Cuisinart Griddler Elite

Six weeks of near constant use has validated that this is a quality product that can't help but save you considerable time in preparing your meals. My wife didn't think she'd use it much but after it was delivered and we tried it, she used it every day. What took 30-min+ in an oven for chicken breasts now takes 6 minutes - with grill marks! We found that the perfect medium rare on a couple of steaks requires 2-min sear + 2-min cook on 400 degrees; no turning required. After a 5-min foil tent rest, it's absolutely mouthwatering. Especially on the chicken, we monitored doneness with a meat thermometer until we got our timing down pat. We were so surprised it would produce completely done meat, yet so juicy, in so short a time. Burgers come out impressively delish since the adjustable closure stop ensures the meat isn't squashed during cooking, preserving all that juicy taste until you bite into it. I made a large batch of turkey breakfast sausage and it came out even better than my oven version. And the excess fat rolls right into the tray no matter what you're cooking (bacon produces a lot), so it's not swimming in a pool of bubble-popping grease that splatters all over your kitchen. This model is one of the few that has separate temperature settings for each side. That's the trick to fast-but-thorough cooking. Many other models have no temp settings at all, which just makes some dishes impossible. We're both working parents with teenage girls very active in after-school events, so what a relief it is to have a real dinner (no nuked, salt-laden box products) ready to eat in under 30-min every single day. And it fires up to working temp surprisingly quick (3-4 min). This model did trick me the first few times using it because I set the temperature, was standing by rolling my hands together in anticipation, waiting for the alert tone that it was ready, and ... nothing. Okay, dummy me didn't click the Start|Stop button. Duh. I was actually surprised how easily the food remnants come off during a hand wash. I've used many a so-called nonstick product before but after six weeks of almost daily use, I can attest that this one really is. It naturally collects charred remnants in between the raised elements on the grill side of the plates, but it takes little more than running your dishwashing tool over it to get it off. Seriously, no real scrubbing required. Then it takes just a second to pop the plates back onto the unit, waiting for the next task. I didn't think of writing a review or else I would provide pictures but I can state genuinely that you'll be happy with this unit. It's one of the more pricey models but it'll keep you from messing around with lesser units. Cooks food to perfection so quick, enhances the taste and quality of your dish, and it's easy to clean. Win-win.

This is a great all in one! We bought it to primarily grill inside on our stove and use the vent hood and it works great. It actually doesn't give off very much smoke. If you're using it like a panini press, you can easily fit 4 chicken breasts or two large paninis. If you open it flat, you can cook a lot more. We've used it to make pancakes on the griddle side and it can cook a bunch at once compared to a normal flat top griddle. I personally prefer the stainless steal look and color over the cheap black plastic look. The best part is the speed in which it heats up, cooks food and how good the food tastes. We were able to buy it on sale and it was a great value.

Upgraded from a George Foreman and so glad I did. Love the removable upper and lower plates for cleaning. Heats up quickly. It’s nice to have the option to have each plate at different temperatures.

So many really great things to know about this! First the dual/separate temperature controls for top and bottom is a great thing to have. the fact it has actual temperature controls rather than just high medium low etc. is really terrific. Fast, does exactly what it is supposed to do and does it great. No smoke at all really and we have done everything from pancakes to rib eye steaks and comes out perfectly. I do have to add something additional. We purchased this in 4/24. Starting a few months ago we noticed the handle was leaning/dropping a bit. It did not affect the cooking on the machine though but sure looked a bit wonky. We contacted Cuisinart. This is slightly after a 1 year ownership period. They asked for what was wrong and a photo and serial number on cord plug. In less than a week we were notified that we needed to cut the wire from the machine and take a photo of that action. Once that was done, just a few days later we got notification that our new griddler (same model etc.) would be sent out soon. This is now 7/1/25 about a week later and it was delivered today. Originally I made contact with them on 6/17 and new unit receive 7/1. Exactly 2 weeks (including weekends). Tested it, cooked on it..... perfect! We are thrilled with this machine but we are also thrilled that dealing with Cuisinart was this wonderful. This is the way a manufacturer should handle problems with a customer. We are.... obviously...thrilled about it all.

This is an impressive device. Was originally just looking for a panini toaster and this does a great job of those. Turns out incredible toasted cheese sandwiches..!! But it also cooks bacon, fried and scrambled eggs in an amazingly quick time and to perfection. Chicken breasts or tenders come out nice on either the flat or raised grill. Pork chops or thin steak cuts do well. Easy to operate an clean. Exceeded my expectations.

I seemed to have caught a rather big dip in pricing on this unit so that probably helps my review a bit. It has exceeded or met my expectations for what i paid. I really only plan to ever use this for pressing sandwiches, wraps, and burritos. When i bought it i didn't even know it could lay flat and do pancakes, which it did a great job at. It's very doubtful i would ever cook a piece of meat directly on this. What i really like: -Size. It's heavy. It's big. If your bread isn't too big you could do 4 sandwiches at once. Also managed to get 8 pancakes on it at once. I haven't tried yet but i expect i could get 4 burritos/wraps on it at one time too. -Heats quickly and evenly. -Easy to clean -Quality of food on it has been great so far. What could be improved -Doesn't naturally press evenly front to back or left to right. This can be fixed manually but the lid is too hot to touch so requires a hot pad to re-apply pressure. There seems to be a lot of play in the lid overall. -The lid latch of mine is extremely difficult to engage. -The size of the channels on the grill plates are *way* too large. You're lucky to get 3 peaks and valleys on a sandwich. Overall i'm a fan and i'm happy i spent the extra money on this over some sub-$100 options because i think you get what you pay for. If i run into any long term quality issues like others have noted i'll be sure to update.

So far so good. Didn't burn out or short circuit on me yet for over-heating. My last Chefman purchase stopped working after 2 uses after over heating and never turned back on even after an hour of cooling off. This purchase was a lot better and worth the extra dollars. - Very durable and well built (and heavy as result of that -- which I don't mind) - Huge plus: heating elements are INSIDE the plates themselves and not some hot electrical exposed burners underneath - Commercial quality - even if not advertised as such. - Digital feature and also temperature controlled by real knobs for upper and lower plates separately -- huge plus - The SEAR function turns off automatically after 2 min max after pre-heating and lets you know when it's ready-- this keeps the unit from overheating - Super easy to clean - The drip tray function is amazing and tucked away at the right place (in the back) to scrape all the drippings into it. If you don't mind the bulkiness and weight while wanting a heavy duty panini maker, I recommend. Will update this review if I run into any hiccups.

I have not found any problem with this Grill. Heats up within 10 minutes or less depending on settings, searing maybe a little longer. I have played around buying other electric grillers and then end up giving them away or yard sale. I decided to try one more electric grill and after reading the reviews I spent more money than what I have normally been willing to fork over for an electric grill. I am please to say that I got my money's worth with this one. My overall review of this grill, heating temperature controls are easily accessed and marked with upper and lower plates separated and heating temperatures shown as large numbers with sound indication as to when these have reached heat settings. Installation and removal of upper and lower plates is very simple and they can be removed submerged in water to be cleaned or put into dishwasher. Grease cup to catch excessive grease overflow on grill is very good. Griller has excellent heat distribution throughout both plates, I find no problems here. The griller can be opened up where both upper and lower plates serve as a flat grill controlling different temperatures when cooking to separate items such as meats on one side and frying and egg on the other. The grill also serves to cook foods by compression or a choice of settings controlling the height of the upper plate just above but not touching the food cooking below it. Searing is also and option with this griller and works quite well. The non stick griller plates are two sided providing a flat surfaced side and flip it over to give the food a grilled mark to the food. If you are tired of getting electric grills that don't perform as advertised and do not mind throwing some extra cash on a grill, get this one. I think I have bought my last electric grill, at least until this one dies or whichever one of us goes first.