping experience. If you plan to cook for a longer stretch of time (i.e. churning out dozens of pancakes over the course of the morning), a well-seasoned cast iron griddle or pan will hold heat extremely well so you can continuously cook without waiting to reheat.

Size

Large griddles, whether they are double-burner cookware griddles or electric models, are helpful for making bigger quantities (think a dozen flapjacks or a package of bacon) quickly. These are definitely ideal for bigger households or parties. But if you're only planning on serving a small household, you can definitely go smaller. When it comes to cookware, a 12-inch griddle should do just fine. For electric options, we found compact electric griddles could hold about a half-dozen bacon slices or only a couple of pancakes.

FAQs

How do you cook pancakes on a griddle?

Prepare your batter as you heat up your griddle over medium heat. Add a pat of butter or some other type of oil, then add your pancake batter using an ice cream scoop or quarter-cup measure. Wait until the surface of the pancake has formed some bubbles, then flip your pancake to finish cooking the other side. For a more in-depth tutorial, watch this video on How To Make the Fluffiest Pancakes.

What temperature do you cook pancakes on a griddle?

If you're cooking on the stovetop, it's best to heat your pan over a medium setting—any higher and your pancakes or butter might burn. For an electric, 375 degrees is ideal. If you need to keep them warm as you finish making the batch, place them on a baking sheet in a 200-degree oven. They'll stay nice and toasty until it's time to eat!

How do you clean a pancake griddle?

Most nonstick pancake griddles can be cleaned by wiping them down with a clean sponge, provided there isn't too much residue or burned food to be cleaned off. If you require a more thorough cleaning, you can wash nonstick pans by hand with mild dish soap and a non-abrasive sponge. For cast iron, consult this Cast Iron Care Guide.

What else can you cook on a pancake griddle?

A pancake griddle is incredibly versatile. You can use this as a restaurant-style flat top and grill up burgers, bacon, eggs, sausages, vegetables, and more. Heat hot dog and hamburger buns, tortillas, pita bread, and anything else that can benefit from a large, flat cooking surface.

Why Trust The Spruce Eats?

The author of this piece, Donna Currie, is a food writer and product tester for The Spruce Eats. A self-professed "kitchen geek," she's written many roundups on a range of essential kitchen items, from the best Thanksgiving gadgets to the top seafood kitchen tools of the year.

Continue to 5 of 9 below.
Continue to 9 of 9 below.