Cast Iron Griddles
Cast iron cookware has been around for generations, and for a good reason. They heat evenly and consistently, are inexpensive, and will last for generations. Unlike a stainless steel griddle, a well seasoned cast iron griddle has a natural nonstick surface. Food will not stick to it and you can cook pancakes, French toast and eggs to perfection. They make the perfect camping griddles for your summer camping trip.
How to Season Cast Iron Griddles and Pans
When people complain that their cast iron griddles are rusty or food sticks to it, it’s simply because the griddle has not been properly seasoned or cured. To season a cast iron griddle, coat it lightly with a vegetable oil such as canola or sunflower. Shortening or lard can also be used for seasoning, but is not exactly ideal for your health.
Heat the griddle for 30 to 60 minutes in a 300 to 500 degree oven. A sheet of aluminum foil under the griddle will catch any drips. After heating for the allotted time, allow the griddle to cool to room temperature, and repeat the process several times to create a strong seasoning bond.
When seasoned, a new pan will acquire a smooth nonstick quality. Pores are permeated with oil that prevents water from seeping in and creating rust. After you have used your cast iron griddle for frying a few times, the iron will turn into a rich black color. This is the sign of a well seasoned pot or pan.
Using a Cast Iron Griddle
The advantages of using cast iron griddles are endless. Food just slides out of the pan, it can go straight from the stove to the oven, and you do not need special utensils to cook in it. It’s easy to clean and doesn’t warp, get scratched or dented. The more you use a well-seasoned cast iron griddle, the better it gets.
Choose the size that’s comfortable and convenient for you. A 10-inch griddle is usually a good size for most people. When feeding a large group, a 12-inch or larger griddle will get the job done quickly. You will also find that they come in three different shapes; round, square, and rectangle.
Always preheat your cast iron griddle before cooking in it. Sprinkle a few drops of water on the griddle. If the water droplets sizzle then roll and hop around the griddle, the temperature is just right. Remember to use potholders because the pan handles can get really hot when cooking.
Benefits of Cast Iron Griddles
If you ever use cast iron griddles for cooking, you will be amazed at how much better the food tastes. You won’t get any strange tastes or flavors that shouldn’t be there.
A health bonus is also achieved with cast iron griddles. The food absorbs some iron mineral from the cookware and this can make up for any iron deficiency.
Nonstick pots and pans use a toxic, Teflon coating that will eventually peel off and get into your food. In contrast, pre-seasoned cast iron griddles are designed so that food does not stick to it. A cast iron griddle can get you started on the road to healthier, low-fat cooking.
Double Burner Griddle
You know how frustrating it can be when everybody wants his pancake and you can only cook one or two at a time. If you don’t want to be stuck flipping pancakes while everyone else is digging in, you should get a double burner griddle. Double burner griddles are designed to straddle two burners on the stove and they are often big enough so you can cook six to eight pancakes at one time.
To cook really good pancakes, you need a pancake griddle that heats up fast and uniformly. Stove top griddles provide maximum heat control. Look for one with a good nonstick coating. A heavyweight griddle is preferable to a light weight one which could easily warp. Once a griddle warps, it will no longer lay flat on the stove and won’t cook evenly.
Griddles with an aluminum core provide uniform cooking. They conduct heat extremely well and have fewer hot or cold spots. Here are some of the best double burner griddles available in the market today:
Swiss Diamond Double Burner Griddle
Made of extra thick oversized cast aluminum for fast and even heating, this griddle measures 17” by 11.4” and can fit over two burners. It can be used on electric, gas, glass and ceramic stovetops.
You can even use the griddle as a cookie sheet. However, at the price of just under $200, this product may not be for everyone.
Anolon Double Burner Griddle
It has never been this easy preparing pancakes, eggs, burgers, sausages or French toast. The Anolon Advanced Double 
Burner Griddle fits over two burners on a standard stove and provides plenty of cooking space.
The nonstick surface requires little or no oil so you can be on your way to a healthier low-fat diet. This product is affordably priced at around $58 to $70.
NordicWare Double Burner Griddle
If you are looking for an affordable and versatile griddle with great quality, this product has it all. A heavyweight aluminum construction provides fast and even heat distribution. Its nonstick coating resists high heat. Food is easily released and it’s easy to clean up.
Stay-cool chrome handles are riveted for a safe grip. The griddle can be used indoors or outdoors to cook eggs, pancakes, bacon, burgers, grilled cheese sandwiches and many more. With a price of $29.99, this double burner griddle from NordicWare is hard to beat.
All-Clad Double-Burner Griddle
Made of heavy-duty anodized aluminum for fast and even heating, this commercial-size stovetop double burner griddle makes it easy to make pancakes for a crowd. The durable nonstick cooking surface releases food easily with minimum added fat for cooking. Stainless steel handles remain cool.
The All-Clad double burner griddle is ideal for gas and electric stoves but not recommended for glass or ceramic stoves.
All Clad Griddle
For decades All Clad cookware has been recognized for its beautiful charcoal black, hard anodized aluminum exterior and stainless steel interior. Professional and novice cooks alike enjoy using their quality griddleware or cookware made of a core of pure aluminum between exterior layers of stainless steel and hard-anodized aluminum. Among their bestselling cookware are All Clad griddles with non-scratch, non-stick coating.
All Clad griddles heat very quickly and evenly. The food is cooked uniformly even when using a two-burner griddle. Different griddle sizes are available, from the 11-inch and 12-inch griddles to the monstrous 20-by-13-inch All-Clad LTD Nonstick Grande Griddle. A large griddle allows you to cook a lot of food in one batch, so everyone can eat their pancakes at the same time.
There’s no doubt that an All Clad griddle is one of the best cookware in the market today. It continues performing flawlessly even after years of use. The lifetime warranty that comes with it speaks volumes about its quality. Handles are riveted to the pan and stay cool during use.
Like other non-stick cookware, All Clad griddles with the nonstick coating are not dishwasher safe. Nevertheless, they are amazingly easy to clean. Just wipe them clean with a damp cloth.
Here are a few of the most popular All Clad griddles:
All Clad Griddle, 12-inch Round Pan
This is the perfect size for the small family. The non-scratch, nonstick surface makes cooking very easy. Clean up must be done by hand but is no trouble at all. Cook ham and eggs at the same time for a quick breakfast.
All Clad LTD Non-Stick 11-Inch Square Griddle
This is a square version of the 12-inch round All Clad Griddle. It’s the perfect size for cooking for two people. You can fry eggs and bacon, or cook up to four burgers. It can go directly from the stove to the oven.
All Clad LTD Nonstick Grande Griddle
When you’re cooking for a big crowd of people, you will need this large griddle to do the job right. It’s designed to use across two burners. Measuring 20 inches by 13 inches, the large, flat cooking surface will allow you to cook pancakes, eggs, ham, sausages, French toast, etc. in big batches. The professional grade nonstick finish lets the food slide out with no trouble and cleaning is made much easier too.
If you want quality and reliability in your cookware, get an All Clad griddle. You will find one that is the perfect size for you.