Cast Iron Griddles

If one is not familiar with a griddle, and many are not, such as new cooks; they are a piece of flat cooking equipment. They can be made of aluminum, stainless steel or cast iron. They come in different sizes and shapes are used to cook flat breads, pancakes, Johnny cakes, grilled cheese sandwiches, etc. one can either use gas or electric stoves and or use oil or not. Well seasoned cast iron griddles usually do not need oil or grease. Believe or not cast iron griddles can keep soup and sauces warm, you can cook fresh vegetables on them.

Cast iron griddles are usually about a 1/8-1/4 inches thick. Some will fit on only one burner and others will take two burners. Some have a grease trough, others do not. Many do not cook with any type of oil or grease so there is no need for that. Cast iron heats evenly and that is why they are so good at cooking different breads and such.

Using soap of any kind when cleaning cast iron griddles is not recommended. Usually just a good wipe with paper towels when the griddle is just warm will do the trick. If the one you have has a grease trough, it should be cleaned out every time you use the griddle. Build up of the grease can lead to a fire. Besides good cleaning cast iron griddles need to be seasoned every now and then.

Some cooks prefer to just oil the griddle plate down. They use oil; grease or some even use non stick spray. Others just use oil and salt. This ‘curing’ will help food from sticking. It is a known fact that food tastes better cooked on cast iron griddles. It will be crisp and good and you will not taste anything that should not be there. Some pots and pans with Teflon coatings give off an odd flavor and can ruin good food.

Many cooks swear that using cast iron griddles actually adds iron to your diet. Not a lot of it, but it’s there. Trace amounts of iron seeps into the food you are cooking. It is not bad for you and might help with getting that iron in your system we all need. It’s better than taking iron supplements. But if one has too much iron in their system, it is advisable not to use cast iron griddles for cooking.

Take a look at your pots and pans that have some sort of coating on them, usually to prevent sticking. If they have any kind of scratches, you’re in trouble as they should not be used. This has probably come off in the food you are cooking and can do some harm to your body. With cast iron griddles that will not be the case. You will not have to throw them out. Finding old cast iron griddles would be ideal as they are already cured and nothing needs to be done with them. If buying a new griddle one will have to cure it to get the full benefits of the cast iron griddles.