Is the Pampered Chef Deluxe Electric Grill & Griddle Worth It?

Short answer: yes for families who want one appliance for pancakes, paninis, and burgers, and no for anyone short on storage.

We judge every countertop cooker by how it fits a real family week: how fast it gets going, how evenly it cooks, how loud it is, how safe it feels with teenagers and younger kids nearby, and how much ends up in the dishwasher.

We score it on capacity, heat control, noise, kid-safety, and cleanup, using the manufacturer's specifications, the preset settings, and the documented behavior of the plates, probe, and dishwasher-safe parts. Our rating reflects how well those features fit a busy family kitchen.

Before any cooking, the build is worth a look: a hinged lid, a dial, and plates that lift out for washing. It is a substantial appliance for a countertop cooker.

Anatomy: Dial, Lid, and Plates

The dial sets the program, and the plates drop into the body and lift back out. Two plates are ridged for grilling and two are smooth for griddling. Because they are interchangeable, you can run different surfaces at different temperatures, such as a smooth plate for eggs on one side and a ridged plate for sausages on the other.

Three Cooking Positions (Contact Grill, Open Grill, Flat Griddle)

The three cooking positions are the heart of this appliance.

• Closed: the lid comes down for contact grilling and paninis, cooking both sides at once.
• Flat: both plates open side by side, giving you two cooking surfaces.
• Top Melt: the grill opens with the top plate used to melt cheese over food.

Flat is the position that suits a big family breakfast. Pancakes and bacon can cook on both plates at once, so you are not stacking batches while the first pile goes cold.

Once the plates are in, use the dial to choose a preset. Pampered Chef lists eight programmed settings on it, and they take most of the guesswork out of choosing a temperature.

The Preset Programs

The named settings are Custom, Sear, Panini, Grill, Griddle, Keep Warm, Probe, and Top/Btm, which lets the top and bottom plates run at different temperatures. The defaults we care about are Panini at 375F, Grill at 400F, Griddle at 350F, and Keep Warm at 140F.

Those numbers line up with how most families cook. A 350F griddle is a good pancake heat, 400F gives burgers and chicken a proper sear, and a 140F Keep Warm holds the first pancakes while you finish the stack.

Custom Mode (Time and Temperature)

Custom lets you set your own cook time and temperature. Time moves in 30-second steps and temperature moves in 5F steps, which is fine enough control for delicate foods like fish or eggs. We would use Custom for anything the presets do not cover, such as reheating leftovers or finishing a sandwich a little lower and slower.

With the dial and plates covered, here is what ships in the box. It covers most of what you need to start cooking.

Plates and Accessories

You get the four nonstick plates, a drip tray, a drip shield, a cleaning tool, a guide, and the temperature probe. The drip tray catches grease from the ridged plates, and the cleaning tool is made for the plate ridges.

Waffle plates are not included. The Deluxe Electric Waffle Plates are sold separately as a nonstick set of two. If waffles are your weekend ritual, factor that second purchase into the cost.

Temperature Probe

The probe is the feature that sets this grill apart from a plain griddle. You insert it into the food, set your target, and the grill shuts off when the food reaches that temperature. It works best on food at least 1 inch thick, so it shines for thick burgers, chicken breasts, and steaks and does little for thin items like bacon.

The probe is hand wash only, so keep it out of the dishwasher with the other parts. For doneness targets, check the safe minimum internal cooking temperatures before you set the number.

Setup is simple. Wash the plates, drip tray, and drip shield, fit the plates you want, slide in the drip tray, and plug in. Choose a setting on the dial, preheat, and cook.

The first run has a few quirks, covered in the FAQ.

Here is how each meal fits the grill's settings.

Burgers and Steak

Sear and Grill at 400F are the settings for burgers and steak, and the ridged plates leave grill marks. The probe makes thick patties and steaks easier because you choose the finish temperature instead of cutting into the meat to check.

Breakfast: Pancakes, Eggs, Bacon

Breakfast is where the Flat position earns its keep. Both plates cook pancakes and bacon at once, which suits a big family breakfast, and the smooth plates handle eggs and French toast. Griddle at 350F is the starting point, and Keep Warm holds the first batch.

Paninis and Sandwiches

Close the lid in the Panini setting at 375F and the grill presses and toasts both sides together. Top Melt is handy for finishing a sandwich or a burger with melted cheese without flipping anything.

Chicken and Vegetables

Chicken breasts suit the probe. Vegetables are a good fit for the ridged plates at Grill, and the drip tray keeps grease away from the food.

Easy cleanup helps determine whether an appliance gets used on school nights. The unit wipes clean easily, and the exterior needs only a damp cloth. Which parts go in the dishwasher is in the FAQ.

Storage is the trade-off. It feels light for an appliance with four plates, yet it can be awkward to lift and stow, and the 17 x 14 inch body takes real cabinet space. Decide where it will live before you buy, whether that is a permanent counter spot or an easy-reach shelf.

The pros and cons below sit alongside our review box for quick scanning.

Since size and cost are the trade-offs, it helps to know the cheaper options. If you only need a pancake surface, a dedicated electric griddle is simpler and cheaper to store. Our reviews of the Char-Broil Bistro Pro and the Wolfgang Puck reversible grill and griddle cover closer product-type matches. For big, flat cooking surfaces, our looks at the All-Clad electric griddle, the Beautiful XL electric griddle, the BLACK+DECKER family-sized griddle, and the Chefman extra-large griddle show what you give up and gain.

With the alternatives in mind, buy it if you cook breakfast for a crowd, make paninis, or want an indoor grill with a probe that stops the cooking for you. It suits families who value one appliance over three.

Skip it if you have little storage, cook only for one or two, or just want a cheap pancake griddle.

We could not confirm an official retail price; expect a premium price for a griddle. Sales and consultant offers change what you pay, so check the current price before you buy.

If your household only ever makes pancakes, skip the extra bulk and start with one of the dedicated griddles in the alternatives above. If you make pancakes, paninis, and burgers throughout the week, this appliance handles all three in one counter space, though that flexibility costs more.