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Griddle

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
For the fish, see Bowfin.
Griddle
Lefse cooking on an electric griddle
ClassificationCooking equipment
IndustryVarious
ApplicationCooking
Fuel sourceTraditional fuels, natural gas, propane, electric

A griddle, in the UK typically referred to simply as a frying pan or flat top, is a cooking device consisting mainly of a broad, usually flat cooking surface. Nowadays it can be either a movable metal pan- or plate-like utensil,[1] a flat heated cooking surface built onto a stove as a kitchen range,[2] or a compact cooking machine with its own heating system attached to an integrated griddle acting as a cooktop.[3]

A traditional griddle can either be a brick slab or tablet, or a flat or curved metal disc, while in industrialized countries, a griddle is most commonly a flat metal plate.[citation needed] A griddle can have both residential and commercial applications and can be heated directly or indirectly.[citation needed] The heating can be supplied either by a flame fuelled by wood, coal or gas; or by electrical elements.[citation needed] Commercial griddles run on electricity, natural gas or propane.[4]

Griddles can be made of cast iron, but there are also non-stick varieties.[2] A residential griddle may be made of cast iron, aluminium, chrome steel, or carbon steel.[citation needed] The vast majority of commercial-grade griddles are made from A36 steel,[citation needed] though some are stainless steel or composites of stainless and aluminium.[citation needed] The plate surfaces of commercial griddles can be made of cast iron, polished steel, cold-rolled steel or can have a chrome finish.[4]

Etymology

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The word griddle is attested in 13th-century English and probably comes from Anglo-French gridil, which had developed over time from the Latin word craticula, 'small griddle' (craticula – graille – gredil – gridil),[1] possibly via the Latin craticulum, 'fine wickerwork'.[5]

Traditional and early modern

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Cooking flatbread on a griddle

Traditional griddles include a stone or brick slab or tablet, and a shallow platter filled with sand. The former are usually heated to cooking temperature before the food is placed on them, the latter heated after.[citation needed] Later versions were sometimes integrated into the tops of wood-fired stoves as a removable iron plate, and later as a separate, typically handle-less plate covering one or more burners on a gas or electric stove.[citation needed]

Middle East

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Flatbread on a convex Middle Eastern saj griddle

In traditional Middle Eastern and South Asian cuisines, a saj is a convex griddle that is used to cook a variety of flatbread types.

Latin America

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In Latin America, one traditional style of griddle is a budare. Made from stone or clay, it is used to cook a variety of flatbreads, such as tortilla, arepa and casabe. Modern versions for commercial use are metal and called comals.

Great Britain

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In Britain, the griddle is also called girdle and is used for instance for making scones.[1] It can take the shape of a thick iron plate, round and held from above by a half-hoop handle.[1]

The traditional Scottish "girdle" has a flat wrought iron disk with an upturned rim to which a semicircular hoop handle is attached, allowing it to be suspended over the fire from a central chain and hook.[6] Girdles are used for cooking scones, bannocks, pancakes and oatcakes.[7][8]

The traditional Welsh bakestone is similar, circular with a one-piece handle, typically cast iron, 1 cm (0.4 in) in thickness. It is used to cook Welsh cakes, pikelets, and crepes.[9][10]

United States

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In Upstate New York, a griddle used to be the lid covering a round opening on the cooking surface of a wood- or coal-burning stove.[1]

Commercial griddles

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Dishes

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Griddles are often used to prepare breakfast items such as pancakes, French toast, eggs and bacon, as well as stir-fries and meat dishes like hamburgers, steak and chicken breasts.[4]

Technical details

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Commercial griddles can be 2–6 feet wide and 18–30 inches deep, and their plates can be flat or grooved.[4] The burners on the griddle units can be controlled manually or with the help of a thermostat.[4]

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  • A basic electric griddle with temperature control
    A basic consumer electric griddle with temperature control
  • Griddle with ridged surface
    Griddle with ridged surface
  • Pancakes cooking on a commercial griddle
    Pancakes cooking on a commercial griddle
  • Catering griddle in a warship's galley
    Catering griddle in a warship's galley

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c d e Collins Dictionary griddle. Retrieved 23 December 2021.
  2. ^ a b "All About Griddles". The Spruce Eats. 12 December 2019. Retrieved 21 December 2021.
  3. ^ Vaculin, Kendra (12 March 2021). "The Best Griddles for Cooking Pancakes, Eggs, and Bacon (at the Same Time)". Epicurious. Condé Nast. Retrieved 23 December 2021.
  4. ^ a b c d e "A Guide to Grills & Griddles": general technical and construction details at the Foodservice Equipment & Supplies (FE&S) website. Accessed 23 Dec 2021.
  5. ^ "Griddle". Online Etymology Dictionary. Retrieved 1 November 2011.
  6. ^ "Griddle". TheFreeDictionary.com. Retrieved 17 October 2015. griddle (ˈɡrɪdəl) n 1. (Cookery) Also called: girdle Brit a thick round iron plate with a half hoop handle over the top, for making scones, etc
  7. ^ "Archive - At Home on the Farm". NEFA - The North East Folklore Archive - Junior Section. Aberdeenshire Council. Retrieved 2 August 2011.
  8. ^ "Scran - Cooking oatcakes, or bannocks, on a girdle. Turnabrain, Glenesk, Angus, 1967". Retrieved 2 August 2011.
  9. ^ Barraud, Winifred K. (9 November 1962). "Bakestone tradition". The Guardian. London. p. 8.
  10. ^ "Welsh Bakestone Or Planc". Antique Kitchenalia. Archived from the original on 10 August 2015. Retrieved 9 November 2013.
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