BLACK+DECKER Family-Sized Electric Griddle Review: GD2051B vs GD2011B

We cooked the breakfast favorites it is sold for on the GD2051B: pancakes, eggs, bacon, and grilled cheese. We judged it on how fast it heats, how evenly it cooks, how well food releases, how it cleans up, and how the layout fits a real counter.

Because we spend our days around small appliances, we also pay attention to the unglamorous details, like whether a thermostat probe seats firmly and where grease ends up.

Start by checking whether the cooking surface is large enough for your usual meals. It measures about 10 by 20 inches, which works out to roughly 200 square inches. That is not a stated manufacturer figure, so treat it as our math from the footprint. In practice it fits six burgers at once or a full row of pancakes, enough for a family of four and workable for six.

The raised lip around the edge keeps batter and grease on the surface. The overall footprint is 22 inches wide, 13 inches long, and 3.5 inches high on the GD2051B, and it is light enough to slide into a cabinet without a struggle.

Next, consider how evenly the surface heats. Heat comes up quickly and stays consistent, and eggs and bacon came out diner-style once the surface was ready. The one wrinkle is that the heating element runs in a loop, so you see slight uneven heat that is not a dealbreaker. Rotate the food once and it disappears.

Click-and-Lock Thermostat

The temperature probe snaps into the body and locks, and the knob adjusts the heat. The GD2051B page lists a variable knob without stating a maximum, while the GD2011B is rated to 400F. Expect a similar ceiling on both, and use a thermometer if you need an exact number.

Preheat and Evenness

It takes a while to reach the set temperature, though it cooks well once hot. We gave it a few extra minutes of preheat, then poured the first pancakes once the surface was ready. Because the heating element runs in a loop, we rotated the food partway through, and the pancakes came out a golden, even color across the plate. With the same surface hot, six burgers fit at once and cooked consistently.

Once the food is off the plate, cleanup is where this griddle earns its keep. After a batch of bacon and eggs, we wiped the surface clean in under a minute.

Drip Tray and Grease Channel

Grease runs into the removable drip tray. It is small, so empty it between bacon batches rather than waiting until the end. A large lid helps with splatter.

Washing and Immersible Handle

Pull the thermostat probe before washing, then clean the plate with warm soapy water. Never submerge the probe itself.

The 2-year limited warranty appears on retailer listings for the GD2051B, but the manufacturer page does not spell it out, so check the paperwork in the box.

The GD2011B is rated to 400F, measures 20 in by 11 in by 2 in, and carries a 2-year limited warranty. The GD2051B adds the slide-out warming tray, a taller body, and 1500W of power. Both offer a large cooking surface with a nonstick finish for family meals.

For most buyers the GD2051B is the safer choice, and it is the one we cooked on.

Warming Tray (GD2051B Only)

Treat the warming tray as GD2051B-only, because the GD2011B listing is inconsistent about whether one ships. The tray is small, roughly big enough for a batch of bacon, so it works as a holding spot rather than a serving station for a crowd.

Buy it if you cook pancakes, eggs, bacon, and grilled cheese for three to six people and want a simple, low-cost griddle. It suits small kitchens because it stores easily, and it suits anyone who values a fast wipe-down.

Skip it if you want a heavy, searing-hot flat top. For hosts who want something to cook for a crowd, a larger unit will serve you better.

Short Power Cord

The cord is about 24 inches, and the manufacturer does not publish a length, so treat that as approximate. The result is the same either way: the griddle has to sit close to an outlet.

Coating Durability

The nonstick surface can wear with frequent use, and eggs can start to stick over time. The GD2011B draws more warping and coating-loss complaints. Oil left on the coating turns tacky and is hard to clean off, so use butter sparingly and let the plate cool before washing. Cook with silicone or wooden tools, avoid metal spatulas, and keep temperatures reasonable to stretch its life.

Black+Decker wins on price and ease of use, and it handles pancakes and bacon well.

If you want more room, read our Chefman extra-large electric griddle review. For a ceramic surface, try the Dash ceramic electric griddle review. A heavier premium build is covered in our All-Clad electric griddle review, and a tiny single-serve option is the Nostalgia MyMini personal griddle review.

Skip this griddle if you cook for a crowd or want a heavier build. For more room, start with our Chefman extra-large electric griddle review, or step up to the premium All-Clad electric griddle review.