Which is Better: Electric Skillet or Electric Griddle?

Both electric griddles and electric skillets are great when you want to prepare your breakfast or heat a meal without using the stovetop. The two appliances should not be confused because they have different characteristics and different purposes.

Whatever you want to make in your kitchen, an electric skillet and an electric griddle can make your cooking chores and cleaning chores very easy. These electric kitchen appliances reduce the mess in the kitchen and cut the cooking time to more than half.

Even though the two cooking appliances almost offer the same benefits, they are different appliances. The difference between them dictates the types of food you can make on each and which one can do much better than the other.

Differences between an electric Griddle and an electric skillet

Electric Griddles

An electric griddle has a flat cooking surface with a heating element. Once the desired temperature is reached, it is maintained all through the cooking process. This is why you attain even cooking when you use an electric griddle. You can make eggs, bacon, pancakes, crepes, vegetables, bread, and meat on an electric griddle.

Flipping food items that you are cooking is a breeze with an electric griddle because the surface is flat with no walls. The good thing about an electric griddle is that you can make multiple food items at the same time. However, you will not be able to cook foods with sauces or any food that may need the addition of water.

Using an electric griddle is quite easy. All you need to do is turn on the griddle and adjust the temperature as desired. Also, switching off this cooking appliance is very easy. Some models come with an on/off switch while others do not. Therefore, for those lacking the on/off button, all you need to do is turn off the electricity outlet.

You can also use an electric heating element to heat an electric griddle. The advantage of an electric griddle over stovetop pans is that the iron heats up evenly throughout and the heat is maintained. The heat will not fluctuate. Additionally, electric griddles have a larger surface area compared to frying pans and electric skillets.

Advantages of an electric griddle

1.  You can make multiple foods simultaneously: If you are making grilled cheese and pancakes for all your friends or family members, an electric griddle will get a meal out to everyone faster compared to an electric skillet or a single pan.
2. Versatility: Some electric griddles have reversible plates that allow you to use them as both a griddle and a grill

Disadvantages of an electric griddle

1. No edges: Without sides, you are limited to make dishes that do not require moisture and heat to be sealed in, such as fried rice. However, some griddles come with a lid
2. Size: Electric griddles are larger compared to electric skillets. Therefore, they take too much space in a small kitchen and kitchens with limited counter space.

Electric Skillets

An electric skillet is a flat heated surface. Once the set temperature is reached, it is maintained to ensure there is even cooking. Unlike a griddle, a skillet heated surface comes with a wall and a lid. The walls as well as the lid are what separates an electric skillet from an electric griddle.

The walls ensure that food is contained within the cooking surface, therefore mixing and stirring ingredients is made easier. Also, you can add liquids to your ingredients to make sources, sources, and cook food that requires water. This is something you can do with an electric skillet and not an electric griddle.

Just like an electric griddle, an electric skillet can be a starting point for your kitchen. It can become one of the necessary cooking appliances in your kitchen. You can place an electric skillet on the kitchen counter and heating will be within minutes of connection.

Nonetheless, unlike an electric griddle, an electric skillet has a flat, warm surface with small walls that allow you to use liquid ingredients that you cannot use with an electric griddle. The cover offers more control over the cooking process.

An electric skillet is ideal when you want to prepare food and require an additional burner or if you do not want to worry about using your stove. This unique appliance helps you prepare dishes such as rice, pan-fried dishes, and other dishes.

Advantages of an electric skillet

1.  High edges and a cover: The two features allow you to use liquid ingredients and hold in heat and moisture for recipes that require simmering and boiling
2. You can easily make fried dishes: The steady temperature provided by the thermostat make it easy to make fried dished than when using a stove-top skillet

Disadvantages of an electric skillet

1. Smaller cooking surface: Even though the high edges ensure the food is contained in the skillet, they limit the cooking surface in general
2. Less versatile: An electric skillet is less versatile when compared to an electric griddle

Electric Griddles Vs Electric Skillets: Which one should I buy?

When it comes to choosing between an electric skillet and an electric griddle, there is no right or wrong. This is because it all depends on your personal preferences.

If you want a cooking appliance for regular use in the kitchen, then an electric skillet will be a great option because it is small and very easy to maintain.

On the other hand, if you want to cook plenty of food for a large number of individuals, then you should consider purchasing an electric griddle.

Final Thoughts

There are cooking methods that can be done in an electric griddle and they cannot be done in an electric skillet and vice versa. However, an electric griddle is more versatile. Some homeowners are concerned with the storage of an electric skillet.

This article has clearly indicated the differences between an electric skillet and an electric griddle. Therefore, you should have no hesitation in deciding which one you should purchase for your kitchen. The main thing is to ensure you go for a cooking appliance that fits your personal preference as well as your needs.