What size stovetop griddle do I need?
A one-burner griddle, about 10.5 inches, is plenty for one or two people. For three or more, Nordic Ware suggests a two-burner griddle: about 17 to 20 inches long, it cooks a family breakfast in one go.
Sizes by household
| Cooking for | Size | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| 1 or 2 people | One burner, about 10.5 in | Pancakes, eggs or a grilled cheese for one or two (Nordic Ware); Lodge's 10.5-inch griddle sits on a single burner |
| 3 or more people | Two burners, about 17 to 20 in long | A family breakfast in one batch (Nordic Ware); Lodge's 16.75 × 9.5 in and 20 × 10.5 in griddles each span two burners |
Griddles are sold by length and width. A two-burner griddle needs two burners that both sit under it, so measure from the far edge of one burner to the far edge of the other before you buy.
On this page
One burner or two
A one-burner griddle stores easily and suits a small household or a tight cooktop. A two-burner griddle nearly doubles the cooking space, so pancakes, bacon and eggs cook side by side instead of in shifts, Nordic Ware says. It needs two burners that both sit under its length.
This is about griddles that sit on your stove. Outdoor flat-top griddles have their own burners and are sized by their cooking area instead.
Cooking across two burners
Set both burners to the same heat, Nordic Ware advises, and preheat on medium for a couple of minutes. The middle of the griddle, between the burners, may run a little cooler, which suits food that needs gentler heat.
Glass-top stoves
On a glass cooktop, Nordic Ware recommends a smooth-bottomed griddle that sits flat, moderate heat, and never preheating it empty on high. It warns that heavy cast iron with a rough underside can scratch the glass. Lodge says its cast iron griddles work on any stovetop, induction included.
Pans we list, measured
Only the makers' own measurements are shown. Tap a heading to sort.
| All-Clad HA1 Expert Nonstick Double Burner Griddle, 13 x 20 in | 3.9 in | Not stated | 21.3 in | 13.2 in | 5.6 lb | Not included |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lodge Double Play Reversible Grill/Griddle, 16.75 × 9.5 inches | 0.62 in | Not stated | 16.75 in | 9.5 in | 9.35 lb | Not included |
| Made In Seasoned Carbon Steel Griddle | 1.5 in | 0.51 in | 24.02 in | 10.5 in | 9.9 lb | Not included |
Questions before you choose
How much more room does a two-burner griddle give?
About twice as much. Nordic Ware puts a one-burner griddle at roughly 90 to 120 square inches of cooking space and a two-burner one at about 160 to 210, enough for six pancakes at once instead of two.
Will a two-burner griddle work on induction?
Only if it is made for induction, like Lodge's cast iron griddles, and each zone heats only the part of the griddle above it. Some induction cooktops can join two zones into one for a long pan; your cooktop manual says whether yours can.