Presto Ceramic 22-Inch Electric Review

The Presto Ceramic offers a generous 253 square inches of cooking space, and has some of the best, most consistent measured heat distribution of the griddles we tested. It holds a temperature setting well, and the dial is accurate when compared to measured temperatures. It's made from a cast-aluminum, warp-proof base with a PFOA-free textured ceramic coating. This griddle uses an electric heating element, which is easily adjustable, and features removable handles for easier storage. It has one of the best price-to-performance ratios that we've found in an electric griddle.

Non-Stick Properties

The Presto Ceramic features a warp-proof, durable cast-aluminum base overlaid with ceramic non-stick coating. The coating is lightly textured with a small, criss-cross pattern, which for some foods is great and contributes to both versatility and durability. We also appreciate the non-toxic qualities of ceramic coating, compared to more traditional alternatives that contain PFAS or PFOAs. The slight texture also helps to ever so slightly elevate certain foods, like bacon, which creates small grease channels to aid in drainage and contributes to a crunchier bite.

We didn't love the rough non-stick texture when cooking particularly delicate foods, like scrambled eggs, which tended to leave behind a film that could burn onto the griddle surface. Our pancakes also came out with a criss-cross texture, which could be great for holding syrup and butter, but also made them less “perfect” and fluffy-looking. During higher heat cooking, like with cuts of meat, the non-stick surface is prone to dark stains that are hard to clean off once they're burned on. Small complaints aside, the non-stick is highly effective for most foods and was durable throughout the testing process. It seems like it will stand the test of time, contributing to its overall value.

Heat Distribution

The Presto Ceramic scored high marks here, with some of the best measured heat distribution of all electric griddles tested, especially considering its generous surface area. There aren't any super notable cool or hot spots, making cooking dependable across the griddle. No need to worry about food around the edges cooking at a much different rate than the middle, making cooking more hassle-free.

In our measured heat distribution tests, the Presto Ceramic was among the best for consistency across the griddle's surface. It was also one of the closest when it came to measured temperature rating compared to what we had set it to on the temperature dial — some griddles in the lineup ended up wildly off from the temperature we hoped to be cooking at. It also maintains this stated temperature better than other options. This makes cooking on the Presto Ceramic even, consistent, and predictable — all qualities that we appreciate in a good griddle.

Grease Management

We found the grease management of the Presto Ceramic wholly sufficient, if not outstanding. The generously sized grease channel and trap can catch all overflow from cooking many pieces of greasy bacon. It's easily removable and can be washed in either the sink or dishwasher for easy, quick cleanup. This griddle scored in the upper pack for grease management.

While only a minor issue, the grease trap can feel slightly loose and can easily slide free if you're moving the griddle around. Some users noted complaints of it breaking easily, and the plastic may crack with large temperature changes. We'd suggest waiting for it to cool down before putting it under water to rinse. As with any griddle with a grease trap, we'd recommend not cracking eggs directly above the channel, unless you want them to flow off of the griddle surface. The texture of the non-stick also makes it a bit harder to direct excess grease into the trap, compared to other griddles with smoother non-stick.

Cooking Versatility

The Presto Ceramic is no one-trick pony. While we certainly preferred it for cooking traditional breakfast foods, it can also fry grilled cheese sandwiches, kebabs, and quesadillas with ease, and even the occasional pork chop or chicken breast when needed. The narrow sides make it a bit challenging for anything that requires stirring, and food can fall over the sides if you're not careful. Additionally, high-heat cooking can stain the ceramic surface.

The Presto Ceramic's cooking versatility is boosted by its consistent temperature and relatively large effective cooking range. However, anything that you anticipate to splatter or smoke isn't the best for an open-top device with no lid option. Obviously, foods with a lot of liquid are not well-suited to a flat top griddle. When we attempted to cook steaks on this device, we did dealt with a fair amount of smoking, as well. For its intended use, though, this griddle works incredibly well.

Cleanup

Cleaning up after a meal with the Presto Ceramic proved quite easy and straightforward. We were delighted that there are not really any nooks and crannies on this griddle that are impossible to reach, and it's easy to keep clean over time. The process took about 10 minutes from start to finish.

While cleaning is, for the most part, a breeze, the textured surface makes things a bit more challenging than griddles with a smoother surface, which are much easier to simply swipe clean. We found that high-heat cooking can leave dark stains on the griddle surface that are challenging or impossible to remove.

Should You Buy the Presto Ceramic?

There's little reason not to buy the Presto Ceramic if you're looking for a reliable, high-performing electric griddle. It also scored the highest price-to-performance ratio of almost all griddles tested, and we think it's an excellent value and a good buy. However, if you have very limited kitchen storage space, this device may still be too large even with its removable handles.

What Other Griddles Should You Consider?

While the Presto Ceramic does the job for most griddle cooking applications, other griddles may offer more performance in specific categories. For another highly affordable option with incredible versatility, see the Nordic Ware 2-Burner. Though this griddle needs a heat source to function, it offers similar cooking space, is very compact and easy to clean, and can double as a baking sheet. For even more cooktop space for frequently cooking for many, the Presto Tilt 'n Drain was our favorite option for large groups, and has many of the same well-functioning features, just larger.