Griddle Vs Grill: [EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW]

Many people use the terms grill and griddle interchangeably. However, while both the griddle and grill can prove helpful in preparing a wide range of meals, they are never the same as they have apparent differences.

The major difference between the two primary cooking devices is based on the cooking surface. A grill features a series of slated grates spread an inch apart over the source of heat, while a griddle is a smooth, flat metal surface heated from below. Both the grill and griddle can make cooking easy for you.

However, owning a griddle allows you to cook various foods using different techniques. Whether you want to cook breakfast for two or a large crowd, you can never get it wrong with a quality griddle on your side. Read on to determine between Griddle vs. Grill, which one to get.

What Is A Griddle?

A griddle is a big metal flat surface that can be in the form of square or rectangular and is heated from underneath to cook a wide range of meals. When it comes to size, the griddles exist in a wide range of sizes. Therefore, when shopping for one for your use, you need to consider the number of people you would use the griddle.

The Benefits Of Owning A Griddle

If you find yourself in a situation where you are unable to choose between a griddle and grill, the best strategy to adopt is to look at the benefits of each of the two. Here are some of the benefits of a griddle you should know before deciding on the one to buy.

• A griddle allows you to cook various foods faster than a grill. Whether you intend to cook traditional breakfasts such as fried eggs, French toast, beans, tomatoes, or hash browns, a griddle will make work easier.
• One of the factors that you need to consider when shopping for cooking tools is the ease of cleanliness. A griddle is easier to clean compared to a grill.
• A griddle is a portable appliance that you can use anywhere. Therefore, a griddle will serve you right if you are an outdoor grilling enthusiast.
• If you love traditional meals such as hot dogs, burgers, and chicken, the griddle allows you to cook them effortlessly.
• Anything that you can comfortably cook on a wok, you can also cook it successfully on a griddle.

What Is A Grill?

A grill is perfect for giving you BBQ foods. The smoky and charcoal ridges that form on grilled or smoked food make it more flavorful and delicious. Before you set out to shop for a grill, ensure that you are familiar with the two main types of grills that exist, which includes;

• An iron with slatted cooking grates
• An open grill placed directly over an open flame

One characteristic associated with a grill is that it produces a lot of smoke and heat. Thus, if you are using one on your indoor cooker, ensure that you have enough ventilation.

The Benefits Of Owning A Grill

Although owning a grill limits you from cooking a wide range of meals, it has several benefits. Here are the benefits of owning a grill.

• Grilling your foods is healthy because the process drains unhealthy grease and fats into the open flame. Moreover, the burned fats and grease cause the grill to burn hotter, browning the food and minimizing energy consumption.
• Cooking the food on the grill exposes it to wood smoke, imparting it with a delicious smoky flavor.
• Grilling food may prove helpful with weight loss as it removes unhealthy fats from the food.
• A quality grill makes it possible for you to use less oil and butter for basting when grilling the food.

Are Steaks Better On Grill Or Griddle?

If you are planning to grill a delicious steak, then you are probably wondering whether steaks are better on a grill or on griddles. While both the griddle and the grill can cook a delicious steak, steaks are better cooked on a grill than on a griddle. The grill makes it possible for the smoke to penetrate the steak making it taste more delicious.

When cooking a steak on a grill, you need to ensure that you use the best wood to achieve a delicious smoky flavor. In other words, ensure that you pick a wood that will not overpower the steak taste.

Further, ensuring that you are familiar with the necessary techniques for grilling a delicious steak is vital. Some worth grilling tips worth remembering include;

• Allowing the steak to warm up after getting it out of the fridge. This step is vital in promoting even cooking.
• Factor in the thickness of the steak when grilling
• Sprinkle the steak with salt before you start the grilling
• Season with pepper
• Build a two-zone fire to make it easy for you to control the heat
• Control the flare-ups
• Use quality charcoal whenever you are grilling using charcoal
• Use a digital thermometer to determine the doneness of the steak
• Let the meat rest before slicing it against the grain of the meat

Can You Cook A Burger On A Griddle?

The precise answer to this question is yes. A griddle is a perfect way of cooking a delicious burger outdoors and in the kitchen. When cooking burgers on a griddle, it is vital to pay a close eye to them to avoid overcooking them, as the burger is usually exposed to a consistent heat supply.

The griddle is great for cooking burgers and here is why you should always griddle your burgers;

• A griddle is made up of carbon steel with excellent conductivity that allows for deeper sears.
• It features durable construction that is excellent for outdoor and indoor cooking. The griddle allows the burgers to cook on their own grease, ensuring they sear well and stay juicy and delicious.
• The griddle’s sloped and tall design ensures you do not have to engage in unnecessary cleanup duties. Further, the design maximizes the cooking surface while at the same time making the lifting and the transportation of the griddle easy.

Can You Use A Griddle Like A Grill?

While the griddle is best for cooking burgers, pancakes, seafood, vegetables, and many more, you can also use it as a grill. So the answer to whether you can use a griddle like a grill is yes. Even though the two have differing cooking surfaces, you can comfortably use them interchangeably for some types of foods.

However, it is essential to understand that if you decide to use a griddle like a grill, it will not produce the grill marks that you see when grilling your meat or separate the fats from the food like the grill. Nonetheless, using a griddle can add a smoky flavor to your food.

To successfully use a griddle like a grill;

• Ensure that the griddle is well seasoned
• Cook your food at the right temperature
• Use the right accessories
• Clean the griddle well before using it for cooking a different meal

Is Griddle Healthier Than Grill?

The precise answer to whether the griddle is healthier than a grill is no. A griddle is less healthy than a grill because grills have grates that allow the excess oil in meat to drip off while it cooks. In other words, foods cooked on the grill will have less fat when compared to the ones cooked on a griddle.

If health is one of your main concerns, it is a good idea to use a grill when cooking your food. Additionally, to reduce the potential health concerns of grilling, ensure that you use lean meats, marinate the meat, and flip the meat frequently to prevent overcooking.

Further, focus on grilling more fruits and vegetables, and consume more chicken and fish instead of beef. Also, grill smaller portions to ensure that they cook fast, as letting your food stay on the grill for a long period is unhealthy.

Conclusion

So, between griddle vs. grill, which is better? The truth is that there is no right answer to this question. It all depends on what you want and the foods you enjoy cooking. A griddle works best for small and runny foods, while a grill is excellent for fatty meats and many other foods. A grill will work fine if you desire blackened grill marks on your food to enhance its flavor.