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Whether you’re new to barbequing or are an expert in grilling, one term you may have heard a lot is BBQ griddle, but do you know what a griddle for BBQ is, and do you know what to look for when buying one?
A BBQ griddle offers a versatile flat surface that allows you to cook a variety of food from simple breakfast dishes to fancy steaks. They are also nonstick making them great for cooking delicate foods like vegetables and fish.
In simple terms, a griddle is a flat metal cooking surface that goes onto a BBQ that works on a similar principle to a frying pan.
Why Get a Griddle for BBQ?
Although a BBQ is great for cooking, having a BBQ griddle plate means you increase the versatility of the foods you can cook. You also do not need to worry about food dropping between the grate on your BBQ.
Because a BBQ griddle provides a flat cooking surface and consistent heat across it, they are perfect for cooking foods that you can’t cook traditional BBQ or grill. Although you can cook any food on a griddle the types of foods cooked often on a griddle include fish, eggs, pancakes and vegetables.
How to Clean a Cast Iron BBQ Griddle
The best way to keep a cast iron BBQ griddle nonstick and in good condition is to clean it and store it correctly. To clean your cast iron BBQ griddle simply follow the steps below.
- 1) Rinse your cast iron BBQ griddle with warm water (not soapy). If there are some pieces of food attached, gently scrub until clean.
- 2) If there are pieces of food that refuse to come off, use a tablespoon of oil and some salt to scrub the griddle clean. Then rinse again with warm water.
- 3) Finally dry the griddle with a paper towel or clean cloth. Ensure it is completely dry because any water left on the griddle could cause rust. Once dry coat in a thin layer of oil and store.
What to Look for When Buying a Griddle for BBQs
BBQ griddles are widely available, however, deciding on the best griddle for your BBQ can still be tough.
There are things that you need to think about you buy including material, safety, size, and BBQ types. Today, we will explain all these considerations in more detail so you can know more about what you should look for when buying a BBQ griddle.
Griddle Material
Cookware like griddles should be made with durable materials that can reach and maintain extreme temperatures to ensure that your food is cooked entirely and evenly.
Griddles are often made with three materials namely stainless steel, cast aluminum, and cast iron.
Stainless Steel Griddle Stainless steel is a popular material for many types of cookware however, it is not the best choice when it comes to griddles for BBQ. Although stainless steel easily heats up, it is not ideal for retaining heat. Cookware that is not good at retaining heat tends to overcook or burn food faster.
Cast Aluminium Griddle Cast aluminium griddles are usually lightweight making them highly portable and easy to use. They are versatile and easy to maintain and also have a nonstick surface allowing you to cook your all-time favorites with lesser oil. Most cast aluminium griddles are also dishwasher-safe for convenient cleaning.
Cast Iron Griddles Cast iron griddles are heavier and great for long-term heat retention. Furthermore, it is nonstick and suitable for cooking a wide variety of dishes including seafood, vegetables, and meat. They are more expensive compared to other griddles made of stainless steel and cast aluminium but they are built to last longer.
For best heat retention capabilities, cast aluminum and cast iron griddles are your best bets. These two materials can retain heat for a long time.
Safety
In addition to ensuring that the griddle is made with durable and food-safe materials, you should also look for safety features that can help you hold and use your griddle safely.
Make sure to look for heat-resistant side handles when choosing a griddle with stretched surfaces. You may also look for side handles covered with silicone protection that keeps the handles cool enough to hold. Either that or make sure you buy some good quality BBQ gloves. You can find a good selection in our 5 Best BBQ Gloves For Safe Grilling article.
If you are looking for a griddle with a square cooking surface, make sure to look for one with a heat-resistant long handle so you can hold your griddle firmly. It is much better if this long handle is removable so you can easily detach it from the griddle allowing easy storage and cleaning.
You can also look for griddles with higher sidewalls to prevent oil splashes. Griddles with higher sidewalls can also be used for different cooking devices like stoves or ovens.
Griddle Size
The size of the griddle plays a role in the quantity of food you can cook. Small griddles usually measure 300 inches square or less. They are easy to transport and perfect for traveling and outside adventures. They can be used in almost all kinds of BBQs and can prepare food for a small group of people.
On the other hand, large griddles, those measuring 500 inches square and more, offer a wider cooking surface for cooking large servings of food that are big enough for large families and gatherings. On the downside, they may not be able to fit in all BBQs, and are harder to store and also transport.
BBQ Type
Knowing more about the different types of BBQ can certainly help you make a better buying decision. It is important to note that not all griddles are made equally and not all of them are suitable for all BBQs.
If you plan to use your griddle on a gas BBQ, make sure that your griddle has good heat retention capabilities like cast aluminum or cast iron griddles so you can achieve the best grilling results. You may also opt to use a stainless steel griddle because the temperature of gas BBQs is not as high as charcoal BBQs.
If you have a charcoal BBQ you’ll want to make sure you do not use a stainless steel griddle. Stainless steel cookware is only meant for moderate heat and can easily be damaged by the high heat of charcoal. It is best to opt for a griddle made with thick materials like cast iron.
4 Best Griddle for BBQs
So we’ve told you a little bit about BBQ griddles and what you need to look out for when buying one but which one should you actually buy?
To help you on your quest for better barbequing we’ve listed our favourite four BBQ griddles currently available.
1) Nuovva BBQ Griddle Plate
The first on our list is a fantastic double-sided, reversible griddle plate from Nuovva.
This premium BBQ griddle is made from cast iron and is a great multifunctional cooking accessory. It is reversible with a flat side and a ridged side.
The ridged surface allows you to grill all sorts of meat and vegetable evenly and the grooves allow fat to drain.
On the opposite side, the flat surface is perfect for cooking pancakes, eggs, and other delicious meals.
The Nuovva cast iron griddle is made from durable, sturdy, and corrosion-resistant cast iron and is suitable for gas and charcoal BBQs.
Griddle Specifications
Dimensions: 50cm x 26cm
Weight: 6kg
2) ASAB Reversible BBQ Griddle Plate
Although the ASAB griddle plate is the cheapest one on our list don’t let that put you off.
It’s made from solid cast iron and is reversible to give you the benefit of a flat side and ridged side.
The cast iron material has been treated with a non-stick coating letting you grill your food without worrying about it getting stuck to the plate.
The plate uses channels and a drip tray to drain fats and oils away from your food. The end result is healthier and fat-free food.
Built-in handles also allow you to turn the plate over with ease however you need to ensure you use a good pair of BBQ gloves as it will get very hot.
Griddle Specifications
Dimensions: 51cm x 24cm
Weight: 3.5kg
3) CosmoGrill Cast Iron Reversible Griddle
The CosmoGrill cast iron reversible griddle has been made especially for the CosmoGrill Deluxe 4+1 and Pro 6+1 gas barbecues, however, it can be used on any BBQ.
The well-constructed griddle features a ridged side for meat and vegetables and a flat, smooth side, for cooking eggs, pancakes, and more.
As it’s slightly more square than the others we’ve listed, you’ll find that it will fit better on a variety of gas and charcoal BBQs.
Deep grooves on the ridged side allow excess fat to drain. This not only provides better-tasting BBQ meat but is also healthier.
The cast iron material retains heat once it’s hot. This heats more evenly and distributes heat across the barbeque which in turn locks in moisture and flavour.
Griddle Specifications
Dimensions: 41.5cm x 31.5cm
Weight: 4.4kg
4) Well Grill Round Barbeque Griddle Grate
The Well Grill round barbeque griddle grate is made especially for the 22-1/2-inch Weber charcoal grills but will fit any other BBQ.
It’s the only round BBQ griddle that we’ve featured in our list but it is a really good one.
It has features two handles that make the griddle much easier to handle but it is not reversible in any way.
Unlike many others, because the griddle is more like a pan, it provides the opportunity to cook a wide variety of meals and dishes without spillage.
Made of high-quality porcelain-enameled cast iron, the griddle is very hard-wearing and also does not stick.
The excellent thermal conductivity of the griddle will distribute heat evenly across the entire surface, which means your food will cook better.
Griddle Specifications
Dimensions: 37cm x 37cm
Weight: 3.32kg
Finally
We hope that you’ve found this article useful. Although there are loads of different BBQ griddles currently on the market, make sure you check out customer reviews before you buy.
Don’t forget that to check out our other articles including 5 Best UK BBQ Grill Mats – What are They and How They Work, 5 Best BBQ Gloves For Safe Grilling, 7 Best BBQ Tables and BBQ Trolleys and 5 Best Wooden BBQ Shelters.