What Exactly is a Cast Iron Griddle?
A cast iron griddle is used on the top of your stove. It has a flat surface with slightly raised edges that occupy more than one stovetop burner. Their vast cooking surface allows convenient cooking for foods such as pancakes, French toast, eggs, and grilled sandwiches.
To achieve the best cooking results for so many different foods, it is important to learn how to regulate the appropriate heat. It’s best to start with a medium heat and work your way up.
Difference Between a Cast Iron Griddle and a Skillet
A cast iron skillet is a very versatile and useful piece of cookware that can really bring taste to a meal.
While a cast iron skillet and griddle are both similar in design, there are some pretty nifty advantages a griddle has to offer.
The main difference between the two is the sides. The sides of a griddle are low, like that of a cookie sheet. A skillet, on the other hand, has higher side walls.
In addition, a griddle has a larger extended cooking surface where skillets are typically square or rectangular shaped. In fact, some double burner griddles span across two stove-top burners.
Cast Iron Griddle for Stovetop
A cast iron griddle is not restricted to just breakfast foods. Although, it’s one of the best ways to cook up tasty pancakes, French toast, bacon and different kinds of eggs, there are many other foods that fare just as well.
Its vast space makes cooking up a big batch of homemade burgers or brats very doable, easy and oh so tasty. Steak, fish, shrimp and other entrees are excellent choices for cooking on the griddle.
The griddle comes in handy for cooking foods that are too large for a normal skillet. Also, it works great for keeping foods warm.
Griddle Appetizers
There are many reasons why you might want to cook up your favorite appetizers on a griddle. For one, they are typically bite sized and cook rather quickly. They can also be flipped easily if necessary. Not only is this favorable to the appetizers, but you can whip up a lot at one time or concurrently share the space with other foods. Not to mention, you can keep the appetizers warm if need be.
Griddle Vegetables
Cooking vegetables on a cast iron griddle is not only a great way to upscale your veggies but it’s actually healthier. According to a report published in the Journal of Food Science, compared to other methods of cooking, (boiling, baking, microwaving, frying), vegetables cooked on a griddle retained the highest levels of antioxidant.
Some of the most popular vegetable cooked on a griddle are asparagus, corn, onions, eggplant, peppers, and mushrooms.
Smaller vegetables can be used as well by putting on a skewer.
Cast Iron Griddle for Outdoors
An outdoor griddle is great for family and friend outdoor gatherings. The flat cooktop space makes it easy to cook food for a crowd and have it done all at once. Plus, you don’t get the hot and cool zones typical of a barbecue. Just consistent and even cooking.
A real bonus is the cleanup. There’s no comparison cleaning a flat griddle to that of a barbecue. Any drippings are contained on the flat cooking surface rather than seeping through the grates of the barbecue. All it takes is some water and a scrub brush and you’re good to go.