In this top 5 stove top griddles list, we’ll discuss what to look for in the best stove top griddles and what to avoid.
If you’re looking to cook meals that can usually only be found in restaurants and diners then one of the best ways is with a good stove top griddle. They come in different shapes and sizes and are made with a variety of different materials.
The first stove top griddle I purchased was a flat stove top griddle that I got for a camping trip. We wanted to cook on an open fire and when you’re out in the wilderness, the food tastes amazing when cooked over a fire with some friends and family around.
After using stove top griddles for many years, I’ve learned many things you should avoid… Hopefully, you can learn a thing or two by reading this and prevent yourself from getting the headaches that I had along the way.
If you want to learn a few tricks on how to keep your stovetop griddle in perfect condition, then scroll down to the bottom for Maintaining Stove Top Griddles. Where you will learn everything about cleaning, temperature management, seasoning and storage.
If you plan on using your flat stove top griddle indoors, which I do about 99% of the time, then you won’t get that nice fire and wood flavor. You will however be delighted by just how spectacular the food tastes, compared to traditional pots and pans. It’s well worth the investment. Without further ado, let’s dive into my top 5 favorite flat stove top griddles!
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#1 Lodge – Reversible Grill and Griddle
The best-selling Lodge reversible cast iron griddle stands out the most. Located in Tennessee, Lodge has been the leading name in cast iron products for over 100 years, and they make some of my favorite cast iron products. The older these get, the better the food tastes when you cook on them.
I purchased this one a few years ago, and it’s priced the same as most other stove top griddles but the quality is far superior. Lodge pre-seasons these griddles but it’s highly recommended that you season it as well to enhance the flavor of your foods.
First, you want to wash with hot soap and water and use a scotch brite pad (or similar) to really scrub the surface of the griddle. Do this several times in order to get the oils that can be built up on it during the manufacturing process.
Then you want to apply a light coat of olive oil on the stove top griddle and put on the stove on low heat for about an hour. Some people like to do this each time before cooking but that’s a little too much work for me. Never use soap after you season it for the first time and you will taste the best food you’ve ever eaten.
Features:
- A large 2 burner stove top surface area for cooking a lot of food.
- Comes with handles – use hotpads so you don’t burn your hands.
- Reversible – with one side ridged, ideal for cooking meats and vegetables.
- The material retains heat for a very long time.
Negative Sides:
Some people complain about the handle design on this stove top griddle. Cracks can occur if you make a mistake or your stove top griddle is not properly maintained. DON’T wash with cold water immediately after cooking! Another way to get a crack is by dropping it on the floor.
But other than that, this stove top griddle is the best bang for your buck and a personal favorite of mine.
#2 Little Griddle – Commercial Stove Top Griddle
If you want to get that authentic restaurant style griddle flavor, then this is the way to go. Many people use this style of commercial stove top griddle for cooking on the grill. BUT you can also use it indoors on a standard gas range cooktop. The Little Griddle is a personal favorite of mine for parties and is one of the most popular stainless steel griddles out on the market today.
It might make your house smell like a small town diner but the taste is incredible, there’s nothing else like it. You really do get the authentic diner flavor with this one, without having to pay a small fortune for a huge commercial griddle used in restaurants and fast food places.
This style is very popular for grilling and I reviewed it on the list of best outdoor griddles. This is a fantastic outdoor griddle but not many people know that it’s also ideal for a stovetop.
It took me a bit of trial and error to get this working properly on the stove. Each burner can be set differently, so if you want some things to cook faster than others, you can do that as well. Once you figure it out, you’ll be cooking food that’s better than most restaurants.
The great thing about this one is that it’s large enough to cook for several people. I have managed to cook about 20 eggs and pancakes at the same time. You can even throw a little bit bacon and anything else on there.
As for cleaning, I just use a damp scotch brite pad but you can also use a paper towel. Never had any issues with rust or anything else. Certainly one of the most affordable commercial stove top griddles out there.
Features:
- restaurant style commercial griddle
- Large enough to cook for a lot of people
- High quality stainless steel
Negative Sides:
One of the complaints I have is that the grease tends to linger in the center of the pan, rather than drain to the sides. The griddle does have a slight slope for the grease to drain off but only if the grease is close enough to the sides. Therefore, what I like to do is put the foods with the most grease near the side of the griddle, so that the grease can drip off more easily.
If you don’t know how, this can be pretty tough to clean. There are many videos explaining how to clean commercial stove top griddles by different restaurants and once you know how to clean them it’s not a problem anymore. If you’re looking for a large stove top griddle then this is the way to go. If it were any bigger it wouldn’t fit on your stove!
#3 Lodge- Stove Top Griddle Pan
What list wouldn’t be complete without the classic cast iron stove top griddle pan? There’s a reason Lodge made it onto the top of the list for the best cast iron griddles. The quality is top of the line and I actually enjoy this one more than some of the larger griddles that I use.
I should warn you though that these pans are heavy. It’s nice to use heavy pans because you get a bit of a workout before you sit down to eat. The craftsmanship is top of the line and while I didn’t want this list to be all Lodge products, they certainly do have some of the best products out there at the best prices.
The stove top griddle pan is pretty much my go-to pan.
This pan comes in a few different sizes. I find the 10.5″ pan perfect for cooking eggs for a single person and you can also use several pans at the same time.
Cleaning these pans is very easy. Simply use a little oil at the start and wipe it off when you’re done. The scotch brite is my favorite tool to clean with and you can also use chain mail scrubbers which are amazing.
Features:
- Comes in different sizes.
- Pre-seasoned
- Perfect for any stove top or campfire.
- The material retains heat for a very long time.
Negative Sides:
If you’re not very familiar with cast iron pans then you should know that these are heavy. You may want to use two hands when handling this and other cast iron pans or griddles with hot pads.
Make sure to preheat the pan before you cook. Many people wonder why the food sticks to the pan. If you don’t heat the pan up to the ideal temperature, you will get food to stick on the pan which can be difficult to get off.
Also, Be careful if you have a glass stove top as these can break the glass.
#4 Chef’s Secret – Stainless Steel Stove Top Griddle
This pan is AMAZING! I think I bought this back in 2012 and the great thing about this one is that when used properly, it never sticks.
I like to have a griddle with a lid because I like to steam a lot of my foods. Everything always cooks very evenly and very fast. The material is 5-ply surgical stainless steel, which is considered some of the best cookware in the world.
Very easy to clean this one, just put a little water in the pan after you’re done, give it a light scrub, and boom! It’s clean. You can always use a sponge and a little soap. This one will last a lifetime.
Features:
- Perfect for Induction stove tops or electric stove tops
- The lid is nice for steaming vegetables
- 11″ diameter cooking surface – big enough to cook for a few people
- High quality 304 Surgical Stainless Steel
Negative Sides:
Food can tend to stick if you don’t properly heat the stainless steel stove top griddles. Many people just like to turn on the fire, throw the griddle on the stove top and throw in the food. You need to wait a couple of minutes if you don’t want everything to stick.
Other than that, I have had nothing but delicious meals with this stainless steel stove top griddle. Stainless steel and cast iron are probably my two favorite materials to cook with and probably the two healthiest options. Also, if you have an electric stove top, this is the way to go.
#5 Lodge – Flat Stove Top Griddle
When I bought this griddle a few years ago it was for a camping trip and this griddle makes a PERFECT camping griddle. I didn’t want to lug around a 9 lb griddle but it was worth it. The great thing about this griddle is that you can cook with it on an open fire with very high heat AND it doesn’t take up too much space.
As you all know by now, I’m a huge fan of all cast iron but the flat stove top griddle design is not always my personal favorite. They can tend to cook unevenly for some reason.
The flat part is nice for cooking sandwiches, especially when you use the cast iron press to smash the bread into the hot iron griddle. The reverse side is ideal for cooking vegetables and steaks.
This flat stove top griddle is also good for an outdoor BBQ and Pizza stone. I have made some amazing square thin crust pizzas on this bad boy and they taste amazing! It’s pretty much the perfect size for me and I always like to cook for others and it never disappoints. It works if you have a small or large stove.
For this flat stove top griddle make sure to use LOW heat because this thing gets super hot. You can actually cause it to crack if you crank up the heat to full, so you need to be a little patient if you want to get that authentic restaurant style food.
As for cleaning, it’s just like most cast iron products. Simply use a scotch pad or damp paper towel when you’re done and put let it dry for a minute. Then store it in a place that’s easy to access if you can because it weighs 9 lbs!
Features:
- Flat surface area
- Fits on most stove tops
- Perfect for camping and cooking on an open fire
- Comes pre seasoned and ready to cook
Negative Sides:
The biggest downside I can think of is that it weighs 9 lbs. I enjoy the flat stove top griddle design and you get what you pay for. Lodge is best when it comes to cast iron and I have tried a few other flat stove top griddles over the years and they are similar.
If you don’t know how to properly care for cast iron griddles then be sure to check out the section below. If you are not careful you can rust your flat stove top griddle within one cooking session.
The handles can also be a bit of a problem. As with all cast iron, make sure to use oven mitt or a towel when trying to move this one.
Maintaining your Stove Top Griddle
A cast iron griddle is regarded as one of the most versatile and durable tools found in a kitchen. As a result, you should pay close attention by taking appropriate care of it. When it’s maintained properly, it could last for years. Now let’s discuss how to maintain a stovetop cast iron griddle.
Cleaning Cast Iron
One of the vital rules of cast iron griddle is to avoid using soap and abrasive textures such as steel wool. Also, make sure that you don’t put your cast iron in the dishwasher.
In order to achieve the best results, pour hot water into the skillet and later use a soap-free sponge or a nylon brush to scrub the pan. If you find it too hot to handle the pan, then use a pair of tongs to control the sponge. After the remaining food is scrubbed off, use warm water again to thoroughly rinse the skillet.
Seasoning Cast Iron
Once the griddle is thoroughly cleansed, gently warm it up. Then place a cast iron conditioner which contains a palm oil base over it to ensure optimum shelf-life. It is better when compared to cooking/natural oil. Coat the surface and crevices of the griddle to ensure that it’s properly seasoned. This process safeguards the cast iron from rust. Allow the griddle to cool down and thoroughly wipe it to remove the excess conditioner using a clean cloth.
Unsaturated oils are best recommended for seasoning since the chemical structure is proven to be more responsive when compared to saturated oils. It also enables smooth polymerization.
Best Place to Store Cast Iron?
Once the griddle is thoroughly cleansed, dried and seasoned, ensure that it is kept in a dry place. Today, certain carry bags are also available in the market that are capable of holding the griddle. However, you should make sure the zipper is left open at least four inches to prevent sweating and the formation of rust. Another major advantage is that storage bags can prevent scratches and damage within the cookware.
Some people prefer storing cast iron cookware in an oven since it is considered a safer and better spot to preserve it when not in use.
Pro-tips
- Ensure that the griddle is leveled prior to cooking.
- Avoid washing a cast iron griddle with soap.
- To remove excess food from the pan, pour some hot water and let it remain for a few minutes. You may even use a plastic scraper to scrape the remains.
- Leave a light coating of oil in the pan to enhance the seasoning and prevent the formation of rust. Experts would even suggest coating the pan using ghee, bacon grease, or coconut oil.
- Cast iron handles are susceptible to heat, so safeguard your hands. Use a pot holder or a dry towel to handle the hot pans.
Conclusion
The best thing about a stovetop griddle is that you can use it anywhere. Personally, I use my stovetop griddle just about every day and when people come over they always are impressed. Many of my friends and family have gone out and purchased stove top griddles after trying my cooking!