Best Farberware Electric Griddles: Our Ranked Picks

Our test kitchen rates a griddle the way a busy family uses one. Our criteria are how much food fits on the surface, how evenly the plate should heat, how loud and hot the room gets, how easy the plate is to wipe down, and where the griddle lives when breakfast is over.

We score each model on whether its surface can feed your household, its heat control appears capable of holding a steady temperature, and its plate and drip tray are designed for easy cleanup. Surface size and cleanup count for the most, because those two decide whether a griddle earns its counter space.

We would first check how evenly a full batch of pancakes cooks across the plate and how easily sticky batter wipes off the ceramic coating. Those two results decide whether a 20-inch surface is a help or a chore.

For this smaller model, we would look at how evenly it heats, how the nonstick surface handles bacon grease and burgers, and how quickly it cleans up. Until those are confirmed, treat it as a sensible size for a smaller household rather than a proven performer.

A few other Farberware electric names turn up in listings. A 10 x 16 inch Royalty model appears out of stock, and vintage units like the Model 260 from the 1970s (aluminum) and the Model 296 circulate used. We would not build a family kitchen around any of them.

Farberware's current official griddle range is stovetop. It includes an 11-inch nonstick square griddle with DiamondMax coating and an 11.25-inch round grill pan. Those are good, cheap pans for a couple of eggs or a few sandwiches.

They are not a replacement for an electric griddle. An 11-inch pan covers one burner and holds a few pancakes at a time, so a family breakfast takes round after round. An electric griddle gives you a much larger, self-contained surface with its own heat control, and it frees the stove for eggs, oatmeal, or coffee. If you cook for one or two, the pan is fine. If you cook for five or more, the electric surface saves real time.

Because current Farberware electric stock is so unreliable, these are the brands we would check next.

• The best Blackstone electric griddle roundup covers tabletop models, including the Blackstone E-Series 22-inch review.
• The Presto 22-inch electric griddle review covers a large, classic surface for crowds.
• The Dash ceramic electric griddle suits smaller kitchens, and the Dash Mini Maker round griddle handles one or two servings.
• The Zojirushi Gourmet Sizzler review covers the premium end, for cooks who want precise heat.

If you want ideas for what to cook once you have one, see our electric griddle recipes.

Cooking surface size

Match the surface to the table. A 16-inch griddle suits two to four people. A 20-inch or 22-inch surface suits five or more, especially with teenagers at breakfast. Bigger plates need more storage space, so measure your cabinet before you buy.

Nonstick coating and cleanup

Cleanup decides whether a griddle gets used. A nonstick or ceramic surface should wipe clean with a soft sponge, and metal utensils will scratch either one. Let the plate cool fully before washing it.

Temperature control and heat distribution

Look for a dial or probe that holds a set temperature instead of cycling wildly. Pancakes want moderate heat and bacon wants more. A wide surface should heat edge to edge, which is worth checking with a few pancakes when you first use it.

Drip tray and removable parts

A drip tray catches grease from bacon and burgers so it does not run onto the counter. A removable plate makes washing far easier, and so does a detachable temperature probe. For Farberware models, these features are not confirmed, so check the listing before you order.

The best griddle is the one you will actually wash, store, and pull out again next Saturday.

Once the griddle has cooled, wipe off grease with a paper towel, then wash with warm soapy water and a soft sponge. Skip steel wool and abrasive pads. Do not submerge any part that holds the heating element or the plug. Store the plate flat so the coating does not get scratched.

Most disappointments come from the same few errors. Shoppers settle for a mystery listing when the model they wanted is gone. They skip the drip tray question. They also buy a surface that is too small for the family and end up cooking in rounds anyway.

The 20-inch is our pick for crowds, but a household of two or three will be happier with the 16-inch, which stores more easily and cooks just as well for a smaller table. If neither is in stock, go straight to the Presto 22-inch for a big family or the Dash ceramic griddle for a small kitchen, rather than gambling on an unlabeled listing.