Hamilton Beach 3-in-1 Electric Indoor Grill + Electric Griddle
By Hamilton Beach · Electric Griddles · Kitchen & Cooking · More from Hamilton Beach
- 180 sq
- 1400 watts of power
- 2 cooking zones with independent heat controls
- Reversible cooking plates (grill and griddle)
- 425°F max temperature
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Summary
Hamilton Beach’s 38546 is an open, two-zone indoor grill and griddle: two reversible removable plates, 180 sq in of nonstick surface and two independent dials that go up to 425°F. It handles family batches and the plates are dishwasher safe, but the manual is upfront that it needs 10 to 15 minutes to heat and that food sticks without spray.
Strengths
- Two independent zones let you cook two foods at once, or run one side as grill and one as griddle.
- The reversible plates flip between griddle and grill and are dishwasher safe.
- 180 sq in holds a family batch of pancakes or several burgers.
- Owners’ most common praise is easy cleanup.
- Hamilton Beach sells exact-fit replacement plates, clips and trays.
- The plates snap in and out, so the base never goes in the dishwasher.
Weaknesses
- It is an open flat top, so it cannot melt cheese like a press and does not contain splatter.
- The manual says allow 10 to 15 minutes to preheat and use nonstick spray, or food sticks.
- The dial tops out at 425°F, below the 450°F-rated sibling 25380.
- Owners flag grease drainage and counter space as the main gripes.
- No independent lab has published heat accuracy or zone-evenness numbers.
- Only the plate, clips and drip tray are sold as spares; there is no element or thermostat.
Verified specifications
| Model | 38546; the current revision is 38546MN. |
|---|---|
| Electrical | 120 V ~ 60 Hz, 1400 W. |
| Cooking surface | 180 sq in of nonstick, split across two zones. |
| Controls | two independent dials, each zone up to 425°F. |
| Plates | two reversible, removable plates, smooth griddle on one side and ridged grill on the other; dishwasher safe. |
| Drip tray | removable, top-rack dishwasher safe; grease drains to a center channel in grill mode. |
| Weight | 7.48 lb. |
| Cord length | 36 inches. |
| Dimensions | 3.74 x 20.11 x 11.02 in (H x W x D). |
| Manual cooking guidance | 350°F for bacon and hot dogs, 375°F for pancakes and grilled cheese. |
| Nonstick | PFAS-free ceramic on the 38546MN; the original 38546 used PFOA-free nonstick. |
| Warranty | one-year limited, US and Canada. |
Full research notes and sources
Two zones, three setups
The 3-in-1 name covers plate setups, not extra functions: both plates smooth side up for a full griddle, both ridged side up for a full grill, or one of each for half and half. The manual’s temperature chart keeps things moderate, at 350°F for bacon and hot dogs and 375°F for pancakes and grilled cheese. Owners mention washing the double-sided plates in a small RV sink, cooking two items at once on the two dials, and fitting about four 4-inch burger patties per zone. There is no lid, so it will not melt cheese like a press and cannot hold in splatter.
Heat, and the manual’s warnings
The 425°F on the dial is a per-zone setting, not a measured surface temperature, and no first-party heat-up, accuracy or zone-evenness data exists. The manual’s troubleshooting section is candid: allow 10 to 15 minutes for full heat, and use nonstick spray because food sticks to a bare grid. It also warns about splattering grease, tells you to turn both controls to MIN before unplugging, and says never to move the unit while it is in use. One old owner review claimed both sides were always on when plugged in; the current manual documents two independent knobs with MIN positions, so the review likely concerns a different, older two-zone unit.
Parts, warranty and running costs
Recurring costs are minimal: cooking spray or oil and dishwashing, plus a replacement plate if the nonstick wears. Hamilton Beach sells the reversible grid for $37.99, a grid clip set for $2.99 and a drip tray for $2.99. The limited warranty runs one year from delivery in the US and Canada, with replacement of the product or a defective part as the remedy, buyer-paid return shipping and proof of purchase required. High-heat-resistant, nonstick-safe utensils are needed, rated about 450°F.
Is it worth it?
At $70 to $90 the 38546 is a defensible buy for a household that wants a large two-zone flat top with dishwasher-safe plates and a real parts channel. Hamilton Beach direct lists the 38546MN at $79.99, Best Buy lists the 38546 at $76.49 and Walmart Business lists it at $88.95. Under about $60 it is a clear value; above roughly $110 it weakens against lidded machines with published test results.
Which model this is
This page covers the 38546 and its current revision, 38546MN. Do not mix it up with near-identical siblings: the dual-zone 25380 and 25380G dial to 450°F rather than 425°F, the 4-in-1 adds a bacon cooker, and the 25600, 38544 and 25360 are contact grills. The retail listing for the 38546 is ASIN B0083I7TCI.
Sources
Manufacturer:
- Hamilton Beach 3-in-1 Grill/Griddle 38546MN, current page
- Hamilton Beach 3-in-1 Grill/Griddle 38546, archived page
- Use and Care guide 840210901 for the 3-in-1 Grill/Griddle
- Hamilton Beach limited warranty
Other coverage:
- No independent instrumented test of the 38546 or 38546MN was found.
Owner reports:
Parts and stores:
