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How Much Does It Cost to Run a Electric Grill or Griddle in California? (2026)
Electric grills draw 1,200 to 2,200 watts and cycle to hold temperature. A 30 minute cook uses about 0.5 to 0.8 kWh, usually cheaper than the gas or charcoal for the same meal.
A typical electric grill or griddle (1,600 W) costs $0.56 per hour, or about $8.40 per month at 0.5 hours a day in California. Average running cost
| Wattage | Per hour | Per day | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Low (1,200 W) | $0.42 | $0.21 | $6.30 | $76.65 |
| Typical (1,600 W) | $0.56 | $0.28 | $8.40 | $102.20 |
| High (2,200 W) | $0.77 | $0.39 | $11.55 | $140.53 |
Formula: watts ÷ 1000 × hours × price per kWh. Typical use is 0.5 h/day ≈ 292 kWh per year.
In California, with electricity at $0.35 per kWh (source: EIA Table 5.6.A, 2026-06), a typical electric grill or griddle costs $0.56 per hour and about $102.20 per year at 0.5 hours a day. That is about 94% more than the US national average of $4.32 per month, because electricity in California costs $0.35 per kWh against $0.18 nationally. Each $1.00 of electricity buys roughly 1.8 hours of use.
How to lower the cost of running a electric grill or griddle
- Preheat for 5 to 10 minutes, not 20.
- Cook with the lid down to hold heat.
- Grill several items at once while it is hot.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to use an electric grill?
About 0.6 kWh for a half hour cook, a few cents in most regions.
Is an electric grill cheaper than gas?
Usually, since a full propane tank costs more than the equivalent electricity.
Do electric grills use a lot of electricity?
Similar to an oven per minute, but for shorter periods.
Cost by region
- United States (average)
- California
- Texas
- New York
- Florida
- Canada (average)
- United Kingdom
- Germany
- France
- Australia
- India