In the ever-evolving world of outdoor cooking, new options seem to emerge every day. As a self-proclaimed outdoor cooking fanatic, we’re always eager to explore the latest and greatest grills and griddles. So, when Cuisinart offered to send over their new Cuisinart 360° Griddle Cooking Center, we jumped at the chance to put it to the test. Here’s our unfiltered Cuisinart 360 griddle review!
Table of Contents
If you love the idea of griddle cooking outdoors, the Cuisinart 360° Griddle Cooking Center could be the answer to your backyard cooking needs for the summer grilling season. Or heck, all year long. This innovative outdoor electric griddle promises to expand your al fresco cooking possibilities.
In the market for a versatile outdoor cooking solution?
Our in-depth review of the Cuisinart 360° Griddle Cooking Center (that’s a mouthful, which we also realize is a bad pun for a food website) explores whether this unique appliance is worth adding to your patio or deck setup. We’ll evaluate everything from design and cooking performance to ease of use and cleanup.
With a spacious 360° cooking surface and two independently controlled heating zones, this griddle offers plenty of cooking real estate and temperature control flexibility. But does it actually heat evenly and provide consistent results? We put it through its paces cooking a variety of foods.
You’ll get our honest assessment of durability, heat output, and any potential flaws or shortcomings with this griddle. We also share feedback on how easy it is to clean and store this sizable outdoor cooking center. Ready to make the best griddle burgers? Check this grill out!
TL;DR SUMMARY
Pros: Large 22″ griddle surface for cooking, even heat.
Cons: Not the easiest to clean and can be tough to flip food without a wall.
Price: $279 for the 22″ or $444 for the XL at the time of publishing on Amazon
Where to Buy: Amazon (cheapest), Wayfair, Willams-Sonoma (most expensive), Home Depot, or other online grilling retailers. Be sure to check the return policy when ordering a grill online.
What is the Cuisinart 360° Griddle Cooking Center?
It’s a grill – no, wait – it’s a griddle! Ok, the Cuisinart 360 Griddle Cooking Center is exactly what it claims to be – a 22″ round flat top griddle surface idea for anything you want to cook.
It has 2 u-shaped propane-fed heating coils that evenly heat the entire griddle surface for even temps. With 2 temperature control knobs, you can cook over the full surface for a large party or use half for a small crowd.
Performance & Functionality
Core Features
- 22-inch diameter cooking center
- Dual U-shaped propane burners for even heat control
- Dual temperature control knobs for independent control of each zone to create heat zones and cold zones
- Durable stainless steel lid with built-in hook for convenient storage and easy access
- 360° grease pan for easy grease management
- Folding prep table for additional workspace
- Easy assembly (approximately 30 minutes)
User Experience
The Cuisinart 360° Griddle Cooking Center offers a user-friendly experience. The stainless lid locks in heat and features a handy hook for easy storage on the side of the unit. The over-sized 360-degree grease pan efficiently collects drippings, which are then funneled into a removable pan at the back for effortless cleaning. The fold-down prep tray provides extra workspace for prepping ingredients or holding cooked food.
Assembly is straightforward and requires minimal tools (a screwdriver and an extra hand are recommended). If you’re going to move it around your backyard or grill space, make sure to check the bolts near the wheels occasionally to ensure they are still tight.
What You’ll Use it for
- Breakfast – cuz WHY NOT cook breakfast outside when the weather is crisp. Try this next level croque madame recipe for when you want to move past pancakes.
- Fajitas – pile on the peppers, onions, chicken, or beef for amazing grilled flank steak fajitas.
- Griddle burgers – let’s be honest a Smashburger just hits different. But if you want a thicker patty, check out what we did with these short rib burgers.
Comparative Analysis
While the Cuisinart 360° Griddle Cooking Center shares similarities with traditional flat-top griddles, like the Blackstone Griddle, its dual burners and temperature controls offer greater versatility for cooking different foods at varying temperatures.
Compared to other outdoor griddle options, the Cuisinart model stands out with its 360° grease collection system and built-in lid hook, promoting convenience and clean-up.
Value & Pricing
The Cuisinart 360° Griddle Cooking Center typically costs between $260.99 and $359.99 for the 22″ model, placing it within the average price range for outdoor griddles.
Considering its spacious cooking surface, dual burners, user-friendly features, and overall build quality, the Cuisinart griddle offers a good value for home cooks looking to expand their outdoor culinary repertoire. But we do see the Blackstone griddle more readily available and on sale more often.
Ours lasted about four years in Maine’s cold winter climate and Las Vegas’s oppressive heat before we needed to replace it. If you move it around a lot, you will want to check that all the nuts and bolts stay tightened once or twice a season.
Additional Costs
The Cuisinart 360° Griddle Cooking Center requires a propane tank to operate, which is an ongoing cost to factor in. And because it’s a grill, be sure to follow the same grilling safety tips as you would a charcoal or gas grill when using it.
You may also need to purchase additional grilling tools and accessories, such as a grill spatula, tongs, and cleaning supplies. We highly recommend the melting dome for … melting cheese and adding smoke flavor.
Cuisinart 360° Griddle Pros
- Spacious 22-inch diameter cooking surface
- Even heat distribution with dual U-shaped burners
- Dual temperature control knobs for zone cooking
- Durable lid with a built-in hook for storage
- 360° grease pan for easy clean-up
- Fold-down prep tray for extra workspace
- Easy assembly
- It has a huge cover that also works as a steamer lid to melt cheese and trap smoke if you want to smoke on your griddle grill.
Cuisinart 360° Griddle Cons
- We find the circular shape a little cumbersome when using a spatula to pick up piles of food, like peppers and onions or fries, from the surface of the grill.
- May not offer the same level of searing as a traditional grill
- Large footprint compared to some portable griddle options
Who is the Cuisinart Griddle Grill Best For?
The Cuisinart 360° Griddle Cooking Center is ideal for home cooks who enjoy preparing a variety of dishes outdoors. It’s well-suited for those who:
- Appreciate the griddle cooking versatility for making breakfast items, burgers, vegetables, and more.
- Value the convenience of even heat distribution and dual temperature control zones.
- Prioritize easy clean-up with a comprehensive grease management system.
- Enjoy features like a built-in lid and a fold-down prep tray for added functionality.
- Simply don’t want the Blackstone griddle grill.
Final Verdict
The Cuisinart 360° Griddle Cooking Center is a well-rounded outdoor cooking appliance that offers a spacious cooking surface, even heat distribution, and user-friendly features. While it may not sear food as intensely as a traditional grill, the dual burners and temperature controls provide the flexibility to cook a variety of dishes. The easy-to-clean design with a 360° grease collection system and a built-in lid hook are thoughtful touches that enhance the overall user experience.
FAQs
WHAT DO I NEED FOR GRIDDLE GRILLING?
There isn’t much needed for great grilling besides good food – but here are the essentials you must have for amazing griddle grilling:
- Squirt Bottle – for easily squirting oil onto the surface
- Spatula – to flip foods
- Tongs – to grab food and handle paper towels to safely wipe down the surface
- Cleaning Pads – these are not a must, but they make life easier once you are done cooking and cleaning your griddle top!
But first…. You MUST season your grill!
HOW DO YOU PRE-SEASON YOUR GRIDDLE?
- Always wash the new grill parts in clean, soapy water and rinse well.
- Start with the clean griddle surface.
- Turn on the grill and allow it to heat.
- Add a thin layer of oil and cover to coat.
- Allow the oil to heat past smoking.
- Cool the grill completely.
- Repeat the steps 2 or 3 more times to get a shiny dark surface on your new griddle!
Watch this how-to video that explains how to easily pre-season your grill: how to pre-season the Cuisinart 360 Griddle Cooking Center.
WHY SHOULD YOU PRE-SEASON YOUR GRIDDLE?
Seasoning any new cooktop is essential for success.
- Seasoning helps protect the cooking surface for a longer life
- Seasoning helps create a non-stick surface to flip foods without ripping or tearing
- And seasoning your griddle adds a bonus layer of flavor.
So, spend the time properly seasoning your grill before your first use, and you will love your results!
WHERE CAN YOU BUY A CUISINART 360ºF GRIDDLE?
You can purchase the griddle on their website or local stores such as Lowe’s, Home Depot, or hardware stores and like everything else, Amazon.
Part of me wants to get one of these again just for cooking pizza. They always came out amazing!