Aldi Is Carrying A Budget-Friendly Appliance That Shoppers Are Swooping Up - Here's Why

An Aldi trip isn't complete without relinquishing all self-control and walking through the "dangerous" aisle. The German grocery chain is not just home to highly reviewed, affordable home items and groceries; it also features a variety of items in its Aldi Finds section. Items in the "here today, gone tomorrow" aisle are often swooped up quickly, as they are typically only sold for one week. Summer 2025 marks the return of a budget-friendly appliance that is a must-have for any grill and barbecue lover: the Rangemaster Gas Griddle. The griddle has been sold by Aldi since 2021, seeming to come back to shelves at the start of every summer since then. While the specs haven't appeared to change, the price tag has. First sold for $69.99 in 2021, the tabletop gas griddle is selling for $10 less this year.

Griddles have become a hot commodity thanks to their versatility and portability. The Blackstone griddle, specifically, has been making its rounds on TikTok. For those who want to be a part of the Blackstone griddle trend but at half the price, the Aldi version makes a good alternative. Both tabletop griddles feature 17-inch cooking surfaces, propane gas compatibility, and a simple ignition dial. Differences between the griddles include surface materials and the price. The Blackstone griddle features a cast iron surface for cooking, while the Rangemaster is made from steel. Price-wise, Blackstone's griddle currently sells for $119, while the Rangemaster sells for half of that at $59.99.

With a large selection of highly rated griddles and grills on the market, why choose Aldi's brand? The Rangemaster griddle's cooking surface measures 260 square inches — perfect for cooking eggs, pancakes, and bacon all at once. The Rangemaster's cooking plate is made of steel, making it more durable and easier to maintain than its cast-iron counterpart. Steel is an ideal surface for cooking since it ensures even cooking throughout your food items, maintains high heat, and allows for a variety of cooking techniques. The Rangemaster's plate also comes pre-seasoned, so it's essentially ready to use right out of the box. However, some Rangemaster users do additionally season their griddle prior to use.

The portability of Aldi's tabletop griddle is also a huge selling point for shoppers. Fully assembled, the small but mighty appliance stands at 26.77 inches by 17.5 inches by 8.54 inches. Since it's a gas griddle, it can be taken and used virtually anywhere. All you'll need to start the griddle is propane, which must be purchased separately. The griddle has the ability to hook up to any size propane can or tank, making it a perfect companion to a bigger grill for a backyard barbecue or the main cooking source for a camping trip, beach barbecue, or any other on-the-go adventure. Once properly powered, pre-heat and adjust the temperature of the griddle with its easy-to-use ignition dial. This hot item also features an accessible and easy-to-clean grease catcher, allowing for simpler clean-up.

Though highly regarded and reviewed, Aldi's gas griddle does have some shortcomings. Some Redditors claim the 17-inch cooking surface is too small for their liking, and others claim the unit does not generate as much heat as expected. The Rangemaster griddle also does not come with a cover, so buyers will need to get creative with protecting its surface, finding an alternative griddle cover, or storing it indoors when not in use. 

Like its Blackstone cast-iron counterpart, the Rangemaster's steel cooking plate does require some extra love when cleaning. If not properly maintained, dried, and stored, the steel surface can develop rust and lose its seasoning. The Aldi griddle must be hand-washed, which can be a pain for those who prefer to put everything in the dishwasher. To thoroughly clean, you'll want to start the process while the griddle is still hot. Scrape grease and food remnants towards the grease catcher with a non-abrasive tool to avoid scratching the surface. Pour hot water mixed with a bit of dish soap on top of the cooking area to loosen grease from the surface, and then wipe it dry with a towel. If rust has developed on your griddle, fear not; this everyday cooking ingredient can help remove stubborn rust.