All About Griddles | Commercial Griddle
The griddle is the best cooking equipment in the kitchen. It is a flat cooking surface with a heat source under it, which can take one of three forms. It can be a piece of cookware, such as a non-stick pan or cast iron griddle, heated by a burner, or it can be built in a range. There is also an electric griddle, which is plugged in and placed on the counter, separate from the stove.
Griddles are ideal when cooking crowds because they have a large surface area. In fact, the lack of edges (like using a pan) makes it easier to turn the food, and the open area does not trap any moisture, so the food (for example, potato chips) becomes fragrant and crispy.
Cook On The Griddle
When many of us hear about griddles, they think of breakfast. Probably because most pancake recipes instruct you to "heat the griddle" when making the batter, or when we sit at the counter of the food truck and watch the chef beat the eggs onto the griddle. It is not only suitable for pancakes and eggs, but also for bacon, French toast, potato cakes and other breakfasts. Griddles are also often used to cook burgers and other hot sandwiches, such as grilled cheese.
The electric griddle does have some advantages over the stove or on the stove top. Because it does not rely on the stove as a heat source, the entire cooking surface is heated evenly. There is also a well on both sides of the electric griddle, which allows the fat to drip and gather together. If you cook many dishes at once on vacation, for example, you don't need to use any stove on the stove.
Commercial Griddle and Flat Top Griddle
Commercial griddles (ie griddles built into the stove top) may look similar to flat tops, but they are different in some respects. First, the flat top is often made of lighter steel, and the heat source below is composed of multiple circular burners, rather than a griddle, where a rectangular burner runs through the entire top. In addition, only food is placed directly on the griddle, while the flat top can hold food and cooking utensils (such as pots and pans).
Griddle Safe
Whether cooking on a stand-alone electric griddle or a built-in griddle on a stove, it’s important to remember some key safety tips. When using the bakeware, be sure to use oven mitts; when the griddle gets hot, it is easy to forget that all the elements of the griddle (including the handles and edges) will become hot.
You should also use a scraper of the right size. If you are cooking oversized sandwiches, pancakes, or other large foods, use a larger spatula to prevent scalding yourself (and food).
It is important to pay attention to excess fat when cooking. For example, if you are cooking bacon, you will have a lot of fat. You need to make sure that the fat can be drained and will not spill onto the stove. When grease interacts with an open flame, a grease fire occurs.
Griddle Tips
The advantage of cooking with a griddle is that it provides a large and smooth surface. But having such a large surface means you need to remember some things. First, make sure to use the right amount of oil, butter, or non-stick cooking spray to ensure that the food does not stick to the griddle. If you are using a very large griddle, it is helpful to put the oil in a plastic squeeze bottle; this way you can aim precisely when filling the griddle.
If you are using a griddle on the stove, you can use the griddle to create different areas, from hot to hot. Use different burner strengths to create temperature zones on your griddle, or if you put your griddle on the grill, separate very hot areas from hotter areas. This will allow you to cook at a more precise temperature and keep the food warm while other foods may still be cooking.
Clean and Maintain The Griddle
Like any other cooking tool, in order to maintain good working condition and prolong its service life, you need to clean the bottom of the griddle after each use. When you are done cooking, scrape off all food residues and cooked pieces from your griddle. Then it helps to wipe the griddle clean with a damp cloth. Wear protective gloves because the griddle is still hot. Finally, add a thin layer of cooking oil, wipe it clean with a rag, and store it safely so that it will be ready next time you need it.
