Tips For Choosing the Right Electric Griddle
How Can I Choose an Electric Griddle?? Choosing an appropriate electric griddle can help you prepare everything from breakfast items to grilled cheese sandwiches with ease, but choosing the best griddle may prove challenging. Here is our guide on selecting one:
Key factors to keep in mind when purchasing an appliance include size, surface area, controls and drip tray – these will have an effect on its performance and lifespan.
1. Size
If you’re searching for an efficient way to prepare a variety of breakfast favorites or cooking meals for larger groups, an electric griddle is an excellent solution. But selecting the appropriate size of griddle can ensure you make the most of your investment.
Griddles come in many different sizes, from those designed to hold eggs and bacon to models capable of accommodating 10 pancakes at once. Your electric griddle size should depend on its intended use as well as any available space in your kitchen.
Your ideal large electric griddle should have the capacity to accommodate the types of meals that you regularly prepare while providing consistent heat distribution and surface area coverage. Furthermore, it should be simple to clean and adjust for temperature variations as necessary.
Consideration should also be given to the material used to construct the electric griddle. Common materials for electric griddle surfaces include stainless steel and carbon steel; however, some models also feature high-grade ceramic coatings which promote even cooking.
An effective cooking surface for food such as bacon and eggs is a griddle with thick nonstick surface that ensures no sticking occurs, while it also works great when creating burgers or paninis.
Some griddle surfaces come equipped with built-in drains to catch any excess grease and oil after you are finished cooking, and most models feature drip trays for effortless cleanup. Some models may offer this as standard feature while other may be added by the manufacturer.
For serious chefs or those needing to handle large volumes of cooking simultaneously, the Zojirushi Extra-Large 19 x 12.5 Inch Ceramic Electric Griddle is an excellent choice. Boasting premium nonstick surface and an easy-to-clean design, its temperature range spans warm to 400 degrees Fahrenheit so it’s suitable for almost every dish you throw its way! Additionally, this submersible model makes cleaning effortless, while legs/handle pieces can easily be removed for storage when not in use.
2. Surface
An electric griddle features a flat surface, which ensures food can be evenly cooked across its entirety. This contrasts with grills which feature ridged heating zones which may result in uneven heating – making griddles an excellent option for pancakes, eggs, sandwiches and burgers as well as any dish which needs even heat distribution.
Electric griddles feature many convenient features to make cooking and cleaning simpler, such as a removable grease tray to capture oily runoff and an airtight lid for heat retention. Some even come equipped with temperature controls so you can set and maintain an ideal cooking environment while you work.
Before using your griddle, ensure the temperature probes are securely mounted so you can get accurate temperature readings. Otherwise, they could provide false readings that cause over- or undercooking.
Some electric griddle models feature a thermostat to ensure an even cooking experience. You can set it to any range or leave it at its default setting to customize your experience to your cooking preferences.
Another way to prevent grease and fat build-up on a griddle’s surface is to wipe it down after each use with warm, soapy water – this will remove any build-up of excess grease which clogs its surface, helping ensure even cooking.
When cleaning the griddle, be sure to use only soft cloth or sponge with warm soapy water and no harsh chemicals or abrasive materials, which could harm its nonstick coating.
Use a griddle scraper or silicone scrubber to remove burnt grease and food debris. Just be mindful not to scratch the surface with the scraper; otherwise this could cause further damage. For deep-cleaning purposes, an all-purpose cleaner might also come in handy.
3. Controls
Electric griddles feature adjustable controls that can be customized to your cooking needs, making them a convenient way to prepare various foods at the same time and saving time by eliminating multiple pots and pans from use.
An electric griddle allows you to set the perfect temperature and manage how quickly food cooks, saving both time and effort, as well as protecting it from burning and overcooking.
Griddles come equipped with both manual and thermostatic controls for you to choose from, depending on your budget and cooking needs. When choosing one of these types, take into consideration both budgetary considerations as well as personal taste when making a selection.
Economy griddles often come equipped with manual controls that allow operators to alter the height of the flame. While these types of controls are less costly than thermostatic models, novice chefs may find them challenging to understand.
A griddle equipped with thermostatic controls enables you to set and maintain the desired temperature of the appliance automatically, helping ensure your delicate foods cook evenly without overcooking. This feature can be especially helpful when cooking delicate meals such as chocolate truffles.
This solution can be ideal for restaurants serving breakfast items like pancakes and eggs, while its 150 to 450deg temperature range ensures fast and efficient preparation of grilled meats and sandwiches.
Models equipped with thermostats provide users with precise temperature control of their griddle. This option is particularly advantageous for operators serving high volumes of customers that need quick and simple adjustments while still producing consistent meals.
Electric griddles that come equipped with built-in drip trays to collect excess grease and fat are extremely helpful, facilitating cleanup after you are finished using the griddle without risk of accidental spills or accidents.
4. Drip Tray
If you’re shopping for an electric griddle, several key points must be kept in mind before making a selection: size, surface area, controls and storage options.
Most electric griddles feature nonstick coating, which prevents food from sticking to their surfaces during cooking. But it’s still essential to season its surface beforehand by wiping a thin layer of oil or butter across it before using it, in order to guarantee that none of your dishes stick. By following this step, your food won’t stick and so you can take full advantage of electric griddle cooking without worry or distraction!
As part of your preparations, it’s also crucial that the drip tray on your griddle be wide and deep enough to catch any drips from greasy foods such as bacon or burgers, which could result in an unduly messy cleanup job.
Dependent upon the type of griddle you select, its drip tray may allow for different sizes of drippings to collect them before falling onto your counter or floor. If you intend on creating large amounts of bacon or burgers on this griddle, adjust its drip tray so it can collect all the grease before it accumulates on either.
After using your griddle for cooking, it’s also crucial that it remains in good condition to enable future use. Regular cleaning will prevent food residue or grease build-up which could alter both flavor and quality of your meals.
Once your electric griddle has been cleaned and is in good condition, ensure that it remains stored within its shipping box when not being used. This will protect its nonstick coating and extend its working life as much as possible.
Are you in search of the ideal appliance to meet all of your cooking needs? An electric griddle could be just the thing. These appliances feature precise temperature control, ample surface area, and easy cleanup capabilities – perfect for creating any type of dish!