Black & Decker Family-Sized Electric Griddle with Warming Tray & Drip Tray

First impressions and setup

I pulled the Black & Decker griddle out of the box on a Saturday morning with pancakes on the brain. The footprint is substantial without being unwieldy—about 22 by 13 inches and roughly 3.5 inches tall—and at around five pounds it’s easy to move from a cabinet to the counter. The design is straightforward: a large, flat non-stick plate, a removable temperature probe that clicks and locks into place, a slide-out warming tray, and a slide-out drip tray. There are no extraneous bells or fiddly parts to misplace.

Setup took a minute. I gave the cooking surface a quick wash, slid the drip tray into position, inserted the thermostat probe, and set the dial to preheat. The indicator light cycles as it reaches temperature, and the click-and-lock interface on the probe feels secure, which helps avoid accidental bumps moving the dial mid-cook.

Build and design choices

For a family-sized appliance, the griddle is relatively slim and stores easily in a standard base cabinet or on a pantry shelf. It’s corded, as you’d expect, and the housing keeps a clean, neutral look. The non-stick surface is the star: smooth, even, and forgiving with delicate items like eggs and pancakes. Black & Decker recommends nonabrasive utensils, and I’d echo that—stick to silicone or wood spatulas to protect the coating.

The warming tray slides out from the base and is wide enough to hold a stack of pancakes, tortillas, or a few portions of bacon while you keep cooking. Underneath, the removable drip tray collects grease and runoff, which pays dividends in cleanup.

Heating performance and temperature control

At 1500 watts, the griddle heats briskly and recovers well between batches. The heat profile is impressively consistent for a unit at this price and size. Cooking a full griddle of pancakes, I saw minimal variance across the surface—edges ran slightly cooler than the center, but not enough to cause pale rims or underdone spots. Eggs set evenly, and vegetables sautéed without a noticeable hot ring around the thermostat area, which is a common issue with budget electric plates.

The adjustable thermostat is a simple dial with a positive click as you move through settings. There are no digital readouts or precise degree markings, but in practice it’s easy to learn your zones. I found a medium setting ideal for pancakes and French toast, with a quick nudge higher for searing sausage or browning hash browns. The important part is stability: once it reaches a set point, it maintains it well enough to keep batch cooking smooth.

Real-world cooking tests

• Pancakes and French toast: The extra-large cooking area really shines here. I could comfortably fit eight medium pancakes at once. Batter bubbles formed uniformly and flipping was clean. French toast browned evenly without streaks.
• Eggs: Over-easy eggs slid effortlessly, and the non-stick surface let me nudge and fold without tearing. For scrambled, a lower setting prevented rubbery curds.
• Breakfast meats: Bacon crisped well, and the grease management kept the surface from getting swampy. Sausage patties browned properly without scorching the centers.
• Vegetables: Zucchini slices and bell peppers took on color without sticking. I also did a quick fried rice with day-old rice—there’s enough room to push components around as you build layers of flavor.
• Sandwiches and quesadillas: Grilled cheese and quesadillas benefit from that broad, even heat; you can get a uniform golden crust without moving the food constantly.

I appreciated the warming tray throughout. As I finished pancakes, they went straight into the tray, which kept them pleasantly warm while I kept the assembly line going. It’s not a holding oven—don’t expect it to keep things piping hot for extended periods—but for the duration of a breakfast session, it’s genuinely useful.

Cleanup and maintenance

Cleanup is the standout experience. After unplugging and removing the probe, I let the surface cool slightly, then wiped with a damp sponge and a drop of mild soap. Most residue came off in a single pass. The drip tray collects grease effectively; empty it, give it a rinse, and you’re done. Because the cooking plate isn’t detachable, you’re cleaning it in place, but the low profile and slick non-stick make that a non-issue.

A note on longevity: non-stick coatings last longest with gentle care. Avoid metal tools, skip abrasive pads, and resist stacking heavy items on top of the griddle in storage. Following those habits, the surface should stay slick for a long time.

Ergonomics and usability

The height of the cooking surface is comfortable for flipping, and the edges are low enough that a spatula can slide under food without fighting a lip. The thermostat probe’s locking action feels reassuring, and the dial is readable. The warming tray slides smoothly and tucks away neatly when you’re not using it.

At around five pounds, the unit is light enough to move one-handed, but it stays planted on the counter during use thanks to stable feet. I didn’t notice excessive exterior heat; the handles and base stay manageable, but it’s still an exposed hot plate, so standard caution applies.

Capacity and storage

The “8-serving” claim is realistic for breakfast items like pancakes, eggs, and strips of bacon. If you’re cooking larger items—pork chops, sandwiches—you’ll get fewer pieces at once, but the surface area is still generous. Despite the capacity, the griddle stores easily; the rectangular footprint slides neatly into a cabinet. If you lack counter space, it’s compact enough to bring out just for cooking sessions and put away afterwards without hassle.

Limitations and trade-offs

• Analog control: The dial is simple and effective, but you don’t get degree-by-degree precision. If you prefer digital readouts or timers, this isn’t that.
• No lid: Searing and steaming at the same time requires an improvised cover. Not a dealbreaker for griddle-style foods, but worth noting.
• Edges slightly cooler: Heat is impressively even overall, but the very perimeter runs a touch cooler than the center. In practice, it’s easy to adapt—place thicker items centrally and use the edges for toast or warming tortillas.
• Corded only: This is a countertop appliance meant to plug in and stay put during use. If you’re looking for cordless portability, this isn’t it.

None of these are unusual for an electric griddle in this class, and none interfered with everyday cooking.

Who it’s for

• Families or hosts cooking batch breakfasts on weekends.
• Small households that want quick, even heat and easy cleanup for weeknight dinners.
• Anyone tired of juggling multiple pans for pancakes, eggs, and bacon.
• Apartment dwellers with limited stovetop space who still want a big, flat cooking surface.

Value and long-term outlook

Considering the 1500-watt heater, the large cooking area, the integrated warming and drip trays, and the quality of the non-stick surface, this griddle lands in a sweet spot of functionality and simplicity. It’s not weighed down by features you don’t need, and the features it does include—especially the warming tray—are thoughtfully implemented. With reasonable care, it should remain a reliable part of your breakfast (and beyond) routine.

Recommendation

I recommend the Black & Decker griddle. It heats evenly, has a genuinely useful warming tray, and makes cleanup painless—a combination that turns ambitious weekend breakfasts and efficient weeknight cooking into low-stress affairs. If you need digital precision, a lid, or cordless operation, look elsewhere. For everyone else, the balance of capacity, performance, and ease of use makes it an easy pick for the kitchen.