Cuisinart 5-in-1 Griddler Review: Searing, Panini, and Cleanup Results

Here is how we score a griddler like this one. We grade each mode on how evenly it heats, how well it holds temperature when cold food hits the plates, and how much grease and smoke it produces. We then weigh how the plates and drip tray handle cleanup, and how the build details hold up: the plate clips, the cord, and how replacement plates are sold.

We applied those criteria to burgers and chicken on the ribbed plates, grilled cheese and ham sandwiches in panini mode, and pancakes, french toast, eggs and bacon on the flat griddle side.

Cuisinart Griddler 5-in-1 GR-4N specs

Model	GR-4N (retail SKUs carry suffixes such as GR-4NNAS and GR-4NP1)
Cooking area	200 sq in when opened flat (rounded), two plates
Plate size	11 x 9 in each
Plate material	Nonstick, removable and reversible
Temperature range	200F to 425F in griddle mode; Warm to Sear in grill and panini mode
Wattage	1500W (listings vary between 1500W and 1800W by SKU generation)
Dimensions	13.5 in L x 11.5 in W x 7.12 in H
Dishwasher-safe	Plates, drip tray and scraper; base and cover are wipe-clean
Warranty	Limited 3-year

Pricing differs by retailer and model suffix, so check the current price before you buy.

The 5-in-1 label covers contact grill, panini press, full grill, full griddle, and half grill with half griddle. The plates are reversible, so one side is ribbed and the other is flat.

Contact Grill and Panini Press

With the cover closed, both plates heat the food at once. Two grilled cheese or ham sandwiches fit at a time, and they came out with a crisp top and bottom and no squashed middle.

Full Grill and Full Griddle

Open the cover 180 degrees and it lies flat as a single-sided cooking surface. That 200 sq in is the open-flat total for both plates; closed, the usable area is about half. For a small household with limited storage, the flat layout is a real convenience.

Half Grill, Half Griddle

Because the top and bottom dials work independently, bacon and eggs can cook at different heats at the same time. This mode is the easiest way to get a full breakfast out of one compact unit.

Those modes only matter if the plates heat well, so we start with temperature control.

Heat-Up and Temperature Control

The green ready light comes on when the plates reach temperature. Heat dips when cold food goes down, and it recovers faster on thin food than on thick cuts, especially with the lid closed. Griddle mode runs from 200F to 425F, which covers pancakes through bacon. We did not time the preheat, so we will not quote a number.

The loop-shaped heating elements leave the corners and extreme edges a little cooler. When the grill is crowded, rotate the food partway through.

Searing and Grill Marks

The ribbed plates leave visible sear marks on burgers and chicken, though they are shallower than what cast iron gives you. Steaks and chicken overcook quickly because both sides cook at once, so an instant-read thermometer helps. Treat this as a very good contact grill, not a steakhouse substitute.

Pancakes, Eggs and Bacon on the Griddle

This is where the Griddler shines. With the flat side set to medium, pancake batter spread and browned across the whole plate with no cold corners, and french toast cooked the same way. The plate has a small lip, but thin batter can still run to the edge, so pour thicker batter toward the middle. A little cooking spray or butter keeps eggs from sticking.

Beyond heating performance, the hinge, plate clips, cord, and exterior also deserve attention. Grease can work into the hinge, so wipe it while the unit is still warm.

Three smaller flaws are worth knowing. The plastic plate-retaining clips can turn brittle and break over time. The cord is short, so plan your outlet. The exterior also gets very hot, so keep it away from the counter edge and from kids.

On storage, the footprint is compact at 13.5 in by 11.5 in, and the cover opens flat for a larger single-sided griddle. It earns its cabinet space more easily than a full-size electric griddle.

After all that cooking, cleanup is easy, with one clear exception. The plates pop off with a button press, with no wedging, and wash up well in the dishwasher or by hand. Plates, drip tray and scraper are all dishwasher-safe, while the base and cover are wipe-clean.

The grease tray is the weak spot. It is awkward to align, and grease can miss the spout on an uneven counter. It also drains worse in the flat griddle position. Propping the front feet slightly helps. The tray is small too, and two fatty burgers can fill it, so empty it between batches of fatty meat.

Buy it if you cook for one to three people, want pressed sandwiches and weekend pancakes from one machine, and have limited cabinet space.

Skip it if you cook for a crowd, since the closed cooking area is about half of the 200 sq in open-flat figure. Skip it as well if your priority is steakhouse sear marks.

The GR-4N is the original 5-in-1. Current retail versions carry suffixes like GR-4NNAS and GR-4NP1, and replacement plates are labeled for the GR-4N, GR-5B, GR-6 and GRID-8N series. For a broader look, see which Cuisinart Griddler model fits your kitchen.

The Griddler FIVE adds an LCD with a timer and a sear function from 175F up to 450F. The Elite offers 240 sq in, a sixth mode with top melt, and ceramic nonstick plates.

Step up only if a specific feature justifies it. Choose the Griddler FIVE if you want the LCD timer and the 175F to 450F range with a sear function, and the Elite if you want 240 sq in and the sixth top-melt mode. Otherwise the GR-4N does the job for less. Whichever model you choose, budget for replacement plates after a few years of heavy use as the nonstick coating wears.