First of all, best rated ceramic electric griddles are great. At first glance, you would not think so, but these heavy, nonstick rectangles of cookware could keep you from having to worry about making breakfast for an army or dinner for an army. People like how smooth and nearly glassy the surface is, and ceramic makes it stronger. It’s not only easy to clean, but it also laughs at stubborn omelet stains.

Let’s speak about how heat moves about. Pans that aren’t nonstick will burn your pancakes on one side and not cook them on the other. What about a ceramic electric griddle, though? It’s always the same. “Consistency” is its middle name. I have to admit that I once burned toast on both sides with an old-fashioned griddle. When I turned to ceramic, those days were ended, both literally and symbolically.

It’s almost too easy to clean up. A quick wipe down with a wet towel will make your griddle look like new again after a huge hash browns cook-off. No scraping or extended soaks in the sink. Ceramic doesn’t stick to objects, so eggs slip right off. Bacon doesn’t leave anything behind other than making your mouth wet.

What about health? If you heat up a lot of regular nonstick surfaces too much, they can break down and release chemicals that you don’t want. Ceramic coatings don’t employ those same harmful substances. They are a cool place to start if you want to do something better for the environment.

We shouldn’t forget about controlling the temperature. You can adjust the temperature you want on many ceramic electric griddles, so you don’t have to guess as you do with stovetop burners. Does sausage need to be medium? Get it ready. Does grilled cheese like to melt slowly and at a low temperature? You got it. To be honest, it’s what a lazy chef dreams about. I even used mine to warm up tortillas, which makes taco night with the family feel more official.

Ceramic griddles can be used for more than just breakfast. You can press quesadillas, sear skewers, or even heat up pizza slices without making them soggy. Its not-so-secret weapon is its ability to do many things. When my neighbor had a potluck, she used hers to keep the food warm. How smart is that?

Of course, all of this wonder comes at a price. Some ceramic electric griddles are more expensive than Teflon ones. But if you’re tired of scraping burnt cheese off of pans or having to buy new ones every few years, this is a wonderful investment for your mental health.

Lastly, make sure the model you buy has a removable drip tray. Pancake mornings go more smoothly when oil doesn’t build up. Say thanks later.