One of the downsides of having eyes bigger than our stomachs is that we often reach for the biggest piece of cookware we can find, purely by default. Yet while a huge pot or pan can be useful in many cases (like when you’re cooking for a crowd), you probably don’t need a bulky piece of cookware for everyday life. And yes—the same applies to your ideal griddle.
Today, we’re talking about griddle sizes (plus a bit about different griddle shapes). Learn what your options are, how they differ from one another, and how to choose one for yourself.
Why Griddle Size Matters
We’ve been griddle fanatics for a while now, and it’s our go-to whenever we’re cooking up a big breakfast, doing a mixed grill, or stir-frying for a crowd. Griddles are often made from materials with a high heat capacity, like carbon steel or cast iron, which maintain a steady temperature throughout the cooking process and help you get a deep, even sear on your food.
While griddles are typically on the larger side, a smaller version can cook just as evenly and efficiently as a full size one—and it can also be a better option depending on your needs, kitchen size, and how many people you’re typically cooking for.
Common Griddle Sizes and Their Uses
While this is no means a comprehensive list of all the different griddle sizes out there, here are the most common ones and what they’re best-suited to cook up.
Small Griddles (8-10")
Griddles are best known for their large capacity, but you don’t have to be cooking for a crowd to reap their benefits. For small (or solo-size) meals, camping dinners, and tiny kitchens, consider an 8”-10” griddle: that’s just the right size for a steak, a couple of burgers, or a couple portions of bacon and eggs. This is the size of our Half Griddle—perfect for those who want all the benefits of our double burner Carbon Steel Griddle, but at (you guessed it) half the size.
Medium Griddles (11-14")
At roughly 11”-14” long, medium-size griddles sit right in the sweet spot. Big enough to comfortably feed a small family or gathering, yet still portable enough to pull out for a solo meal, they’re the perfect versatile option for households that don’t want to commit to anything larger (for now).
Large Griddles (15" and Above)
Like we mentioned up top, you’ll want a larger griddle—i.e. 15” or longer—if you tend to cook for a lot of people at once. Our Griddle comes in at 24” long (with a cooking surface of 17.5”), more than enough capacity to cook several steaks, chicken breasts, or a party’s worth of pancakes and eggs. This size also fits across the surface of a large grill to allow for dual-zone cooking, so it’s a great option for outdoor cooking come summertime.
Griddle Shapes and Their Benefits
Now that you’re well versed on choosing the best size griddle, it’s time to move on to the best shape.
Round Griddles
If you’re a pancake, crepe, or omelet lover, round griddles are probably the right shape for you. With the same flat-top surface as a rectangular griddle, they’re the perfect size and shape for round-shaped foods, or even just an individual fish filet or chicken breast. Bonus: they’re also super easy to store, and fit just as easily on your stovetop or grill as other shapes.
Square Griddles
Similar to round griddles, square griddles are compact, portable, and perfect for cooking small quantities of food—just with slightly more surface area. We like to use these for sandwiches, of course, but the extra bit of space makes them just as useful for smaller items like shrimp, scallops, and chopped vegetables. Like the other griddles we mentioned, this one also fits on top of a stove burner or grill.
Rectangular Griddles
Rectangular griddles are the O.G. They’re probably what you imagine when you think of a griddle—likely because of the iconic flat-top at your local diner. Depending on the size, these are typically long enough to fit over two burners, with enough surface area to cook large quantities of food.
How to Choose the Right Griddle Size and Shape for Your Needs
Space, cooking habits, and individual preference all play into choosing your perfect griddle.
Cooking Habits
Are you into steak nights for one, or breakfast fry-ups for your entire extended family? This, too, should influence which griddle you pick. You don’t want to haul out a 24” pan every time you want to make a simple dinner for you and your partner, but if you see yourself getting a lot of use out of a broader surface area (and you have the space for it), then definitely go for the bigger option.
Kitchen Space
This seems like an obvious one, but you don’t want to overlook the storage capacity of your kitchen when choosing a griddle. Before you purchase, make sure that the griddle will actually fit on top of your stovetop or grill, and then check to see that you’ve got the cabinet or drawer space to stow it—we recommend using a measuring tape.
Versatility
Aside from standard rectangular, square, or round griddles, you can also find models with ridges that mimic the cross-hatch pattern of a grill, or ones with small perforations to allow flame contact. These can be a great option if you’re looking to get a bit creative with your griddle cooking routine.
If you’re still figuring out your griddle needs, however, it’s probably safe to opt for something multi-purpose, like a large- or medium-sized rectangular griddle. You can also go something like our Half-Perforated Griddle, which offers slightly more versatility: the perforated half is great for flame-kissed burgers and steaks, while the solid half allows you to safely cook foods like eggs, pancakes, and fried rice.
Ready to Shop?
Everyone should know the joys of having their own griddle—whether they’re a staunch solo cook or love hosting weekly dinner parties. And with so many sizes and shapes available, you don’t need a ton of storage space, the perfect kitchen setup, or a huge stovetop to welcome one of our light weight, versatile, and responsive Carbon Steel Griddles into your home.
