The 9 Best Cast Iron Stovetop Griddles
Sear or sauté from kitchen to grill with these versatile griddles.
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It’s time to let everyone in on a culinary secret that every chef already knows. No one needs to overspend on expensive stainless steel cookware or replace nonstick skillets every year to sauté veggies and sear meats like a pro. Say hello to the comeback kid of modern cookware, a versatile and durable kitchen staple that has been around for centuries: cast iron.
Seasoned cast iron cookware is naturally nonstick and transfers seamlessly from stovetop to grill to oven (or even campfire). Cast iron griddles in particular are easy to care for and can last decades. With flat surfaces that span multiple burners and slightly raised edges, cast iron griddles support easy access for spatulas while still containing grease and batter splatters. And, of course, they offer enough cooking real estate to keep a starving crowd satisfied.
Best Stovetop Griddles
- Best All-Around: Lodge LDCRG Cast Iron Reversible Grill/Griddle
- Best Extra-Large Griddle: Pit Boss 14x28 Cast Iron Griddle
- Best Extra-Thick Griddle: Viking Culinary Cast Iron Griddle
- Best Budget: Victoria Rectangular Cast Iron Griddle
- Best for Travel: Victoria Round Cast Iron Double Burner Griddle with Wire Handles
The Expert: I’m a ghost writer for cookbooks, an award-winning recipe developer, a food blogger, and photographer (www.asweetlittlelife.com). As a home chef with a family of brunch and barbecue aficionados, a Lodge cast iron griddle takes center stage on my cooktop every weekend. When we hit the trail camping with friends in one of Utah’s many national parks, lightweight cast iron cookware is always our traveling companion.
What to Consider in a Stovetop Griddle
Size and Shape
The right size stovetop griddle for you depends on how much storage space you have, as well as what you plan to use it for. If you regularly feed a hungry sports team, you’ll want something that spans a minimum of two burners, and is at least 18 inches long and up to 28 inches wide. On the other hand, if you have minimal storage space or usually cook for one to two people, a skillet-style griddle or single-burner pan will suffice.
More Kitchen Essentials: Nonstick Cookware Sets • Pan Organizers • Toaster Ovens • Air Fryers
Weight
Pay attention to how heavy your skillet is if you plan to travel with it or frequently move it around your kitchen. One of cast iron’s greatest features is that it can be used everywhere from an induction stovetop to a campfire, so if you plan to cook in multiple locations, a lighter griddle will be easier to transport. Keep in mind that cast iron is notoriously heavy, so if you’re looking for a skillet on the lighter side, 10 pounds or less is a good benchmark.
Number of Handles
For the same reasons detailed above, having handles makes it easier to move your griddle. Many of the stovetop griddles below have two handles, though it’s worth noting that in some cases, the handles may reduce the overall cooking surface area.
Is It Reversible?
Many cast-iron skillets are reversible, with a flat surface on one side and a ridged grill-style surface on the other. This is handy if you want the option to make fajitas on a flat-top or singe grill marks into burger patties on the other side. Note that smaller skillet-style stovetop griddles often have just one cooking surface, usually ridged. The ridges give your food nice "grill marks" and help collect fat and juices that can otherwise prevent your food from crisping up nicely.
How We Evaluated Cast Iron Stovetop Griddles
To choose the best cast iron stovetop griddles, I narrowed a crowded field of contenders. My methods included personal experience, researching customer reviews, considering brand reputation, and weighing preferred features.
While I own a Lodge griddle, I’ve used many of the cookware brands below, including Victoria and Le Creuset. While researching and testing cast iron stovetop griddles, I searched for a variety of sizes, weights, and shapes to find the best fit for a kitchen space, culinary needs, and budget. These picks reflect cast iron griddles with superior durability, heat retention, and features that support a variety of cooking methods.
Additionally, I relied on the groundwork of writer and chef Elizabeth Briskin who also is a contributor to this article. Together, our efforts bring you the best cast iron stovetop griddles you can buy right now.
Lodge Cast Iron Reversible Grill/Griddle
Pros
- Reversible
- Ergonomic handles
Cons
It’s nearly impossible to discuss cast iron cookware without mentioning Lodge, so it’s not a surprise that this iconic brand makes our favorite stovetop griddle.
This reversible model has smooth and ridged sides, so you can toss fajita veggies or get beautiful slated grill marks on steaks without an outdoor grill. The griddle also has raised edges to prevent spills, but won’t interfere with your spatula.
Key Specs
| Dimensions | 19.5 x 10.25 x 1 in. |
|---|---|
| Oven-Safe | Yes |
| Weight | 10.10 lb |
Pros
- Oversize cooking surface
- Reversible
Cons
- Heavy
- May not fit on all stoves
The Pit Boss 28-inch griddle is made for large households and frequent entertainers. Many users like to turn their gas grill into a flat-top by placing the griddle on top.
This griddle will fit on most indoor stoves as well, but be sure to measure the distance between the edge of the stovetop and wall to be sure the handles won’t protrude, which can be a safety hazard. It offers an ample cooking surface to prepare multiple meal components at once.
The handles add an extra inch of length on either end so be sure to measure the interior of your grill to make sure it will fit. The handles are also convenient when it’s time to move this heavy-duty pan.
Key Specs
| Dimensions | 32 x 14 x 1 in. |
|---|---|
| Oven-Safe | Yes |
| Weight | 27.7 lb |
Viking Culinary Cast Iron Griddle
Pros
- Channel around the edge collects grease
- Covers two stove burners
Cons
- Can be difficult to store
The Viking heavy-duty grill pan is large, in charge, and built to last. It’s the thickest griddle of our recommendations, with a width of over 2 inches. This heft helps the pan retain heat for longer, so your food cooks more evenly. It’s also reversible, with a smooth side and a ridged side grate for those signature grill marks.
Two carrying handles make it easy to maneuver the griddle between your indoor stove and outdoor grill, though it’s bulkier and heavier to move than other options.
Key Specs
| Dimensions | 20.87 x 11.22 x 2.17 in. |
|---|---|
| Oven-Safe | Yes |
| Weight | 11.73 lb |
Victoria Rectangular Cast Iron Griddle
Pros
- Reversible
Cons
- Handles cut into cooking surface area
Victoria makes a griddle similar in function to the Lodge, at a more affordable price. This two-burner griddle is reversible and has sturdy handles for transport. This griddle is slightly smaller than the Lodge, but still offers plenty of space to grill up to six full-sized hamburgers and spans two burners on a standard stovetop.
Key Specs
| Dimensions | 18.5 x 10 x 0.75 in. |
|---|---|
| Oven-Safe | Yes |
| Weight | 9.80 lb |
Victoria Round Cast Iron Gril. Double Burner Griddle, with Wire Handles Seasoned with 100% Kosher Certified Non-GMO Flaxseed Oil, 10 Inch, Black
Pros
- Lightweight
- Removable handles
Cons
- Relatively small
If the idea of traveling with cast iron is weighing heavily, meet Victoria’s handy 10-inch griddle that clocks in at just over 5 pounds. While this circular griddle is petite, it makes up for any shortcomings in size with a smaller price tag than other cast iron griddles.
The ergonomic, removable handles also help it transition seamlessly from campfire to oven to grill and back again. However, customers report that the flaxseed oil coating is a sticking point, so be sure to give it another round of seasoning before use.
Key Specs
| Dimensions | 10 x 11.5 x 2 in. |
|---|---|
| Oven-Safe | Yes |
| Weight | 5.48 lb |
Lodge Cast Iron 11-Inch Square Griddle
Pros
- Lightweight
Cons
- Not reversible
From the most respected name in cast iron cookware comes a no-frills square griddle that looks every inch like the one your mother had (and probably still does).
It’s tough to beat the affordable price point of this Lodge griddle, not to mention that you could swing it around easily with one hand if needed. Its flat, non-reversible surface won’t deliver those Instagram-worthy grill marks, however the superior heat retention and pre-seasoning should translate to a near-perfect sear right out of the box.
Key Specs
| Dimensions | 11 x 11 x 1.8 in. |
|---|---|
| Oven-Safe | Yes |
| Weight | 5.79 lb |
Pros
- Superior versatility
- Removable handles
Cons
- Heavy
Why settle for a cast-iron griddle with a lid when you could have it all? Lodge’s Cook-It-All Kit is essentially a shallow dutch oven with a lid that doubles as a griddle on one side and a grill on the other. It can also serve as a skillet, wok, or pizza oven.
Removable steel hook-and-cary handles make it easy to transport this from the campfire to the oven, but you’ll have to put your back into it. This cast iron cookware weighs in at just under 30 pounds.
Key Specs
| Dimensions | 16.1 x 14.7 x 5.5 in. |
|---|---|
| Oven-Safe | Yes |
| Weight | 29.3 lb |
Pros
- Attractive enamel finish
- Small and lightweight
Cons
- No grill
- Low sides
Since cabinet space in small homes is at a premium, any cast iron griddle needs to be attractive enough to sit out on the stovetop. This enameled Le Creuset griddle may have a higher price point than traditional cast iron, but it’s definitely not an eyesore and doesn’t require seasoning.
What's more, this Creuset’s compact, square profile makes it easy to stow away in small spaces. There is a downside to this mini-griddle marvel: no grill with shallow sides so it’s not the best choice for getting sear marks on juicy meats.
Key Specs
| Dimensions | 9.5 x 1 in. |
|---|---|
| Oven-Safe | Yes (Up to 500°F) |
| Weight | 5.6 lb |
Bruntmor 2-in-1 Pre-Seasoned Square Cast Iron Reversible Griddle Grill with Heavy Grill Press
Pros
- Reversible
- Comes with press
Cons
- Heavy
- Rough surface
If crafting the perfect panini or achieving sear marks on meat is an art form, this cast iron griddle and press set from Bruntmor might be the ideal palette for you.
Compact and reversible, the Bruntmor 10-inch cast-iron griddle spans a single burner and comes pre-seasoned. On the downside, it tips the scale at nearly 10 pounds and customers say griddle’s rough surface could use a little sanding before use.
Key Specs
| Dimensions | 10 x 10 x 2.6 in. |
|---|---|
| Oven-Safe | Yes |
| Weight | 9.92 lb |
Get the Job Done with a Cast Iron Stovetop Griddle! Expert Kaz Weida Offers Info on When to Season, How to Prevent Rusting, and Taking One Camping.
How do you know if you need to season your griddle?
Most cast-iron griddles come pre-seasoned, but you’ll want to season it when you first purchase the griddle and then once or twice a year. If the surface isn’t releasing food easily or you cooked something acidic on it, it’s probably time to re-season. Seasoning is essentially baking oil into the cast iron. Lodge has an excellent guide on how to season your cast iron.
What’s the best way to prevent my griddle from rusting?
Concerns about rust are one of the biggest barriers to using cast iron cookware. However, it’s really a non-issue if you remember one simple thing: water is the enemy.
Skip the scrubbing and wipe your cast iron griddle clean with a soft cloth or paper towel. If you have to use hot, soapy water to get the griddle clean, make sure to dry completely and season with oil afterwards. You can see a complete guide to cleaning your cast iron cookware here.
Can you use a cast-iron stovetop griddle over a campfire?
Absolutely! You’ll want to find a way to keep it level to get even heat, but this is exactly what cast iron is designed for. This old-school cookware excels at providing a versatile cooking (and baking) experience that can go from fire to grill to cooktop or even oven.
The key is to buy a griddle that’s small and light enough so you can cook under the stars without breaking a sweat.
Kaz Weida is a former educator turned freelance journalist who started off producing reviews and guides in the home security and telecom industry in 2015; she has tested, researched, and reviewed more products than she count, be it air quality monitors or kids GPS trackers. Kaz had bylines in a wide array of publications and sites including HuffPost, BlogHer, SheKnows, SafeWise, CableTV, and Rosetta Stone, and her work has been featured in Medium, Womens E News, Scary Mommy, and Salt Lake City Weekly. When she's not at her desk, Kaz is in the kitchen crafting and photographing cocktails.
Lizzy Briskin, a food writer and product reviewer who runs Earthen Food Co, is a trained chef and avid home cook who loves to put new gadgets to the test to help people make informed buying decisions; she contributes food, cooking, and lifestyle content to publications including the Chicago Tribune, Simply Recipes, Munchery, Insider, and others. She also tests and develops recipes for national food brands. When she’s not cooking, eating, or writing, she can be found hiking, cycling, and training for marathons.
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