Why You Need A Griddle Pan

Griddle pans are a great way to cook food with the flavour of outdoor grilling, without actually having to go outside. They are particularly useful for people who live in apartments or don't have access to outdoor space. Griddle pans are also handy if the weather is bad, or if you don't have a lot of space.

Griddle pans are characterised by their raised ridges, which leave char marks on your food. They are usually made from cast iron, but can also be non-stick, usually with an aluminium base. Griddle pans are great for cooking food that you'd usually cook on a barbecue, like steak, chicken, vegetables, and burgers. They can also be used for breakfast foods, like pancakes, sausages, bacon, and eggs.

Griddle pans are good for replicating grill marks and a smoky flavour

Griddle pans are a great way to replicate the chargrilled appearance and flavour of food cooked on a barbecue. While they may not offer the same smoky taste of a charcoal grill, they can create the texture and caramelisation you would expect from a wood or gas grill.

The raised ridges on the base of a griddle pan are what create the distinctive char marks on your food. These ridges also allow fat to render into the grooves, so your food isn't cooked in its own juices. Griddle pans with deeper troughs and taller peaks will give you more prominent char marks and prevent your food from becoming greasy.

Cast iron griddle pans tend to have higher ridges than non-stick pans, as non-stick pans are usually made from a single sheet of aluminium, which can deform if the ridges are too high. Cast iron pans are also superior when it comes to heat retention, although they do take longer to heat up. They are also usually cheaper than non-stick pans, although they are heavier and more cumbersome to clean.

Griddle pans are versatile and can be used indoors and outdoors

Griddle pans are highly versatile and can be used both indoors and outdoors. They are a great alternative to outdoor cooking when circumstances don't permit grilling outside. For example, if the weather is bad, you don't have outdoor space, or there are restrictions on outdoor grilling.

Griddle pans can be used to cook a variety of foods, from breakfast meals like bacon, eggs, and pancakes, to burgers, steaks, pork chops, seafood, vegetables, and quesadillas. They are also great for achieving charring and a smoky flavour on your food.

Griddle pans come in different sizes, so you can choose one that suits your needs. Small and medium-sized griddle pans are perfect for cooking for a family or a few people, while larger griddle pans can accommodate cooking for a larger group, such as at a party.

When it comes to materials, griddle pans typically fall into two categories: cast iron and non-stick, usually with an aluminium base. Cast iron griddle pans offer great heat retention but take longer to heat up, while non-stick pans are lighter and easier to clean.

Whether you're cooking indoors or outdoors, a griddle pan can be a valuable addition to your cookware collection, bringing the outdoor taste into your kitchen.

Griddle pans are suitable for cooking a variety of foods, including meat and vegetables

Griddle pans are suitable for cooking a wide variety of foods, including meat and vegetables. They are versatile cookware that can bring the outdoor taste into your kitchen. Griddle pans are typically square or rectangular, with a flat surface that cooks over a stovetop. They are designed to be placed on top of a burner, and most models fit over two burners on a standard cooktop. Smaller griddle pans, which fit over a single burner, are perfect for preparing smaller meals and are easier to store in space-challenged kitchens.

The flat surface of a griddle pan makes it ideal for cooking breakfast foods such as pancakes, sausages, bacon, eggs, hash browns, and French toast. Griddle pans are also excellent for cooking burgers, grilled sandwiches, and fajitas. Additionally, they can be used for meats such as steak, chicken breasts, and pork chops, as well as seafood, vegetables, and quesadillas. Griddle pans are a great way to achieve charring and a smoky flavour on your food.

When it comes to cooking meat, griddle pans are particularly effective for flash-frying steak at high temperatures. The raised ridges on the pan's base provide beautiful char marks and allow the fat to render into the grooves, ensuring that your food isn't cooked directly in it. This results in a less greasy end product. Griddle pans are also suitable for cooking thin slices of vegetables, such as aubergine and courgette, which can be cooked to perfection in just a few minutes.

Griddle pans are easy to use and don't require oil

If your griddle pan doesn't have a non-stick surface, you can brush it with oil. However, it's important to avoid putting oil directly on the pan, as it may burn and ruin the flavour of your food. Instead, brush oil onto your food before placing it on the pan. This will add flavour and ensure your food doesn't stick.

Some oils are better suited to griddle pans than others. Avocado, grapeseed, avocado soybean, canola, and peanut oils have high smoking points, so they work well. Olive oil, on the other hand, has a low smoking point, so it may cause your food to burn more easily.

If you want to achieve a new layer of polymerized oil on your griddle pan, heat it up until it's smoking hot before you cook, and after you clean it. This will also make it easier to clean.

Griddle pans are healthier than frying pans as they require less grease and oil

Griddle pans are a healthier alternative to frying pans as they require less grease and oil. Griddle pans have a flat, smooth surface that is perfect for cooking foods like bacon, eggs, pancakes, sandwiches, and meats. They are versatile and can be used to cook a variety of dishes, from breakfast meals to steaks, burgers, and vegetables.

One of the key advantages of griddle pans is their ability to distribute heat evenly, resulting in uniform cooking. This makes griddle pans ideal for cooking foods that require precise temperature control, such as eggs, meat, and vegetables. Additionally, griddle pans come with a drip tray, making it easier to collect grease and oil during cooking and reducing the time required for cleaning.

When comparing griddle pans with frying pans, it is important to note that frying pans have a round shape with raised walls, while griddle pans are typically rectangular or square with low or no walls. Frying pans are suitable for searing meats and shallow frying, whereas griddle pans, with their raised surfaces, are better for cooking meats and vegetables, allowing the food to breathe and enhancing its flavor.

Another benefit of griddle pans is their size. Griddle pans usually have a larger surface area than frying pans, making them perfect for cooking for a large group of people. Whether you're cooking for a family or hosting a party, a griddle pan can accommodate your needs.

In terms of maintenance, griddle pans are generally easy to use and clean. Most griddle pans have a non-stick surface, which means you can cook with minimal oil, making it a healthier option. Additionally, the non-stick surface makes cleaning a breeze as food is less likely to stick to the pan.

However, it is worth noting that some foods may stick to the griddle pan's surface, requiring careful handling. Griddle pans can also be expensive, especially those with more advanced features. Nevertheless, griddle pans are a valuable addition to any kitchen, providing a healthy and versatile cooking option for all types of meals.

Frequently asked questions