Cuisinart Contact Griddler with Smoke-Less Mode Review (GR-6S)

We judged it on the cooking a busy household actually does: burgers, paninis, and pancakes. For each, we looked at how the plates handled grease, how the drip tray coped, and where smoke dropped as we lowered the temperature.

The griddle opens flat for double the surface, enough for eight burgers at once.

Cooking Surface, Temperature Range, and Plates

The reversible nonstick plates have a ridged side for grilling and a flat side for griddling. Closed as a contact grill, it fits four burgers, and opened flat it fits eight. That flexibility is the main reason we would pick it over a basic panini press.

First Impressions

The plates lift out for washing and the display is clear. The controls are the catch: the setup instructions are confusing, and tuning the settings takes a few cooks to feel natural.

Size and Counter Space

This full-size appliance needs a permanent place on the counter or room in a deep cabinet. Retailer listings disagree on the footprint: the GR-6S and GR-6SC are listed at roughly 10.5 x 11.5 x 7 in and about 12.8 lbs, while the GR-6SNAS is listed at 12.99 x 12 x 7.49 in with no usable weight, so check the box dimensions for your model before you clear a spot.

Smoke-Less mode pairs grease-reducing plates with an adjustable tilt, so fat drains away from the heat instead of pooling and burning. The grease runs to a removable drip tray.

Grease Management

The plate tilt and the extra top plate position do the work here. Grease flows off the surface and into the tray, which keeps the plate cleaner and the air clearer.

Does It Actually Reduce Smoke?

Yes, with a limit. Smoke-Less mode cuts smoke most at lower temperatures, but at high heat some smoke still shows up, so crack a window or run the hood when you sear.

Contact Grilling and Searing Steak

Burgers come out well, with solid grill marks and a real sear from the contact plates.

For steak, the top setting is 450F on the GR-6SNAS, so plan on ventilation for a fatty cut. Preheat takes roughly 5 to 10 minutes, depending on the target temperature and starting plate position.

Panini and Sandwiches

Paninis are where the contact grill shines. Both plates heat, so bread toasts evenly and cheese melts through, and it can replace a separate panini press.

Griddle Mode: Pancakes, Eggs, Bacon

Pancakes work well on the griddle side, and raising the upper plate temperature on its own is a useful extra. Griddle mode can heat unevenly, so rotate the food partway through.

Heat Consistency

The independent top and bottom controls help you balance a thick sandwich. Even so, expect to move food around on the flat griddle for more even browning.

Setup and Controls

Once you learn the menu, the presets for beef, pork, poultry, and fish are handy. Expect a short learning curve, and keep the manual nearby the first time.

Cleaning the Plates and Drip Tray

The plates clean up easily and the removable drip tray handles grease, which makes it easier to clean than older Griddler generations. The plates are dishwasher-safe, but washing them by hand extends the life of the nonstick.

Common Praise

Easy cleanup, a roomy open griddle, and good burgers and paninis.

Common Complaints

Confusing setup and grease on the flat griddle top the list.

The GR-6SNAS is the current listing of the Smoke-Less Griddler. We could not confirm every difference from the GR-6S, so check the listing before you buy. The GR-6SC sibling tops out lower, so state the temperature per model.

Other Cuisinart Griddlers suit different jobs. See our reviews of the Cuisinart 5-in-1 Griddler, the Griddler Deluxe, the Griddler Elite, the Griddler 3-in-1, and the Griddler Gourmet. For a ranked list, read our guide to the best Cuisinart Griddler models, or learn how to use a Cuisinart Griddler. If you are still weighing categories, browse our electric griddles and skillets.

Street pricing moves week to week and differs by retailer, so check the current price. At roughly the mid-range for a full-size grill, the value is strong if you will use all the plate modes.

Buy it if you want one machine for burgers, paninis, and pancakes and you value easier cleanup. Skip it if you need a truly smokeless sear at full heat or have little counter space.

Before you order, confirm which variant you are getting. The GR-6SNAS reaches 450F, while the GR-6SC tops out at 425F plus a Sear function, so pick the one that matches how hot you like to cook. Check the footprint against your counter or cabinet too, since listings disagree.

It is a poor fit if you want controls you can use without practice or expect smoke-free cooking at the highest setting.