Cuisinart CCP-2000: Dual-Sided Iron Brings Big Promise—and Big Hassles

Thinking about hauling a cast iron grill/griddle on your next mountain adventure? The Cuisinart CCP-2000 will catch your eye—two surfaces, ribbed and flat, wrapped in serious cast iron, designed to sit on your gas grill or straddle two burners at home. You’d think that means breakfast hash at dawn, steak with crisp grill marks by dusk, and only one hunk of gear to schlep. That’s mostly true—if you can live with its quirks.

The Two-in-One Fantasy

Honestly, the two-in-one idea is fun. A ridged grill side gives you those visual, satisfying sear lines on a steak or burger. Flip it over, and you’re staring at a broad, flat griddle ready for pancakes or piles of bacon. It’s a mighty temptation for anyone who likes to cook outside and hates washing up a stack of pans.

But let me torpedo a bit of the fantasy: you do not get modern non-stick convenience here. This is old-school cast iron, which means you either commit to constant seasoning or resign yourself to scraping off firmly stuck eggs every Sunday morning. Yes, you can cook it all—so long as you’re okay with the extra work on the cleanup and care side.

Build: All Muscle, With a Troublesome Handle

First impression? This thing is a beast—close to 12 pounds of solid iron that sits like a boulder on your grill grates. The heft means fantastic heat holding, so everything cooks evenly. You won’t find hot spots if you preheat it right. But all that muscle comes at a cost: it’s clumsy to move, especially with gloves or cold hands.

And here comes the real weak link: the integrated handles. Folks have been reporting handle cracks—especially if you heat too fast during the seasoning step. Surprise! A hairline crack on cast iron is a retirement notice. I don’t get how that design made it through product testing—but don’t assume cast iron automatically means bombproof.

Size and Fit: Not Quite “Universal”

This thing is nearly 16 inches long, theoretically fitting gas grills and some longer stovetops. But theory and reality are not always friends. Some users have it fitting perfectly, others find it’s a smidge too big and blocks their grill cover. If you’re working with a smaller or oddly shaped grill, you might find yourself playing Tetris every single mealtime.

And keep this in mind: while it’s a good slab for a couple of big steaks or a decent batch of pancakes, you won’t be knocking out huge family breakfasts unless you’re cooking in shifts. Don’t trust marketing shots—do a tape measure check before you commit.

Maintenance: Cast Iron Drama

If you’re not a seasoned cast iron nerd, know this: you cannot mistreat this slab. It arrives with a thin factory seasoning which, frankly, isn’t enough. You’ll need to hit it with multiple rounds of oven or grill oil seasoning—or face the sticky, flaky, patchy mess that follows.

Try to shortcut the seasoning process? That’s when the handles can crack or warp. And cleaning is all manual—no dishwashers allowed. Oil, wipe, dry, repeat—otherwise you’re soon scraping off rust flecks instead of bacon. This really isn’t for “set it and forget it” types.

Cleaning: Bring Elbow Grease

This isn’t the griddle for lazy Saturdays unless you’re up for some scrubbing. Food sticks unless your seasoning is flawless, and once both sides have seen action, those grill ridges are especially tough to clean. Hot water and stiff brushes are your new best friends—but avoid dish soap, unless you crave repeating that seasoning ritual.

It’s heavy and awkward, so don’t drop it in your sink—unless you also want to buy a new sink.

As a Camping Companion?

I get the outdoorsy appeal—after a long day hiking, nothing beats a fresh-cooked meal, and the CCP-2000 can handle everything from sausage to flapjacks. The downside: weight. Unless you’re RV-ing or car camping, this is a heck of a lot to lug up a trail. And if your camp stove is on the small side, fitting this monster might turn into comedy.

Bottom line: it works, but only if you pack like a mule and your grill or stove can actually handle the footprint.

Verdict: Adventurous, but Demanding

The Cuisinart CCP-2000 makes big promises—versatile, heavy-duty, and ready for adventure. The grill and griddle setup is genuinely fun for those who want one piece of gear that can do it all. Heat distribution? Top notch. But every plus comes with a minus. Expect handle fragility, size quirks, and the relentless march of cast iron maintenance chores. This plate is no “toss in the dishwasher and run” kind of gadget.

So, who does this suit best? If you obsess over perfect grill marks, don’t mind seasoning sessions, and have a grilling setup that fits a mini-barbell—go for it. You’ll eat well. If you’re hoping for fuss-free, lightweight, universally-fitting cookware, hard pass. There are plenty of alternatives out there that deliver good results without as much drama.

Don’t get blinded by the “reversible” label or the allure of cast iron. This thing asks for dedication—and rewards only those who actually give it. For everyone else, put the wallet away and keep looking for gear that suits how you really cook.