An electric contact grill designed to let you grill on your countertop, the Cuisinart Griddler can cook a variety of foods, including paninis, burgers and steaks. It has top and bottom griddles, which drain away fat so your steak will be grilled, not fried. Cooking steak on this machine is fast because the heat comes from both sides. A 3/4-inch-thick steak should take between 4 and 10 minutes to cook. Use a boneless cut of steak, such as boneless rib-eye or strip steak, because the Griddler cannot accommodate meat with bones in it. You can prepare your steak before cooking with a marinade or rub, then pop it on the grill.
Turn on the Griddler. If you need to select “grill,” which is necessary on newer models, turn the knob to select this option. Wait until the indicator light is green.
Open the cover and place the steaks on the bottom grill. Close the top grill, but don’t press down.
Let the steaks cook, taking their temperature periodically with a meat thermometer. When they are 5 degrees Fahrenheit below the desired temperature, remove them from the grill.
Let the steaks rest for 10 minutes before serving.