Chefman Electric Griddle Guide: XL, Standard or Panini Press?
As Amazon Associates, we earn from qualifying purchases. This means we may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you if you click through and make a purchase.
Chefman makes countertop appliances for everyday home cooks, and its electric griddles are a popular first buy for anyone who wants pancakes, eggs and burgers without juggling pans on the stove. An electric griddle is simply a flat, heated cooking plate with its own thermostat, so it holds a steady temperature across the whole surface. That makes it easy for beginners, and it also makes a Chefman electric griddle a practical gift for a new apartment, a growing family or a college student.
The three models here differ mainly in size and style: the Chefman XL electric griddle gives you the most flat cooking space, the standard griddle offers the same features in a smaller footprint, and the Chefman panini press closes like a book to toast sandwiches or opens flat as a small grill.
Chefman Electric Griddles Compared
Chefman
Chefman Electric Griddle with Removable Temperature Control, Immersible Flat Top Grill, Burger, Eggs, Pancake Griddle, Nonstick Easy Clean Cooking Surface, Slide Out Drip Tray, 10 x 16 Inch
Price and specifications are read from the Amazon product page and can change.
Chefman Electric Griddle with Removable Temperature
Best for: Small kitchens and couples
Pros
- Compact 9.8 x 15.7 inch surface
- Same 200-420°F control
- Immersible, dishwasher-safe cooktop
Cons
- Fewer servings per batch
- Lower 1200 watts
| Model | Cooking surface | Temperature control | Power | Cleaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chefman XL Electric Griddle with Removable Temperature Control | 10 x 20 inches | 200-420°F, removable | 1500 watts | Immersible and dishwasher safe, slide-out drip tray |
| Chefman Electric Griddle with Removable Temperature Control | 9.8 x 15.7 inches | 200-420°F, removable | 1200 watts | Immersible and dishwasher safe, slide-out drip tray |
| Chefman Electric Panini Press Grill | 5.5 x 8.75 inches closed, 10 x 8.75 inches open | Not listed | 1000 watts | Non-stick plates, removable drip tray |
Chefman XL Electric Griddle with Removable Temperature Control for Feeding a Crowd
Chefman
Chefman XL Electric Griddle with Removable Temperature Control, Immersible Flat Top Grill, Burger, Eggs, Pancake Griddle, Nonstick Extra Large Cooking Surface, Slide Out Drip Tray, 10 x 20 Inch
Price and specifications are read from the Amazon product page and can change.
Chefman XL Electric Griddle with Removable
Best for: Big families and holiday breakfasts
Pros
- Large 10 x 20 inch surface
- 200-420°F adjustable control
- Immersible, dishwasher-safe cooktop
- 1500 watts
Cons
- Needs more counter and storage space
The Chefman XL Electric Griddle with Removable Temperature Control is the largest cooking surface in this lineup at 10 by 20 inches. In everyday terms, that is enough room to cook pancakes, bacon and eggs side by side, or a full batch of burgers at once, which is exactly the kind of big-batch cooking the listing describes for family dinners and holiday gatherings. It runs on 1500 watts at 120 volts, the most power of the three.
The temperature dial ranges from 200 to 420°F. At the low end you can keep food warm; in the middle you can fry eggs and pancakes; at the top you can sear meat. The dial is part of a removable temperature control, which is the plug-in probe that sets the heat. Once you take it out, the listing says the cooktop is fully immersible and dishwasher safe, so you can soak or wash the whole plate. This is what people mean by a Chefman immersible griddle. A slide-out drip tray catches extra oil and grease, and the non-stick surface means you need less added oil. The listing notes UL approval (a common electrical safety certification in the US) and a 1-year warranty. Model number RJ23-LG-V3.
The XL suits families of four or more, people who host weekend brunches, and anyone who wants to cook a whole meal at once. The trade-off is space: a 20-inch plate needs a clear stretch of counter and a spot to store it. If you mostly cook for one or two, the standard model below does the same job in less room.
Chefman Electric Griddle with Removable Temperature Control for Smaller Kitchens
The Chefman Electric Griddle with Removable Temperature Control is the standard-size version of the XL. The title calls it a 10 x 16 inch griddle, while the features give a more exact cooking surface of 9.8 by 15.7 inches. Either way, it is about four inches shorter than the XL, which makes it easier to fit on a small counter or slide into a cabinet.
Almost everything else matches the XL: the same 200 to 420°F adjustable control, the same removable temperature probe, the same fully immersible and dishwasher-safe cooktop, the same slide-out drip tray and non-stick coating, UL approval and a 1-year warranty. The difference is power, at 1200 watts instead of 1500. On a smaller plate that is a sensible match, but the listing does not give heat-up times, so we cannot say how the two compare in speed. Model number RJ23-SM-V3.
This is the pick for couples, small households, apartment kitchens and first-time griddle buyers who want to try flat-top cooking without committing counter space. It gives way to the XL when you regularly cook for a group. If you want to see how other flat-top designs compare, our electric griddle guide walks through sizes and features from another angle.
Chefman Electric Panini Press Grill for Sandwiches and Tiny Spaces
Chefman
Chefman Electric Panini Press Grill, Compact 2-Slice Sandwich Maker, Non-Stick Coated Plates, Opens 180 Degrees, Dishwasher Safe, Removable Drip Tray, Stainless Steel/Black
Price and specifications are read from the Amazon product page and can change.
Chefman Electric Panini Press Grill
Best for: Dorm rooms, offices and sandwich lovers
Pros
- Presses sandwiches or opens flat
- Floating hinge for thick fillings
- Small footprint for storage
Cons
- No temperature range listed
- Smallest cooking area
The Chefman Electric Panini Press Grill works differently from the two griddles. It has two non-stick plates with a hinged lid. Closed, it presses and toasts sandwiches on a 5.5 by 8.75 inch surface, which the listing says fits two sandwiches. Opened 180 degrees, it lies flat as a 10 by 8.75 inch grill for burgers, steaks and vegetables. The floating hinge rises to fit thin grilled cheese or a thick, stuffed sandwich.
For cleaning, the listing describes tilt-up, skid-resistant feet that let grease run toward a drain at the back into a removable drip tray. The plates are non-stick, and the title says dishwasher safe, though the listing does not specify which parts can go in the dishwasher, so check the user guide before loading the plates. It runs on 1000 watts, carries UL approval and a 1-year limited warranty, and is model RJ02-180. The listing does not describe an adjustable temperature range; the special features field simply says “Manual”, so expect fewer heat settings than the griddles.
This model suits dorm rooms, office kitchens, road trips and anyone who mostly wants hot sandwiches and quick grilled meals. As a gift, it is the easiest to store and the most fun for a student. It gives way to the griddles when you want pancakes, eggs or a big batch of anything, because a flat, open griddle is simply better for runny batters and crowds. If the recipient also loves a good morning routine, pairing it with a Chefman coffee station makes a thoughtful kitchen-starter bundle.
How to Choose the Right Chefman Electric Griddle
Count the people you cook for. This is the biggest deciding factor. For four or more, or for hosting, the XL’s 10 by 20 inch plate saves you from cooking in rounds. For one or two people, the standard 9.8 by 15.7 inch griddle is plenty. For a single person who mostly eats sandwiches, the panini press is the most practical.
Think about what you cook most. Pancakes, eggs, French toast and smash burgers need an open, flat surface, which both griddles provide. Pressed sandwiches, quesadillas and grilled vegetables are where the panini press shines, since the top plate cooks both sides at once.
Measure your counter and storage. A griddle is only useful if you can set it up easily. Check the space before you choose the XL. The panini press is compact enough for a shelf or dorm desk.
Check temperature control and cleaning. Both griddles offer 200 to 420°F control and a fully immersible, dishwasher-safe plate once the probe is removed, which is a big help for beginners who dread scrubbing. The panini press listing does not give a temperature range and relies on non-stick plates and a drip tray for cleanup.
Buying as a gift. The standard griddle is a safe choice for a new home or first apartment, the XL is great for a family that loves weekend breakfasts, and the panini press is a fun gift for students and office workers. For bigger outdoor-style flat-top cooking, our tabletop griddle guide covers a different kind of cooker.
FAQ
What is the difference between the Chefman XL and standard electric griddle?
Size and power. The XL has a 10 by 20 inch surface and 1500 watts; the standard model has a 9.8 by 15.7 inch surface and 1200 watts. Temperature range, removable control, immersible cooktop and drip tray are the same.
Can I put a Chefman electric griddle in the dishwasher?
Both griddle listings say the cooktop is fully immersible and dishwasher safe once you remove the temperature control. Never submerge the temperature control itself.
What does “immersible” mean on a griddle?
It means the cooking plate can be fully placed in water for washing. This is only possible because the electrical part, the temperature control, unplugs from the plate.
Can the Chefman panini press cook more than sandwiches?
Yes. It opens 180 degrees into a flat 10 by 8.75 inch grill, and the listing mentions burgers, steaks and vegetables.
Which Chefman electric griddle is best for beginners?
The standard griddle is the easiest starting point: simple dial control from 200 to 420°F, a manageable size and an easy-clean immersible plate. Choose the XL if you already know you will cook for a crowd.
Do Chefman griddles come with a warranty?
All three listings mention a 1-year warranty from Chefman, and all three are described as UL approved.
