Buying guide for best presto electric griddles

An electric griddle is an all-purpose hot surface that cooks foods like bacon, hamburgers, and pancakes, as well as quesadillas, veggie burgers, and grilled cheese sandwiches. This versatile cooking tool is ideal for breakfast lovers and space-starved homeowners alike. If pots and pans overtake your stove top during meal prep and you need a bit of extra cooking space, consider an electric griddle from Presto.

Presto specializes in electrical appliances and other kitchen gadgets. The company, which began in 1905, sells a wide variety of electric griddles, from compact cooktops to versions roomy enough to cook for a big party. Presto’s electric griddles are equipped with handy features that aid during cooking and cleanup.

If you’re interested in skipping the range when prepping breakfast, lunch, or dinner, an electric griddle from Presto is a convenient option. Skip the post-meal scrub down of your stove top and opt for an easy-to-clean Presto griddle instead. We’ve got all the details for you, as well as some recommendations, to make your shopping easy.

An electric griddle is not a hot plate and should not be used as such. Never use pots and pans on this surface. Keep them for your stove top.

Key considerations

Griddle vs. skillet

The main differences between a skillet and a griddle are size and shape.

Size: Griddles, including electric versions, tend to be a lot larger than skillets, offering more surface area for cooking.

Shape: Unlike skillets, which are usually round, electric griddles are typically square or rectangular. Some griddles feature a textured surface to impart grill marks to food, but most electric griddles are flat and similar to a large hot plate.

Electric griddles

The cooking surface of an electric griddle is attached to a base that plugs into an outlet. The base includes a temperature control function. Electric griddles have some uses and advantages for the home cook, including the following:

Extra space: If you have food cooking on the stove and in the oven, you can add some extra cooking space with an electric griddle. And the generous surface area of most electric griddles is perfect for serving up food to a family or numerous guests.

Breakfast: You can cook all your favorite breakfast items on the same surface. Eggs, bacon, sausage, and toast can all be tossed onto an electric griddle and cooked up quickly. A griddle is also an excellent choice for cooking pancakes. The rectangular surface makes it easy to prep multiple flapjacks at once.

Ease of use: The flat surface and lack of a skillet’s sloped sides means it’s easy to turn, flip, and handle food on an electric griddle.

Even heating: The cooking surface of an electric griddle distributes heat effectively and cooks very evenly.

Low-fat cooking: Many electric griddles have a grease tray that prevents oil and fat from getting all over your food and plate.

Warming function: An electric griddle with a Low or Warm setting can be used to keep food hot, so diners returning for seconds don’t have to eat cold, soggy eggs or pancakes.

Presto electric griddle features

Presto griddles have a few more features that help make cooking and cleanup even easier, including the following:

Size

Presto sells a variety of griddles in different sizes, including a mini griddle with a cooking surface that measures 8.5 by 10.5 inches designed for cooking for one or two people. Larger griddles that range from 15 to 23 inches wide are also available.

Cooking

Nonstick: All Presto griddles have a nonstick surface made of either ceramic or heavy cast aluminum. Aluminum heats quickly and stays super hot. Ceramic retains heat and is a very durable form of nonstick coating that’s unlikely to chip or crack (unless dropped, of course).

Grease tray: A drip tray helps prevent oily messes by allowing grease to pool in the tray rather than on your counter. The tray slides out for easy cleaning.

Temperature control: All Presto griddles have an adjustable temperature knob to control the heat, so your food won’t burn. The temperature control unit can be removed so you can fully immerse the cooking surface in water or put it into the dishwasher to clean.

Warming rack: Models with a warming rack allow you to set aside food and keep it warm while you cook another batch.

Storage

Handles: Some griddles in the Presto lineup feature removable handles. Taking off the handles makes the griddles easy to clean and store.

Legs: Models with folding legs allow you to tilt and drain off excess fat when cooking meat and store the unit without fuss.

Safety

Cool-touch design: The cool-touch base, front, and sides on some units help prevent accidental burns.

Base: Presto electric griddles have a heavy base to prevent tipping and accidents.Presto electric griddle prices

All Presto electric griddles are available for under $60. From the mini griddle, which offers just enough surface area to cook for two, to griddles with larger surfaces and cool-touch sides, you won’t have to break the bank to create delicious pancakes or tasty scrambled eggs. Pricing varies only slightly, so simply check that a unit’s size and features fit your needs.

Tips

An electric griddle isn’t just for cooking breakfast. Here are a few other items you can cook on your new Presto appliance:

• Paninis
• Quesadillas
• Grilled wraps
• Burgers
• Hash browns
• Steaks
• Savory cakes (tuna, crab, latkes, squash)
• Flatbreads
• Vegetables
• Shrimp
   
• Start small. If you’re new to griddle cooking, don’t try to cook a feast all at once. When you first unbox your new appliance, try whipping up one food item at a time, such as pancakes.
• Supplement your stove. If you have a large recipe that needs to be cooked in batches, use your electric griddle in addition to the stove to avoid letting food get cold and soggy while you finish cooking.
• Use the right oil. As with cooking on the stove, use oil that has a high smoke point when frying or sautéing to keep the fat from burning.
• Take your griddle on the road. Your griddle isn’t just for cooking at home. Use it in an RV or wherever there’s an outlet to cook whatever your taste buds are craving.
• Keep some squeeze bottles on hand. Squeeze bottles are excellent accessories when cooking on an electric griddle or on any surface. Squeeze out oil to lubricate the surface and add flavor. Use the bottles to create unique pancake shapes for kids. Squeeze water onto the hot griddle to create steam and reduce cook times.
• Prep the food first. Food cooks relatively quickly on an electric griddle. Prep everything before you start cooking, so you’re not scrambling to find or cut up ingredients. That way, everything will be ready at the same time.

Another product we considered

If none of the above options seem spacious enough to satisfy your gourmet breakfast dreams, consider the Presto Tilt ‘n’ Drain Big Griddle. The 23-inch surface offers plenty of room to cook multiple servings of proteins and carbs. The griddle has cool-touch sides and a dishwasher-safe design — just remove the attached heat control unit before putting the griddle surface into the dishwasher.

Wait until the griddle surface is cool before you clean it.

FAQ

Q. Are Presto griddles PTFE- and PFOA-free?
A. It depends on the model. Those with a nonstick ceramic cooktop are PTFE- and PFOA-free.
 

Q. Which model is best for cooking for a crowd?
A. The Big Griddle models are at least 23 inches long and designed to feed multiple people at once.
 

Q. Why are some models labeled as “premium nonstick”?
A. Presto griddles with a premium nonstick surface have very small ripples that are designed to do an even better job of keeping food from sticking to the hot cooking surface.
 

Q. Can I cook frozen food on an electric griddle?
A. We recommend defrosting food safely in the fridge or on a defrosting tray before cooking it on your electric griddle.