A cast iron griddle is a flat slab of iron with low edges or none at all, and it does the jobs a skillet’s walls get in the way of. Pancakes and eggs for a crowd, a row of quesadillas, tortillas warmed four at a time, onions and peppers for fajitas with room to spread out. Restaurant kitchens run on a long flat-top for the same reason: more surface means more food done at once, and a heavy metal plate holds its heat when cold food lands on it.
Home griddles come in three shapes: long rectangles that sit across two burners (many of them reversible, with ridges on the back), squares sized for one burner, and rounds that are close cousins of the Mexican comal. This guide sorts out which shape suits your stove, names nine cast iron griddles worth buying, and is honest about where a griddle and a comal are the same pan under two names.
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Quick verdict: which cast iron griddle to buy
For most kitchens, the best cast iron griddle is the Lodge Double Play reversible grill/griddle: it spans two burners, has a flat side and a ridged side, arrives seasoned, and Lodge rates it for every stovetop including induction. If you want a smoother, machined surface and a drip channel, choose the Field Company long griddle. If you would rather never season anything, the enameled Staub double burner plancha is the one to buy, and for a single burner and tortillas, the Lancaster No. 8 round griddle is light for cast iron at 3.5 pounds.
The table below lines up the five standouts; all nine griddles are reviewed after it.
Five cast iron griddles at a glance
Our five standout picks, one for each kind of cook, with the specifications each maker or listing states. All nine griddles are reviewed in full below.
| Griddle | Best for | Size & burners | Induction (per maker) | Buy on Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Most kitchens, two burners | 16.75 x 9.5 in, two burners, reversible | Yes | View on Amazon | |
Field Company Long Cast Iron Griddle, 16.5-inchSmoothest surface
|
Pancakes, eggs, a slick finish | 16.5 x 9 in surface, two burners, flat only | Yes (listing) | View on Amazon |
| No seasoning, dishwasher | 18.5 x 9.8 in, two burners, raised sides | Yes | View on Amazon | |
| One burner, tortillas, light weight | 10.5 in round, one burner | Yes | View on Amazon | |
Camp Chef Reversible Cast Iron Grill/Griddle, 14 x 16-inchBest for camp stoves
|
Camp stoves, cooking outdoors | 14 x 16 in, one camp-stove burner, reversible | Not stated | View on Amazon |
Product images from Amazon. Stovetop compatibility is as stated by each maker or listing; check the listing before you buy.
Our picks for the best cast iron griddle
These nine griddles cover the shapes that matter: reversible two-burner plates, a flat-only long griddle, enameled iron that skips seasoning, single-burner squares and rounds, and two that are built for camp stoves and grills. If you are mainly after a tortilla comal, our guides to the best comal for tortillas and the best comal for pupusas go deeper on round and wide comales, including Lodge’s larger Pro-Grid; we have chosen different griddles here rather than repeat those lists.
1. Lodge Double Play Reversible Grill/Griddle, 16.75 x 9.5-inch – Two Surfaces, Two Burners
This is the griddle most American kitchens think of first, and for good reason. Lodge’s Double Play is a 16.75 by 9.5-inch plate of cast iron, flat on one side and ridged on the other, sized to sit across two burners. Lodge lists it at 9.35 pounds, which is heavy but noticeably lighter than its 20-inch Pro-Grid big brother.
The flat side is where most of the cooking happens: pancakes and eggs in the morning, a row of quesadillas or a batch of tortillas at night, onions and peppers for fajitas spread thin enough to brown rather than steam. Flip it over and the ridged side gives burgers, chicken and vegetables grill marks indoors, though fat collects between the ridges rather than draining away, so open a window for fatty meat.
Lodge seasons it with vegetable oil, rates it for any stovetop including induction, plus the oven, grill and campfire, and makes it in the United States. Lodge’s own advice for griddles is to choose two burners close together and nearest in size to the griddle, set both to the same heat and let it preheat; that matters more than which griddle you buy. Care is hand wash, dry and oil.
Why we like it
- Flat griddle on one side, ridged grill on the other
- Covers two burners for a full batch
- Rated for every stovetop, including induction, plus oven, grill and campfire
- Arrives seasoned with vegetable oil
- Made in the USA
Key specifications
| Model | LDP3 |
|---|---|
| Shape/size | Rectangle, 16.75 x 9.5 x 0.62 in |
| Burners covered | Two |
| Reversible | Yes: flat griddle and ridged grill |
| Weight | 9.35 lb (Lodge) |
| Pre-seasoned | Yes, vegetable oil |
| Induction | Yes (Lodge) |
| Care | Hand wash, dry, oil |
Why we recommend it
It is the most useful single griddle for a home stove: big enough for breakfast for four or a run of tortillas, two cooking surfaces in one plate, and it works on gas, electric, glass and induction alike.
Skip it if you want a flat griddle with a lip to hold grease; the Double Play has very low edges, so for bacon and burgers the Field or Staub below keep fat in check better.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Two cooking surfaces in one
- Works on every stovetop
- Ready to use out of the box
- Lighter than most two-burner iron
Cons
- Still over 9 lb
- Low edges, no grease channel
- Grill side is fiddly to clean
2. Field Company Long Cast Iron Griddle, 16.5-inch – Machined Smooth, With a Drip Channel
Field Company makes cast iron in the old American style: poured in green sand, then machine-polished smooth, so the surface feels closer to a vintage pan than to the pebbly finish of most new iron. The long griddle has a 16.5 by 9-inch cooking surface, measures 20.5 inches with its handles and, according to Field, weighs 11 pounds.
It is flat only, with no grill side, and that is the point. A 360-degree drip channel, three-sixteenths of an inch deep, runs around the edge to catch fat from bacon, chorizo or burgers before it reaches the burner. America’s Test Kitchen included this griddle in its stovetop griddle review, where it “turned out perfect pancakes and eggs”; the same reviewers found it heavy, wished the cooking surface were a little bigger, and called the handles on the small side.
Field seasons it with organic grapeseed oil, and the listing rates it for all stovetop types, including glass and induction. Field’s care instructions are strict but simple: hand wash only, towel dry or dry it on the burner, never store it wet, and go easy on acidic ingredients.
Why we like it
- Machine-polished, smooth cooking surface
- Drip channel all the way around
- 16.5 x 9-inch surface spans two burners
- Pre-seasoned with grapeseed oil
- Made in the USA
Key specifications
| Model | FGDL |
|---|---|
| Shape/size | Rectangle, 16.5 x 9 in surface; 20.5 in long with handles |
| Burners covered | Two |
| Reversible | No, flat only |
| Weight | 11 lb (Field Company) |
| Pre-seasoned | Yes, organic grapeseed oil |
| Induction | Yes (Amazon listing) |
| Care | Hand wash only; dry at once; never store wet |
Why we recommend it
It suits the cook who makes pancakes, eggs, smash burgers or a griddle full of quesadillas often enough to want a slick, flat surface that holds grease where it belongs, and who is happy to look after bare iron.
Skip it if weight or budget is the concern: it is heavier than the Lodge, has no grill side, and sits at the top of the range for cast iron griddles.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Smooth, machined surface
- Drip channel catches fat
- Praised by ATK for pancakes and eggs
Cons
- Heavy at 11 lb
- Small handles
- Flat side only
3. Victoria Reversible Double Burner Griddle, 18.5 x 10-inch – The Most Room Here
Victoria’s double burner griddle is the largest stovetop plate on this list, at 18.5 by 10 inches, with a smooth side and a ridged grill side like the Lodge. Victoria lists it at 9.8 pounds, so the extra length does not cost much extra weight.
The Colombian maker seasons it with three layers of flaxseed oil and says the coating contains no PTFE or PFOA. Victoria rates it for gas, electric, ceramic and induction cooktops as well as the oven, broiler, grill and open fire, and lists uses from pancakes and eggs to tortillas and fajitas. The handles are wider than most, which Victoria says makes it easier to grip with pot holders, and that matters when you lift a hot ten-pound plate off two burners.
Victoria’s care advice is to preheat slowly over low to medium heat, cook with a little fat to protect the seasoning, wash by hand in warm water without soap, dry it and wipe on a light coat of oil. It is not dishwasher safe. One caution: Victoria’s own product page also mentions a compact 13 by 8.5-inch size in its feature list, so check that the listing you open says 18.5 by 10 inches.
Why we like it
- Largest cooking area of the stovetop griddles here
- Reversible: smooth and ridged sides
- Three-layer flaxseed oil seasoning
- Rated for induction, oven, broiler, grill and open fire
- Wide handles for pot holders
Key specifications
| Model | GDL-194 |
|---|---|
| Shape/size | Rectangle, 18.5 x 10 x 0.8 in |
| Burners covered | Two |
| Reversible | Yes: smooth and ridged |
| Weight | 9.8 lb (Victoria) |
| Pre-seasoned | Yes, flaxseed oil |
| Induction | Yes (Victoria) |
| Care | Hand wash, warm water, no soap; dry and oil |
Why we recommend it
Choose it if you cook for five or six and want the most stovetop griddle space you can get, or if you like the Lodge’s two-sided design but want a little more room for a full batch of tortillas or pancakes.
Skip it if your burners are small or far apart; an 18.5-inch plate will run cool at the ends on a compact range.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Biggest stovetop surface on this list
- Two cooking sides
- Wide, easy-grip handles
Cons
- Needs two well-spaced burners
- Hand wash only
- Maker’s page lists two sizes
4. Staub Enameled Cast Iron Double Burner Plancha, 18.5 x 9.8-inch – No Seasoning, Raised Sides
Staub’s plancha is the griddle for cooks who like cast iron’s heat but not its upkeep. It is enameled cast iron, made in France, with a textured matte black enamel that Staub says gives good browning and needs no seasoning at all.
The design suits messy cooking. Raised sides keep juices from running off the edge, which a flat Lodge plate cannot do, so it handles fajita meat, chorizo and burgers better than an open griddle. The oversized handles are designed to be grabbed with oven mitts on. It is rated for all cooktops including induction and for the oven up to 500°F.
The listing says it is dishwasher safe. Staub’s own site gives the size as 18.25 by 9.5 inches, a little smaller than the listing title’s 18.5 by 9.8, and neither states the weight. Expect it to be heavy, as all two-burner cast iron is.
Why we like it
- Enameled: no seasoning, no rust routine
- Raised sides hold in juices
- Induction compatible; oven safe to 500°F
- Dishwasher safe, according to the listing
- Made in France
Key specifications
| Model | 12033801 |
|---|---|
| Shape/size | Rectangle, 18.5 x 9.8 in (listing); Staub states 18.25 x 9.5 in |
| Burners covered | Two |
| Reversible | No |
| Weight | Not stated |
| Pre-seasoned | Not needed: matte black enamel |
| Induction | Yes (listing) |
| Care | Dishwasher safe (listing); oven to 500°F |
Why we recommend it
It suits the cook who wants a griddle that can be washed like any other pan, never rusts if left damp, and contains the fat from fajitas or bacon.
Skip it if you want a surface that turns slicker the more you use it; enamel releases food well once it is hot and oiled, but it does not build a seasoning the way bare iron does.
Pros and cons
Pros
- No seasoning needed
- Raised sides contain juices
- Large handles for oven mitts
Cons
- Weight not stated
- Size figures differ by source
- Sits at the premium end
5. Lancaster No. 8 Round Cast Iron Griddle, 10.5-inch – Light Enough to Flip One-Handed
A round cast iron griddle is, for practical purposes, a comal with a handle. Lancaster’s No. 8 is the lightest one we found from a maker that publishes its numbers: 3.5 pounds, with a 10.5-inch top diameter and a 10-inch cooking surface. That is one large flour tortilla, two small corn tortillas, a quesadilla or a couple of pancakes at a time.
Lancaster, in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, machines the surface smooth and says its pieces weigh a pound or two less than other modern cast iron, which it says helps the griddle respond to heat more quickly. It has an elevated main handle to keep your hand off the heat and a helper handle on the other side. The maker seasons it with two layers of grapeseed oil and rates it for all cooktops, including glass and induction, plus grills and campfires.
Lancaster’s advice for a new griddle is to wash and dry it before the first use, cook with a little extra oil or butter for the first dozen or so meals, and avoid long cooking with acidic ingredients early on. If you want a lid for steaming a quesadilla through, Lancaster’s No. 8 lid fits it.
Why we like it
- 3.5 lb, light for cast iron
- Machined smooth surface
- Main handle plus helper handle
- Works on glass and induction
- Made in Pennsylvania
Key specifications
| Model | No. 8 Griddle (GRIDDLE-008) |
|---|---|
| Shape/size | Round, 10.5 in diameter, 10 in cooking surface |
| Burners covered | One |
| Reversible | No |
| Weight | About 3.5 lb (Lancaster) |
| Pre-seasoned | Yes, two layers of grapeseed oil |
| Induction | Yes (Lancaster) |
| Care | Wash and dry; extra fat for the first uses |
Why we recommend it
It suits one- or two-person households, small burners and anyone who flips tortillas or eggs often enough that a five-pound pan feels like a workout.
Skip it if you cook for a family; a 10-inch surface is one tortilla at a time, and a two-burner griddle gets dinner done in fewer rounds.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Lightest griddle here
- Smooth, machined surface
- Optional matching lid
Cons
- Small cooking area
- Seasoning still building when new
- Sits at the premium end for its size
6. Lodge 11-inch Square Cast Iron Griddle – Square Corners, One Burner
A square griddle is the simplest way to get more flat cooking area out of a single burner. Lodge’s 11-inch square gives you corners a round pan does not have, which means room for four pancakes, two grilled cheese sandwiches or a folded quesadilla with space beside it to warm the next tortilla. Lodge’s listing names pancakes, eggs and tortillas as the jobs it is for.
Lodge’s product page lists it at 5.58 pounds, 17.25 inches long including the handle. It has a long handle on one side and a small helper handle on the other, low edges for sliding a spatula under food, and the same vegetable-oil seasoning as the rest of Lodge’s cast iron. Lodge says its cast iron can be used on any heat source, including glass-top stoves and induction, as well as in the oven, on the grill and over a campfire.
Because it is the size of a large burner, it heats more evenly on a home stove than a long griddle sitting over two burners of different strengths. Preheat it slowly, as Lodge recommends, for three to five minutes on medium-low, then turn it up.
Why we like it
- Square shape: more surface than a round of the same width
- Fits a single large burner
- Pre-seasoned with vegetable oil
- Oven, grill and campfire safe
- Made in the USA
Key specifications
| Model | L9SGR |
|---|---|
| Shape/size | Square, 11 in; 17.25 in long with handle |
| Burners covered | One |
| Reversible | No |
| Weight | 5.58 lb (Lodge) |
| Pre-seasoned | Yes, vegetable oil |
| Induction | Yes (Lodge cast iron care guidance) |
| Care | Hand wash, dry, oil |
Why we recommend it
Choose it for an everyday breakfast griddle on a small stove, or as a second griddle for warming tortillas while the main pan cooks.
Skip it if you want a batch for a family in one go; two-burner griddles hold about twice as much.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Even heat on one burner
- Square corners add room
- Ready to use
Cons
- Over 5.5 lb for an 11-inch pan
- Pebbly surface, like most Lodge iron
- Not big enough for a crowd
7. Camp Chef Reversible Cast Iron Grill/Griddle, 14 x 16-inch – Made for Camp Stoves
Camp Chef’s griddle is built for a different stove: the maker’s own 14-inch and 16-inch outdoor cooking systems. The 14 by 16-inch plate, 224 square inches according to Camp Chef, covers one of those large burners and has a flat side for eggs, pancakes and tortillas and a ribbed side for sear marks.
That size makes it a good fit for a backyard taco night or a camping breakfast, and Camp Chef describes it as heating evenly and holding heat well. Molded side handles make it easier to lift, and it arrives with Camp Chef’s “True Seasoned” finish, ready to cook.
Two cautions. Camp Chef does not state the weight; retailers list it anywhere from about 13 to 16 pounds, which is a lot of iron. The listing also does not say whether it works on induction, and a 16-inch plate is too big to heat evenly on most indoor burners anyway. Treat it like any seasoned iron: dry it straight after washing and oil it before it goes back in the camp box. The listing gives a 90-day limited warranty, shorter than the others here.
Why we like it
- Fits Camp Chef 14- and 16-inch stoves
- 224 square inches of cooking area
- Reversible: flat and ribbed sides
- Pre-seasoned, ready to cook
Key specifications
| Model | CGG16B |
|---|---|
| Shape/size | Rectangle, 14 x 16 in (224 sq in) |
| Burners covered | One Camp Chef 14 or 16-inch burner |
| Reversible | Yes: flat and ribbed |
| Weight | Not stated (retailers list about 13–16 lb) |
| Pre-seasoned | Yes, “True Seasoned” finish |
| Induction | Not stated |
| Care | Not stated; dry and oil as for any seasoned iron |
Why we recommend it
It is the right griddle if you already cook on a Camp Chef stove or a similar high-output outdoor burner and want a cast iron plate made to fit it.
Skip it for an indoor kitchen stove; it is heavier than the home griddles here and larger than a household burner can heat evenly.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Sized for Camp Chef stoves
- Large cooking area
- Two cooking surfaces
Cons
- Weight not stated by the maker
- Induction not stated
- Short 90-day warranty
8. Cuisinart Reversible Cast Iron Grill/Griddle Plate, 15.75 x 9-inch – Stove or Gas Grill
Cuisinart sells this plate for both the kitchen and the backyard: the listing names electric ranges, campfires and gas grills, where it turns the grates into a flat-top. The cooking surface is 15.75 by 9 inches, flat on one side and ribbed on the other, and the overall plate is 19 by 9.5 inches with its handles.
On a gas grill, a cast iron plate like this is how many home cooks make fajitas outdoors without losing strips of pepper through the grates, or warm a stack of tortillas next to the meat. Indoors it does the same work as the Lodge Double Play. Cuisinart lists the weight at 12.5 pounds, so it is one of the heavier plates here despite a smaller surface than the Victoria.
It arrives pre-seasoned. The listing does not give care instructions or say whether it works on induction, so if you cook on induction, choose the Lodge or Victoria instead. Otherwise, wash it by hand, dry it and oil it as you would any seasoned iron.
Why we like it
- Made for stove, campfire and gas grill
- Reversible: flat and ribbed sides
- 15.75 x 9-inch cooking surface
- Pre-seasoned
Key specifications
| Model | CCP-2000 |
|---|---|
| Shape/size | Rectangle, 15.75 x 9 in surface; 19 x 9.5 in overall |
| Burners covered | Not stated (spans two on most ranges) |
| Reversible | Yes: flat and ribbed |
| Weight | 12.5 lb (Cuisinart) |
| Pre-seasoned | Yes |
| Induction | Not stated |
| Care | Not stated; hand wash, dry and oil |
Why we recommend it
It suits the cook who wants one cast iron plate that lives mostly on the gas grill for fajitas and burgers, and comes indoors to an electric or gas range when it rains.
Skip it if you cook on induction or want the lightest two-burner plate; the Lodge is lighter and confirmed for induction.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Flat-top on a gas grill
- Two cooking sides
- Ready to use
Cons
- Heavy for its size
- Induction not stated
- No care guidance in the listing
9. Le Creuset Alpine Outdoor Enameled Cast Iron Griddle, 15.75-inch – Enamel for the Grill
Le Creuset’s Alpine Outdoor griddle is enameled cast iron designed for the grill and the fire rather than the kitchen range. The listing describes a matte black enamel that needs no seasoning, resists staining, chipping, cracking and rust, and develops a patina with use. It is safe on regulated and unregulated heat sources up to 842°F, and its low profile lets a grill hood close over it.
That makes it a fit for a backyard plancha: fajita vegetables, shrimp, sliced steak or a row of tortillas on the gas grill, then into the dishwasher afterward, which the listing allows, along with metal utensils. Oversized handles help when you lift it off a hot grate, and it nests with the rest of Le Creuset’s Alpine Outdoor pieces.
Be clear about the limits. The listing says it is not induction compatible, it does not state the weight, and it is a premium-priced griddle. Le Creuset lists the overall size as 19.2 by 10.5 inches. Le Creuset says its cookware complies with all federal safety regulations established by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration; we found no explicit lead-free statement from the maker.
Why we like it
- Enameled: no seasoning or rust routine
- Safe up to 842°F on grills and open heat
- Low profile lets a grill hood close
- Dishwasher and metal-utensil safe, per the listing
Key specifications
| Model | Alpine Outdoor Rectangular Griddle (20276040000001) |
|---|---|
| Shape/size | Rectangle, 15.75 in; 19.2 x 10.5 in overall |
| Burners covered | Not stated (made for grills) |
| Reversible | Not stated |
| Weight | Not stated |
| Pre-seasoned | Not needed: matte black enamel |
| Induction | No (listing) |
| Care | Dishwasher safe; metal utensils OK (listing) |
Why we recommend it
Choose it if your griddle will live on the grill and you want enamel’s easy cleanup and no rust risk outdoors.
Skip it if you cook on induction, or want one griddle for the kitchen stove as well; the Staub plancha covers indoor cooking and induction.
Pros and cons
Pros
- No seasoning needed
- High heat limit for grills
- Goes in the dishwasher
Cons
- Not for induction
- Weight not stated
- Premium price
How to choose a cast iron griddle for your stove
Five things decide which griddle suits you. The brand matters less than the shape and how it meets your burners.
1. Shape: two-burner, square or round
A long, two-burner griddle gives you the most surface, roughly double a round 10-inch pan, and is the one to buy if you cook breakfast or tortillas for four or more. A square griddle gets the most out of one burner. A round griddle is, in practice, a comal: perfect for one tortilla or quesadilla at a time and the easiest to flip from. If round is what you want, our comal vs cast iron skillet guide explains why a flat pan beats a skillet for tortillas.
2. Your burners
Lodge’s advice is to match cookware to burner size, because a large pan on a small burner develops hot spots, and to put a two-burner griddle over two burners that sit close together, set to the same heat, with time to preheat. Even then, expect the gap between burners to run a little cooler. On a glass or induction top, lift the griddle on and off rather than sliding it, as Lodge recommends. America’s Test Kitchen notes that two-burner cast iron and carbon steel griddles work best on cooktops with a bridge element that connects two burners.
3. Reversible or flat only
A reversible plate adds a ridged grill side for burgers and vegetables. The trade-off is that fat pools in the ridges and the grill side is harder to clean. If you mostly cook pancakes, eggs, tortillas and smash burgers, a flat-only griddle with a lip or channel, such as the Field or Staub, keeps grease in check.
4. Bare or enameled iron
Bare cast iron arrives seasoned, gets slicker with use and can go on a campfire, but it rusts if left wet and needs a wipe of oil after washing. Enameled iron, like the Staub and Le Creuset here, needs no seasoning and can go in the dishwasher, according to their listings, but it is heavier on the budget and does not build up the same slick layer.
5. Weight
Every two-burner cast iron griddle here with a published weight comes in at more than nine pounds. That is fine when it lives on the stove, harder when you lift it full of hot fat to the sink. If weight is the problem, a single-burner round or square is easier, or look at stainless and clad options in our guide to the best stainless steel griddle pan.
How we chose these nine griddles
We started from what a restaurant kitchen wants from a flat-top: even, steady heat across a big flat surface, a material that lasts, and a shape that fits the stove it will sit on. We then looked for cast iron griddles sold on Amazon in the United States from makers that publish their own specifications, and checked each was in stock through Amazon’s product data when we wrote this. Sizes, weights, seasoning and stovetop ratings come from the makers’ websites where we could read them, and otherwise from the brand’s own Amazon listing; each review says which. We used America’s Test Kitchen’s stovetop griddle review, by Chase Brightwell and Miye Bromberg, for how the Field Company and Lodge griddles performed for its reviewers. We did not read Wirecutter’s or Serious Eats’ coverage for this guide, so we do not quote them. We have not cooked on every griddle listed here. We left out near-identical unbranded plates, griddles that were low on stock, and any we had already recommended on our comal pages, so this list adds choices rather than repeating them.
Cast iron griddle questions, answered
Which cast iron griddle do equipment reviewers recommend?
America’s Test Kitchen’s stovetop griddle review gave its top spot to a clad stainless nonstick griddle, but among cast iron it praised the Lodge Pro-Grid for evenly browned pancakes and deep crusts on burgers, and the Field Company long griddle for “perfect pancakes and eggs”. Both are heavy, the reviewers noted. We have not cited Wirecutter here because we did not read its griddle coverage.
What makes a quality cast iron griddle?
A flat, even casting with no warping, a cooking surface sized to your burners, handles you can hold with pot holders, and a clear maker’s statement of what stoves it works on. A smooth, machined surface, like the Field Company or Lancaster, releases food more easily from the start; a pebbly surface, like Lodge’s, smooths out with seasoning and use.
Is a cast iron griddle the same as a comal?
Often, yes. A round cast iron griddle and a cast iron comal are the same flat pan under two names, and Lodge’s round griddle is the top pick on our comal for tortillas page. Traditional comales can also be clay or thin carbon steel. Long, rectangular griddles are where the two words part ways.
Can you use a cast iron griddle on a glass-top or induction stove?
Yes, if the maker rates it for that. Lodge, Field Company, Victoria, Lancaster and Staub all do for the models here; Le Creuset’s Alpine griddle is not for induction, and Camp Chef and Cuisinart do not say. Lift rather than slide, and heat it up gradually.
How do you clean a cast iron griddle?
Bare iron: scrape it while warm, wash by hand with hot water, dry it completely, on the burner if you like, and wipe on a thin film of oil. Never leave it to soak or drip-dry. Enameled iron: wash it like any pan, by hand or, if the maker allows, in the dishwasher.
What can you cook on a cast iron griddle?
Pancakes, eggs, bacon and smash burgers, but also tortillas, quesadillas and the onions and peppers for fajitas, which brown better spread out on a flat plate than piled into a pan. For serving fajitas sizzling at the table, a dedicated fajita skillet is the better tool, and our guide to how to eat fajitas covers the rest.
Our final word on cast iron griddles
Buy the Lodge Double Play if you want one griddle that spans two burners, works on every stove and gives you a grill side as well. Choose the Field Company long griddle for the smoothest flat surface and a drip channel, the Staub plancha if you never want to season anything, and the Lancaster No. 8 if you cook on one burner and want a light, round pan for tortillas. Whichever you choose, preheat it slowly and fully before the first pancake or tortilla goes on.
Cooking at camp? See our guide to the best camping griddle pans.
Fitting a griddle across two gas burners? See our guide to the best griddles for gas stoves.
Choosing between flat and ridged? See griddle vs grill pan.
A griddle sits alongside the other pans in a working kitchen: see the best cast iron skillet for searing and frying with sides, and the best frying pan for everyday sautéing. And if you would rather someone else worked the griddle tonight, see the menu or call to order.