I have wanted a griddle for so long. And I was excited to see this one at Sam’s for only $200. So I saved up and then came to buy it for Christmas in early December, only to find that the price had increased $30.
I would say that, for the money, it’s “not bad.” But I’m not really happy that I bought it.
On the plus side, it is a griddle, and cooking food on it is good for the most part. I seasoned it well and the food tastes good that is cooked on it.
Now for the NEGATIVES:
First, this thing needs a metal cover that mounts on it. It comes with a CLOTH cover, which I though would be fine. However, one night when the temperature changed rapidly, the liquid in the grease catcher evaporated through the whole and STAINED the cover (see pic) and got on the griddle surface and caused it to RUST (see pic). I didn’t think that this was the type of surface that could do that…
I cleaned it the best I could, but it doesn’t seem the same now, and I will have to season it again.
Second, speaking of the grease catcher, it is DEAD CENTER of the cooking surface instead of being on the side like most other brands. It could not have been placed in a more inconvenient spot. I lose food in it all the time. I have since started placing one of those stainless-steel hamburger presses over the hole when I am cooking and move it when I need to drain some of the grease or clean the griddle when I’m through.
Third, I have been assembling things like this since I was 12, and this thing was not very easy to assemble. The instructions could have been a bit clearer in a few instances. In addition, it was not manufactured with much care. Several of the holes do not line up as they should, making it imbalanced and lopsided.
Fourth, speaking of manufacturing, several of the pieces, such as the tray surface were scratched at the factory and have now begun to rust (see pic).
Fifth, the handles on the side are NOT stainless steel and are beginning to rust already (see pic). It’s not even two months old…
Sixth, the knobs are not steel but cheap PLASTIC, and the shiny metallic paint coating is chipping off already due to the heat and it looks cheap (see pic).
Seventh, another manufacturing blunder is that the label for one of the knobs is not centered (see pic). This is just a nuisance that bothers my OCD, but still… I expect better for $230.
Honestly, if I could return this I would, but I think it’s too late, it’s too dang big (unless I go through the hassle of taking it back apart), and I don’t have the box anymore.
I would suggest shelling out the extra $170 for the PRO model for $400. But then again, if it’s manufactured like THIS one, I would say to forget that as well. You could get another brand for just a little more.