7 Best Griddles For Electric RV Hookups That Nomads Swear By

You pull into a campsite, plug in your shore power cord, and the first thing you want is a real meal without stinking up your tiny living space. A good electric griddle is the answer, turning your outdoor picnic table into a fully functional second kitchen. But not all griddles are created equal, especially when you’re dealing with the power and space constraints of an RV.

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Why Electric Griddles are an RV Kitchen Essential

An electric griddle is more than just a pancake maker; it’s a strategic tool for managing life on the road. It moves the messiest, smelliest cooking outside your rig. Think sizzling bacon, searing burgers, or sautéing onions—all tasks that can leave lingering odors and grease splatter inside a small, enclosed space for days.

Using an electric griddle also helps manage your power consumption. When you’re hooked up to a 30-amp service, you can’t run the air conditioner, microwave, and an electric water heater all at once. By plugging a 1500-watt griddle directly into the campground pedestal’s 20-amp outlet, you free up your RV’s main circuit for other appliances. This simple act prevents tripped breakers and the dreaded "power management shuffle."

Finally, it’s about versatility. A single flat-top surface can handle breakfast, lunch, and dinner. It replaces multiple pans, which saves precious cabinet space and reduces the number of dishes you have to wash in a tiny RV sink. It’s a minimalist approach to a maximalist menu.

Blackstone 17" E-Series: The Nomad Favorite

There’s a reason you see this griddle at nearly every campground. The Blackstone E-Series nails the core needs of RV life: a generous cooking surface, solid performance, and a design that understands outdoor cooking. The 17-inch model provides enough space for a full breakfast for two or four burgers, yet it’s not overwhelmingly large to store.

Its best feature is the rear grease management system. It effectively channels grease away from your food into a catch cup, making both cooking and cleanup far more manageable than on cheaper models. The non-stick ceramic-titanium coated surface heats evenly and is surprisingly durable, though you still need to use non-metal utensils to protect it.

The main tradeoff here is its power draw and bulk. At around 1200 watts, it’s manageable on a 20-amp pedestal outlet but could be a stretch on older campground wiring or if you’re sharing a circuit. It’s also boxy. While not excessively heavy, you need to dedicate a specific storage bay or compartment for it, as it won’t slide into a slim drawer.

Cuisinart Griddler FIVE: Ultimate Versatility

If your rig is short on space, a multi-function appliance is your best friend. The Cuisinart Griddler FIVE isn’t just a griddle; it’s a contact grill, a panini press, and a full grill/griddle combo. This versatility means one appliance can replace three, a massive win for tiny kitchens.

The magic is in its reversible plates. One side is a flat griddle, the other is a ridged grill. You can use it closed for pressing sandwiches or open it flat to create two separate cooking surfaces—perfect for grilling chicken on one side while sautéing veggies on the other. For solo travelers or couples, the cooking area is more than sufficient.

However, that versatility comes with a compromise: surface area. When opened flat, you have two smallish cooking zones, not one large, continuous surface like a dedicated griddle. This can be challenging if you’re making a big batch of pancakes or cooking for guests. Cleanup also involves more parts—two plates and a drip tray—though they are thankfully dishwasher-safe.

Presto 22-inch Electric Griddle: Slim Storage

Sometimes, the simplest solution is the best one. The classic Presto electric griddle is a master of one thing: providing a massive, flat cooking surface in a package that’s incredibly easy to store. Its super-slim profile means you can slide it under a dinette seat, behind a sofa, or even in the back of a closet.

This griddle is all about volume. The 22-inch surface can handle eight pancakes at once or a whole pound of bacon. It’s the perfect tool for a weekend breakfast with friends or meal-prepping for the week ahead. The heat control is basic but effective, and the entire unit (minus the electric probe) is fully immersible for easy cleaning.

The catch is its simplicity. There’s no fancy grease trap, just a small channel and a drip tray. The non-stick surface is effective but requires care, and the heat isn’t as perfectly even as on premium models. It’s a workhorse, not a show pony, but for a reliable, affordable, and space-saving option, it’s tough to beat.

Zojirushi Gourmet Sizzler: Precision Cooking

For the nomad who refuses to compromise on culinary quality, the Zojirushi Gourmet Sizzler is the answer. This isn’t your average griddle; it’s a high-performance cooking appliance known for its incredibly even heating and precise temperature control. Where other griddles have hot spots, the Zojirushi delivers consistent heat from edge to edge.

This precision makes a real difference. It allows you to get a perfect, uniform sear on steaks or cook delicate crepes without burning the center. The unit comes with a lid, which is a game-changer for steaming vegetables, melting cheese on burgers, or keeping food warm in a breezy campsite. The build quality is exceptional, and it disassembles completely for deep cleaning.

Of course, this level of performance comes at a price. The Zojirushi is one of the more expensive options on this list. It’s also larger and heavier than many competitors, so you’ll need to account for its storage footprint. It’s an investment, but for those who see their RV kitchen as a real kitchen, not just a place to heat soup, it’s an investment that pays off with every meal.

BELLA Ceramic Griddle: For Feeding a Crowd

When you need to cook for a family or a group of campground friends, you need surface area above all else. The BELLA Ceramic Griddle offers a huge cooking space at a very budget-friendly price point. It’s a no-frills machine designed to churn out large quantities of food efficiently.

Its key selling point is the ceramic non-stick coating, which is more durable and PFOA/PTFE-free compared to traditional coatings. It heats up quickly and does a respectable job of feeding a crowd, whether you’re making a pile of scrambled eggs or a dozen grilled cheese sandwiches. The cool-touch handles and simple drip tray make it easy to manage.

This is not a precision instrument. The heat distribution can be a bit uneven, with edges running cooler than the center, and the temperature probe is less than exact. But that’s not its purpose. This griddle is about maximizing food output per dollar and per square inch, and for big family breakfasts on a budget, it absolutely delivers.

Hamilton Beach 3-in-1: Grill and Griddle Combo

The Hamilton Beach 3-in-1 takes a different approach to multi-functionality. Instead of reversible plates, it offers two distinct cooking surfaces that can be used independently or folded open for a larger cooking area. This design gives you a dedicated grill side and a dedicated griddle side, each with its own temperature control.

This dual-zone control is its killer feature. You can sear burgers on high heat on the grill side while simultaneously toasting buns on low heat on the griddle side. When opened flat, it provides a decent amount of combined surface area. The plates are also removable and dishwasher-safe, which simplifies cleanup.

The primary tradeoff is the "gutter" that runs down the middle when the unit is opened flat, which breaks up the cooking surface. You don’t have one large, seamless griddle. It’s also a bit bulky when folded, so it’s more of a "cube" to store than a flat object. It’s a great choice for those who want true grill and griddle functions without owning two separate appliances.

George Foreman Evolve: Compact Multi-Plate System

For the solo RVer in a Class B van or a teardrop trailer, every inch of space is sacred. The George Foreman Evolve is built for these ultra-compact setups. Its small footprint is its biggest asset, taking up minimal counter and storage space.

But its real strength is the "Evolve" system of interchangeable plates. You can swap out the standard grill plates for griddle plates, a deep-dish bake pan, or even a waffle plate. This transforms a tiny grill into a surprisingly versatile cooking station, allowing you to make a huge variety of meals with just one small appliance.

The obvious limitation is its size. The cooking surface is tiny, suitable for one person, or maybe two in a pinch. You won’t be hosting brunch with this device. It’s designed for making one sandwich, one pancake, or one chicken breast at a time. For the minimalist nomad who values versatility over volume, it’s a perfect fit.

Ultimately, the best electric griddle is the one that fits your cooking style, your storage space, and your power reality. Don’t just buy the most popular model; consider how you actually cook on the road. Choosing the right tool for the job will make your RV kitchen more efficient, more enjoyable, and a whole lot less messy.