There’s something about cooking outside that makes preparing food a special occasion. Whether you’re using a cast iron griddle or prefer using a stovetop griddle, being outside with a fire and surrounded by your loved ones can change a simple day outdoors into one of your fondest memories.
Using outdoor griddles isn’t complicated at all, and they are great for when you want to chat with your guests while preparing their food for them. Standing (or sitting) around a griddle can be a fun way to socialize while tantalizing your family and friends with the delicious smell of cooking food. You can also show off with your cool grilling skills if you feel that you’re a professional whose work would be appreciated.
Where do Griddles Come From?
Griddles have a very rich history and have been used all over the world by almost every culture. The most primitive griddles were made from brick, stone, and clay slabs. They’ve been used by our forefathers and their forefathers and are proven to be an effective way to prepare food over an open fire. These days, we can find griddles made from aluminum, stainless steel, and cast iron.
Why are Griddles so Popular?
With griddles, you will get a larger space to work with than when preparing food on a stove. It’s similar to using a grill, but there’s more to it – you’ll get a better flavor in your food, and using a griddle feels a little more ‘sophisticated.’
It can be more fun as well. You’ll find large griddles in your local diner and restaurant, where chefs whip up delicious eggs, burgers, and pancakes on them.
There are different kinds of griddles, and we’ll take a look at some of them and what makes them so great for preparing food outside.
Stovetop Griddle
You can find stovetop griddles in different sizes and shapes, and they’re made from different materials. With these griddles, you can easily prepare a large amount of food in a shorter amount of time. They are great for family reunions or the summer holidays when you’ve got all your children’s friends over.
You’ll be preparing those hot dogs like a pro with a stovetop griddle, especially if you’ve got the right gear. Consider using these Telescoping Smores Skewers & Hot Dog BBQ Forks – they are very convenient and can be made longer or shorter and prevent you from getting burned when the fire’s too hot.
Stovetop griddles go back many years, and they have remained one of the most popular ways of cooking food. Although the name is ‘stovetop,’ it is usually used over a fire. You can also put it on an outdoor grill, gas cooker or in an oven. If you’re going to use this griddle on a gas cooker, this outdoor camp stove might be just what you’re looking for. It has a high-pressure propane gas cooker and is portable too.
Just be careful when using a stovetop griddle; if your food is near the edges, it may fall off. Also, if you’re cooking food that isn’t meant to be prepared on flat surfaces, you’ll have a bit of a tough time with this particular griddle.
When cleaning your griddle, run water over it while it’s still hot and use a spatula to scrape off leftover food. Don’t use too much soap as it will cause rust. A good idea is to dip a cloth in olive oil after cleaning your griddle and wiping it off, as this will help with rust prevention.
Cast Iron Griddle
Cast iron griddles are a favorite with outdoor cooking enthusiasts, with many swearing by them and not using anything else. They’ve been used for many years and have become popular with top brands that have been making them for hundreds of years.
Although these griddles can be heavy, they can last for years, maybe even generations. These are hardy griddles, and you won’t likely have to replace yours if you take care of it. It might be a little tricky to learn how to cook with a cast iron griddle properly, but once you do, they’re very easy to use.
Always remember to oil your cast iron griddle before you start cooking, or your food will stick to it. And be sure to not drop them or heat them up too much (it can take high temperatures but don’t heat too high) because they can break.
You can use these griddles over a gas grill or open fire without worries about the food falling off. Look for a cast iron griddle with rubber handles, so you don’t burn your hands when using it.
You can also use a cast iron griddle on the Foldable Outdoor Portable Grilling Table – it comes with a cool windscreen and nifty high-quality grill plate.
Outdoor Griddle
This griddle is perfectly suited to use with a grill. They are mobile and can be taken to outdoor events and simply placed on a grill and voila – you’re ready to start cooking! Well, as long as you’ve got your fire sorted, of course.
If you’re out camping, this griddle is awesome because you can even cook eggs and veggies on it – perfect for a decent breakfast. The Carbon Mini Folding Grill is an excellent choice for taking along to activities such as camping. It’s compact and perfect for when you want to cook small amounts of food rather than wasting space with a big guy if you’re alone.
What’s really great about outdoor griddles, apart from the fact that they’re made for the outdoors, is that you will get amazing smoky flavors when using it.
However, you will have to be focused when using this griddle to avoid burning your food. The outdoor griddle won’t warp from very high heat, as they can handle even the most intense fires. Be careful when moving them, though, because most of these guys don’t have handles.
You’ll find these griddles made from ceramic or stainless steel, and they can fit on any gas grill. To clean these griddles, you’ll just wipe it off with a wet cloth after using it. Consider wiping it with some oil after cleaning to help prevent rust.
Choosing Your Griddle
When it comes to choosing what griddle you’ll buy, it all depends on what you want to do with them and what your budget is. Griddles are available in many styles, which all have their own unique features that will set them apart from others.
You’ll just have to think about it carefully, choose the griddle that suits your needs, and start enjoying one of the most fun ways to prepare food outside.
Conclusion
Using a griddle isn’t much different than using a grill, but it can be more rewarding. Some griddles take a little while to get used to, but once you’ve mastered them, you will have food that has wonderful flavors. For the most part, griddles are easier to clean, and most of them can be moved around.
If you’ve got all the right equipment and tools, your experience with your griddle will be a great one that you’ll want to repeat as soon as you can. Taking these Outdoor Pots, Pans, and Camping Cookware with you would be smart – they’re non-stick tableware that will help you prepare and store all your food without any worries or hassles.