An electric stove changes what a comal has to do. Over a gas flame, almost any flat pan will make a tortilla, because the flame wraps around the bottom and the pan only has to sit on the grate. On an electric stove the pan sits directly on the heat source, so the shape of its bottom, its size and, on induction, the metal it is made of decide whether it heats evenly, heats at all, or scratches the glass.
This guide is about that match. If you want the broader question of which comal makes the best tortillas, our guide to the best comal for tortillas compares cast iron, carbon steel, clay and nonstick in depth. Here we look at coil burners, smooth glass-ceramic tops and induction one at a time, explain what the cooktop makers themselves advise, and recommend only comals and griddles whose makers rate them for electric, glass or induction cooking.
Julia’s earns a commission on purchases made through links on this page, at no cost to you. Recommendations are based on what a working Mexican kitchen looks for in a comal, the makers’ own specifications and the cooktop makers’ published guidance, which we cite.
Quick verdict: which comal suits an electric stove
For most electric stoves, including glass tops and induction, the best comal is the Lodge 10.5-inch round cast iron griddle: Lodge rates it for any stovetop including induction, says its bottoms are cast smooth so they will not scratch glass, and the size matches a typical large element. If lifting cast iron on and off glass worries you, choose the lighter OXO Obsidian 10-inch carbon steel pan. For a small element, the Lodge 8-inch griddle fits it properly, and to cook a whole batch across two elements, the Lodge Double Play reversible griddle.
The rest of this page explains why, starting with the stove you have.
Five comals for electric stoves at a glance
Our five standout picks, one for each kind of electric cooktop and cook, with the details each maker states. All seven are reviewed in full below.
| Comal | Best for | Material & size | Stovetops (per maker) | Buy on Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Lodge 10.5-inch Round Cast Iron GriddleBest overall
|
Any electric cooktop | Cast iron, 10.5-inch, 4.65 lb | Any, including glass and induction | View on Amazon |
OXO Obsidian 10-inch Carbon Steel Crepe and Pancake PanLightest for glass tops
|
Glass tops, easy lifting | Pre-seasoned carbon steel, 10-inch | All, including induction | View on Amazon |
Lodge 8-inch Round Cast Iron GriddleBest for small elements
|
Small coils and zones | Cast iron, 8-inch | Induction, glass, gas | View on Amazon |
HexClad 12-inch Hybrid Griddle PanEasiest care
|
No seasoning, dishwasher | Tri-ply stainless hybrid, 12-inch | Any, including induction | View on Amazon |
Lodge Double Play Reversible Grill/Griddle, 16.75 x 9.5-inchBest two-burner
|
Batches across two elements | Cast iron, 16.75 x 9.5-inch, 9.35 lb | Gas, electric, induction | View on Amazon |
Product images from Amazon. Stovetop compatibility is as stated by each maker; check your cooktop’s manual as well as the listing before you buy.
Coil, glass or induction: what each electric stove asks of a comal
“Electric stove” covers three quite different cooktops. Work out which one you have before you choose a comal, because the rules are not the same.
Coil burners
Open spiral elements are the most forgiving electric cooktop for a comal. The pan rests directly on the coil, so heat moves into the metal where they touch, and a heavy, flat pan spreads it outward. Cast iron, carbon steel and clad stainless all work, and there is no glass to scratch. The thing to watch is size. Whirlpool’s coil cooktop manuals advise choosing a pan about the same size as the surface unit, and Lodge warns that larger cookware on smaller burners creates hot spots. A 12-inch comal on a 6-inch coil will cook a ring in the middle and leave the edge cool.
Smooth glass-ceramic tops (radiant)
Glass tops heat a coil or ribbon under the glass, and the glass passes that heat into whatever sits flat on it. That makes the pan’s bottom the most important feature. GE’s owner’s manual for its radiant glass cooktops tells owners to check pans for flat bottoms with a straight edge, says pans with rounded, curved, ridged or warped bottoms are not recommended, and adds that all cookware must have flat bottoms and be the correct size. A comal that rocks on the counter will heat poorly on glass.
The same manual lists bare cast iron as not recommended unless it is designed specifically for glass cooktops, because it can scratch the surface, and warns that the glass is scratch-resistant, not scratch-proof. That is why the cast iron on this list comes from makers that rate it for glass tops: Lodge says its cookware bottoms are designed to be very smooth so they will not scratch the stovetop, and recommends picking pans up and setting them down rather than sliding them. GE also recommends heavy-weight aluminum but says thin-weight aluminum should not be used, which rules out many thin, inexpensive aluminum comales.
Induction
Induction heats the pan itself through a magnetic field, so the comal has to be made of, or have a base of, magnetic metal. Whirlpool’s test is simple: hold a magnet to the bottom of the pan, and if it sticks firmly, the pan will work. Cast iron and carbon steel pass; plain aluminum, the material of many traditional thin comales, does not unless it has a magnetic base. Whirlpool also notes that the pan’s base should match the size of the cooking zone, and that a pan that is too small may not be detected at all. Lodge adds that induction needs a level bottom for direct contact, and recommends lower temperatures than on other cooktops, since induction heats so efficiently.
Seven picks for the best comal for electric stove cooking
Every comal and griddle below is rated by its maker for electric, glass-top or induction cooking, or all three. They cover the sizes electric elements come in, a lighter option for glass tops, and two griddles that span a pair of elements.
1. Lodge 10.5-inch Round Cast Iron Griddle – Smooth Bottom for Any Electric Top
This is the comal we would put on almost any electric stove. Lodge rates it for any stovetop, including induction, and the company’s guidance on glass-top ranges is specific: its cast iron is safe on glass-top electric and induction ranges, the bottoms are designed to be very smooth so they will not scratch, and pans should be lifted, not slid, between elements. That answers GE’s caution about cast iron that is not designed for glass.
The size suits an electric stove too. Lodge lists the griddle at 10.5 inches across, close to the large element on many ranges, so the whole surface sits over the heat. At 4.65 pounds it is substantial without being as heavy as a large skillet, and the single long handle makes it easy to lift straight up off the glass.
Cast iron does need a gradual start on electric heat. Lodge recommends preheating for three to five minutes on medium-low and making gradual adjustments, which avoids the thermal shock that can damage cookware and gives the iron time to even out. On induction, Lodge advises lower settings than you would use elsewhere. After that, it holds a steady heat for a run of tortillas. For tortillas specifically, this is also the top pick in our comal for tortillas guide.
Why we like it
- Lodge rates it for any stovetop, including induction
- Bottom cast smooth so it will not scratch glass, according to Lodge
- 10.5-inch size matches a typical large element
- Pre-seasoned with vegetable oil; PFAS-free
- Made in the USA
Key specifications
| Model | L9OG3 |
|---|---|
| Material | Cast iron |
| Size | 10.5-inch round, one long handle |
| Weight | 4.65 lb (Lodge) |
| Finish | Pre-seasoned with vegetable oil |
| Stovetops | Any, including glass top and induction |
| Oven and grill | Oven, grill, campfire (maximum not stated) |
| Care | Hand wash, dry, oil |
Why we recommend it
Choose it if you have one large element you cook on most, whatever kind of electric stove it is. It is the safest all-round choice, from a maker that publishes clear guidance for glass and induction.
Skip it if your largest element is much smaller than ten inches, or lifting nearly five pounds of iron off glass is a struggle; the 8-inch Lodge or the OXO carbon steel pan suit you better.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Rated for every cooktop
- Smooth bottom for glass
- Ready to use
- Made in the USA
Cons
- Needs a slow preheat
- Heavy to lift one-handed
- One large tortilla at a time
2. OXO Obsidian 10-inch Carbon Steel Crepe and Pancake Pan – Lighter on Glass
Carbon steel behaves much like cast iron on the stove but weighs less, which matters on glass, where every pan is lifted on and off rather than slid. OXO’s Obsidian crepe and pancake pan is a flat, 10-inch carbon steel disc with very low sides, effectively a comal with a handle, and OXO describes it as lightweight and quick to heat.
It arrives pre-seasoned, so you can cook on it straight away, and OXO says it develops a nonstick patina over time. The maker rates it for all stovetops, including induction. It is oven safe up to 660°F and tough enough for metal utensils, according to the listing, and a removable silicone sleeve covers the handle for a cooler grip at the stove.
Because carbon steel is thinner than cast iron, it responds faster when you change the setting, useful on a coil or radiant element that is slow to cool. Keep it on an element close to its size and bring it up to heat gradually, as you would cast iron. Hand wash it only, as OXO advises, to protect the patina.
Why we like it
- Lightweight carbon steel, easier to lift on glass
- Pre-seasoned and ready to use
- Rated for all stovetops, including induction
- Oven safe to 660°F
- Removable silicone handle sleeve
Key specifications
| Model | CC005102-001 |
|---|---|
| Material | Carbon steel |
| Size | 10-inch crepe and pancake pan |
| Weight | Not stated (described as lightweight) |
| Finish | Pre-seasoned; patina builds with use |
| Stovetops | All, including induction |
| Oven and grill | Oven to 660°F; grill |
| Care | Hand wash only |
Why we recommend it
Choose it if you cook on a glass or induction top and want a comal that is easy to lift, quick to respond, and ready the day it arrives.
Skip it if you want the steadiest possible heat for a long run of tortillas; thinner carbon steel holds less heat than cast iron.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Light and quick to heat
- Works on induction
- Pre-seasoned
- Metal-utensil safe
Cons
- Holds less heat than cast iron
- Hand wash only
- Weight not stated
3. Lodge 8-inch Round Cast Iron Griddle – Sized for a Small Element
Most electric ranges have elements in more than one size, and a small one is often the only free spot while something else cooks. Putting a big comal on a small coil gives you a hot center and cool edges. Lodge’s 8-inch griddle is sized for those elements, with room for one corn tortilla or a small flour one.
Lodge lists it as working on induction, glass and gas, as well as the oven, grill and open flame, and it is the same pre-seasoned cast iron as the larger Lodge, seasoned with natural vegetable oil and made in the USA without PFOA or PTFE. The listing gives its overall dimensions as 13.25 by 8 inches including the handle.
On induction, size matters in a second way: Whirlpool notes that a pan whose base is too small for the zone may not be detected. Put this griddle on the smallest zone, not a large one. Preheat it gently, as Lodge advises, and it doubles as a tortilla warmer or a chile-toasting pan next to a bigger comal.
Why we like it
- 8-inch size matches small electric elements
- Rated for induction and glass tops
- Pre-seasoned with vegetable oil
- Made in the USA
Key specifications
| Model | L6OG3 |
|---|---|
| Material | Cast iron |
| Size | 8-inch round; 13.25 x 8 inches with handle |
| Weight | Not stated |
| Finish | Pre-seasoned with vegetable oil |
| Stovetops | Induction, glass, gas |
| Oven and grill | Oven, grill, open flame (maximum not stated) |
| Care | Hand wash, dry, oil (Lodge cast iron care) |
Why we recommend it
Choose it if your free element is a small one, you mostly warm corn tortillas, or you want a second comal that will not hog the stove.
Skip it if you make flour tortillas for burritos; at eight inches, most will hang over the edge.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Right size for small elements
- Rated for induction and glass
- Compact to store
Cons
- One small tortilla at a time
- Weight not stated
- Slow preheat, like all cast iron
4. Uno Casa 11.5-inch Cast Iron Comal – For a Large Element
Some glass and induction cooktops have an extra-large or adjustable-size element, and on those a 10.5-inch comal leaves some heat unused. Uno Casa’s 11.5-inch comal is a little larger than average, with low side walls so a spatula slides straight under a tortilla, and room for two small corn tortillas side by side.
Uno Casa rates it for gas, electric, ceramic and induction stovetops, plus the oven, grill and campfire, up to 450°F. It is uncoated, pre-seasoned cast iron, and the maker is candid that it rewards a full preheat and a thin film of oil, releasing better as the seasoning builds. The handle comes with a removable silicone sleeve that keeps your grip cool at the stove and slips off for the oven.
Match it to your largest element: on a smaller one, the outer inch will run cooler than the middle. Care is the usual cast iron routine: rinse warm, dry fully and wipe on a light coat of oil, as Uno Casa advises. Uno Casa also sells a 10.5-inch version for smaller burners.
Why we like it
- 11.5-inch surface for large or dual-ring elements
- Rated for gas, electric, ceramic and induction
- Low side walls for easy flipping
- Removable silicone handle sleeve
Key specifications
| Model | SBLUC000044 |
|---|---|
| Material | Cast iron, uncoated |
| Size | 11.5-inch, low side walls |
| Weight | Not stated |
| Finish | Pre-seasoned |
| Stovetops | Gas, electric, ceramic, induction |
| Oven and grill | Oven, grill, campfire, up to 450°F |
| Care | Rinse warm, dry fully, light coat of oil |
Why we recommend it
Choose it if your cooktop has a large or expandable element and you want to cook two small tortillas at once on a single burner.
Skip it if your largest element is under ten inches; the edges will cook noticeably slower than the center.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Larger than average surface
- Rated for every electric type
- Cool-grip sleeve included
Cons
- Needs a large element
- Oven limit of 450°F
- Weight not stated
5. HexClad 12-inch Hybrid Griddle Pan – No Seasoning, Induction Ready
Not everyone wants to season and oil a comal. HexClad’s 12-inch griddle pan is a flat, round pan with a rim about an inch high, in tri-ply construction with an aluminum core, which HexClad says gives quicker, even heating. The cooking surface combines raised stainless steel with HexClad’s TerraBond ceramic nonstick coating, and HexClad names toasting tortillas among its uses.
The clad construction is what makes it suit every electric cooktop. HexClad says it is safe on any home cooktop, including induction, and lists the flat bottom at 11 inches across and the weight at 5 pounds, so it fits a large element well.
It is the easiest pan here to live with: dishwasher-friendly, metal-utensil safe and oven safe up to 900°F, according to HexClad. Pans sold by HexClad carry a lifetime warranty against manufacturer’s defects. The trade-off is the surface: a nonstick hybrid will not build up the dark, seasoned char that bare iron gives a tortilla.
Why we like it
- Tri-ply stainless with an aluminum core
- Rated for any cooktop, including induction
- 11-inch flat bottom for a large element
- Dishwasher-friendly; no seasoning
- Lifetime warranty when sold by HexClad
Key specifications
| Model | HEX12GRIDDLE |
|---|---|
| Material | Tri-ply stainless steel, aluminum core |
| Size | 12-inch diameter, 11-inch flat bottom |
| Weight | 5 lb (HexClad) |
| Finish | Stainless and TerraBond ceramic hybrid nonstick |
| Stovetops | Any, including induction |
| Oven and grill | Oven to 900°F |
| Care | Dishwasher-friendly; metal-utensil safe |
Why we recommend it
Choose it if you want a comal that goes in the dishwasher, never needs oiling, and works on whatever electric cooktop you have now or later.
Skip it if you want the toasted, blistered finish of bare cast iron or carbon steel, or would rather avoid nonstick coatings.
Pros and cons
Pros
- No seasoning
- Dishwasher-friendly
- Works on induction
- Lifetime warranty
Cons
- Will not char like bare iron
- Rim is taller than a classic comal
- Coating, not seasoning
6. Lodge Double Play Reversible Grill/Griddle, 16.75 x 9.5-inch – A Batch Across Two Elements
For taco night, one comal is rarely enough. Lodge’s Double Play is a rectangular cast iron griddle that covers two burners, with a flat griddle on one side and a ridged grill on the other. Lodge lists it at 16.75 by 9.5 inches and 9.35 pounds, and rates it for any cooktop, including gas, electric and induction.
Lodge’s advice for using a griddle across two electric burners is the key to making it work: choose two burners that are near each other and closest to the size of the griddle, set both to the same temperature, and give it time to preheat. Many electric and induction cooktops also have a bridge element that heats the gap between two burners for more even cooking, and that is the ideal place for this griddle.
At over nine pounds, it is the heaviest pan on this list. On glass, lower it straight down onto the elements and lift it straight up, never slide it. On induction, check that both zones detect it; Whirlpool notes that a zone that does not sense a pan will not switch on.
Why we like it
- Covers two elements for a whole batch
- Rated for gas, electric and induction
- Reversible: flat griddle and ridged grill
- Pre-seasoned; made in the USA
Key specifications
| Model | LDP3 |
|---|---|
| Material | Cast iron |
| Size | 16.75 x 9.5 inches, reversible |
| Weight | 9.35 lb (Lodge) |
| Finish | Pre-seasoned |
| Stovetops | Any, including gas, electric and induction |
| Oven and grill | Oven, grill, campfire (maximum not stated) |
| Care | Hand wash, dry, oil (Lodge cast iron care) |
Why we recommend it
Choose it if you cook for a family or a crowd, have two elements side by side or a bridge element, and want three or four tortillas on the heat at once.
Skip it if your elements are far apart or very different in size, or lifting more than nine pounds over glass is a concern.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Large batch surface
- Rated for induction
- Grill side for fajitas
Cons
- Heavy at 9.35 lb
- Needs matched or bridge elements
- Long to store
7. Cuisinart MultiClad Pro 10 x 18-inch Double Burner Griddle – Two Elements Without Cast Iron Weight
If the Lodge griddle is more iron than you want to lift over glass, this is the clad alternative. Cuisinart’s MultiClad Pro griddle is a 10 by 18-inch rectangle in triple-ply construction, with a core of pure aluminum between layers of stainless steel, and a ceramic nonstick cooking surface that Cuisinart calls PurelyCeramic and describes as PFAS-free.
Cuisinart rates it for all stovetops, including induction, and says its Heat Surround Technology spreads heat evenly along the bottom and sidewalls. The handles are solid stainless steel, riveted, and designed to stay cool on the stovetop. Like the Lodge, it is meant to sit across two elements, so the same rules apply: two matched elements or a bridge element, both set to the same heat.
Two cautions. The listing mentions a tight-fitting cover and a drip-free pouring rim, which read like text carried over from other Cuisinart pans, and it does not state the weight or oven limit, so check those details on the listing before you buy. And as with any nonstick surface, it will cook tortillas evenly but will not give them the char of bare iron.
Why we like it
- Triple-ply stainless with an aluminum core
- Rated for all stovetops, including induction
- PFAS-free ceramic nonstick, according to Cuisinart
- Riveted stay-cool stainless handles
- Lifetime warranty
Key specifications
| Model | MCP45C-25NS |
|---|---|
| Material | Triple-ply stainless steel, aluminum core |
| Size | 10 x 18 inches |
| Weight | Not stated |
| Finish | PurelyCeramic nonstick, PFAS-free |
| Stovetops | All, including induction |
| Oven and grill | Not stated |
| Care | Hand wash recommended |
Why we recommend it
Choose it if you want a two-burner griddle for a glass or induction top that needs no seasoning and is clad stainless rather than heavy cast iron.
Skip it if you want full specifications before you buy; the listing leaves out the weight and the oven limit.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Clad construction for even heat
- Works on induction
- No seasoning
Cons
- Weight and oven limit not stated
- Listing text partly generic
- Will not char like bare iron
How to choose a comal for an electric stove
Five checks, in order of importance. Do them with your cooktop’s manual to hand, because the stove maker’s advice outranks any pan maker’s.
1. A flat, smooth bottom
On coil, glass and induction alike, the comal heats through contact. Lay a straight edge across the bottom of any pan you are considering, as GE suggests; if light shows under it, or the pan rocks on a counter, it will heat unevenly on an electric element. Lodge makes the same point for induction: a level bottom is needed for direct contact.
2. Size matched to the element
Measure your elements, not just the cooktop. Whirlpool’s coil manuals advise a pan about the same size as the surface unit, Whirlpool’s induction guidance says the base should match the cooking zone, and Lodge says larger cookware on smaller burners creates hot spots. For most ranges that means an 8-inch comal for small elements and 10 to 12 inches for large ones. For anything bigger, use a two-burner griddle over a pair of elements or a bridge element.
3. The right metal for induction
Cast iron, carbon steel and clad stainless with a magnetic exterior work on induction; plain aluminum and copper do not unless they have a magnetic base. If a comal’s listing does not say induction, do the magnet test or choose another.
4. Weight, if you have a glass top
GE does not give a weight limit for its glass cooktops, but it does say the glass is scratch-resistant, not scratch-proof, and that cookware should never be slid across it. A heavy pan is harder to lift cleanly. Cast iron is the steadiest heat; if you find nearly five pounds awkward to lift, carbon steel or clad stainless is the easier choice.
5. Warping and heat-up habits
Lodge warns that uneven heat can warp and even crack cookware, and that preheating gradually prevents thermal shock. On an electric element that means starting at medium-low for a few minutes before turning it up, keeping the comal centered on an element close to its size, and never putting a hot comal under cold water. A warped pan is a poor match for any electric cooktop; GE lists warped bottoms as not recommended.
How we picked these seven comals
We began with what a Mexican kitchen needs from a comal, steady and even heat across a flat surface, and then added the electric cooktop makers’ own rules: a flat bottom, a size matched to the element, a magnetic metal for induction, and cast iron only if it is designed for glass tops. We then looked at comals, crepe pans and griddles sold on Amazon in the United States whose makers explicitly rate them for electric, glass-ceramic or induction cooking, checked stock with Amazon’s product data on the day of writing, and left out anything out of stock, down to its last few units, or from a seller that publishes no maker details. Specifications come from each maker’s website where we could read it (Lodge, HexClad) and otherwise from the brand’s Amazon listing. Cooktop guidance comes from Lodge’s guide to cooking over any heat source, GE’s owner’s manual for its radiant glass cooktops, and Whirlpool’s induction cookware guidance. We have not cooked on every pan listed here; where we describe how a material behaves, we say whose findings those are.
Electric stove comal questions, answered
Can you use a comal on an electric stove?
Yes. On a coil stove almost any flat metal comal works if it is close to the size of the element. On a glass top or induction cooktop, choose one the maker rates for that cooktop, with a flat, smooth bottom.
Will a cast iron comal scratch a glass-top stove?
It can, which is why GE does not recommend cast iron unless it is designed for glass cooktops. Lodge says its cast iron bottoms are made very smooth so they will not scratch, and advises lifting rather than sliding. Keep the bottom clean, and set the pan down gently.
Do clay comales work on electric stoves?
We do not recommend them. Clay is not magnetic, so it will not heat on induction, and GE lists stoneware as not recommended on its glass tops because of poor performance and scratching. Clay is best kept to gas.
What size comal fits an electric burner?
One close to the element’s diameter: about 8 inches for a small element and 10 to 12 inches for a large one. A comal much wider than the element will cook unevenly, with cooler edges.
Why won’t my comal heat on induction?
It is probably aluminum, or too small for the zone. Check with a magnet; if it does not stick firmly, the pan will not work. If it does stick, try a smaller zone that matches its base.
The comal we would put on an electric stove
Buy the Lodge 10.5-inch griddle if you want one comal that suits any electric cooktop. Choose the OXO carbon steel pan if you would rather lift less weight on a glass top, the Lodge 8-inch for a small element, and the Lodge Double Play to cook a batch across two. Whatever you choose, match it to the element, preheat it gently, and lift it rather than slide it.
For the full comparison of comal materials for tortillas, see the best comal for tortillas, and for the press, warmer and masa that go with it, our guide to tortilla making tools. Wondering whether you need a comal at all? Read comal vs cast iron skillet. A comal is also the best way to bring day-old tortillas back to life, as our guide to reheating Mexican leftovers explains.
And if you would rather someone else heated the tortillas tonight, see the menu or call to order.