Many people mistake griddles for grills, but the two are not the same. A griddle has that flat, smooth cooking surface that can be used to make almost anything. If you own or manage a restaurant, or even if you just to level up your cooking game at home, a griddle is an incredible piece of equipment to have. This blog will discuss everything there is to know about griddles and give you some excellent recommendations from Wilprep’s kitchen, a trusted supplier of kitchen equipment that has been in the game for a long time!
WHAT IS A GRIDDLE?
A griddle is a flat cooking surface typically used in kitchens for preparing a wide variety of foods, such as pancakes, burgers, eggs, and grilled sandwiches. Griddles can be electric or gas-powered, and they often feature a non-stick or stainless steel surface to ensure even heating and easy cleanup.
TYPES OF GRIDDLES
Commercial Griddles
These are the most common types of griddles. A commercial griddle's unique feature is its large cooking surface, which makes it suitable for heavy-duty use in restaurants, food trucks, and commercial kitchens.
Some large commercial griddles like Wilprep’s Gas Griddle with Cabinet Base have a total cooking surface of about 35.7 x 20.6-inch cooking space and are capable of producing a total heat of up to 9,0000 BTU. It has a large cooking surface and is often powered by gas or electricity. For additional functionality, this griddle even has a spacious storage space just below.
Countertop Griddles
Countertop griddles are made for smaller kitchens where space efficiency might be a priority. These griddles are smaller and more compact, but are still formidable cooking equipments. Wilpreps Electric Countertop Griddle has a total surface area of 16 inches, but is powered by two heating tubes generating a total power of 1750W. With this countertop griddle, heating is speedy and uniform. It can become your go-to choice for effortlessly preparing a variety of delights, from fluffy pancakes to savory steaks.
Residential Griddles
As the name implies, residential griddles are designed mainly for home use. Their surfaces are smaller, making them more portable and easier to fit in your kitchen. If you need quick and efficient equipment to help you make home meals, there is no better option than a residential griddle.
USES OF GRIDDLES
Griddles are incredibly versatile and can handle various food items, from vegetables to meat and fish. If you want to get the best out of your griddle, use it to prepare the following foods.
Breakfast Foods
When most people think of griddles, breakfast foods come to mind. With a griddle, you can quickly cook a variety of breakfast items all at once, saving your precious morning hours without compromising the quality of your food. Your griddle will easily handle any of the following items.
Pancakes
You can make multiple pancakes at once, and the flat surface ensures you get that delicious brown outer coating.
Eggs
The surface of the griddle heats evenly and there are no hot spots. You get the best eggs, be it scrambled or fried.
Bacon and Sausage
Your bacon and sausage cook evenly on the surface of the griddle, and the grease automatically drains away with no additional effort on your part.
LUNCH AND DINNER ITEMS
If you make or serve lunch and dinner, your griddle is just as useful. You can easily make any of the following lunch items on them:
Burgers and Steaks
A griddle provides a great sear for burgers and steaks, with heat spread evenly across the surface. Some griddles are even equipped with ridged surfaces to replicate grill marks.
Grilled Sandwiches
Griddles have a flat cooking surface, which makes them perfect for making sandwiches like grilled cheese, paninis, and patty melts. You can even press sandwiches down to ensure the toasting is nice and even.
Hot Dogs and Sausages
With a griddle, you can easily grill sausages and hot dogs, especially when an outdoor grill isn’t available.
VEGETABLES
Stir-frying
With the large surface of a griddle, you can have enough space to stir-fry vegetables and meat without overcrowding them.
Grilled Vegetables
The griddle surface is also perfect for grilling or sautéing Zucchini, peppers, onions, and mushrooms.
Flatbreads and Dough-Based Dishes
Tortillas
Many people use griddles to heat or cook fresh tortillas. The flat surface evenly warms or cooks the dough.
Crepes
You can easily spread thin batter across the surface for making crepes or other thin pancakes.
Flatbreads
Naan, pita, and other flatbreads work well on a griddle due to the even heat distribution.
FISH AND SEAFOOD
Fish
Top manufacturers like Wilprep supply commercial griddles with a non-stick stainless-steel surface which ensure that your fish fillets cook evenly without sticking or breaking apart.
Chicken and Pork Chops
These can be seared and cooked fully on a griddle, which is excellent for fast cooking in commercial settings.
BENEFITS OF GRIDDLES
Griddles are a favorite in commercial kitchens and even private homes. This is due to the numerous advantages they offer. Here are the key advantages of using griddles:
VERSATILITY
With a griddle, you can cook everything from breakfast foods (pancakes, eggs, bacon) to lunch/dinner items (burgers, steaks, vegetables). Even specialty items like crepes, tortillas, and flatbreads can easily be made on a griddle. In a commercial kitchen, having a griddle allows you to expand your menu and add new items to attract a wider range of customers.
Multiple Cooking Techniques
A griddle is a multipurpose tool in the kitchen and it enables you to grill, sauté, fry, or even toast food. If you are just starting out in the food business, or if you cannot afford more specialized equipment, a griddle allows you to continue making and serving a wide variety of foods.
Some advanced models of commercial griddles are a combination of two cooking equipment. Wilprep offers commercial griddles with ovens such as the 36-inch Natural Gas Range, which has two burners and a single oven. This 3-in-1 combo offers even greater versatility as it allows you all the advantages of a griddle and the benefits of an oven. You can simultaneously simmer soups, fry steaks, bake cookies, or roast chicken, even during peak hours.
A Large Cooking Surface
The flat, wide surface allows you to cook multiple items simultaneously. This is a huge advantage, especially in a commercial kitchen where speed and efficiency need to be maximized at all times.
Batch Cooking: You can cook in batches, greatly saving time and optimizing efficiency. A griddle is extremely useful for high-volume food production, such as preparing large breakfasts or cooking for a crowd.
Even Heat Distribution
The flat surface of the griddle heats evenly, ensuring that there are no hot or cold spots and your food cooks in an even and uniform manner. This even cooking does wonders for food quality and appeal, especially with delicate items like pancakes and eggs.
Wilprep’s commercial griddles go as far as allowing precise temperature control. This means if you use a model like the 48-inch Commercial Gas Griddle, you can easily manage the flame intensity. This griddle allows you to separate the griddle into three “heat zones”. You can then use the individual knobs on each zone to alter the heat levels from zone to zone in order to prepare diverse dishes simultaneously.
No Flare-ups
Unlike grills, where flames can cause uneven cooking or burning, griddles provide a consistent, flame-free heat source.
CHOOSING THE RIGHT GRIDDLE
So, how do you choose the right griddle for your business? There is no direct answer to which griddle is right for you: it depends on your cooking needs, the amount of space in your kitchen, and your available budget. Here's a guide to help you pick the best griddle for your requirements
Consider the Type of Griddle
COMMERCIAL VS. RESIDENTIAL
Remember that not all griddles are the same. Commercial griddles are designed for heavy-duty use and are larger, more durable, and often powered by gas. Residential griddles are more compact, portable, and often electric.
SOURCE OF POWER: ELECTRIC VS GAS
Electric Griddles are generally easier to use because they are smaller and portable. If you intend to buy a griddle for your home kitchen, you might lean more towards electric griddles. They also provide consistent heating but can take longer to reach the desired temperature.
If you are purchasing for commercial use, you might want to consider Gas Griddles. They heat up faster and can reach higher temperatures making them ideal for commercial use where high output is necessary, especially for grilling meats and searing.
SURFACE MATERIAL
Stainless Steel
Most modern griddles are made of stainless steel. Stainless steel is durable, resistant to rust, and easy to clean. Stainless steel griddles are common in commercial kitchens.
Cast Iron
Cast Iron Grills provide excellent heat retention and even distribution. But they require additional attention and maintenance to prevent rust. They give you a traditional, long-lasting cooking surface, but most people don’t like dealing with the hassle of cleaning.
Non-Stick Coating
Check if the grill has non-stick coating to prevent food from sticking. Found on many residential griddles, it’s easy to clean and prevents food from sticking. Take note, however, that non-stick surfaces can wear out over time.
Cooking Surface Size
Residential Use: You’d probably want a griddle big enough for a family-sized meal. 16-24 inches should suffice. Wilprep's smallest Electric Countertop Griddle is about 16 inches, and is perfect for a variety of cooking needs. If you want something a little bigger, Wilprep also has the Countertop Gas Griddle which is 24-inches, and though it is officially a commercial griddle, it will meet your needs superbly.
Commercial Use
For commercial use, look for larger surfaces (24 to 72 inches) that allow for cooking multiple items simultaneously, especially in busy restaurant kitchens. Wilprep has a variety of models for commercial use, ranging from 24-inches, 30-inches, 36-inches to 48-inches.
Ensure the griddle fits your countertop space or kitchen layout, especially if you opt for a built-in model.
TEMPERATURE CONTROL
Single vs. Multi-Zone Heating
If you operate a commercial kitchen, it is advisable to look for a griddle that allows independent temperature control across different sections of the cooking surface. This kind of griddle would be ideal for a commercial kitchen where different foods have to be cooked simultaneously at different temperatures.
Also, look for griddles with adjustable thermostats, allowing for precise control over the cooking temperature.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Having a griddle will definitely change the way you run your business. When you get your commercial griddle from a trusted supplier like Wilprep, nothing is out of reach. You have the ideal equipment to expand your business, add more items to your menu, and attract more customers.
