Grills & Griddlers Basics

These appliances come in various shapes, sizes and types. Some are specific to certain forms of food preparation while others are designed for general use. While there are many people who don’t see the need to have both pieces at home, there are those who cannot do without both a grill or a griddle. If you’re going to shop around for these kitchen appliances, however, make sure you know what you’re looking for. It’s also a good idea to be more familiar with each one. It may sound funny, but a lot of people mistake a griddle for a crepe pan.

Differences

First, you have to find out the differences between grills and griddlers.

A grill or a grilling pan comes with raised ridges so food doesn’t cook directly in oil and the drippings that tend to accumulate at the bottom of the pan. If you push the range heat high enough, you can even get grilling marks on your chops, steaks and burgers – the same ones that you see when you cook your meat on outdoor charcoal or gas grills.

A griddle, on the other hand, has a smooth and flat cooking surface so it is ideal for cooking omelettes, crepes and pancakes.

Putting Them Together

Grills & griddlers are reversible cooking pans that have ridges on one side and flat surfaces on the other. This way, you get two cooking aids in just one model. Reversible griddles are usually 20x11 inches or so. They come with shorter handles installed on both ends. They are usually called double burner griddles because they can get heated by two stove burners at the same time. This feature will come in handy when you’re cooking large batches of meat or pancakes for a whole family.

Round vs. Square

You will also find griddles and grills in round and square-shaped varieties. The round ones are more like grill pans that have sides that are high enough to keep the oil and drippings from getting into the burner. The shorter sides allow for easier access to food if you use a spatula.

Material

When you’re shopping for grills & griddlers, you’re more likely to come across a variety of models in different materials. Steel griddles usually come in rectangular varieties and are longer than 24 inches. They are great for cooking for a large group of people. Aluminum is less popular. There are also cast iron models that can be a bit more expensive, but they are worth it if you do a lot of grilling indoors and outdoors.