I've read many a thread where lots of cooks love their griddles, and I was so excited about getting a stove that has one. But now that I've had it for a couple of years, I have to honestly say I NEVER use it or the "warming drawer" that I was also tickled about having. The couple of times I did use the griddle, it made more mess than it was worth, and I didn't enjoy the experience. I'd rather use a fry pan or my electric skillet.

I had one on my old cooktop and only used about 20 times in the 11 years I lived with it. I liked having it, because it had a cover that served as a landing space the rest of the time, but I certainly could have lived without it (and now do). I found it somewhat difficult to get to the right heat, but it was removable and easy to clean.

I don't have a range with griddle, but just saw a nice range with griddle for sale on Craigslist. The owner even states they got tired of the griddle taking up space. Guess this one couldn't be converted back to burners. You can always get a good two burner cast iron griddle that can be stored when not in use.

We have range with a griddle and have used it regularly, for years. Replacement, yet to be installed, had to have griddle. We use it for burgers, sausage, basically anything that can be flipped easily. We have an electric griddle for 'mass quantity' food s/a pancakes/french toast.

Think about how you would use it...for those items are you unhappy with your current method of cooking?

After doing my own research at prior to our range purchase (nearly 3 yrs ago) - I decided to get a over the burner griddle - LOVE it - it has many functions I never thought of - I keep it over 2 burners all the time - since it is cast iron it holds heat - So, i use it to keep food warm, warm plates, as a landing zone etc (never thought of that prior to purchase) - It is super easy to clean - coated cast iron - use it for pancakes, eggs, quesadillas, veggies -
Like that I can clean up easily & that if it fails, I can purchase another -
I purchased the Viking griddle- have 36" AG range

Good luck

I have the 36 in Viking with 4 burners and griddle in the middle. I love it, use it all the time. In the new house that is just about finished, I am getting the Viking 36 in, 6 burner rang & the 24 in companion griddle. I can't wait to have double the space.
We use it for grilled cheese, french toast, pancakes,bacon, quesadillas, chicken, sausage, fajitas, etc. I do cook for many children and can see that I might use it more than some people. None the less, I love it.

I have a Jenn-Aire griddle and never use it. It had hot spots and so some pancakes were burnt while others were nearly raw.

Here is what we did for a griddle:

We didn't think a built in griddle would be big enough for our family, so when I saw one of these griddles online, dh decided that a 6 burner was what he wanted-he makes pancakes most Saturday mornings while I sleep in :-) . I can't wait 'til we get it seasoned so I can make tortillas on it!
We searched until we found a range on craigslist, our budget is somewhat limited. The middle front burner is the one that I find myself using the most, so that is another reason that I am glad we didn't get one with a built in griddle.

I have an old Kenmore 4 burner gas range with a griddle in the middle. We use it ALL THE TIME! tacos, carni asada, pancakes. I'm remodeling the kitchen and am toying with the idea of getting 6 burner instead, and just using a pan, but I keep thinking that I'll miss that griddle. I wonder how much I would use 6 burners anyway. The other advantage is that the griddle cover serves as a countertop; and you can keep anything hot taking the cover off and keeping the flame on the griddle on low. JMHO!

In the week since our new range was installed, we have used the center griddle on ours every day.

A very nice addition to the kitchen.

I have a griddle, but it's removable and can convert back to one long burner and I use the griddle part all the time too! I love it for pancakes. I used to hardly ever make them because pulling out the old electric griddle was a pain, but the one we have (on a GE) just pops in and cleans up quickly and easily! I guess it depends on what you like to cook as to whether or not you'd enjoy having one.

I have a 6 burner Pro style Thermador with the titanium griddle in place of 8 burners. I use it occasionally.
I keep the maple chopping block on it and actually use that more often. The griddle takes longer to heat up that my large Calphalon pan and I am usually in a hurry! I don't think I would choose to have the griddle again over the burners. I think the decision depends upon how often you prepare griddle style food and how much heating up time you want to have. Happy kitchen shopping!

Christine

I had a built-in griddle on my old range, and I disliked it because it was difficult to clean. I ended up never using it. This time, I chose a 36" 6 burner Viking range and a separate piece Viking griddle. I keep it over two of the burners nearly all the time. I rarely need all six burners, and I use it as a landing space. I like it better than the old one for French toast, pancakes, etc. because it heats up faster, heats more evenly, and it easy to clean since I can just carry it to the sink. It also has a non-stick surface which I like.

We got a six burner Wolf rangetop, and then got an after market griddle. That way, we've always got the six burners if we need them.

We use the griddle EVERY day! Do you have kids? Between pancakes, grilled cheese sandwiches and quesadillas, that griddle gets a workout! It's so nice that it's always there. I LOVE it! And it's easy to wipe clean when you're done. No dishes! So, I think you will love it if you cook a lot of things on the griddle, otherwise it's probably not worth it. Here's a pic: