NutriChef Electric Griddle and Crepe Maker Review

Making the perfect crepe requires a large, even cooking surface like that of the NutriChef Electric Griddle and Crepe Maker. Crepes, which are thin French pancakes, can be topped and filled with sweet treats or savory meats. Crepes are known for being delicate and pliable, but getting that perfectly round, thin crepe takes some skill and the right kitchen equipment. We tested the NutriChef nonstick crepe maker to see if it could give us consistent results. Keep reading to see how it performed and whether it should make an appearance in your kitchen.

Design: Solid and versatile

This 12-inch electric crepe maker features a nonstick surface and adjustable temperature. It looks just like a round griddle and acts like one, too. Thanks to a short lip, the crepe maker also prevents batter from spilling over the edge. Measuring 12 x 12.9 x 2.4 inches, it’s fairly compact and its multiple uses help justify the cabinet space. It can be safely used on any counter or tabletop and comes with a 2.5-foot cord.

Now, keep in mind that a 12-inch crepe is big. Considering how thin crepes are and the fact that this device makes them so big, be aware that they are easily ripped if overfilled. Note: It's easy to overfill a crepe with delicious fillings like whipped cream and fruit, which are our favorites. For this reason, we’d recommend folding and topping crepes rather than filling them. 

The NutriChef also comes with a wooden crepe turner (essentially a spatula) and a pastry spreader. Both are effective, though we found the design of the pastry spreader to be more effective than the crepe turner. The turner has beveled edges but a square tip, which made it difficult to slide it underneath the crepe. It would have been more effective had the tip been beveled and/or pointed.

We really like the raised edge of the cooking surface. We never had to worry about batter spilling over, and we were able to cook eggs, bacon, and sausage just as well. The appliance’s design allows it to function as an all-purpose griddle, and we love multipurpose kitchen appliances. 

Performance: Fast, even, and responsive

The NutriChef’s design works wonderfully for crepes. It has a large flat surface onto which you can spread the batter. Using the pastry spreader, however, takes some practice. We've used frying pans to make crepes before and we spread the batter by holding and twisting the pan. With that method, our crepes were never quite uniform in size or thickness.

In theory, the pastry spreader should have solved that problem. After watching a YouTube video on technique, though, we discovered that it was probably going to take more practice than one batch of crepes allowed (we did two). So, while the pastry spreader did spread the batter, it was challenging to create a crepe of uniform size and thickness. That didn’t affect the taste, just the appearance. You also have to wash the spreader after each crepe to prevent it from sticking to the next one. We set the spreader in a bowl of water next to the crepe maker for this purpose. 

While the NutriChef takes some skill to cook on, it has an impressively even cooking surface. The crepes cooked evenly from one side to the other. We tested two other crepe makers at the same time, and neither of them cooked as evenly as the NutriChef. Our chances of a perfectly cooked crepe were far better with this model.

This crepe maker has a dial to adjust the temperature. There are marks that range from Clear, or light crepes, to Dark, the highest setting. We found the Clear setting to be warm enough while we were learning to use the crepe spreader. As we got better at it, we dialed it up a couple of notches, but never all the way to the Dark setting. Our crepes turned out beautifully on both sides.

Not only was the temperature easy to adjust, but it was also highly responsive. The surface changes temperature quickly. We didn't have to wait around for very long for it to warm up or cool down once we adjusted the dial. The one thing we don’t like is that the device makes an electrical buzzing noise while you’re cooking.

The wood crepe turner was helpful, especially considering how large some of these crepes got. You have to slide the side edge of the turner under the crepe rather than using the end. Sometimes that worked out, and other times, it didn't. We also tested a crepe turner with a pointed end, and it worked far better. That being said, the included turner still worked better than a standard spatula. We happen to own a wide, round spatula that's specially designed for crepes and pancakes that also worked well. 

Cleaning: Wipe it down and move on

The NutriChef is not submersible. You have to wipe down the surface with a cloth or paper towel. That's easy to do after cooking crepes because they’re not particularly messy unless you get batter down the side.

If you’re cooking other foods like eggs or sausage, it may require a little more cleanup but it’s nonstick, so it's not difficult to clean. You just have to be careful not to get the electrical components wet.

Storage: Protect the surface or keep the box

Nonstick surfaces get scratched easily. The cooking surface will need to be protected if you're going to store anything on top of the NutriChef. You could also store it in the original packaging, which will protect the surface and make it stackable. There's a holder on the bottom of the crepe maker for the pastry spreader, but the crepe turner will have to be stored in the box or separately.

Price: A bargain you don’t want to miss

The NutriChef is an affordable crepe maker that doubles as a griddle. It doesn’t take up much space and offers a versatile cooking surface. At under $40, it’s quite a bargain whether you’re living in limited space or simply want to add a multipurpose appliance to your kitchen.

Competition: Others aren’t quite as versatile

Salton Crepe and Tortilla Maker: The Salton crepe maker is not multipurpose like the NutriChef, but the results are more predictable. You dip the 7.5-inch surface of the pan into a batter tray for perfectly round, thin crepes every time. It’s similarly priced, but unlike the NutriChef, you can’t cook much besides crepes and tortillas on it. 

Le Creuset Enameled Cast Iron Crepe Pan: This expensive pan (around $150) isn’t electric, but it’s built to last. The cast iron absorbs and holds heat very well. It’s not as responsive to temperature changes as the NutriChef, though, and doesn’t have an even heating surface. While the NutriChef takes up more storage space, it’s easier to use and inexpensive.