The Flat-Top Cooking Trend
For generations, the flat-top griddle was exclusive to short-order cooks who flipped a dozen pancakes, a stack of smash burgers, or a mountain of home fries with the muscle memory of a seasoned athlete. Once you heard that signature sizzle, you knew something delicious was about to hit your plate—and fast. In recent years, however, this popular technique has moved indoors as home cooks wise up to the endless advantages of flat-top cooking. Think about it: A griddle gives you more real estate, a superior sear, and—it really can’t be overstated—far fewer pans to wash.
As with any kitchen tool purchase, the big question remains: Which one is worth the cabinet space? If you’re looking for the best carbon steel griddle (or, frankly, the best stovetop griddle for anyone craving diner, food truck, or hibachi vibes at home), Made In’s Carbon Steel Griddle has you covered. Editors praise it, chefs swear by it, and it works anywhere there’s heat: over burners, in an oven, or directly on the grill. Think of it as a first-class ticket to crackly-edged, golden-brown, flat-top magic.
Why Carbon Steel Makes the Difference
One thing’s for sure: Not all griddles are created equal. Made In’s secret sauce is carbon steel, a material that has become increasingly popular for hitting that coveted sweet spot between performance and practicality. Carbon steel heats rapidly and evenly, cools down quickly, and responds instantly when you adjust the burner—a marked departure from a cast iron griddle’s slow-and-steady reputation—and is far sturdier and more resilient than aluminum. If you’re weighing the pros and cons of griddle vs. skillet cooking, carbon steel combines the wide, flat surface of a griddle with the responsiveness and control of a skillet.
Like a cast-iron skillet, carbon steel ages beautifully. Each time you cook with it, you’re adding another layer of seasoning, the time-tested process of developing a naturally non stick surface. In other words, this isn’t merely a griddle—it’s a lifelong kitchen companion that gets better every time you fire it up.
Versatility-wise, a carbon steel griddle is a culinary slam-dunk with endless possibilities. You can take it from folding jumbo omelets on the stovetop to searing smoky shrimp on the grill, and slide it right into the oven for evenly caramelized roasted vegetables with restaurant-grade flavor complexity.
Media Mentions & Awards Roundup
Made In’s Carbon Steel Griddle isn’t just a smash hit in home kitchens across the country—it’s a top pick for food editors and award-winning test kitchens. In fact, its praise comes in so many flavors, it’s worth breaking it all down:
Best Griddles & Flat-Top Roundups
Better Homes & Gardens included the griddle in its list of best flat-top grills (especially for fans of open-flame cooking—we see you, camping enthusiasts). The Spruce Eats featured it in a roundup of best pancake griddles (flip yes!), Esquire gave it top marks in its best flat-top grills and lifestyle awards, America’s Test Kitchen recommended it for its quality pre-seasoning, and NY Mag Strategist dubbed it among the best kitchen gifts you can give.
Made In’s Carbon Steel Griddle is consistently ranked among the best across formats, whether you’re making breakfast or full-on feasts for a hungry crowd.
In-Depth Reviews & Staff Picks
Editors don’t just talk about Made In’s Carbon Steel Griddle—they’ve cooked every meal of the day on it, calling out the superior heat performance, versatility, and unique features that make it stand out in a jam-packed market. Food Network named it one of its staff’s favorite products, and The Kitchn’s review called it “a major game-changer in efficiency.”
Awards & Recognition
Made In’s Carbon Steel Griddle took home accolades from Good Housekeeping’s Kitchen Gear Awards, Esquire’s Home Awards, and Gear Patrol’s Best New Cookware list, positioning it as thoughtfully designed, premium cookware worthy of top marks.
Lifestyle & Seasonal Coverage
Finally, Food & Wine spotlit Made In’s Carbon Steel Griddle as the perfect tool for an extended outdoor cooking season (let’s hear it for winter grilling!). In short, it’s a year-round hero no matter when you fire it up.
The reviews make it clear: Made In’s Carbon Steel Griddle is a trusted, user-loved flat-top that delivers delicious results every time.
What Reviewers Consistently Praise
Cooking Performance
Editors rave about Made In’s Carbon Steel Griddle for even heating that enables professional-grade searing, and multiple reviewers call out the convenience and speed of cooking several items—or even an entire meal—at one time. Whether you’re hunting for the best griddle for pancakes, bacon, and sausage in the morning or the best griddle for burgers at lunch or dinner, this flat-top fits it all in handily (with room for toppings, too).
Versatility
Made In’s Carbon Steel Griddle is like the Swiss Army knife of flat-tops, well-equipped for any cooking technique. Reviewers enjoy how the griddle adapts to their mealtime needs, whether it’s going from stovetop to oven, grill to table, or right over the flames of a backyard barbecue pit.
Durability & Build
The griddle’s solid carbon steel construction was designed with chefs in mind, but earns praise for its ease of use across all demographics. It’s built for everyday cooks just as much as professionals.
Everyday Usability
Reviewers call out how downright delightful Made In’s Carbon Steel Griddle is to live with. It’s large enough to cook for a dinner party but sleek enough to slide directly from stovetop to table, pulling double duty as a rustic yet photogenic serving piece. Unlike scrubbing down a cast-iron pan with a chainmail scrubber—or your technique of choice, there are many!—cleanup is far from intimidating. But like a trusty cast-iron skillet, the griddle naturally develops a slick, non stick surface the more it’s used.
How to Choose & Use a Griddle
A griddle is an ultimate one-pan upgrade that opens up a world of culinary possibilities, whether it’s breakfast for a houseful of guests (kids’ sleepovers included) or meal prepping proteins for a busy week ahead. With an open mind and a few expert tips, you too can achieve professional-grade results.
Sizing
A double-burner griddle makes the most of your available stovetop space. We recommend comparing griddle measurements against your range to ensure a good fit before purchasing. If the griddle is too big, it may not heat evenly, creating cooler spots that can affect cook times and overhang that can be cumbersome to avoid while cooking. If it’s too small, it may overheat, climbing to unsafe temperatures and potentially damaging the carbon steel.
The right size griddle for your stove will sit flush over the burners, so bust out that tape measure before you head to checkout—but rest assured that Made In’s Carbon Steel Griddle was designed to fit most home ranges just right.
Heating
In pursuit of that restaurant-quality sear? Make sure to preheat your griddle thoroughly. Proper heat saturation—ensuring the entire griddle is consistently heated through—can take at least two minutes and up to ten (depending on your heat source). Start the griddle on medium-low heat, and gradually turn the heat up. If you don’t hear a loud sizzle the second food hits the surface, it’s likely not hot enough and needs more time. Patience is key.
Once the griddle is hot, avoid crowding it. Keeping food in a single layer without overlap will help you avoid the dreaded “steaming effect,” and achieve even browning—think quesadillas, grilled cheese sandwiches, and fried eggs with deliciously crispy edges.
Cleaning & Seasoning
Made In’s Carbon Steel Griddle comes pre-seasoned, but requires TLC on your part to maintain. Always let it cool completely before running it under water and wiping clean with a soap-free sponge, brush, or chain mail-style scrubber (you can add a little coarse salt to remove stubborn stuck-on residue). Dry completely with a clean kitchen towel, or return to the stovetop over low heat for a few minutes until no water droplets remain.
If its seasoning starts to wear off, which is part of normal use, you can easily restore it by rubbing with a small amount of seasoning wax or neutral high-heat oil like grapeseed. Use a cloth or paper towel to evenly distribute and remove any excess. Next, heat the griddle over low heat, gradually increasing the heat until the griddle is just smoking. This allows the layer of oil to polymerize on the surface, effectively recreating that non stick patina. Turn off the heat and let the griddle cool completely before storing.
At the end of the day, Made In’s Carbon Steel Griddle is a multi-tasking powerhouse that’s well worth the real estate. Praised by Food Network editors, spotlit in The Kitchn’s hands-on reviews, and lauded with Good Housekeeping and Esquire awards in design and performance, it has secured credibility as a must-have tool that delivers each and every time.
If you’ve been considering a flat-top griddle for your kitchen, upgrade with confidence and enjoy a professional-grade performance for years to come.
