Who doesn’t love a greasy and delicious breakfast? Even if you prefer oatmeal and fruit, you’ll occasionally indulge in crispy bacon, scrambled eggs, and buttered toast. However, in homes where a Saturday fry up is a weekly ritual, you’re likely to find a cast iron griddle stored in one of the kitchen cabinets.
A griddle is typically a pan with a smooth and flat surface that’s perfect for cooking an assortment of breakfast foods. In addition to pancakes and hash browns, it’s great for making grilled cheese sandwiches and quesadillas.
Purchasing a cast iron griddle ensures that whatever item’s sizzling on the pan will be cooked evenly. You can flash-fry steaks and grill zucchini, eggplant, and red bell peppers for a delicious dinner.
Cast iron griddle pans are usually made of one lump of molded iron. It’s definitely the kind of cookware that, with proper care and use, will last you decades.
With that, here are our top picks for cast iron griddle pans.Best Cast Iron Griddle and Pan Comparison & Rating
Image | Cast Iron Griddle and Pan | Rating |
---|---|---|
96% | ||
95% | ||
94% | ||
92% | ||
91% |
Want to Learn More?
When shopping online you want a product that’s highly reviewed. Our list contains some of the most reviewed griddle and pans on Amazon. We’ve combined the perspectives of people who’ve bought these products with our own so you truly know how well each griddle pan performs in real-life kitchen scenarios. Be sure to click the yellow buttons below to see their best deals on Amazon!
Lodge Pre-Seasoned Cast Iron Reversible Grill/Griddle With Handles
Specifications | |
---|---|
Dimensions | 20 x 10.5 x 0.81 inches |
Weight | 14.08 pounds |
Manufacturer | Lodge Logic |
Model Number | LPG13 |
A good cast iron pan is a must-have addition to any cooking arsenal. The Lodge Pro-Grid Iron Grill & Griddle fits the bill perfectly. It fits securely on top of most stovetops, particularly gas burners measuring 17.5 inches across, and the 20 inches griddle fits nicely on them. It is large enough to sear several steaks at a time, giving them a beautiful flavorful crust. Literally, everything you throw at it will cook faster and have more flavor than a normal pan. In short, this griddle/pan can cook anything and everything with ease.
Lodge Pre-Seasoned Cast Iron Reversible Grill/Griddle
Specifications | |
---|---|
Dimensions | 9.5 x 0.5 x 16.75 inches |
Weight | 9.35 pounds |
Manufacturer | Lodge |
Model Number | LDP3 |
Like the first Lodge pan on our list, this reversible cast iron griddle makes a great addition to the cast iron cookware you currently have at home. It’s very easy to clean. Let the pan cool a little while then run it under hot water using a bristle brush to remove stains and other food chunks that might have gotten stuck to it. While it works on a stovetop, it does even better when placed on top of a grill. You can heat the entire griddle evenly using the grill heat. Doing this prevents the slightly cooler spot you would normally when using on the stove as the burners will only be at the ends.
Victoria Rectangular Cast Iron Reversible Griddle and Grill
Specifications | |
---|---|
Dimensions | 10 x 18.5 x 0.75 inches |
Weight | 9.8 pounds |
Manufacturer | Victoria |
Model Number | GDL-194 |
The finish on the Victoria Rectangular Cast Iron Reversible Griddle and Grill is far more superior when compared to other similar pans in the market. This pan has fewer flaws. We love the way it reaches the right temperature quickly, and how it cooks food evenly as well. Cleanup is a breeze but you should never soak it in water. Given the durability of cast iron is so durable, it’s something that you could use for decades to come.
NutriChef Cast Iron Reversible Grill/Griddle Plate
Specifications | |
---|---|
Dimensions | 18 x 10 x 0.6 inches |
Weight | 9.37 pounds |
Manufacturer | Nutrichef |
Model Number | NCCIRG59 |
The NutriChef Cast Iron Reversible Grill/Griddle Plate is adaptable. It works on your kitchen stove, on a grill, or on an outdoor propane stove set. The ridged side makes perfect diamond marks in cooked meat. Very easy to clean but you need to dry it completely to prevent rusting. Even the red silicone mitts work like a charm.
ProSource Professional Reversible Double Burner Cast Iron Grill and Griddle
Specifications | |
---|---|
Dimensions | 20 x 9 x 0.5 inches |
Weight | 7 pounds |
Manufacturer | ProSource Discounts Inc - Dropship |
Model Number | hg-1101-griddle |
This product is a nice, heavy piece of cast iron that will suit a variety of cooking purposes. If you’ve got a middle burner, this should fit in nicely. It gets better with constant use. So you can expect to get more of that nonstick coating that results from seasoned cast iron pans. Overall, it’s a durable product that can be a permanent addition to your kitchen.
Cast Iron Griddle and Pan Buyer's Guide
Griddle pans made of cast iron are heavier than those made of aluminum or chrome steel. If you’re concerned about the weight, opt for the newer style of griddle pans. Advances in manufacturing technology have made them lighter than pans made the traditional way.
Cast iron items come bare or with an enamel coating. Bare cast iron griddle pans are more reactive when heated compared to other items. They have to be “seasoned” and then used to develop a patina, in order to become truly nonstick. Enamel-coated pans tend to cost more because this added layer not only protects the core material of the pan but is also a great heat conductor.
Examine the construction of the items you purchase. Make sure the handles and knobs either have a heat-resistant cover or a potholder to go over it. Opt for cookware that you can hold easily, or that have handles on both sides.
Cast iron products range in price from something much cheaper than a new set of more modern pots and pans to a much more expensive cost per piece. The price is dependent on the brand, but cheaper does not always mean less effective.
FAQs
In contrast to the griddle’s smooth and flat surface, a grill has distinctively raised ridges that keep cooked food separated from its grease, which reduces the overall fat content of the food.
Preheat your pan until it starts to smoke and put a small amount of grapeseed, olive oil, or coconut oil on it then buff using a paper towel or a dishcloth. Make sure the entire surface of the pan and the handles are coated. You’ll know when you’re done when the smoke lessens and your pan looks completely dry.
You should season your cast iron griddle pan once a month and cook on it often so it retains that nonstick coating built up from the seasoning process.
Wash your cast iron griddle by hand. cookware by hand. Pour a little dish detergent and use a non-abrasive scrub brush to remove the grease. Do a quick rinse with water and wipe dry with a paper towel. If there are stuck-on food bits, scrub the pan with a paste of coarse kosher salt and water.
Never wash your cast iron pan in the dishwasher, soak it in water for too long or scrub using steel wool. These methods will remove the seasoning on your pan so that it’s no longer nonstick.
Always store your cast iron cookware in a dry place like a roomy kitchen cabinet. Excess moisture quickly turns to rust in a hurry on highly reactive cast iron. Make sure you’re drying your skillets thoroughly after rinsing them part of your cast-iron cleaning routine.