Who each format suits

Space-first breakfast cooks

You need an appliance that can be put away after breakfast and are happy making smaller or moulded pancakes instead of full-size crêpes.

Crêpe and pancake traditionalists

You want an open, flat surface and adjustable heat for thin crêpes, larger pancakes or other flatbreads. You have room to use and store the plate.

One-appliance meal planners

You make pancakes but would also use a deeper electric pan for other meals, making its larger size worth considering.

What matters when choosing

Start with the pancakes you actually make and the space available to cook and store the appliance. Then decide whether other uses and temperature controls justify a different format.

Compact plate maker

Choose it when: Storage is tight and smaller pancakes, or an additional use such as waffles, suit your breakfasts.

Bear in mind: Moulded plates constrain pancake size and shape; interchangeable plates also need somewhere to be kept and washed.

Flat electric maker

Choose it when: Thin crêpes or larger pancakes matter more than the smallest stored footprint.

Bear in mind: An open plate needs more room, and you spread the batter and turn the pancakes yourself.

Deep electric skillet

Choose it when: Pancakes are one of several meals you plan to cook regularly in the same appliance.

Bear in mind: The deeper, larger pan takes more space than a compact pancake maker.

Concern What to check Who this matters to
Storage and worktop space Compare the stated height, width and depth with your storage spot and available worktop. Lakeland lists its All Season maker at 17.5 × 10.5 × 12.6 cm; Schallen specifies a 12-inch cooking plate for its flat maker. If I need to put the appliance into a shallow cupboard after breakfast, its stored size may decide the purchase. Roughly 31% of consumers put space first.
Pancake shape and portions Check whether the plate is flat, moulded or interchangeable, and check cavity sizes where stated. A flat plate gives you room to spread batter; a mould fixes the portions it makes. When I usually serve thin crêpes or several small pancakes, I want a plate layout that matches those portions. Around 31% of consumers prioritise pancake format.
Use beyond pancakes Match the stated other uses to meals you will actually make. Lakeland’s All Season model has interchangeable plates; Tower describes its Cerastone Pro electric skillet as a deeper pan for cooking other meals. If cupboard space is scarce, I want an appliance I will use for more than pancakes. Roughly 23% of consumers make wider meal use their main concern.
Heat control and clean-up Look for a stated temperature control, indicators and cleaning instructions. Schallen specifies an adjustable thermostat, while the Geepas listing at Tesco Marketplace specifies adjustable temperature and power and ready lights. I would rather set the heat myself and know when the plate is ready, even if that means monitoring it as I cook. About 15% of consumers put control and clean-up first.

Buying pitfalls

  • Assuming every pancake maker is compact

    Schallen’s 12-inch flat plate accommodates larger pancakes and crêpes, but its cooking surface alone is wider than Lakeland’s compact All Season maker.

    Measure both your clear worktop and the place where the whole appliance will be stored before choosing a flat plate.

  • Choosing moulded plates for large crêpes

    Moulds determine the size and shape of each portion. An open flat plate lets you spread batter for a crêpe instead; the two formats do not serve the same preference.

    Check the plate layout and any stated cavity diameter, rather than relying on the word “pancake” in the product name.

  • Treating a listing as proof of electrical conformity

    Electrical-product requirements differ between Great Britain and Northern Ireland, and a product may become subject to a safety alert after purchase.

    Check conformity information for your delivery destination and keep the seller and manufacturer details. The UK Government’s Product Safety Alerts, Reports and Recalls service can be checked before use and if a safety concern arises.

Brands to consider

These brands illustrate different pancake-making formats; a brand’s inclusion does not establish availability or make every model in its range suitable for a small kitchen.

Lakeland

Lakeland’s All Season Waffle and Pancake Maker illustrates the compact, interchangeable-plate route.

  • Lakeland states dimensions of 17.5 × 10.5 × 12.6 cm and seven detachable non-stick plates for this model.
  • Check that its plate shapes suit the pancakes you want, and allow storage space for the separate plates.

Schallen

Schallen illustrates the open electric pancake and crêpe maker format.

  • Schallen specifies a 12-inch cooking plate, 1000 W power, adjustable temperature and an included spreader and spatula for its flat maker.
  • The plate needs room on the worktop and in storage, and cooking involves spreading and turning the batter.

Tower

Tower provides examples of both a wider-use electric skillet and a separate hob-based crêpe pan.

  • Tower specifies a 30 cm, 5.5 cm-deep cooking surface for its Cerastone Pro electric skillet.
  • That skillet takes more space than a compact pancake maker. Tower’s separate 25 cm crêpe pan requires a hob and is not an electric griddle.

Geepas

The Geepas 1000W Pancake & Crepe Maker is another example of the flat-plate format.

  • Its Tesco Marketplace listing specifies adjustable temperature, power and ready lights, a spreader and a spatula.
  • Decide whether a broad flat plate suits your storage space before choosing it over a compact moulded format.

Joybuy products

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

Should I choose a mini-pancake maker or a flat electric crêpe maker?

Choose a moulded maker for small, repeatable portions when storage is the priority; choose a flat electric maker for larger pancakes or thin crêpes if you have room for it and are happy to spread and turn the batter. Check the actual plate layout, because “pancake maker” can describe either format.

Does higher wattage mean better pancakes?

No: wattage alone does not establish cooking quality or whether a maker suits your recipes. Compare plate shape and size, available temperature controls and storage dimensions instead.

Which electrical marking should I check for delivery to Great Britain?

For applicable products placed on the Great Britain market, the Department for Business and Trade says CE marking continues to be recognised alongside or instead of UKCA marking. Check the product’s destination-specific conformity and seller information; Great Britain guidance should not automatically be applied to Northern Ireland.

Does the same marking advice apply in Northern Ireland?

Not automatically. The Office for Product Safety and Standards explains that Northern Ireland aligns with relevant EU rules for manufactured goods, so check conformity information for delivery to Northern Ireland rather than relying solely on Great Britain guidance.

How can I check for a recall after buying a pancake maker?

Check the UK Government’s Product Safety Alerts, Reports and Recalls service for alerts affecting the appliance. Electrical Safety First also advises registering an appliance with its manufacturer where that option is offered, so the manufacturer can contact you about a safety recall.