Cookware

Bare Steel or Hybrid? The Best Stainless Steel Griddle Pan

Nine stainless griddles, from Hestan's clad double-burner to round comal-style pans and hybrids, and an honest look at why bare steel sticks.

Two tortillas warming on a black flat-top griddle surrounded by metal trays of grilled meats, sausages and fillings
Tortillas warm on a flat-top while the fillings wait in trays alongside.

A griddle is the flat, open surface a kitchen reaches for when a skillet is too small: a row of tortillas warming at once, three quesadillas side by side, pancakes for a family, or onions and peppers for fajitas spread thin enough to char. Most stovetop griddles are cast iron, carbon steel or nonstick aluminum. Stainless steel griddles are less common, and they behave differently.

Here is the honest part first. Bare stainless steel sticks more than seasoned cast iron or a nonstick coating, especially with eggs and pancakes, unless you preheat it properly and use fat. What it offers instead is no seasoning to maintain, no coating to wear out, and a surface that handles acidic food and the dishwasher. This guide covers both bare tri-ply and 5-ply griddles and stainless griddles with a ceramic or hybrid cooking surface, so you can choose which trade-off suits your cooking. Every spec comes from the maker, the Amazon listing or America’s Test Kitchen.

Julia’s earns a commission on purchases made through links on this page, at no cost to you. Recommendations are based on what a restaurant kitchen looks for, product specifications and verified buyer reports.

Quick verdict: which stainless griddle to buy

For a true bare-steel griddle, the best stainless steel griddle pan is the Hestan Provisions double burner griddle: tri-ply clad, a 21 x 13-inch cooking surface, a drip channel, and oven safe to 600°F. For a round, single-burner pan that works like a comal, the COOKER KING 11-inch tri-ply. If sticking worries you, the Cuisinart MultiClad Pro double burner griddle pairs a stainless body with a ceramic nonstick interior and is America’s Test Kitchen’s top stovetop griddle. The HexClad double burner is the hybrid choice, and the Tramontina Utsava 11-inch tawa is the coated round pan for tortillas.

The table compares the five picks we would steer most cooks toward. All nine griddles are reviewed in full after it.

Five stainless griddles side by side

One pick for each kind of cook, with the size, surface and burner coverage the maker or listing gives.

Griddle Best for Size Surface Buy on Amazon
Big batches, bare steel 21 x 13-inch surface, 6.17 lb Brushed stainless, tri-ply View on Amazon
Tortillas on one burner 11-inch round, 1-inch rim Uncoated stainless View on Amazon
Eggs and pancakes 10 x 18 inches Ceramic nonstick, stainless body View on Amazon
Fajitas, metal tools 18 x 11-inch surface Etched steel plus ceramic View on Amazon
Tortillas, crepes, roti 11-inch flat round Ceramic nonstick, clad body View on Amazon

Product images from Amazon. Sizes, surfaces and limits are as stated by each maker, Amazon listing or America’s Test Kitchen; check the listing before you buy.

Our picks for the best stainless steel griddle pan

These nine run from bare tri-ply and 5-ply steel to stainless-bodied griddles with ceramic or hybrid cooking surfaces, in double-burner, rectangular and round shapes. Each lists the same eight specifications.

1. Hestan Provisions Double Burner Griddle – Big Clad Surface, Drip Channel

Best overallHestan Provisions Double Burner Griddle

Hestan’s double burner griddle is the bare-steel option built the way good skillets are: tri-ply clad, with a thick aluminum core between layers of stainless steel to spread heat across the surface. The listing gives a 21 x 13 x 1.5-inch cooking surface, 23.75 x 14.65 inches overall with the handles, and a weight of about 6.17 pounds. Hestan’s parent company, Meyer, describes it as 18/10 triple-bonded clad stainless steel with flush rivets for easier cleaning.

It is designed to span two burners. The listing advises centering it evenly over both and preheating gradually so heat has time to travel across the whole pan, which is also the key to keeping food from sticking on bare steel. A drip channel drains excess fat and oil, useful when you are cooking bacon for breakfast tacos or a batch of chorizo. Wide stainless handles give room to grip when you move it.

The cooking surface is brushed stainless with a polished exterior. The listing rates it oven and broiler safe to 600°F and compatible with gas, electric and induction, and Meyer Canada describes the construction as warp-free and dishwasher safe. Measure first: at almost 24 inches with handles, it needs a stovetop and a cupboard that fit.

Why we like it

  • Tri-ply clad, aluminum core
  • Large 21 x 13-inch cooking surface
  • Drip channel for fat and oil
  • Oven and broiler safe to 600°F

Key specifications

Model 31790
Size/shape Rectangle; 21 x 13-inch surface, 23.75 x 14.65 in overall
Construction Tri-ply clad, 18/10 stainless, aluminum core
Weight About 6.17 lb
Burners covered Two
Oven-safe to 600°F, broiler safe
Induction Yes
Dishwasher safe Yes (Meyer Canada)

Why we recommend it

It suits a cook who wants a large, uncoated griddle for tortillas, fajita vegetables and big breakfasts, with no seasoning or coating to look after.

Skip it if you mostly cook eggs and pancakes; bare steel needs careful preheating and fat to release them cleanly.

Pros and cons

Pros

  • No coating to wear out
  • Very large cooking area
  • Drains fat as it cooks

Cons

  • Sticks more than nonstick or seasoned iron
  • Needs a wide stovetop and storage space
  • Premium cost

Check price on Amazon

2. COOKER KING 11-inch Tri-Ply Stainless Flat Pan – Uncoated Comal Shape

Best round budget pickCOOKER KING 11" Stainless Steel Crepe Pan

This is the closest thing on the list to a stainless comal: an 11-inch round pan with a 1-inch low profile and a flat base, which the listing says works as a comal for tortillas, a crepe pan, or a flat skillet for pancakes and eggs. It is tri-ply clad, with an aluminum core in stainless steel, and the cooking surface is 100 percent uncoated stainless.

The low rim is what makes it useful for tortillas: you can slide a spatula or your fingers under the edge to flip, which is harder in a deep skillet. Because the surface is bare steel, corn tortillas and quesadillas toast well on a hot, dry pan, while pancakes and eggs need the pan properly preheated and a film of fat.

The listing rates it oven and broiler safe to 900°F, compatible with gas, electric, ceramic and induction, and dishwasher safe. The listing calls the stainless handle rivetless, which it says makes the pan easy to clean, and says the handle stays cool to the touch on the stovetop. The listing gives no weight.

Why we like it

  • Low 1-inch rim for easy flipping
  • Tri-ply clad, uncoated surface
  • Oven and broiler safe to 900°F, per the listing
  • Rivetless handle, dishwasher safe

Key specifications

Model 28PSP
Size/shape 11-inch round, 1-inch profile
Construction Tri-ply clad, aluminum core
Weight Not stated
Burners covered One
Oven-safe to 900°F, broiler safe
Induction Yes
Dishwasher safe Yes

Why we recommend it

It suits a cook who wants a single-burner flat pan for tortillas and quesadillas without seasoning cast iron or buying a coated pan.

Skip it if you need to cook many tortillas at once; 11 inches holds one or two at a time.

Pros and cons

Pros

  • Inexpensive clad pan
  • Comal-like low rim
  • Goes in the dishwasher

Cons

  • Eggs and pancakes can stick
  • Small surface
  • Weight not stated

Check price on Amazon

A gloved hand cooking a large round flatbread beside sausages and greens on a street-food griddle
A wide griddle holds a large flatbread and its fillings at the same time.

3. Cuisinart MultiClad Pro Tri-Ply Double Burner Griddle – Stainless Body, Easy Release

Easiest releaseCuisinart MultiClad Pro Triple Ply Stainless 10" x 18" Non-Stick Double Burner Griddle

If what you want from stainless is the clad body, induction compatibility and durability, but you also want eggs and pancakes to slide off, this is the compromise. Cuisinart’s MultiClad Pro double burner griddle is 10 x 18 inches with a pure aluminum core and a brushed stainless exterior, and a PurelyCeramic nonstick interior that the listing says is PFAS-free.

America’s Test Kitchen’s review of stovetop griddles names a Cuisinart MultiClad Pro tri-ply stainless double burner griddle with a ceramic nonstick interior as its winner, which matches this listing’s description. ATK says it “heated quickly and evenly”, that its coating “easily released fried eggs”, and that it works on induction, electric and gas cooktops. ATK also notes that nonstick griddles scratch with metal spatulas and that coatings degrade over time, so treat this as a pan with a working life rather than a lifetime one.

The listing describes solid stainless steel riveted stick handles that stay cool on the stovetop, says it is compatible with all ranges including induction, and recommends hand washing. It carries a lifetime warranty, per the listing. No weight or oven limit is given.

Why we like it

  • ATK’s top stovetop griddle, per its review
  • Tri-ply body with aluminum core
  • Ceramic nonstick interior releases eggs
  • Induction compatible

Key specifications

Model MCP45C-25NS
Size/shape Rectangle, 10 x 18 inches
Construction Tri-ply, aluminum core; ceramic nonstick interior
Weight Not stated
Burners covered Two
Oven-safe to Not stated
Induction Yes
Dishwasher safe Hand wash recommended

Why we recommend it

Choose it if you want a stainless griddle for pancakes, eggs and French toast without fighting sticking.

Skip it if you want bare steel that will never need replacing; the coating will wear.

Pros and cons

Pros

  • Easy release and cleanup
  • Heats quickly and evenly, per ATK
  • Works on induction

Cons

  • Coating wears over time
  • No metal spatulas
  • Oven limit not stated

Check price on Amazon

4. HexClad Double Burner Hybrid Griddle – Steel Peaks for Searing

Best hybridHexClad Double Burner Hybrid Nonstick Griddle Pan

HexClad’s hybrid surface is a laser-etched hexagon pattern that combines raised stainless steel with HexClad’s TerraBond ceramic coating, which the listing says gives both a sear and easy cleaning. The double burner griddle has an 18 x 11-inch cooking surface and measures about 19.5 x 12.3 x 4 inches with handles, on a tri-ply body with an aluminum core.

The listing names warming tortillas and fajitas among its uses, alongside pancakes, bacon, eggs, paninis, burgers and kebabs. It says the surface is metal utensil safe, dishwasher-friendly, and oven safe to 900°F, and works on any home cooktop including induction. HexClad’s lifetime warranty covers manufacturer’s defects for pans sold by HexClad Cookware, and excludes commercial and restaurant use.

The hybrid surface sits between the two other approaches here: it should release food more easily than bare steel, while the steel peaks protect the coating from metal tools. It is still a coated pan, so its release will depend on how the coating holds up. The listing gives no weight.

Why we like it

  • Etched stainless plus ceramic surface
  • Metal utensil safe, per HexClad
  • Oven safe to 900°F
  • Dishwasher-friendly

Key specifications

Model Double Burner Griddle (18-inch)
Size/shape Rectangle; 18 x 11-inch surface, 19.5 x 12.3 in overall
Construction Tri-ply, aluminum core; hybrid steel and ceramic surface
Weight Not stated
Burners covered Two
Oven-safe to 900°F
Induction Yes
Dishwasher safe Yes

Why we recommend it

Choose it if you want easier release than bare steel but still like to use a metal spatula on fajita vegetables and burgers.

Skip it if you want a surface that will never lose its release; the ceramic part is still a coating.

Pros and cons

Pros

  • Metal tools allowed
  • High oven limit
  • Dishwasher-friendly

Cons

  • Coating will age
  • Expensive
  • Warranty excludes restaurant use

Check price on Amazon

5. Tramontina Utsava 11-inch Tri-Ply Clad Tawa – Flat Round for Tortillas

Best for tortillasTramontina Utsava Tri-Ply Clad Stainless Steel 11-In Dosa Tawa

A tawa is the flat round griddle used for roti and dosa, and it is essentially the same tool as a comal. Tramontina’s Utsava version is 11 inches across, with a tri-ply clad body of stainless steel around an aluminum core and a ceramic nonstick interior. The listing itself names tortillas, rotis, flatbreads, crepes and pancakes among its uses.

The ceramic surface gives the release a bare stainless pan lacks, so flour tortillas, pancakes and eggs come away with little oil. The trade-off is heat: Tramontina rates the pan oven safe to 400°F, and as with any coated pan, it is not the tool for the hottest dry-pan charring. For that, bare steel or iron is better.

It works on all cooktops including induction, and the stainless handle has a soft-grip silicone sleeve that the listing says stays cool. The ceramic interior is dishwasher safe, and Tramontina backs it with a lifetime warranty. No weight is given.

Why we like it

  • Flat 11-inch round, comal-style
  • Tri-ply clad body, induction ready
  • Ceramic nonstick release
  • Dishwasher safe, lifetime warranty

Key specifications

Model 98051/009DS
Size/shape 11-inch flat round
Construction Tri-ply clad, aluminum core; ceramic nonstick interior
Weight Not stated
Burners covered One
Oven-safe to 400°F
Induction Yes
Dishwasher safe Yes

Why we recommend it

It suits a cook who makes tortillas, roti or crepes often and wants a clad round pan that releases them easily.

Skip it if you like to char tortillas over high, dry heat; coated pans are better kept to moderate heat.

Pros and cons

Pros

  • Easy release
  • Comal shape
  • Dishwasher safe

Cons

  • Lower 400°F oven limit
  • Coating wears over time

Check price on Amazon

A cook in black gloves pressing burger patties with a spatula on a stainless steel flat-top griddle
Burger patties cooking on a stainless steel flat-top griddle.

6. Demeyere Specialties 5 Plancha, 39 x 27 cm – Belgian 5-Ply to the Edge

Best premiumDemeyere 54739 Teppanyaki/Plancha Duo Grill 39 x 27 cm

Demeyere’s plancha is a rectangular griddle plate in the European style, made in Belgium of 18/10 stainless steel with a 5-layer construction that runs right to the edge, 3 millimeters thick, according to Zwilling, Demeyere’s parent company. The listing gives 39 x 27 centimeters including the handles, roughly 15.4 x 10.6 inches, with a base of about 34 x 24 centimeters.

Zwilling lists it at 2.35 kilograms, about 5.2 pounds, with welded stainless steel handles that it describes as very stable and hygienic, and a Silvinox finish. Zwilling also says it is suitable for induction, the oven and the dishwasher, though it gives no oven temperature. A thick 5-ply plate spreads heat out from the burner, which is what you want for a row of tortillas or a skirt steak for tacos.

It is still bare stainless, so the same rules apply: preheat it fully, add fat, and let food release on its own before you turn it. At this size it sits over one large burner; the listing does not say whether it is designed to bridge two.

Why we like it

  • 5-ply to the edge, 3 mm thick
  • Welded handles, no rivets inside
  • Dishwasher and induction safe, per Zwilling
  • Made in Belgium

Key specifications

Model 40850-956-0
Size/shape Rectangle; 39 x 27 cm with handles, base about 34 x 24 cm
Construction 5-ply, 18/10 stainless, 3 mm
Weight 2.35 kg, about 5.2 lb (Zwilling)
Burners covered Not stated
Oven-safe to Oven safe; temperature not stated
Induction Yes
Dishwasher safe Yes (Zwilling)

Why we recommend it

It suits a cook who wants a heavy, uncoated plancha that holds heat evenly and cleans up in the dishwasher.

Skip it if you want a griddle long enough to span two burners; this one is about 15 inches with handles.

Pros and cons

Pros

  • Thick, even 5-ply
  • Rivet-free surface
  • Dishwasher safe

Cons

  • Expensive
  • Oven limit not stated
  • Sticks more than coated pans

Check price on Amazon

7. WAGENSTEIGER 3-Ply Stainless Griddle with Wooden Handle – Long, Uncoated Plate

Best long uncoated plateWAGENSTEIGER Stainless Steel Square Griddle Pan/Plate with Wooden Handle

WAGENSTEIGER’s griddle is a long, flat stainless plate with a single wooden handle. The listing describes 3-ply construction with an aluminum core, gives the cooking plate as 290 x 490 millimeters, about 11.4 x 19.3 inches, and lists the overall size as 19.3 x 11.4 x 2 inches. That is long enough to lay across more than one burner, though the listing does not say so directly.

It is uncoated stainless, compatible with gas, electric, induction and ceramic cooktops, and the listing pitches it for burgers, pancakes, vegetables and seafood, indoors or outdoors. The listing claims food does not stick to its smooth surface; we would not count on that. Bare stainless needs the same preheat and fat as any other steel pan, and pancakes will test your patience.

The wooden handle is the limit. The listing gives no oven rating and no dishwasher guidance, and wood generally fares poorly in both, so plan on stovetop use and hand washing. No weight is stated.

Why we like it

  • 3-ply with an aluminum core
  • Long 19.3-inch uncoated plate
  • Works on induction
  • Single handle for one-hand moves

Key specifications

Model 0805
Size/shape Rectangle; 290 x 490 mm plate, 19.3 x 11.4 x 2 in
Construction 3-ply, aluminum core
Weight Not stated
Burners covered Not stated
Oven-safe to Not stated (wooden handle)
Induction Yes
Dishwasher safe Not stated

Why we recommend it

Choose it if you want a long, uncoated stainless plate for the stovetop or an outdoor burner at a moderate cost.

Skip it if you want to finish food in the oven; the wooden handle and missing oven rating rule that out.

Pros and cons

Pros

  • Long cooking plate
  • Clad, uncoated steel
  • Indoor or outdoor use

Cons

  • No oven or dishwasher guidance
  • Smaller maker; little published data
  • Listing overstates nonstick behavior

Check price on Amazon

8. Cuisinart FusionPlus 12-inch Hybrid Griddle Pan – Round, No Sidewalls

Best round hybridCuisinart FusionPlus Griddle Pan

Cuisinart’s FusionPlus griddle is a 12-inch round with no sidewalls, a flat open surface that the listing says gives direct heat contact. Its PurelySear surface pairs raised stainless steel peaks, for searing and browning, with ceramic valleys for easier release and cleanup. Underneath, an aluminum core is sealed in stainless steel through the base.

Cuisinart is specific about how to get good results: preheat on medium-low for about two minutes, add oil or butter, then add food, and it says proper preheating improves release and browning. That is good advice for every stainless griddle on this list. A rimless 12-inch round is a natural fit for quesadillas and tortillas, and for sliding pancakes off onto a plate.

The listing rates it oven safe to 500°F but not for broiler use, compatible with gas, electric, glass-top and induction stoves, and dishwasher safe. The cast stainless Cool Grip handle has a V-flange design that the listing says stays comfortable. No weight is given.

Why we like it

  • Rimless 12-inch round
  • Steel peaks for browning, ceramic for release
  • Clear preheating guidance from Cuisinart
  • Dishwasher safe, induction ready

Key specifications

Model FPS30-30
Size/shape 12-inch round, no sidewalls
Construction Stainless with aluminum-core base; hybrid steel and ceramic surface
Weight Not stated
Burners covered One
Oven-safe to 500°F; not for broiler
Induction Yes
Dishwasher safe Yes

Why we recommend it

It suits a cook who wants a round, rimless griddle for quesadillas and pancakes with easier release than bare steel.

Skip it if you want to broil on it; Cuisinart says it is not for broiler use.

Pros and cons

Pros

  • Open, rimless surface
  • Easier release than bare steel
  • Dishwasher safe

Cons

  • Not broiler safe
  • Aluminum only in the base

Check price on Amazon

9. Chantal Tri-Ply Stainless Griddle, 19 x 9.5-inch – Fits Bridge Burners

Best for bridge burnersChantal Stainless Steel Griddle

Chantal’s griddle is a narrow 19 x 9.5-inch rectangle, sized to fit most synchronized “bridge” burners or to sit across two burners, and the listing says it was designed specifically for GE Café and Profile stovetops. The body is heavy-gauge 4-millimeter tri-ply, aluminum between two layers of nickel-free stainless steel, and there is a pouring spout for draining fat.

The cooking surface is coated: a PPG Eterna nonstick that the listing says is made without PFOA, PFOS, lead or cadmium. Off-set handles keep the ends clear so the griddle takes up less room on the cooktop. Chantal rates it oven safe to 500°F and compatible with all cooktops including induction, and says the heavy-gauge body resists warping when the recommended temperatures are used.

The listing gives a four-year limited warranty, shorter than the lifetime warranties on several pans here, and does not state a weight or whether it can go in the dishwasher.

Why we like it

  • Narrow shape fits bridge burners
  • 4 mm tri-ply body
  • Pouring spout and off-set handles
  • Oven safe to 500°F, induction ready

Key specifications

Model SLT60-48C
Size/shape Rectangle, 19 x 9.5 x 1.1 inches
Construction 4 mm tri-ply; nonstick-coated surface
Weight Not stated
Burners covered Bridge burner or two burners
Oven-safe to 500°F
Induction Yes
Dishwasher safe Not stated

Why we recommend it

Choose it if your range has a bridge burner and you want a coated tri-ply griddle sized to it.

Skip it if you want bare steel; this one’s cooking surface is nonstick-coated.

Pros and cons

Pros

  • Shaped for bridge burners
  • Thick clad body
  • Easy release

Cons

  • Four-year warranty
  • Coating wears over time
  • Weight and dishwasher not stated

Check price on Amazon

Does a stainless griddle stick? Yes, and here is how to manage it

Bare stainless steel has no seasoning and no coating, so food bonds to it more readily than to seasoned cast iron, carbon steel or nonstick. That is why the makers here talk so much about preheating. Hestan says to preheat gradually and let heat travel across the whole pan, and Cuisinart says proper preheating improves release.

America’s Test Kitchen’s method for stainless pans is the one to learn. Preheat on medium for 2 to 4 minutes, then flick a few drops of water onto the surface. If they sit and sizzle, the pan is too cold; if they vanish instantly, it is too hot; when they roll and skitter like little balls, add your fat and then the food. ATK explains this as the Leidenfrost effect, at roughly 365°F to 379°F. On a double-burner griddle, check both ends, because one side may be ready before the other.

  • Tortillas and quesadillas are the easy case. Corn tortillas toast on a dry, hot stainless surface and release once they firm up.
  • Fajita vegetables, steak and chorizo release once they have browned. Turn them too soon and they tear.
  • Pancakes and eggs are the hard case. If those are what you cook most, a ceramic or hybrid surface, a seasoned cast iron griddle, or our best nonstick comal picks will be less work.
A hand cracking eggs onto a shiny, oiled flat griddle, with several eggs already frying
Eggs go onto a well-heated, oiled griddle surface.

How to choose a stainless steel griddle

1. Bare steel or a coated surface

Bare stainless (Hestan, COOKER KING, Demeyere, WAGENSTEIGER) never wears out a coating, goes in the dishwasher in most cases, and handles metal tools and acidic food. Coated or hybrid stainless (Cuisinart, HexClad, Tramontina, Chantal) releases eggs and pancakes easily but will lose some release over time. Our nonstick pan alternatives guide explains the trade-offs in more detail.

2. One burner or two

Round 11- and 12-inch pans sit on one burner and heat evenly. Double-burner griddles hold far more, but heat is concentrated over each burner; America’s Test Kitchen notes that some griddles heat unevenly when their base does not cover the whole surface, and that cast iron and carbon steel griddles work best on stoves with a bridge connecting two burners. Measure your stovetop, including the gap between burners, before buying a large one.

3. Clad body or base-only aluminum

The Hestan, COOKER KING, Tramontina, Cuisinart MultiClad Pro, HexClad and Chantal have an aluminum core through the body. The Cuisinart FusionPlus puts its aluminum core in the base. For a flat griddle with no walls, the base is most of the pan, so this matters less than it does for a skillet.

4. Rim height

For tortillas and quesadillas, a low rim or none at all makes flipping easy. The COOKER KING has a 1-inch profile and the FusionPlus has no sidewalls. Rectangular griddles with a lip or drip channel keep fat off the stove when you cook bacon or chorizo.

Sliced sausage, browned peppers and a fried egg cooking on a black flat griddle
Sliced sausage, peppers and an egg share one flat griddle.

5. Oven and dishwasher

Oven limits here run from 400°F for the Tramontina tawa to 900°F for the COOKER KING and HexClad. If you want to finish food under the broiler, avoid the FusionPlus, which Cuisinart says is not for broiler use, and the wooden-handled WAGENSTEIGER.

6. Stainless griddle or comal

For tortillas alone, a traditional comal may be the simpler buy. Our guide to the best comal for tortillas covers cast iron, carbon steel and clay, and our comal vs cast iron skillet guide explains when a flat pan beats a skillet.

How we chose these nine stainless griddles

We started from what a working kitchen asks of a griddle: a flat surface large enough for the job, even heat across it, a surface that releases food or can be made to, and a shape that fits the stove. We searched Amazon in the United States for stainless steel griddles, planchas, flat pans and tawas, checked each listing’s stock with Amazon’s product data, and kept in-stock griddles from identifiable makers. Specifications come from the listings and from Meyer Canada (for Hestan) and Zwilling (for Demeyere). We read America’s Test Kitchen’s review of stovetop griddles and its guide to making stainless pans release food, and quote their findings as ATK’s. We left out a Chantal listing and several tri-ply tawas from Hawkins and Vinod that were in short supply when we checked, Made In’s griddles because they are carbon steel rather than stainless, and grill-top stainless plates from generic sellers. We have not cooked on these griddles for this guide.

Stainless griddle questions, answered

Is a stainless steel griddle better than cast iron?

Not better, different. Stainless needs no seasoning, handles acidic food and usually goes in the dishwasher, but it sticks more than seasoned cast iron, especially with eggs and pancakes. Cast iron holds heat longer and gets slicker with use.

Can you make tortillas on a stainless steel griddle?

Yes. Corn and flour tortillas toast well on a hot, dry stainless surface and release once they firm up. A low-rimmed pan such as the COOKER KING 11-inch makes flipping easier.

Do stainless steel griddles work on induction?

Every griddle on this list states induction compatibility. America’s Test Kitchen notes that plain aluminum nonstick griddles do not work on induction, while those with stainless cladding or bases do.

How do I keep food from sticking to a stainless griddle?

Preheat it fully, test with a few drops of water until they roll like beads, then add fat and food, and wait for the food to release before you turn it. That is America’s Test Kitchen’s method for stainless pans.

What size stainless griddle should I buy?

For one or two tortillas at a time, an 11- or 12-inch round. For family breakfasts or fajitas, a double-burner griddle such as the Hestan, 21 x 13 inches of cooking surface. Check the gap between your burners first.

Our final pick for a stainless griddle

Buy the Hestan Provisions double burner griddle for a large, uncoated clad surface that will outlast any coating. Choose the COOKER KING 11-inch for a budget round pan that works like a comal, the Cuisinart MultiClad Pro or HexClad if easy release matters more than bare steel, and the Tramontina Utsava tawa for tortillas and roti on a coated, clad pan.

For stainless skillets of every build, from tri-ply to 5-ply, start with our guide to the best stainless steel pans.

For more flat pans, see our best nonstick dosa pan guide, and for a plug-in surface, the best skillet electric guide. For eggs on bare steel, read our best egg pan stainless steel guide, and to choose the tortilla, corn vs flour tortillas. Or let us handle the griddle: see the menu or call to order.

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