Electric Grill vs Griddle: What’s the Difference?

If you love cooking at home, you’ve probably wondered whether a griddle or a grill is the right fit for your space and cooking style. With so many options available, it can feel overwhelming to choose the perfect appliance for your deck, patio, or balcony. Both electric griddles and grills have unique advantages that make them excellent additions to your cooking toolkit. This guide will break down the differences, explore the benefits of each, and help you decide which is best for your meals and lifestyle.

Understanding the basics: griddles and grills

Before we dive into specific products, it helps to understand the core differences between griddles and grills. Both appliances use heat to cook food, but the way they deliver that heat and the textures they create are very different.

Electric griddle

A griddle provides a smooth, flat cooking surface, making it perfect for breakfast foods like pancakes, eggs, or bacon. It’s also ideal for sandwiches, quesadillas, and vegetables. The even surface ensures consistent heat across the cooking area, so you don’t have to guess which spot is hotter. Griddles are versatile, reliable, and perfect for cooks who love multitasking without worrying about uneven browning.

Electric grill

Grills replicate the outdoor barbecue experience. Most have ridges or grates that create signature grill marks while allowing fat to drain away. Grills excel at cooking proteins like steak, chicken, and fish, and they bring that slightly smoky flavor and caramelized texture many of us associate with outdoor cooking.

Both appliances are versatile, easy to use, and bring a touch of joy to home cooking, even for small outdoor spaces or patios.

What makes electric appliances so convenient

Electric griddles and grills are game-changers for home cooks. They deliver the flavors and textures of traditional outdoor cooking without the hassle of charcoal or propane. Here’s why they’re worth considering:

• Consistent temperature control: Precise settings ensure even cooking every time.

• Quick heat-up: Electric surfaces warm faster, so breakfast or dinner is ready sooner.

• Space-friendly design: Compact options are perfect for apartments balconies or home patios.

• Easy clean-up: Removable plates or drip trays make washing up simple.

• Compliant: HOA approved and a great gas-bad workaround for outdoor grilling. 

With an electric appliance, you get convenience, versatility, and control, all while maintaining the flavor and texture you love.

Comparing cooking styles: griddle vs grill

The cooking style you prefer will help determine the right appliance for your home.

What you can make on a griddle

Griddles are ideal for multitaskers and breakfast enthusiasts. Some foods that shine on a griddle include:

• Breakfast favorites: Pancakes, waffles, French toast, eggs, and bacon.

• Sandwiches and paninis: Even browning with perfectly melted cheese.

• Vegetables and stir-fries: A stable surface for sautéing veggies or making stir-fry dishes.

Griddles also allow cooking foods with liquid ingredients, like eggs or sauces, without worrying about drips. If breakfast or versatile cooking is your jam, a griddle is a clear winner.

What you can make on a grill

Grills are best for proteins and foods that benefit from direct heat and searing. Electric grills mimic the outdoor experience and create beautifully seared meals:

• Burgers and steaks: Ridged surfaces create grill marks and drain fat for a cleaner cook.

• Chicken and fish: Even cooking with a caramelized exterior.

• Vegetables and fruits: Add smokey flavor and a delicious char texture. 

If you want the look, texture, and flavor of outdoor grilling, an electric grill delivers in a practical, indoor-friendly format.

Spotlight on Current Backyard’s electric appliances

Current® makes it easy to find an electric cooking solution that fits your needs. Our range is designed for performance, convenience, and versatility, whether you’re whipping up breakfast or grilling a weeknight dinner. Two standout products in the lineup are the Model G Single Zone Electric Griddle and the Model G Dual Zone Electric Grill.

Model G Single Zone Electric Griddle

If you’re drawn to the griddle cooking style, the Model G Griddle is a perfect fit. Here’s why:

• Flat, even surface: Provides consistent heat across the entire cooking area for flawless pancakes, eggs, and sandwiches.

• Single-zone heating: Offers precise control, so your breakfast foods or sautéed vegetables cook evenly every time.

• Easy clean-up: Removable plates and pre-seasoned coating make washing up simple and stress-free.

Whether you’re preparing a leisurely brunch for yourself or cooking multiple breakfast favorites for the family, the Model G Griddle is versatile, reliable, and perfect for griddle enthusiasts.

A few of our favorite griddle recipes to try

• Cinnamon roll pancakes: Perfect for stacking with syrup or fresh berries.

• Griddled Pencil-Thin Asparagus with Lemon Aioli: A great side or satiating lunch. 

• Creole Cabbage and Sausage: Talk about a quick and delicious meal. 

Model G Dual Zone Electric Grill

If you crave the sear and caramelization of a traditional grill, the Model G Grill delivers:

• Dual-zone cooking: Cook different foods simultaneously at different temperatures—think steak and vegetables.

• Ridged grill surface: Creates beautiful grill marks and allows excess fat to drain.

• Precise and efficient: Reaches desired temperature faster.

• All-electric, no open flame cooking: Use safely on balconies, patios, and smaller spaces.

A few of our favorite grill recipes to try

• Grilled ribeye steak: Sear your steak on the high-heat zone while keeping vegetables warm on the lower zone.

• Grilled Tri-Tip Sandwiches: A perfect harmony of spice-rubbed, tender tri-tip roast and zesty, homemade lemon-garlic aioli. 

• Grilled pineapple spears: Caramelizes this sweet fruit beautifully.
  

Choosing the right appliance for you

Here’s a quick breakdown to help guide your choice:

If your meals are mostly breakfast or require a flat cooking surface, the Model G Griddle is ideal. If you love burgers, steaks, or grilled veggies with the classic sear, the Model G Grill is the way to go.

Expand your cooking with confidence

Whether you choose the flat, even heat of a griddle or the classic sear of a grill, Current® electric appliances make cooking simple, fun, and delicious. With the Model G Griddle, you get breakfast-ready versatility and multitasking ease. With the Model G Grill, you get grill marks, dual-zone control, and the classic flavors of barbecue without the hassle.

No matter which appliance fits your lifestyle, Current® helps you cook smarter, enjoy more flavor, and explore recipes that elevate everyday meals. Stick with us and make your next breakfast, lunch, or dinner a little more effortless and a lot more delicious.