This griddle changed the way I make pancakes — and much more.

I don’t buy any superfluous kitchen appliances. Toaster oven? I’ll pass. Instant pot? Good for you, not for me. Air fryers? Thank you, but no. I’m a textbook minimalist in the kitchen: Give me a well-calibrated oven, a stand mixer, and a Vitamix, and I’m happy as can be. So you can imagine my surprise when I fell completely in love with the Zojirushi Gourmet Sizzler Electric Griddle.

A quick backstory on my griddle love affair. One perk to being an employee-owner at King Arthur is that you can check out samples of products and bring them home for baking. For longer than I care to admit, I would sign out the Zojirushi Electric Griddle, lug it home, and spend my weekends batch-cooking my favorite griddle-friendly recipes. I eventually grew tired of the transport and decided it was finally time to commit to this relationship and buy one for my kitchen.

Photography by Kristin Teig; food styling by Liz Neily

Better griddle, better pancakes

My love for pancakes soared to new heights after I had an electric griddle of my very own. In my pre-griddle life, when I had to make pancakes in a nonstick pan on the stovetop, I would waste half the batter battling to maintain consistent heat. The first few pancakes would be burned, while the last several pancakes would be very pale. Somewhere in there, maybe, would be a few evenly cooked results.

Because of the flat surface and consistent, controlled heating of this griddle, every pancake is now expertly cooked, beautifully browned, and oh-so-fluffy — the dreaded first pancake is no longer served as a sacrifice, but rather part of the meal. Whether I’m making Almond Flour Pancakes, Homemade Whole Grain Pancake Mix, or trying my hand at pancake cereal using our Confetti Pancake Mix, the electric griddle has consistently saved me time and energy. The days of cooking across multiple burners, using multiple pans, and then washing said multiple pans are over.

Photography by Kristin Teig; food styling by Liz Neily

Here’s what makes this griddle great

Consistent, even heat: With the Zojirushi Electric Griddle, the positioning of the heating element allows for even heat distribution, meaning golden brown pancakes that cook through without burning. I’ve found I get the best results when I preheat the griddle for anywhere from 5 to 15 minutes — normally the amount of time a pancake batter rests before cooking — to ensure there are no hot spots. The griddle’s 1350-watt motor allows for a wide temperature range of 176°F to 425°F, and if you really want to get to know the settings, an infrared thermometer is ideal for determining the exact surface temperature of the griddle. Once your griddle hits the 350°F to 375°F range (ideal for cooking pancakes), it’s easy to maintain that temperature, ensuring a full batch of perfectly cooked pancakes. There won’t be any dark bottoms that need to be served burned-side-down or raw batter surprises when cutting into your stack.

More room, less waiting: Be honest, when was the last time you made pancakes for people on the stovetop and were actually able to sit down and eat them together? With my sous chef Zojirushi, all it takes is two or three rounds of batter on the griddle before everyone is ready to sit down at once. When making standard-sized pancakes, I’m able to cook six pancakes at a time. (I think you could easily fit eight, but I like to give myself ample room for successful flipping.) And when I made pancake cereal, I loaded the batter into a squeeze bottle and the mini pancakes were ready to flip as soon as I had finished squeezing out rows and rows (and rows … and rows) across the surface.

Don’t overlook the lid: This griddle also comes with a lid, which may not seem like a big deal, but adds to my love for three reasons. One: Baking over very low heat with the lid on is a key step when making fluffy, cloud-like Japanese Soufflé Pancakes to guarantee they bake slowly and don’t dry out. What’s more, cooking with the lid all but guarantees even and quick toasting of grilled cheeses. (We’re talking six sandwiches at a time!) Two: Setting the griddle to the lowest heat setting and using the lid to keep food warm is a great trick when feeding a crowd. And three: Storing the griddle with the lid on protects the nonstick surface from scratching, while also discouraging any dust and debris from finding its way to the surface.  

Even cleanup is a breeze! The design of the griddle is basically four pieces stacked together: the main body guard, the heater set, the plate, and the lid. It’s best to allow the griddle to cool completely before cleaning, but if you experience any scorched food bits, Zojirushi recommends wiping those off with a clean dish or paper towel while the plate is still warm. Hand washing is best and warm water and a mild detergent are all you need to keep your griddle looking like new. I keep my griddle stacked and stored all together on the top shelf of my dry storage in the pantry — I like to keep it close at hand since I reach for it at least once a week.

Photography by Rick Holbrook; food styling by Kaitlin Wayne

The griddle goes way beyond pancakes

As great as pancakes are, this griddle has many other uses — a boon for someone like me, who resists most single-use tools. The griddle can be used to make anything that benefits from cooking on a flat surface with consistent, even heat. I use mine to make Sourdough English Muffins and Pupusas, but it’s also great for cooking tortillas, eggs, bacon, sausage, hamburgers, or Zucchini-Cheese Pancakes. It’s also ideal for reheating or toasting flatbreads, hamburger buns, or pizza. The ample cooking surface enables you to cook multiple items at once, which reduces hands-on time and allows for more moments spent around the table, enjoying a meal made with love.

If you want to learn more, check out the Zojirushi Gourmet Sizzler Electric Griddle and the many reviews from customers who have been won over, just like me.

Cover photo by Kristen Teig; food styling by Liz Neily.