The 6 Best Cast Iron Griddles of 2024

There’s nothing better than flipping fluffy pancakes on the grill on a lazy weekend morning or whipping up taco quesadillas for a quick dinner, so Blair spends a lot of time assessing the best cast iron griddles on the market.

A cast iron griddle can be the heart of the kitchen because this piece of cookware is that versatile—and it’s also durable, crafted from cast iron. “These sturdy pieces of equipment will last for generations if cared for properly,” says Blair. “They make grilling a year-round convenient option.”

Blair and I researched the top-selling cast iron griddles and also looked at what’s been in her kitchen for at least a decade. Her cast iron griddle recommendations include a large cast iron griddle when you’re feeding the extended family, a round cast iron griddle for easy weeknight dinners, and the best cast iron griddle for a gas grill (for when you want to cook outdoors).

Our Top Picks:

1. In Blair’s Kitchen: Le Creuset Enameled Cast Iron Skinny Grill – $119.95 at Williams-Sonoma
2. Blair’s Other Favorite: Lodge Cast Iron Reversible Griddle – $59.95 at Amazon
3. Best Reversible Cast Iron Griddle: Lodge Cast Iron Single Burner Reversible Griddle – $35.58 at Amazon
4. Best Cast Iron Griddle for Gas Grill: Captiva Designs Tabletop Griddle – $196.99 at Amazon
5. Best Cast Iron Grill Pan: Le Creuset Enameled Cast Iron Signature Square Grill – $163.01 at Amazon
6. Best Affordable Cast Iron Griddle: Lodge Cast Iron Round Griddle – $19.90 at Amazon

Reviews of The Best Cast Iron Griddles 

1. In Blair’s Kitchen: Le Creuset Enameled Cast Iron Skinny Grill

Exclusive to Williams-Sonoma, this Le Creuset product is a staple in Blair’s kitchen and what she turns to when searing steak, such as her Grilled Steak Tips. (Blair’s got 20 years of cooking steak under her belt, so I trust her on this!) She recently declared it the best griddle pan for steak because the ridges on the pan create excellent grill marks, and the surface area is large enough to accommodate multiple steaks 

Those who like color-coordinating their kitchen will love the variety of colors: it comes in 13 bright, fun hues.

The Specs:

• Max Temp: 500°F
• Weight: 7 pounds
• Dimensions: 15 x 8.5 x 1.25 inches
• Induction Compatible: Yes
• Care: Dishwasher safe, but hand washing recommended

The Pros:

• Large capacity
• Dishwasher safe
• Sears food with grill marks

The Cons:

• Short handle
• Can only use on medium-heat

What Others Are Saying:

The Kitchn calls the Le Creuset Enameled Cast Iron Skinny grill ideal for making “effortless summer meals,” while Good Housekeeping named it the best grill pan for entertaining.

Buy the Le Creuset Enameled Cast Iron Skinny Grill:

2. Blair’s Other Favorite: Lodge Cast Iron Reversible Griddle

“This Lodge cast iron double-sided griddle/grill pan gets a lot of use in our house since it’s big,” says Blair. “We can fit a lot of pancakes on the griddle, or a lot of chicken or veggies on the grill.” One side is a flat griddle so it’s ideal for pancakes or eggs, and the other is a grill and perfect for grilling up meats and veggies. 

Blair loves that this grill is made in the U.S. (in Tennessee!) and that it’s extremely budget-friendly. Unlike the Le Creuset (which is enameled), this one is classic cast iron, so it’s handwash only. 

The Specs:

• Max temp: 650°F
• Weight: 10.6 pounds
• Dimensions: 19.5 x 10.25 x 1 inches
• Induction compatible: Yes
• Care: Hand washing only

The Pros:

• Large capacity
• Double handles
• Sears food with grill marks

The Cons:

• Lacks a long handle
• Requires frequent seasoning
• Not dishwasher safe

What Others Are Saying:

Serious Eats named the Lodge Cast Iron Reversible Griddle the best stovetop griddle. 

Buy the Lodge Cast Iron Reversible Griddle:

3.  Best Reversible Cast Iron Griddle: Lodge Cast Iron Single Burner Reversible Griddle

This is basically a smaller version of the Lodge cast iron reversible grill in Blair’s kitchen that we highlighted above, but it’s great if you have a smaller stove and don’t need a griddle to cover both burners. 

Even though it’s nine inches smaller, this is ideal when cooking for one or two people, like her famous Perfect 15-Minute Grilled Salmon. Use the flat side for pancakes or eggs, and turn to the other side when you want to grill meat or veggies. Since it’s classic cast iron, you will need to season it regularly. 

The Specs

• Maximum temperature: 500°F
• Weight: 7.78 pounds
• Dimensions: 15.18 x 10.68 x .75 inches
• Induction compatible: Yes
• Care: Hand wash only  

Pros

• Easy grip corners
• Lightweight

Cons

• Not dishwasher safe
• Regular seasoning required

What Others Are Saying:

The Lodge Cast Iron Single Burner Reversible Griddle has a 4.6-star rating from over 41,000 reviews on Amazon.   

Buy the Lodge Cast Iron Single Burner Reversible Griddle:

4. Best Cast Iron Griddle for Gas Grill: Captiva Designs Tabletop Griddle

This may be on the heavy side, but it’s so cool to have your own little grill to use outside. Because it’s a tabletop product—and not a fixed grill—you can adjust the height of your cooking surface. The flat-top grill provides lots of flexibility in what you can cook, while the high lid protects from critters and dirt while also trapping steam and moisture so you get the perfect sear.

Blair’s Classic Patty Melts—a cross between hamburgers and grilled-cheese sandwiches—is a perfect recipe for this grill. You can even prep most of the recipe the day before.

The Specs

• Weight: 44 pounds
• Dimensions: 28.6 x 20.7 x 12.2 inches
• Care: Handwashing recommended

Pros

• Three burners
• Easy to assemble
• Easy to clean
• Large cooking area

Cons

• Heavy
• Not dishwasher safe

What Others Are Saying:

Forbes named the Captiva Tabletop Griddle the best portable flat-top grill.

Buy the Captiva Designs Tabletop Griddle:

5. Best Cast Iron Grill Pan: Le Creuset Enameled Cast Iron Signature Square Skillet Grill

With the square design, this is a very versatile pan, but it  works especially well when making Blair’s Reuben Sandwich Recipe. It’s a meal that comes together in 20 minutes and you only need corned beef, bread, sauerkraut, Swiss cheese and Russian dressing—and, of course, this pan. The built-in ridges leave those perfect marks on meats, plus, it’s safe to pop in the oven for finishing steaks so they’re cooked to perfection.

It’s also a unique product—and true to the Le Creuset brand—in that it comes in 13 fun, bright colors to jazz up the table if you serve dinner out of this skillet. Since it’s made from smooth, enameled cast iron, the cleanup is a breeze. 

The Specs

• Maximum temperature: 500°F
• Weight: 3.3 pounds
• Dimensions: 13.9 x 15.1 x 2.6 inches
• Induction compatible: Yes
• Care: Dishwasher safe

Pros

• Dishwasher safe
• Leaves grill marks on food
• Long, sturdy handle
• Lightweight

Cons

Can Only Use on Medium Heat

What Others are Saying

Epicurious calls the Le Creuset Enameled Cast Iron Signature Square Skillet the best overall grill pan. It also has a 4.6-star rating from over 1,800 reviews on Amazon. 

Buy the Le Creuset Enameled Cast Iron Signature Square Skillet Grill

6. Best Affordable Cast Iron Griddle: Lodge Cast Iron Round Griddle

The Lodge Cast Iron Round Griddle’s sturdy handle provides a good grip, and at just under 5 pounds, this is a very lightweight cast-iron griddle. It’s an excellent budget-friendly option from a trusted cast iron manufacturer. 

Blair thinks this would be well suited for making her Taco Quesadillas because the round shape is so similar to the tortilla’s size, resulting in a perfectly browned tortilla. You might also use this for crepes or pancakes. For those who like to camp, this would be an ideal skillet to pack as it’s very lightweight and ensures you can cook hot meals. 

The Specs

• Maximum temperature: 450°F
• Weight: 4.5 pounds
• Dimensions: 15.87 x 10.5 x 1.5 inches
• Induction compatible: Yes
• Care: Hand wash

Pros

• Easy-grip handle
• Lightweight
• Affordable 

Cons

• Food tends to stick
• Small cooking area
• Not dishwasher safe

What Others Are Saying:

The Lodge Cast Iron Round Griddle has a 4.6-star rating from more than 48,000 reviews on Amazon.   

Buy the Lodge Cast Iron Round Griddle:

Other Cast Iron Griddles to Consider

Staub Cast Iron 10-Inch Square Grill Pan

Available in matte black and made in France, this square-sized, enamel cast-iron grill pan might seem like a splurge, but it checks all the boxes for what you want in a griddle. It can handle temperatures up to 500 degrees F, has an easy-to-grip handle, you can toss it in the dishwasher, and it’s safe for induction. Need something bigger? This also comes in a 12-inch pan size. The Staub Cast Iron 10-Inch Square Grill Pan is available at Amazon for $280.28.

Weber Gourmet BBQ System Griddle

This is a mid-size and mid-weight cast iron griddle, clocking in at 7.5 pounds. The two easy-to-grip handles mean this can go right from the stovetop to the dining table, and it’s budget-friendly, to boot. The Weber Gourmet BBQ System Griddle is available at Amazon for $44.99.

Weber Cast Iron Griddle for Summit Grills

The only reason we didn’t include this as a top pick is because it has limited use: Only if you have a Weber Summit-series grill can you cook with this cast iron griddle for the grill. That said, these outdoor gas grills come highly rated, and this two-sided cast-iron griddle provides lots of flexibility as there’s a flat side (perfect for eggs and pancakes) and a textured side (ideal for vegetables, seafood, and meats). Another drawback is that it’s 14 pounds, but because it’s used with the large grill, that’s a non-issue since you won’t be moving it around your kitchen. The Weber Cast Iron Griddle for Summit Grills is available at Home Depot for $106.49.

Onlyfire Chef 18-Inch Cast Iron Campfire Griddle

For grill fans who also love to camp, this is a solution for potentially back-breaking cooking because it turns into a three-legged stand. There are also two sturdy handles that are easy to grip and reversible sides so you can grill just about anything. The non-stick coating makes it easy to clean, which is great when you have to balance other clean-up needs at a campsite. The Onlyfire Chef 18-Inch Cast Iron Campfire Griddle is available at Amazon for $79.99.

Why You Can Trust Us

As a food writer and recipe editor for two decades—and the author of Wisconsin Cheese Cookbook: Creamy, Cheesy, Sweet, and Savory Recipes from the State’s Best Creameries—I know my way around the kitchen. I’ve also interviewed hundreds of chefs about their favorite kitchen tools and gadgets for outlets that include Wine Enthusiast’s website, WineMag, and TheKitchn. 

Blair’s expertise as a busy home chef means she uses a cast-iron griddle all the time. She even turns to a different cast-iron griddle for different culinary needs, such as when cooking her famous Filet Mignon, for a crust that can’t be beat.

The methodology Blair and I used to create this list of the best cast iron griddles includes practical features like easy-to-grip handles (these pans can heat up to 650°F, after all), whether you can clean it in the dishwasher (again, only if it has an enamel coating), how evenly the heat distributes, and if the price matches up to the quality. We’ve also pinpointed which of her recipes would do best with particular griddles because, obviously, you need a different product for grilled sandwiches than you do large slabs of meat or filets of fish. Blair knows you want products that last and do the job well, leaving you more time to linger at the dinner table with family or tend to those bazillion other household tasks that keep piling up.

What to Know About Cast Iron Griddles 

Things to Consider When Choosing a Cast Iron Griddle

Size of the cooking surface: Think about what you’ll cook most often with your cast-iron griddle. Is it meat dishes for a crowd or pancakes for two? If you regularly cook only smaller portions, you don’t need a large cast iron griddle that’s harder to store and heavier, too. 

Handles: The ability to easily pick a cast iron griddle up off the burner and move it elsewhere is definitely a plus. A sturdy handle or easy-grip corner is key for portability. 

Ease of cleaning: The less time you have to spend cleaning a griddle is always a plus. Knowing you can just pop your cast iron griddle in the dishwasher after a meal is also important.

How to Clean a Cast Iron Griddle

The reason you want to properly clean your cast iron griddle is so rust doesn’t form. And while many products state that it’s dishwasher-safe unless it has an enamel coating, handwashing is recommended to reduce the amount of water it’s soaked in. Using just dish soap and water, along with a sponge or natural-fiber (not wire) scrub brush, you can easily clean a cast iron griddle. 

Blair’s advice is to “get a scraping tool to get in between the grooves of the grill pan for easy cleaning.” This is more important with a textured grill than a flat grill. Lodge even sells a 10-inch scrub brush just for cleaning cast iron.

How to Season a Cast Iron Griddle

Nearly all cast iron griddles come pre-seasoned, but over time you’ll find it’s necessary to add more seasoning. First, using a paper towel, rub the pan with a thin film of canola or vegetable oil, then bake in the oven for 30 minutes at 450°F.

What’s Best to Cook on a Cast Iron Griddle?

From Blair’s Fluffy Pancakes on a weekend morning to her Taco Quesadillas on a weeknight, there are few recipes you can’t cook on a cast iron griddle. “I use a cast iron griddle when the weather is crummy outside,” says Blair, “when my husband’s not around to fire up the grill, and when I’m just preparing a small amount of grilled food (such as veggies).”

What are the Best Cooking Utensils for a Cast Iron Griddle?

The cooking utensils you’d use with a skillet are pretty much the same for a cast iron griddle: a stainless-steel or silicone spatula that can be either flat or slotted. If you’re going to be tossing food—such as veggies or a stir fry—in the griddle, a sauté spoon is invaluable.

Blair’s Favorite Recipes to Make on a Cast Iron Griddle

What’s so great about cast iron griddles is that they work for cooking any meal—not just dinner and not solely breakfast. Here are three recipes from the Seasoned Mom where a cast iron griddle is your BFF in order to nail it. You might even use a cast iron griddle for tasty sides to go with dinner.

• Pumpkin Pancakes with Apple Cider Syrup
• Chicken Quesadilla with Corn and Black Beans
• Hoe Cakes “Johnny Cakes”

Prices were accurate at time of publication.