It’s no easy task if you’re in the mood for a hearty breakfast of pancakes, eggs, bacon, hashbrowns etc. First, you have to pull out all of your pans to get the job done, and it’s so tedious that by the time you’re finished, you are too exhausted even to enjoy your meal!
Not to mention the huge mess that is left to clean up. The amount of work involved can make even the most hardcore of breakfast lovers deterred. These sorts of magnificent meals are rare in my home, but growing up, we often had them on the weekends. The main difference? My dad had a griddle, and I do not.
(Larger Stovetop Griddle)
Now I would love a big, hearty griddle, but living in my small two-bedroom apartment does not allow for the type of griddle my dad was repping growing up. I can, however, afford to have a griddle pan.
Griddle pans are a great alternative to an entire griddle for those of you like me who may not have the money and space at the moment to commit to a whole griddle. In this article, we will review nine of the best stovetop griddle pans,) so that you can finally have that delicious breakfast (or any other large meal) you deserve!
(Smaller Griddle Pan With a Handle)
The Best Stovetop Griddle Pan
Staub 12″ American Square Grill Pan
What Makes a Good Griddle Pan?
You must understand the essential characteristics and features of a stovetop griddle so that you can make an informed decision on which one will work best for your family. For example, griddle pans can be thin, standard metal, or thick with cast iron. They can also vary in size.
Some have handles on them that look like a typical pan, whereas others are more heavy-duty and are placed on the top of the stove to act as a pseudo-griddle. Some of them have ridges, and others are smooth. And of course, there is a range of different prices.
All of these types have their pros and cons; for that reason, we will go over the best griddle pan for gas or electric stovetop. Remember that just because a pan is cheaper or thinner than the other doesn’t necessarily mean that they’re not as good as another pan.
I will go over the different pros and cons of each model to decide for yourself which is the best griddle pan for you.
Also Check: The Best Electric Griddles
Stovetop Griddle Pan Reviews
Staub Cast Iron 12″ Round Grill Pan & Press Set
Pros:
- It comes with a 10.3” grill press
- Grooved bottom great for paninis and grilling steak
- Thick metal coded, oven safe up to 500 degrees F
- Great for gas stovetop
Cons:
- High-Cost ($249.95)
- Heavy (12 lbs)
Summary: This griddle is pricey, but this one might be perfect if you’re looking for a heavy-duty pan. The price is $249.95 with free shipping, but the grooves and the press makes it an excellent option for you to grill your steaks, make paninis, or make your veggies. This is one of the best griddle pans for a gas stovetop because it can handle the high temperature. However, if you are not the strongest of people, it’s important to remember that this is quite heavy.
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Staub 12″ American Square Grill Pan
Pros:
- Pouring divets on both sides for grease
- Thick coding making it oven safe up to 500 degrees F
- Grooved bottom great for grilling/ cooking several things at once
Cons:
- Somewhat pricey
- Heavy (12 lbs)
- Has cracked from high temperatures for some
Summary: For the price of this griddle, you expect a great experience. This griddle costs $199.95 with free shipping. It has no top like the previous but is much cheaper. This product is suitable for those looking to sizzle and simmer their food but might not be the best for meals that require excessively high temperatures as some customers have said that their product cracked/ or paint chipped. An excellent way to avoid this is to slowly heat the pan instead of placing it on the stove when it’s already really hot. Much like the other Staub products, this is a heavy product. If you want to have a long-lasting griddle pan, then this one might be for you, but you need to be ready to pull out the big bucks.
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Le Creuset l2021-265 Cast Iron Grill Pan:
Pros:
- Heavy Duty sand-casted, polished and finished by hand, sprayed twice with enamel and then fired
- Oven safe
- Pouring divets on both sides for grease
- Grooved bottom great for grilling/ cooking several things at once
Cons:
- High Price
- Not as much room (10.25”)
Summary: This griddle is less expensive than the Staub for only $179.95 and free shipping and handling. There are a lot of positive things about this product. This is a heavy-duty pan with rivets perfect for grilling. Its sand-casting gives the meat a fantastic taste that rivals meat cooked with a grill. It is known for its long-lasting nature and its versatility. It may not handle as much food as other pans, but its quality is awe-inspiring. This product might be a little pricey, but it’s a good investment for the long run.
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GURO Cast Iron Pre-Seasoned Double Play Grill / Griddle, Two Sizes (19.7″ x 10.1″):
Pros:
- Double-sided: Grooved and smooth
- Low Cost
- Large tray to fill entire stovetop
- Iron-Casted perfect for high intensity and even heat distribution
Cons:
- Mildly heavy (10.6 lbs)
- Not a lot of grease holding capacity
Summary: This is one of the best grill pans for gas stoves/electric stoves. Its production is to get the feel of a standard griddle without the cost or need for extra space. Put the griddle on top of your stove! It’s also great because you can cook a variety of items due to its dual-sided nature. On one side, you can grill meats and vegetables, and on the other side, you can cook eggs, pancakes, french toast and more. Fatty and greasy food cannot be cooked in great abundance, however, as the pan is shallow and doesn’t have any way of catching grease. The price is more reasonable than the other griddle pans previously mentioned costing only $49.99 with free shipping. You can also purchase a 3-4 year warranty for a small fee on Amazon.
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Copper Chef 12 Inch Grill and Griddle:
Pros:
- 12” smooth grill, ribbed grill, and glass press
- Non-stick
- Heavy-duty heat resistant up to 850 Degrees F
- Works indoor and outdoor
- Low Price ($57.97 for three pieces)
Cons:
- Difficult to clean
- It heats very fast, which can lead to burning
Summary: This product is a great deal. For $59.97 plus free shipping, you get three different pieces. Although there is a propensity to burn and subsequently have difficulty cleaning, it shouldn’t be an issue if you slowly heat the griddle. This product is one of the best stovetop griddles for electric, ceramic, gas and outdoor stoves. You can place either the smooth product for eggs, pancakes, etc. or the grill for meat and vegetables on the stove. We’d recommend a smooth pan for the best pancake griddles. If you’d like to press, you have a glass lid. It can also help to simmer. Although you might find yourself taking extra time to clean once you are finished, getting three versatile items for this price is a good deal.
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Cooksmark Copper Pan 10-Inch Nonstick Deep Square Grill Pan:
Pros:
- Non-stick stainless steel and PFOA/Lead/Cadmium free
- Dishwasher safe
- Low Cost ($22.98)
- Deep Dish
Cons:
- Only up to 450 Degree F heat resistance
- Small size (10”x10”)
- Poor sticker placement in the middle of the pan that is difficult to remove
Summary: This is a pretty good griddle pan for the price. It’s only $22.98 with free shipping, so it’s not so much of a massive loss if it doesn’t meet your standards. Many people have complained that the sticker on the pan has very hard to remove. Ultimately, the pan is deep, solid and allows making a plethora of food, so for those who might not use a griddle often but want the option, this might be the best option for you.
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Ecolution Artistry Non-Stick Griddle:
Pros:
- Made of 70% recycled material
- Non-stick pan
- Low Cost ($25.89)
Cons:
- Should not be washed in the dishwasher
- Not as long-lasting
- Flat surface, you should not cook greasy food with this.
Summary: If you are concerned about living an eco-friendly life and spending little, this might be a good fit for you. It is made up of 70% recycled material and works great for basic needs. However, there are a few drawbacks: this is a thin pan with a handle, so you cannot cook majorly greasy food on this item without a massive mess; it is also not known for being a long-term product and seems to only last for a couple of years. So if you think you will be using this product often, it might not be the best fit for you.
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Cooks Standard Hard Anodized Nonstick Square Griddle Pan, 11 x 11-Inch, Black:
Pros:
- Hard, durable surface
- Even heat distribution
- Works on all stoves up to 500 degrees F
- Low cost ($28.78)
Cons:
- Flat surface, you should not cook greasy food with this
- Not induction compatible
Summary: For a cheap stovetop griddle pan, this product works very well. Not as versatile as some of the other pans we have looked at, this griddle can only handle less greasy things. Bacon or juicy steak should not be cooked with this as there is no way to catch the fat or juices. However, for most of your basic needs, this is an excellent option for your kitchen. It’s cheap, durable and easy to clean. If you’re looking for an essential griddle for this is might be for you. For its price, it’s one of the best griddles for gas stoves, which many of us have. It can handle that intense heat well.
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So What Are Your Needs?
Based on the needs of your home, any one of these items might be the best griddle pan for you. Take a look at your budget, frequency of need, and cooking habits so that you can determine which pan you would like to buy.
For those of you with a bigger budget looking for the best quality, any of the Staub or Le Crueset pans might be best for you. These griddles are durable, thick and long-lasting. The initial Staub’s griddle pan with the press is excellent for those grill lovers. Consider their standard pan if you love the Staub brand but don’t care about that grilled experience. It’s much cheaper. However, if you want an equally excellent pan that also gives the lovely texture and flavor of grilling for much lower of a price, then Le Crueset might be in your best interest to get.
Those who are looking for a mid-ranged stovetop griddle might enjoy the Guro or Copper Chef brands. These offer a very decent quality as well without the exorbitant price. The Guro is nice because it provides two different features in one product: the smooth side and the ribbed grill side. The Copper Chef, however, offers three different sets, which include a glass cover and for only a little bit more money. Both are good quality and durable; however, if you don’t like to clean extra dishes, the Guro griddle might be more of your style.
For those of you who are frugal and not looking for as much variety and fancy trimmings, there are many options for you as well. Cooksmart, Ecolution, and Cooks Standard are griddle pans under $30 that will work fine for basic needs. The Cooksmark pan is cheap and deep to cook almost anything in it, but the drawback is the difficulty of cleaning off the sticker it comes with. The other two options are thin griddles that cannot be used for excessively juicy or greasy food but are perfect for your basic needs. Eggs, pancakes, tortillas, etc., can all be cooked with these. Although it seems the Cooks Standard will last a bit longer, the Ecolution is environment friendly and works just as well.
Hopefully, you found this helpful in finding the best griddle pan for your home!
Want to make the perfect panini? Check out our Cuisinart Griddler review.
Use your griddle pan on a Nuwave Cooktop