Electric Griddle Vs. Skillet: Best for Batch Cooking on a Budget
When you're cooking for a crowd—or just trying to meal prep efficiently—choosing the right appliance can save you time, hassle, and money. Two popular options for batch cooking are the electric griddle and the electric skillet. Both are countertop champs, but which one is best for your budget and needs? Here’s a closer look at how they compare, plus some top picks to help you decide.
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Cooking Surface & Capacity
- Electric Griddle:
An electric griddle gives you a wide, flat cooking surface perfect for pancakes, burgers, quesadillas, or an entire breakfast spread. For example, the Presto 22-inch Electric Griddle with Removable Handles features a spacious nonstick surface that can accommodate multiple items simultaneously, allowing you to quickly feed hungry mouths. It's ideal if your priority is maximum cooking area.
- Electric Skillet:
A skillet is deeper, more like a large frying pan with tall sides and a lid. The Nesco 12-inch Electric Skillet is ideal for preparing stir-fries, casseroles, and shallow-frying. While it doesn’t have as much open surface area, it can handle saucy dishes that a griddle simply can’t.
Elite Gourmet EG-6203# Extra Deep Non-stick Electric Skillet with Glass Vented Lid
Heat Control & Versatility
- Electric Griddle:
Most griddles have simple dial controls, which are perfect for consistent, medium-high heat—great for bacon, eggs, and pancakes. The BELLA Ceramic Titanium Griddle heats evenly and is scratch-resistant, but it isn’t meant for simmering stews or cooking foods with a lot of liquid.
- Electric Skillet:
Skillets usually come with adjustable temperature dials that go low enough for slow simmering and high enough for searing. The De’Longhi Electric Skillet with Tempered Glass Lid can sauté vegetables, simmer chili, or even bake small dishes, making it more versatile if you want to batch-cook soups, sauces, or pasta dishes.
Chefman XL Electric Griddle with Removable Temperature Control
Cleanup & Storage
- Electric Griddle:
Most griddles have removable drip trays and are fully immersible once the heat probe is detached. This makes cleanup quick and easy. The Hamilton Beach Durathon Ceramic Griddle even features a durable coating that wipes clean with minimal scrubbing.
- Electric Skillet:
Electric skillets often require more care, especially around the heating element. Some, like the Presto 16-inch Electric Foldaway Skillet, have removable bases and pouring spouts to help with draining and washing, but generally take up a bit more space in cabinets.
BLACK+DECKER Electric Skillet, Variable Temperature Control
Best for Budget Batch Cooking
If you mostly cook dry foods (pancakes, sandwiches, bacon, burgers):
Go for an electric griddle. It offers the most real estate for the money, cooks fast, and is easy to clean. Perfect for weekend breakfasts or grilling multiple sandwiches at once.
If you want to make hearty one-pan meals (stews, stir-fries, casseroles):
Pick an electric skillet. It’s essentially a portable stovetop pan with more cooking options, helping you make bigger meals in one go.
DASH Deluxe Everyday Electric Griddle with Dishwasher Safe Removable Nonstick Cooking Plate
Final Thoughts
For many home cooks on a budget, having both isn’t realistic. If you need to choose, consider the type of meals you batch-cook most often. A griddle is unbeatable for breakfast spreads and quick sears, while a skillet allows more flexibility for diverse recipes. Either way, these countertop appliances let you whip up large portions without firing up the oven, saving you money on energy bills and stretching your food budget even further.
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My solution is neither. I have a 14 1/2" carbon steel pan that can do so much. I am fortunate enough to have a cast iron griddle as well. We now know enough about how nonstick surfaces are made, how they degrade, and how they are simply not environmentally responsible that we simply need to find safer alternatives. Carbon steel and cast iron are easily made virtually nonstick, and they will end up in your heirs' kitchens rather than landfills.