Gather around the raclette grill from GreenPan for pancake stack parties, hibachi-style dinners and extra-toasty fondue.
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I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again: I test a lot of kitchen gear. At this point, I’m pretty nitpicky about what products deserve coveted counter and cabinet space. But if there’s one surefire way to win my heart, it’s a product that makes hosting easier. That’s where a raclette grill comes in. Having an interactive tabletop grill for gatherings feels a lot like a hosting cheat code—and I am all about stress-saving hacks.
So, how does a raclette grill differ from a regular indoor grill? While they function much like standard tabletop griddles, raclette grills come with removable mini-paddles that slide right underneath the main heating element. Traditionally, these are used to melt raclette, a mild, creamy cow’s milk cheese. Once melted, you scrape the gooey goodness over veggies, breads, or pretty much anything else on your plate.
Anyone who knows me knows how much I love cheese, so saying “yes, please” to testing one was a no-brainer. And folks, let me tell you—after trying GreenPan’s Ultimate Gourmet Grill, I’m never going back to a basic griddle again.
GreenPan Ultimate Gourmet Grill
Easy to store, fun to use and simple to clean, this raclette grill from GreenPan encourages community cooking.
What is the GreenPan Raclette Grill?
While there are plenty of raclette grills on the market, the Ultimate Gourmet Grill from GreenPan caught my eye. Given that our shopping team previously named GreenPan the best ceramic cookware brand, I was excited to explore the brand’s other offerings.
The Ultimate Gourmet Grill features a reversible cast-aluminum plate: one side has a ribbed grill and flat griddle, while the other features round molds for perfectly circular pancakes. The cast-aluminum construction delivers exceptional durability and searing power, and it’s even safe to use with metal utensils. Plus, like the brand’s signature cookware, the PFAS-free coating ensures easy cleanup.
The grill comes with eight carbon-steel raclette paddles and eight nylon spatulas for scraping melted cheese. An extra-long power cord allows for easy tabletop setup during group meals, while side handles make transport a breeze. When the feast is over, the raclette paddles pop right into the dishwasher for effortless cleanup. There’s also a temperature dial for precise control.
Making My “Hippie Hash”
I’m a Michigan gal through and through, and naturally, the state lays claim to one of my all-time favorite breakfast dishes: Hippie Hash. This legendary staple hails from Ann Arbor’s Fleetwood Diner, featuring a mouthwatering combination of shredded potatoes, broccoli, tomatoes, onions, mushrooms and green peppers—all chopped together and grilled to perfection before being topped with tangy feta and a fried egg. It proved to be the ultimate test for evaluating this tabletop grill’s searing power!
To start, I diced my veggies into bite-sized pieces and set them aside. Next, I plugged in the raclette grill, set the heat dial to the middle, and coated the flat griddle side with a bit of olive oil and a few pats of butter—my secret formula for extra-crispy frozen hash browns. I spread the hash browns evenly across the surface, ensuring a single layer for maximum crispiness.
I let them brown for about 10 minutes, fighting the urge to poke and prod them. I’ve cooked enough hash browns to know the real secret is leaving them alone, even if that’s easier said than done. Midway through, I oiled the ribbed grill side and added the mushrooms, onions, green peppers, and broccoli. I held off on the tomatoes until the end so they wouldn’t get mushy.
Once the ten minutes were up, I flipped the hash browns and let them crisp up on the second side for another 10 minutes. Once they reached ideal crunchiness, I used a silicone spatula to toss everything together and let it sizzle for five more minutes. (That’s also when I remembered to season everything with salt and pepper—though doing that a bit earlier is probably ideal!) Next up: the egg.
Using the Raclette Paddles
Following the included instructions, I cracked an egg directly into one of the paddles and set it on the grill plate to cook the bottom. Once the whites turned opaque, I slid the paddle into the slot beneath the heating element to finish cooking from above. While it didn’t turn out quite like a traditional fried egg, the gently steamed result was delicious and cooked through perfectly.
Cooking eggs can usually feel like a chore, but this setup was surprisingly fun. It even allowed my husband to whip up his own blended, omelet-style egg in a separate paddle at the same time. Bringing this out during a party would be an absolute hit, as every guest can customize their meal right at the table.
Why I’m Obsessed
I initially wondered whether this grill would live up to the hype in my head, given how many gadgets disappoint. But it quickly proved to be one of the best kitchen purchases I’ve ever made. As someone who loves to host but gets stressed out by timing multiple dishes for a crowd, putting this right on the dining table takes all the pressure off.
Serving up a few platters of small seasoned meat strips, sliced veggies, and assorted cheeses makes entertaining virtually effort-free. Because the experience is interactive, guests naturally gather around, chat, and cook together. I’ve always believed meals should be social, and involving everyone in the process makes any gathering feel extra special.
Plus, there are so many ways to build a fun gathering around it. Here are a few of my favorite uses so far:
- Grilled sourdough and veggies with cheese fondue
- Hibachi-style buffet paired with a hot pot
- Grilled fresh fruit with chocolate fondue
- “Make your own omelet” breakfast bar
- Pancake stack party
- Custom quesadilla station
- DIY indoor s’mores
Almost any recipe you’d cook on a grill or griddle translates effortlessly to a tabletop raclette set. That flexibility is half the fun—just pop open a bottle of wine, gather your favorite ingredients, and start experimenting!
But I’m Not the Only One
Perusing reviews for the Ultimate Gourmet Grill on GreenPan’s website proves that I’m not the only fan of this raclette-style grill.
“We are delighted with this griddle,” reports one reviewer. “We did a family dinner around the kitchen island with cheese melting over pre boiled potatoes. On top we cooked an array of meats and veggies. The kids loved the slow eating process and so many small bites. We have also used it for Sunday breakfast which for six people can feel overwhelming. My husband was able to fry all the meat and eggs on the griddle while grits cooked on the stove. He loves that the top comes off for cleaning! We are excited to do more meals with this and to try some desserts in the mini pans.”
Another user calls it “truly ultimate,” going on to say, “You can cook anything on it—pancakes, kebabs, burgers, etc. You don’t need any other grilling electrics with this and it doesn’t take up too much space in my cupboards.”
Where to Buy
GreenPan Ultimate Gourmet Grill
Whether you're whipping up breakfast or preparing a hibachi-style feast, this raclette grill adds a little sizzle to any meal.
If the prospect of easy meals with a raclette grill inspires you, the Ultimate Gourmet Grill is available on GreenPan’s website for around $199. You can also snag it from kitchen supply stores like Williams-Sonoma and Sur La Table, or on Target.com. No matter what you’re cooking, this DIY grill is sure to liven up any gathering—just ask my pancake party guests!
