If one is an avid home cook, they are probably constantly on the lookout for kitchen gadgets and appliances that could elevate their cooking experience. Of course, there are appliances like bread machines and air fryers, but what about purchasing an electric griddle? Is it worth the investment, and what are the benefits of using one? This guide will go over all of these details and more. Once reading this information, it will be easier to determine if this appliance is right for you and your cooking habits.
What Is An Electric Griddle?
An electric griddle is an appliance with a flat cooking surface; it is heated up by electricity rather than gas. They come in all different sizes, with their standard size being between 20 and 25 inches long. These can be highly convenient when cooking for large families or events. Additionally, it can cook a whole meal simultaneously rather than using several pans on the stove simultaneously. Electric griddles are often non-stick and light in weight. They have temperature control knobs which are extremely useful when trying to cook food at a specific temperature.
The griddles are heated with coils just below the surface. This heat becomes evenly spread out over the whole surface, so one doesn’t need to worry about there being hot spots. One can control how hot the coils get, which makes it easier to manage how the food is cooked and prevent it from burning.
What Are The Pros Of An Electric Griddle?
•Controlled Temperature: This is what makes an electric griddle so ideal. For example, if one is cooking pancakes and wants the temperature to be a perfect 350 degrees Fahrenheit, they can set it to that temperature. This is much better than cooking on the stovetop, with low, medium, and high heat levels. On the stovetop, it is hard to know exactly how hot the burner is, which can affect the outcome of the food. Control of the temperature is one of the best benefits of this appliance.
•Even Heat Distribution: This is another fantastic property of electric griddles. The heat is equally distributed over the whole top, meaning the food will cook evenly. Cooking on the stovetop can be tricky because burners don’t always have even heat. Unfortunately, the pan will likely have hot spots so some food will cook faster than other parts.
•Easy Clean Up: Who doesn’t love easy cleanup appliances? Electric griddles are great because one can clean the skillet rather than making a ton of pans dirty. Since they are usually non-stick, the cleanup is easy as ever. There won’t is pesky burnt pieces of food on the grill. It should come right off. What a dream!
•Large Surface Area: This is great for several reasons. If one has a large family or is cooking for a group of people, the electric griddle can cook several things at once. A couple of examples would be pancakes or burgers. There would be no need to cook just one pancake at a time when one has a nifty appliance like this. This is a time-saving gadget.
•Non-Stick Surface: This means that one’s food won’t turn out so greasy. Oil is usually needed when cooking with old pans or nonstick surfaces, so the food doesn’t stick. However, electric griddles are non-stick, so one can relax and be confident that their food won’t get attached.
How Much Does An Electric Griddle Cost?
Depending on how large of an electric griddle one wants to purchase, they can range from roughly $40-$300. Don’t let the high price scare you; you probably won't need one that large. The average electric griddle at Walmart is around $50, which is affordable and perfect for home cooks who don’t need commercial-sized equipment. One can look on Amazon or other places like Target to find them; they are standard kitchen products.
What Can You Make On An Electric Griddle?
There are many possibilities when cooking on an electric griddle, so don’t think they are just for pancakes and burgers. Foods one can make on a skillet include hashbrowns, eggs, or even french toast. So, even if one is cooking for themselves instead of a family, full breakfast of hashbrowns, eggs, and french toast can be cooked all at once. How lovely does that sound? Other ideas include grilled cheese or paninis, quesadillas, and stir-fry dishes.
In conclusion, an electric griddle is a pretty handy appliance to have around. Whether one cooks for themself or for groups, this appliance can be used in both instances. Since it can be used to make all sorts of foods, it is versatile. One won't need to worry about how often they will use it because it's likely that many foods they already make on the stovetop can be used on the electric griddle. Even heat distribution and temperature control will make the food that much better.
