There is a very specific type of domestic chaos that occurs on a Sunday morning when four people are demanding pancakes, two want crispy bacon, and your kitchen counter looks like a disaster zone. I’ve spent the better part of the last month navigating this exact scenario with two of Presto’s biggest hitters: the Slimline 07072 and the Tilt-N-Fold 07073.
While both of these griddles are marketed as “Extra Large,” they approach the task of feeding a crowd from completely different angles. One is a sleek, low-profile slab of aluminum that looks like it belongs on a professional buffet line, while the other is a mechanical marvel that folds, tilts, and practically does gymnastics to save you cabinet space. After flipping dozens of eggs and searing enough burgers to feed a small army, I’ve realized that choosing between them isn’t about how much you cook—it’s about how you store your gear and how much you hate grease.
The Key Difference: Form Factor vs. Mechanical Versatility
The primary difference between the Presto 07072 and the Presto 07073 is the storage design and the drainage system. The Presto 07072 (Slimline) features a fixed, low-profile design that is 25% wider than standard griddles, emphasizing a massive 22″ x 13″ cooking surface.
The Presto 07073 (Tilt-N-Fold), however, is built for modularity; it features legs that fold in for compact storage and flip-down levers that tilt the entire cooking surface to drain grease into the drip tray. While both utilize a PFAS-free ceramic nonstick coating, the Slimline prioritizes a sleek, static presentation, whereas the Tilt-N-Fold focuses on vertical storage and active fat management.
Comparison Table: Presto 07072 vs. 07073
| Feature | Presto 07072 (Slimline) | Presto 07073 (Tilt-N-Fold) |
| Cooking Surface Area | 286 sq. in. (22″ x 13″) | 254 sq. in. (Approx. 21″ x 12″) |
| Storage Style | Slim/Low-Profile | Foldable Legs / Tilt System |
| Drainage | Level Surface | Active Tilt-to-Drain Levers |
| Weight | 8.6 lbs (Heavy Duty) | 6.51 lbs (Portable) |
| Dimensions (In Use) | 25.31″W x 14.43″D x 1.75″H | 21.75″W x 15″D x 3″H |
| Material | Cast Aluminum / Ceramic | Cast Aluminum / Ceramic |
| Wattage | 1200 Watts | 1200 Watts |
| Washability | Fully Immersible | Fully Immersible |
| View Current Price on Amazon | View on Amazon | View on Amazon |
Detailed Comparative Review: My Kitchen “Burn Test”
Living with these griddles side-by-side felt like testing a luxury sedan against a Swiss Army knife. They both get the job done, but the way they do it changed my kitchen workflow in unexpected ways.
Design: The Elegance of the Slab vs. The Folding Frame
When I first pulled the Presto 07072 out of the box, I was struck by its sheer footprint. It’s a massive, beautiful piece of equipment. The “Slimline” name isn’t just marketing; it sits incredibly low to the counter. When I used it to serve a brunch buffet, it felt integrated into the table rather than looking like an appliance sitting on top of it. The heavy cast aluminum base feels premium—it has a weight to it that screams “warp-proof.”
The Presto 07073 feels much more utilitarian. It sits higher up because of the folding leg mechanism. At first glance, it doesn’t look as “pretty” as the Slimline, but the design is ingenious. The legs snap into place with a satisfying click, and the entire unit is designed to be tucked away. If the Slimline is a permanent fixture, the Tilt-N-Fold is the guest star that arrives, performs, and vanishes.
Ease of Use: Reclaiming Your Cabinet Space
In my kitchen, storage space is a zero-sum game. The Slimline 07072 is great because it’s thin, so I could slide it vertically between my baking sheets. However, its width (over 25 inches) means it didn’t fit in my standard upper cabinets. I had to store it in the pantry.
The Tilt-N-Fold 07073 won the storage battle hands-down. Because the legs fold inward and the drip tray locks into place, I was able to fit it into a standard 18-inch cabinet with room to spare. If you live in an apartment or have a kitchen that feels like a jigsaw puzzle, the Tilt-N-Fold design is a legitimate sanity-saver. Setting it up takes about five seconds longer than the Slimline, but the payoff in saved space is massive.
Functions: The Tilt Factor and Pancake Physics
This is where I saw the biggest difference in performance. On the Slimline 07072, the surface is perfectly level. This is the gold standard for pancakes and French toast. Because the batter doesn’t “run,” you get perfectly circular, evenly cooked pancakes every time. The backstop ledge is also a brilliant touch—when I went to flip a grilled cheese, the ledge provided the resistance I needed to get the spatula underneath without chasing the sandwich across the counter.
However, when I switched to bacon and burgers, the Tilt-N-Fold 07073 showed its true colors. With a quick flip of the levers, the entire griddle surface tilts forward. I watched as the grease immediately began racing toward the drip tray. On the Slimline, the bacon usually sits in its own rendered fat, which makes it extra crispy but also a bit messier. On the 07073, you get a “cleaner” cook. If you’re health-conscious or just hate having your burgers stewing in grease, that tilt function is a killer feature.
Maintenance: Cleaning the Ceramic Coating
Both griddles use Presto’s PFAS-free ceramic nonstick surface. I am genuinely impressed by how far ceramic tech has come. I accidentally charred some maple syrup on both surfaces, and once the units cooled down, the crust wiped off with a dry paper towel.
The Slimline 07072 is a bit of a beast to wash in the sink just because of its size. I found myself splashing water on the floor while trying to rinse the far end. The 07073, being slightly narrower and lighter, was much easier to maneuver under the faucet. Both are “fully immersible,” which is a must-have for me. I don’t trust “wipe-clean only” appliances; I want to be able to dunk the whole thing in soapy water to get that hidden grease off the underside.
Presto 07072 (The Slimline) Electric Griddle
Pros:
- Massive Surface Area: 286 square inches is enough for a dozen eggs or 10 pancakes at once.
- Low Profile: Excellent for buffet-style serving and elegant presentation.
- Heavy-Duty Build: Cast aluminum base feels more durable and less likely to warp over time.
- Perfectly Level: Ideal for liquid batters like crepes or thin pancakes.
Cons:
- Large Footprint: Requires a very wide storage space or pantry.
- Heavy: At 8.6 lbs, it’s not something you want to be moving around constantly.
- No Active Drainage: Grease stays on the surface until the end of the cook.
Presto 07073 (The Tilt-N-Fold) Electric Griddle
Pros:
- Compact Storage: Legs fold in, allowing it to fit in standard 18-inch cabinets.
- Grease Management: Tilt function drains fat away from meat while you cook.
- Lightweight: At 6.5 lbs, it’s much easier to pull out of a high cabinet.
- Locking Drip Tray: Stays secure during transport so you don’t lose the tray in the back of the cupboard.
Cons:
- Smaller Surface: You lose about 32 square inches of cooking space compared to the Slimline.
- Mechanical Parts: More moving parts (hinges/levers) mean more points of potential wear over the years.
- Higher Profile: Sits higher on the counter, which isn’t as sleek for serving.
The Final Recommendation: Which Griddle Wins the Counter?
After flipping enough pancakes to feed a neighborhood, my decision comes down to your primary “cooking identity.”
I recommend the Presto 07072 Slimline if you are the designated “Brunch Master.” If your griddle spends 90% of its time cooking pancakes, French toast, and eggs, the perfectly level, massive surface area is unbeatable. It feels like a professional piece of kitchen gear, and the low-profile design is genuinely beautiful for hosting guests.
- Extra-large 22x13 inch cooking surface
I recommend the Presto 07073 Tilt-N-Fold if you have a smaller kitchen or if you cook a lot of bacon, sausage, and burgers. The tilt function is a game-changer for grease management, and the ability to fold the legs and tuck it into a standard cabinet makes it much more practical for the average home cook.
- Versatility and convenience for breakfast, lunch, and dinner
In my kitchen, the Tilt-N-Fold 07073 is the winner. While I love the looks of the Slimline, the reality of my limited cabinet space and my love for “less-greasy” bacon makes the 07073 the more logical daily driver.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: Does the “tilt” on the 07073 make the pancakes slide?
A: Only if you leave the tilt levers down! The beauty of the 07073 is that it’s level by default. You only engage the tilt when you’re cooking greasy meats. For pancakes, you keep it flat, and they stay right where you put them.
Q: Is the ceramic coating “safe”?
A: Yes, both models use a ceramic coating that is PFAS-free. This means you don’t have to worry about PFOA or PTFE chemicals off-gassing at high temperatures. It’s a much healthier alternative to the older black nonstick coatings.
Q: Can I use metal spatulas?
A: I strongly advise against it. Even though these ceramic surfaces are durable, metal can eventually scratch them. Stick to silicone, nylon, or wood to keep that nonstick surface looking like new.
Q: Why are they both 1200 watts if one is bigger?
A: 1200 watts is the “sweet spot” for standard 120V kitchen outlets. Both griddles heat up quite quickly, but because the Slimline has more surface area to cover, it may take an extra minute to reach a uniform 400°F compared to the slightly smaller 07073.
Q: Does the heat control plug get hot?
A: The Control Master probe will get warm to the touch, but it’s designed to handle the load. Just make sure it’s pushed all the way into the griddle to ensure a stable electrical connection.
