In the last few years, the use of griddles has gone up substantially. And those who are actually able to properly use griddles have really seen the difference in the addition of one cookware on their entire cooking process. This is one game-changer everyone wants in their kitchen now.
Now, not many of you might know how to use cast iron griddle on a gas stove, but the process is not difficult if you have been to the kitchen a few times and know your way around a gas stove. Even if you haven’t, then all you have to do is continue reading. I am sure it won’t take you long to catch on.
Choose the Griddle
People tend to use griddle more these days, and you can cook pretty much everything on them. You will not have to spend money on buying different cookware as the griddle will be able to get most of the work done. In all this, you will also be able to save a lot of space in your kitchen.
Now, there are a number of different types of griddles available in the market. Steel is the most commonly used and inexpensive option for us. However, if you want to cook like a professional and really see some good results with the food, then cast iron is the best option.
There are many pros of getting a cast iron griddle as opposed to steel or aluminum. The base is thick and firm, so the whole thing heats every evenly. You will be so the food will cook the same in all areas of the surface.
Along with that, cast iron is able to retain heat for a very long time. Meaning, even if you turn the flame off, the griddle itself will stay hot and continue cooking whatever is not it. In most cases, this is helpful, but you can also very easily overcook the food if you’re not careful.
Editor’s Recommendation: Top 5 Cast Iron Griddle
Prepare the Griddle for Use
Something to keep in mind when you are cooking with a griddle is that you can’t just pull it out and start cooking on it. That is especially true if it is made of cast iron. Proper cleaning is very important, both before and after each use. If you do not clean it properly, then you will see grease buildup.
All you have to do is submerge it in water and use a sponge to clean it. Make sure you aren’t using anything too harsh as it is bad for the griddle.
Along with that, what you have to be mindful of in the case of cast iron griddles is seasoning them. If the cookware is not seasoned properly, then you will not be able to use it for a long time. And if you season as per requirement, then you can spend your whole life cooking on one cast iron griddle without needing a replacement.
Oil is the only thing you need for seasoning. Just dab a paper. Towel on some vegetable oil and run it across the surface of the griddle. That should be all.
How to Use Cast Iron Griddle on Gas Stove
Here’s the entire process for you.
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Step 1: Place the Griddle on the Stove
The first thing you are to do after you’re done cleaning up the griddle is to place it on the stove. You have to set it up for the cooking process. Make sure you place it properly on the stove and do not drag it around for readjustment. That is a sure-shot way of ruining the bottom of the griddle.
If you see it is not placed correctly, you should pick it up and place it whenever you want. The griddles tend to be big in size, so you will have to place it over two burners. So you try to place it on the burners that are closest as that will lead to better and more even heating.
See if you are good with the positioning or not. This might take a few tries at the time, but after some use, you will be able to place it correctly on the stove on your first try and won’t have to waste time readjusting the griddle.
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Step 2: Start the Heat
The next part on your to-do list would be starting the heat. In the case of a gas stove, it will be starting the flame. The level of heat to select will mainly depend on what type of griddle you are cooking with. If you were to choose a steel griddle, then you would have to choose medium heat as the material tends to get hot too fast.
In the case of cast iron, the heating process will be a little slower, but as I have mentioned before, you will get more even heating.
One thing you should do before placing the food on the griddle is to do the water test. Once you have given the griddle some time to heat, you can splash a few drops on the surface. Based on what the water does, you can decide whether the temperature is right or not.
If the water just sits on the griddle, then a high level of heat is needed. And if the water sizzles and evaporates instantly, then it might be too hot, and if the water dances of the griddle, then it might be the temperature you’re looking for. However, what level of heat you need is also dependent on what you’re cooking as well.
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Step 3: Grease the Griddle
Nowadays, there are many different types of griddles available; some of them are nonstick. In those cases, you are not required to grease the surface to prevent the food from sticking. But as we are talking about cast iron griddles, you are going to need some form of fat to grease the pan.
You can use any kind of fat you want for this. As long as it helps prevent the sticking, it should all be fine. In most cases, you do not need a whole lot of oil for these griddles; just enough to coat the bottom is fine.
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Step 4: Cook the Food
The last thing on your list here is to cook the food. You should be able to make a range of different things on your griddle. Even though in some cases, the kind of surface your griddle has might cause some limitations. For example, you will not be able to get the picture-perfect pancakes if you choose to use a griddle with edges.
There really isn’t much to cooking on the griddle. All you have to do is keep an eye on the flame and see if the food is sticking to the bottom or not. If you are following a recipe, then the cooking time should be stated clearly, and you should follow that.
I assure you, once you use a cast iron griddle to make steak, you will not want to go back to regular pans even again. You will get perfectly cooked steak each and every time without a doubt.
Can you get an electric stove with a griddle?
The griddle is a flat metal plate used for cooking food. In the market, different types of griddles are available. Electric stove griddle is one of them. You can also find gas or stovetop griddles in the market.
Electric griddles are mostly eco-friendly as they don’t emit smoke while cooking. The popularity of electric griddle increasing gradually.
Final Words
We have finally come to an end and hope now you know how to use cast iron griddle on a gas stove. Just follow along with the steps and be vigilant when you start cooking. That should do the trick.