The Cuisinart 360 Griddle comes in two sizes and offers 360 degrees of flat-top cooking. Affordable with good performance, you can find this gas-powdered griddle almost everywhere. The question you want to know is, should you buy this flat-top or one of the dozens of other makes and models on the market?
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Most flat-top grills you see today are square or rectangular. Cuisinart took its inspiration from someplace else. Namely, from Evo.
Specifications
- Two 15,000 BTU stainless steel tubular burners
- 22-inch diameter cooking surface for 380 square inches of cooking area
- Dual zone cooking area
- Solid steel plate cooking surface
- Wrap around grease tray with removable grease catcher
- Fold down side table
- Mounted on four locking casters
- Stainless steel lid with a holding hook
- Vent in lid
- Paper towel rack
- Made in China for Cuisinart
Full Review – Cuisinart 360 Griddle Cooking Center
In recent years, the Flat Top Grill, or the Gas Powered Griddle, has gone from an obscure piece of craft services equipment to a mainstay of the backyard. You might ask yourself why. It isn’t really a grill, right? It doesn’t have an open flame, and it doesn’t smoke meat. So why are companies adding them to their product lines? After all, it was Burger King who launched a campaign mocking McDonald’s for cooking their burgers on a flat-top grill.
The truth is that consumers can use a flat-top griddle in ways that differ from a conventional grill. They can certainly purchase a griddle for their grill, but depending on how the burners are arranged, the performance might be hit-and-miss. Simply turn on the Cuisinart 360, and in ten minutes you will be cooking eggs, hash browns, and pancakes for breakfast. For lunch, try out the incredible Oklahoma Onion Burgers. What about dinner time? Try your hand at a traditional Teppanyaki. This unit will do all that and more. Add the lid and it steams, roasts, bakes, and even makes an attempt at smoking. You can cook a pizza on it, make stir-fry, and anything else you would normally put in a pan, on the grill, or in an oven.
Most of the flat-top griddle units on the market have a round shape. This model appears to have taken its inspiration from the Evo Grill; one of my longtime favorites. If you can spare the cash, buy the Evo. It’s incredible, though it will run you $4000 USD. This is why I suspect that the lower-priced Cuisinart will sell better. Not only is it affordable, but this style of cooking is quite fun. Due to its large round shape, several people can cook on it at once making it a more attractive pick for social gatherings.
Now for the Downside
Come on. You knew there would be one. If you catch it at Walmart, you can purchase this flat-top grill for around $200 USD. This price is reasonable. While the cooking surface is heavy plate steel (which you must season first before using), the rest of the grill is lightweight. On the review unit that I received, the grease tray that runs around the outside of the cooking surface was dented in on the front and back of the unit. It’s not a serious problem, but the paint on those areas has chipped and flaked away. The main body section can be bent by hand. This unit requires a careful touch and a little luck that it doesn’t arrive damaged. Also, I highly recommend you purchase a cover for it.
Aside from that, this unit is a lot of fun and sold at a reasonable price. Keep it someplace safe and it should last a few years. With any luck, it can be replaced by an Evo grill in the future. Finally, if you love to cook, you owe it to yourself to try out a flat-top grill.
Are you interested in Flat Top Grills? Maybe this isn’t the model you are looking for. See my list of the Best Flat Top Grills for more ideas!
Cuisinart 360 Griddle Cooking Center
Summary
Cuisinart is one of the best-known names in small kitchen appliances. It has also become a major brand in outdoor cooking, particularly in the more affordable products. They produce pellet grills, gas grills, and gas-powered griddles. The 360 Griddle Cooking Center and its larger, XL version are widely available and work well. The construction is light but taken care of, this is everything you want in a flat-top griddle.
The cooktop on these griddles is heavy cold rolled steel. They require care but provide a real flattop cooking experience. While some companies are moving to other surfaces. This is as much marketing as cooking quality. If you know how to cook on a flattop (which isn’t hard) steel is the better surface.
I like the design of this griddle. But then I love the Evo Grill that this is based on. You can move around the food easily and approach it from any angle. And two or three people can cook at the same time. On the downside, you don’t get that backsplash wall that helps keep food on the grill and prevents grease from spattering everywhere. Again, experience solves this problem.
PROS
- Heavy Cooking Surface
- Full Coverage Lid
- Four Casters
- Good Heat Output
- Dual Zone Cooking
CONS
- Flimsy Grease Tray
- Lightweight Construction
- Limited Availability
Cuisinart 360 XL Griddle Cooking Center
If the standard version isn’t large enough for you, try the 360 XL. With over 700 square inches of cooking space. This is a three-burner version with two side tables and all the features of the standard model.
Why You Should Trust Me
I have been writing about Barbecue & Grilling for 25 years. I have cooked on almost every grill or smoker ever built. In that time, I have endeavored to match people with the grill or smoker that is right for them. I believe that the right product is the one that you find easy to use, capable of doing everything you want, and reliable for the long haul. If you have a good first experience, you will be back for more. In this way, we grow barbecue for the next generation. I want you to make the memories that your children will cherish.
Affiliate Disclosure
This article and the website it appears on use sales affiliates to cover the cost of operation. If you choose to purchase a product through the links provided, a portion of that sale will go to me. It helps me create content, so I can help you and others have the best barbecue experience. I am grateful to all my readers over the years who have been so kind as to assist me in my exploration of outdoor cooking. Thank you.
