Nonstick electric griddles and I are frenemies. No matter how much I avoid metal cooking utensils, scratches inevitably render each griddle’s nonstick surface unusable within five years. That is, until I found the Presto 07062 Electric Griddle. The last time I retired a griddle, I replaced it with this pricier ceramic model, and that Presto product has been a scratch-free cornerstone of my kitchen ever since. Now’s your chance to follow my lead as the highly rated Presto 07062 Electric Griddle is currently available for $52, which is $8 off the original listing price. Its staying power makes it an easy recommendation for folks seeking a great gift for themselves or for another home cook.
Looking for more deals? CNET Deals texts are free, easy and save you money. Over the last five years, I’ve seen my cast-aluminum Presto ceramic griddle take a beating without losing its nonstick properties, and its performance easily outshines its few flaws. The biggest shortcoming is that the textured ceramic cooking surface has tiny channels that love to absorb oil. (Even nonstick cookware works best with a little oil.) With enough time and heat, this trapped oil cooks onto the griddle surface above the heating elements and spreads from there. Regular cleaning only slows the oil’s progress across your griddle, so this isn’t the best fit if you prefer your cookware to look as pristine as the day you bought it. I’ll admit that some blame lies with me — I could’ve deep-cleaned it more often by making a baking soda paste mentioned by the manufacturer. It really does work, but it’s a long process compared to a quick wash in the sink. But despite the battle-worn appearance of my griddle, I haven’t noticed a decline in nonstick performance due to the oil deposits forming a coating that’s not unlike the seasoning on a cast-iron griddle. (I can’t vouch for intentionally seasoning this Presto griddle, but my accidental results suggest that it’s possible.) At the end of the day, I can’t complain about its cooking performance relative to other electric griddles I’ve used. And the durability of its nonstick ceramic surface makes it an easy gift idea. Here are 35 of the best kitchen gifts for home cooks in 2024 and 20 essential tools every kitchen should have.