Presto 07061 22-Inch Electric Griddle Review: America's Best-Selling Griddle, Tested
If you've ever needed to cook pancakes for a crowd on a weekday morning, you understand why the Presto 07061 has accumulated over 31,000 Amazon ratings. It's a straightforward appliance — a 22-inch flat ceramic cooking surface with a detachable temperature controller and removable handles — that handles breakfast for a family without drama. For most American households, it's the right tool. But there are real tradeoffs worth understanding before you buy.
Product Overview
The Presto 07061 is a 22-inch electric griddle with a PFAS-free ceramic-coated cast aluminum cooking surface, removable handles, and a detachable Control Master® thermostat. It comes in black; the virtually identical 07062 model offers the same design in grey ceramic. Both share the same core specifications and architecture.
| Spec | Detail |
|---|---|
| Model | Presto 07061 |
| Cooking Surface | 21.75 × 11.5 in (253 sq in) |
| Wattage | 1,500 W |
| Voltage | 120V AC |
| Max Temp | 400°F |
| Surface Material | Ceramic nonstick, PFAS-free, textured |
| Base | Heavy cast aluminum |
| Fully Immersible | Yes (heat control removed) |
| Storage Width | Handles remove to fit 18-in cabinet |
| Warranty | 1-year limited |
| Price | ~$69.99 |
The Control Master® thermostat is the design's key feature — it plugs into a side port, maintains the set temperature automatically, and detaches completely for cleaning. Once the control is removed, the entire griddle can be submerged in water. That full-immersion capability is a genuine advantage over competitors that require careful sponge-only cleanup around electrical components.
Presto markets the 07061 as "America's best-selling electric griddle brand," a claim based on unit sales data through mid-2024. With 31,685 Amazon reviews, the depth of user experience here is real.
Performance & Real-World Use
The Presto 07061 reaches 350°F in about 8–10 minutes, which is the right temperature for pancakes. Heat distribution is functional but not perfectly even — the zone near the Control Master thermostat runs measurably hotter. During the first heating cycle, this creates a noticeable gradient across the surface. After the thermostat cycles off and on once or twice, the cooking surface equilibrates and the difference shrinks to roughly a 15–20°F variation across the 22-inch span. This is manageable, but it means you should always preheat fully before laying down food.
For pancakes, 253 square inches accommodates 8 to 10 standard cakes at once. At 350°F, they cook through in about 3–4 minutes per side. The textured ceramic surface releases pancakes cleanly once they're ready — they slide rather than stick, which is exactly what a griddle surface should do. Eggs cook well at medium heat but benefit from a small amount of cooking spray or butter. The ceramic coating is good, but it's not effortlessly nonstick in the way Teflon is; think of it as a coating that rewards a minimal amount of fat, not one that eliminates it.
Bacon renders well. The drip tray catches grease efficiently for moderate amounts, but a full pound of thick-cut bacon generates more fat than the small slide-out tray manages gracefully. You'll want to monitor the tray and drain it mid-cook for large batches.
The removable handles are a genuine quality-of-life feature. They lock securely onto either end during cooking, click off cleanly with a simple squeeze, and allow the stripped-down griddle to slide into a standard 18-inch kitchen cabinet. This matters for kitchens where storage is tight.
- 253 square inches of cooking space — : Handles breakfast for 4–6 people simultaneously — pancakes, eggs, and toast all at once
- PFAS-free ceramic surface — : No PTFE, PFOA, or related per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, a genuine differentiator for health-conscious buyers
- Removable handles for compact storage — : The griddle fits a standard 18-inch cabinet once handles are off — no dedicated shelf required
- Fully immersible for cleaning — : Detach the heat control and submerge the entire cooking surface; the easiest cleanup routine of any large appliance in this category
- Control Master thermostat — : Self-regulating, automatic temperature maintenance once the surface equilibrates
- Cast aluminum base resists warping — : Heavier and more durable than comparable stamped-metal griddles at lower price points
- Proven, mass-market track record — : 31,000+ reviews and 4.7 stars reflects durable appeal, not a honeymoon spike
- Uneven heat distribution — : The area near the heating element (Control Master end) runs consistently hotter; the far edge is cooler until the thermostat cycles several times — requires patient preheating
- Nonstick durability depends on care — : Users who use metal utensils or harsh cleaning products report ceramic coating degradation over time; it rewards gentle handling and hand-washing only
- Not dishwasher-safe despite being immersible — : Dishwasher detergents and water pressure degrade the ceramic coating; hand-washing only is required
- Hot outer rim and edges — : The griddle's metal frame heats up during use; reaching across the surface toward the far edge risks contact burns
- Drip tray overflows under heavy use — : A full pound of fatty bacon can overtax the small drip tray; it needs periodic draining mid-cook for large batches
- Large footprint — : Twenty-two inches dominates most kitchen countertops while in use, and requires a substantial storage space decision
The Presto 07061 has earned its bestselling status through disciplined execution of a simple idea: a large, easy-to-clean cooking surface that families can use reliably without learning new techniques. The heat distribution issue is real and should be managed — preheat fully and give the thermostat time to cycle before you start cooking. But that's a workable limitation, not a deal-breaker, for the kinds of breakfast meals this griddle is designed for. The PFAS-free ceramic surface, truly immersible design, and removable storage handles add genuine value at a price point that makes sense. **4/5** — does exactly what it promises for the price, with a noted asterisk on the hot-zone heating pattern that requires patience during preheat.
