All cooking enthusiasts know the value of having a high-quality cast-iron griddle. It is an essential part of their cookery arsenal. In terms of versatility, functionality, and durability, it beats other same-categorized cookware. It is many-faceted, and so it meets all the cooking requirements from grilling to cooking to baking.
But the unacceptable truth is that all griddles can’t help users provide such facilities. Only the best cast iron griddle can help cooks prepare the meals correctly. Hence, expert chefs always recommend using the right one to get the best potential out of the skillet. They suggest people check key features before opting for any pan.
If you are conscious about cooking and don’t want to face trouble while preparing meals using a griddle pan, you should follow expert’s guidelines. And if you are a bit confused about where to get the best pans, you may continue reading the article of the top ten cast iron griddles thoroughly. Let’s get started.
Quick Answer – Top 10 Best Cast Iron Griddle
| 1. Lodge Pre-Seasoned Cast Iron Griddle |
| 2. Victoria Rectangular Cast Iron Double Burner Griddle |
| 3. Lodge Pre-Seasoned Cast Iron Reversible Griddle |
| 4. Calphalon 1873980 Pre-Seasoned Cast Iron Griddle |
| 5. Lodge Pre-Seasoned Reversible Griddle |
| 6. Lodge LSRG3 Cast Iron Single-Burner Griddle |
| 7. Nordic Ware 10230AMZ 2 Burner Griddle |
| 8. Vremi Pre-Seasoned Cast Iron Square Griddle |
| 9. Legend Cast Iron Griddle for Gas Stovetop |
| 10. Kookantage Cast Iron Round Griddle 10.5″ Pan |
1. Lodge Pre-Seasoned Cast Iron Griddle
The Lodge is a premium cookware brand that boasts quality. It has been producing high-quality kitchen stuff for over a century. All of its cookware ensures even heating and comes with a natural finish, which you will know after checking the features of the Lodge Pre-Seasoned Cast Iron Griddle.
The Lodge Griddle is comprised of heavy-duty cast-iron. Thus, it will last for years after regular use. For its rugged construction, it can distribute heat evenly and assures even cooking. This cast-iron skillet’s another promising feature is that it comes already foundry seasoned.
The manufacturer uses healthy oil to season this pan. That means you can use it right after unboxing. The best fact regarding this feature is it improves with use. Again, the Lodge Cast-Iron Griddle features an ergonomic handle, which offers a more comfortable grip. The handle also contains a hole that is suitable for hanging the pan.
Another significant feature of this griddle pan is it is compatible with several heat sources. You can use it in the oven, on the stove, grill, or over the campfire. Overall, it is a perfect kitchen tool that you may use for sautéing, broiling, and frying food.
Key Features
| 10.5 Inch dimension Cast-iron structure Foundry seasoned Easy-grip handle Hanging hole |
2. Victoria Rectangular Cast Iron Double Burner Griddle
The Victoria Rectangular Cast-Iron Griddle is praised for its excellent features and performance. It boasts of high-quality materials that guarantee long-term use. That’s why many users have rated it as the best cast iron griddle.
The griddle pan is made from commercial-grade cast-iron that ensures maximum durability and superior heat retention. The cast-iron can conduct high heat and distribute it evenly. For that, you get perfect cooking every time. Another benefit that it provides is mineral boosting.
As you know, when you cook on the cast-iron, it increases the natural mineral in your food. The manufacturer of the griddle pan has made it safe for health-conscious people. Thus, it comes with PTFE and PFOA free coating, which is pre-seasoned with 100% non-GMO flaxseed oil. As it is vegetable oil, it won’t be harmful to our health.
The Victoria Rectangular Cast-Iron Griddle features easy-grip handles. These handles are longer and curved for leverage. This griddle’s remarkable feature is it is multi-faceted, which means you can use it for baking, searing, and grilling food. It works on induction, ceramic, oven, campfire, and more. So, it is an ideal griddle, and you may give it a try.
Key Features
| Pre-seasoned with veg oil Curved handle Bigger hanging hole Slopped surface Induction safe |
3. Lodge Pre-Seasoned Cast Iron Reversible Griddle
The Lodge is an American-based company that manufactures elegant-quality kitchenware. The company always comes with products that meet consumer’s requirements. So, you can have faith in its craftsmanship and may check the features of the Lodge Pre-Seasoned Cast Iron Reversible Griddle.
This griddle’s first notable feature is that it is a single pan with double handles. Although it is a single griddle, you can use both sides. You can use the smooth surface for cooking eggs, sandwiches, etc. On the contrary, you can use the grill side for steaks, sausages, and more.
This griddle contains approximately 23 grill marks for grilling multiple dishes. The next catchy feature is its size. It measures 20 Inch x 10.5 Inch, which means it has ample cooking space on each side. It has a pretty decent weight of about 16 pounds.
For that, you can easily maneuver the griddle while cooking. The only drawback of the cooker is its seasoning. Though it comes in pre-seasoned, you should do seasoning before cooking. You can use it on induction, gas stoves, or over the campfire and make your favorite dishes.
Key Features
| Reversible griddle 20 x 10.5 inch size Convenient handles Grill marks Factory pre-seasoned |
4. Calphalon 1873980 Pre-Seasoned Cast Iron Griddle
The Calphalon 1873980 pre-seasoned griddle is ideal for traditional grilling. The pan comes with all the essential features that you need for cooking various dishes at your comfort. It is constructed from durable cast-iron that guarantees optimum longevity, and with that, it offers even heat distribution.
Not only it distributes heat evenly, but it also enables food to stay warm. It has a reversible design that allows you to use both sides of the griddle. You can use the ridged grill side for cooking chicken breast, sausages, and veggies, while the smooth side lets you prepare pancakes, sandwiches, toast, and more. This feature makes the pan ideal for traditional and slow cooking those mentioned dishes.
The Calphalon 1873980 comes with oversized handles that facilitate lifting. These handles can tolerate high heat as well. Thus, this pan becomes broiler and oven safe, respectively. This versatile cast-iron griddle is compatible with gas, electric, and induction stovetops, and it is safe to be used with metal, nylon, and wooden utensils.
Key Features
| Reversible design 12 x 18-inch dimension Oversized handles Broiler & oven safe Lifetime warranty |
5. Lodge Pre-Seasoned Cast Iron Reversible Griddle
The Lodge Pre-Seasoned Cast-Iron Reversible Griddle can meet all your grilling needs. Whether you cook eggs or preparing a cheddar, it can help you cook all your desired dishes. It is a large griddle that measures 16.75 Inch x 9.5 Inch. It provides ample space for accommodating large pieces of meats or other foods.
This reversible pan features two sides. The smooth side works like a frying pan to prepare grilled cheese, sandwiches, pancakes, etc. On the contrary, you can use the ribbed side to grill food like steak, fish, hamburgers, chicken, and more. The best fact regarding this pan is it contains grease slopes that trap fat.
As a result, it assures that you get a healthy meal every time. The Lodge pan’s other notable feature is that it can distribute heat evenly thanks to its cast-iron structure. You can prepare chef-quality meals at all times. This griddle pan is convenient to maneuver as it features sturdy built-in side handles.
They offer a secure and comfortable grip so that you can easily transfer the pan from the stovetop to the oven. Asides that, this cast-iron griddle can be placed over two burners due to its large and sturdy design. Overall, it is perfect for indoor cooking and BBQ parties.
Key Features
| Reversible sides 16.75 x 9.5-inch dimension Sturdy handles Grease slopes Oven safe |
6. Lodge LSRG3 Cast Iron Single-Burner Griddle
The Lodge LSRG3 is our top pick as the best cast iron griddle. It is a single reversible pan that has a dimension of about 10.5 inches by 10.5 inches. For such a convenient size, this griddle can cover a single electric stove or one stove burner.
As it titles as a reversible pan, it features a smooth side for breakfast food and a ridged side for meats and veggies. You can use any side of the griddle pan as per your needs and continue making your favorite dishes. This pan’s most remarkable feature is that it comes with two handles, which are mounted on diagonal sides.
They provide a more comfortable grip, plus they make lifting and flipping easier. These handles also contain holes so that you can hang the grill after cleaning it. Like the Lodge’s other cast-iron skillets, this one comes in pre-seasoned as well.
You can start cooking right after unpacking it. All these features make it an ideal cooking utensil for searing meats, fish, or other foods. So, if you want to cook anything without burning, you may use this excellent griddle.
Key Features
| Heavy-duty cast-iron Pre-seasoned surface Two handles Hanging holes Reversible design |
7. Nordic Ware 10230AMZ 2 Burner Griddle
The Nordic Ware is a reputed kitchenware brand. It has been manufacturing a variety of kitchen products over the years. All of its kitchen equipment meets every chef’s requirements, so we can assure you that you will be satisfied after trying the Nordic Ware10230AMZ 2 Burner Griddle from this brand.
The Nordic Ware10230AMZ is considered as the safest griddle available in the market. Because engineers have used toxin-free materials to build the pan, they use heavy-duty aluminum as a core substance. They also use stainless steel to make the exterior rugged and durable. For such materials, this griddle pan can tolerate high heat, and it makes the pan ideal for indoor and outdoor grilling.
The Nordic Ware10230AMZ Griddle features sturdy handles that facilitate maneuvering the pan. If you take a look at the griddle’s dimension, you will notice that it comes in a promising size, which is 16.5″ x 9.875″ x .375″. For that, it can cover two burners and is suitable for using on camp stoves as well. It is marvelous to prepare everything from eggs, burgers, meat to sandwiches, and more.
Key Features
| Aluminum core Nonstick surface PFOA free Sturdy handles 10-1/4- by 17-1/2-Inch size |
8. Vremi Pre-Seasoned Cast Iron Square Griddle
The Vremi cast-iron grill pan is another top-quality kitchen appliance on the list. It lets users enjoy healthy grilled veggies, seared meat, chicken, fish, or other food items. It helps users achieve drool-worthy grill marks on foods, so let’s check out what features help you achieve such a cooking result.
The grilling pan is made out of cast-iron, which ensures ultimate durability. Plus, it aids in distributing heat across the surface of the griddle evenly. The manufacturer has designed this 11-inch grill pan flat for efficient warming. Although this pan is flat, it is deep enough to prevent food from splattering.
The Vremi cast-iron grill pan comes with an ergonomic handle. It offers a more secure and comfortable grip. This handle also features a red silicone handle cover, which is resistant to heat. It can tolerate heat up to 480ºF. That means you can easily prepare dishes that require the high temperature of the oven. In a nutshell, it is a useful cooking piece that always delivers restaurant-quality cooking results.
Key Features
| Cast-iron structure Silicone handle Heat-resistant handle cover Grill marks Nonstick surface |
9. Legend Cast Iron Griddle for Gas Stovetop
The Legend Cast-iron Griddle obtains its name from its ability to let users cook delicious meals comfortably. It is an ideal workhorse for chefs who want to push their culinary journey beyond traditional cooking. That’s why many chefs have rated it as the best cast iron griddle of present times.
The griddle is manufactured from premium-grade iron and steel that assures the optimal durability of the pan. Besides, it features a scratch-resistant cooking surface seasoned with 100% pure cooking oil and gets better with time. It applies on the grill side as well. This side contains ridges that provide the look of signature grilling.
The Legend Cast-iron Griddle comes with two side handles. These handles offer secure grips. As a result, you can conveniently carry food to the table. The manufacturer has given the griddle 20-inch dimension, which is why it perfectly fits over two stovetop burners. It enables you to prepare food in the shortest possible time. Overall, it is perfect for grilling and searing mouthwatering dishes, and you may use it to impress your family and friends.
Key Features
| Combination of steel and iron Two handles Reversible design Pre-seasoned surface 20-inch size |
10. Kookantage Cast Iron Round Griddle 10.5″ Pan
Kookantage always produces high-quality cookware that has been delivering high-performance for over a century. From even heating, a natural easy-release finish, to versatility and durability, these are the hallmarks of this brand that you will notice while checking the Kookantage Cast Iron Round Griddle.
It is a 10.5-inch griddle that you can use for preparing pancakes, French toast, eggs, crepes, sandwiches, and more. Its wide flat base allows easy food flipping as it features a nonstick surface. This nonstick surface aids in easy cleaning besides facilitating cooking foods.
Like the other standard griddles, this one also comes with a sturdy handle for easy lifting. This handle has a hole that is suitable for hanging when this pan is not in use. Kookantage Griddle’s most remarkable feature is that its structure.
It is crafted from premium-quality cast iron that provides even heat and ensures quality cooking. In a nutshell, it is a versatile griddle pan that you can use for searing, sautéing, baking, broiling, frying, and even braising foods.
Key Features
| Lower sidewalls 10.5-inch griddle Hanging hole Nonstick surface Oven safe |
Buying Guide
Finding the best cast iron griddle seems easy to many people. But in the real scenario, it isn’t. There are several key features to check before marking one as the best griddle pan, and most people make mistakes by not inspecting those factors.
As a result, they get low-quality griddles and go through hassle while cooking. So, in this guide, we will discuss how to choose the right pan checking essential features. Let’s begin
Portability
In terms of size, cast iron griddles tend to be pretty heavy and large. It is because engineers want these pans to be rugged and durable. And so, users need to put a bit effort while lifting these utensils. However, we recommend you to go for a pan which weight is around 10-12 pounds. It will endure high heat and provide you even cooking every time.
Type
In markets, you will find various types of griddles, but most commons are griddles, grills, and skillets. Below we will discuss these types briefly.
Of course, griddles are the most famous version of cast iron cooking utensils. They help you with cooking all sorts of meals. They are great for cooking meats, veggies, and all kinds of dough-based foods. On the contrary, grills are, in essence, griddles that come with additional grilling features.
These are designed reversible, which means you can use one side as a griddle pan and the other side for grilling. Lastly, skillets are almost like pans. They look like average pans, and they are ideal for searing and frying foods. Anyway, you can choose any griddle type as per your needs.
Heat Retention
It is one of the essential features of any cast iron griddle. No matter which size and type you choose, if your griddle pan can’t distribute heat evenly, you won’t get the perfect cooking result. So, make sure that the pan features a high-quality base for even heat retention.
Seasoning
We all know that the surface of any cookware is a vital feature. The same fact applies to cast iron griddle pan as well. You need to ensure that your pan features nonstick coating and comes in pre-seasoned. If you do so, you will get the benefit of hassle-free cooking and cleaning.
Heat Source
The heat source is another essential factor that you should take into consideration. Usually, most griddles support standards gas stovetops and ovens. But if you intend to cook on glass or electric stovetops, you need to check whether your griddle is compatible with such cooktops or not. After considering all those mentioned-above features, you can get your desired cast iron griddle easily.
Cast Iron Griddle FAQs
What Foods Should I Cook on a Griddle?
An ideal cast iron griddle allows you to cook almost all foods. From cooking raw meats to searing veggies, you can perform all the cooking techniques.
How Long Can I Keep My Cast Iron Griddle on the Heat Source?
The best feature of a griddle is that you can use it on any heat source for an extended period. That means you can cook as long as you want to. But if you cook for a longer time, you need to put a bit effort while cleaning the griddle.
Is It Worth Purchasing a Cast Iron Griddle?
Of course, it does. If you compare it with a traditional frying pan, you will understand why it is different from other cookware. A standard griddle has a reversible design that allows you to grill your favorite dishes. Also, you can use it for frying steaks, sautéing veggies, and other foods. So, it does worth your hard-earned penny.
Can I Use My Griddle on the Glass Cooktop?
Generally, most cast iron griddles are compatible with glass cooktops. Even then, you need to be sure that your griddle is suitable for use on such a stovetop, and you need to place it carefully, especially while dragging.
Can I Use Butter on My Griddle?
Experts recommend people not to use butter to season the cast iron griddle. Because this pan can burn your butter and ruin the dish you will be preparing, try to use vegetable oil or canola oil to season your griddle.
Conclusion
Cast iron griddles are ancient pieces of kitchen stuff. Cooks all over the world have been using these pans for more than a thousand years. These griddles help them cook various meals, including tortillas, quesadillas, roasted vegetables, grilled sandwiches, etc. Although they allow chefs to create various delicious meals, most people don’t use these pans due to they are more likely to burn food.
Mainly, this situation takes place when people use some faulty griddles. But anyone can overcome this situation by using the best cast iron griddle. This type of pans can distribute heat evenly and eliminates the possibility of burned food.
So, you should always use the best cookware if you want to avoid such incidents. However, we hope you find this article worthy as it covers almost everything regarding griddles and comes with the top ten cast iron griddles of recent times.