Today cooking appliances are so many on the market and each of them differs from the other in terms of design and performance. This means that it is important to know the difference between the most common cooking equipment so that it will be easier to choose the one that suits your cooking needs. Skillets and griddles are among the most common kitchen appliances you can find on the market. Skillets are just like frying pans although they are about 2 inches deeper. In most cases, they are used for indoor cooking due to their small size. They are very sturdy and this makes them ideal for foods that require high heat. On the other hand, griddles have a rectangular and flat surface. As compared to skillets, these ones are very large which makes them ideal for outdoor cooking. In this article, we shall look at their differences in detail.
Griddles
What is a griddle?
In simple terms, a griddle is a unique cooking appliance that has a flat surface. It is usually placed on top of a heat source when cooking. Griddles are rectangular and they have a very large surface area which means that you can use them to prepare meals for a large group. You can also use them with a couple of burners and are suitable for searing and frying meats or vegetables. Unlike skillets, griddles have very low walls which means that you cannot use them to prepare foods with liquids. Some of them contain ridges that leave nice char marks on the meat or vegetables.
What are the benefits of using a griddle?
- User-friendly- One of the major reasons why most people prefer griddles is because they are very easy to use. This means that you do not need to have any experience cooking with a griddle.
- Large surface area- When cooking for a large group, a griddle will be a suitable option because they have a large surface area. Due to this, you can cook a lot of food at once. They are also among the best for outdoor cooking.
- Versatility- Another benefit of these units is that they are highly versatile and this means that you can use them to cook a variety of foods.
- Nonstick surface- The surface of these units is nonstick and this protects your food from burning when using them.
- Taste- If you love the smoke flavor of grilled foods, griddles are the best. This means that they provide foods with a better taste than skillets.
Disadvantages of griddles
- Bulky- As compared to skillets, griddles are very bulky which means that they are not easy to carry. They also require more space than skillets.
- Since they do not have edges or a lid, they are not suitable for preparing foods that need moisture or foods that contain liquids.
When should you use a griddle?
You can use a griddle to grill steaks, vegetables, chicken, and pork chops. It is also suitable for preparing breakfast items such as eggs, pancakes among others. You can also use them for grilling, stir-frying, flash frying, toast sandwiches among others which means that they are highly versatile.
Which are the best griddles on the market?
Below are the top 3 griddles that will give you excellent value for your money.
Blackstone 1666 22” Tabletop Griddle – Best for Outdoor Cooking
The Blackstone 1666 Tabletop Griddle has 330 square inches which means that it is very spacious. Due to this, it is among the best options you should consider for outdoor cooking. The unit is very powerful as compared to most griddles on the market since it provides a high heat output of 24,000 BTUs. Besides that, it comes with a heat resistant handle for easier and safe use. You can use it to prepare different types of foods including eggs, burgers, steaks, hot dogs, pancakes, bacon, sautéing, stir-frying among others. The unit also features a “H” style burner which helps to distribute heat evenly across the unit. Another benefit of using it is that it is very easy to clean.
Legend Cast Iron Griddle 2-in-1 Reversible 20” – Best for Gas Stovetops
Legend Cast Iron Griddle is made of cast iron to enhance performance and durability. In terms of heat distribution and retention, this unit is excellent. Due to this, it is highly versatile which means that it is perfect for cooking different types of food. In addition, it comes with a scratch-resistant finish which enables it to maintain its stylish appearance even after using it for many years. It is also equipped with easy-grip handles for easier carrying. If you are on a budget, this griddle may be a great choice because it is very cheap. It also comes pre-seasoned with vegetable oil and the good with this seasoning is that it becomes better and better as you continue using the griddle.
Electric Griddle DEIK 2-in-1 Indoor Grill Smokeless– Best Electric Griddle
If you are searching for a portable and a large electric griddle, the DEIK 2-in-1, Griddle is among the best models that will give you the best value for your money. This unit has a 2-in-1 electric griddle which means that it is suitable for grilling and gridding. It has a compact design that makes it easy to carry and clean. This also means that it is easy to store since it does not require a lot of paces. You can even keep it in a cabinet. The unit features a nonstick coating for easier cleaning. In addition, it comes with a 5-level adjustable thermostat which allows you to set your preferred temperatures according to the type of food you are cooking. There is also a 5-inch tilt drain feature and a removable drip tray for collecting excess oils and fats.
Skillets
Just like frying pans, skillets have a round shape but they are about 5cm deeper than frying pans. They are also characterized by slanting sides and are available in different sizes. Most skillets are made of cast iron but they are also made of other materials such as aluminum, carbon steel, stainless steel and copper. Just like griddles, skillets are highly versatile which means that you can use them for baking, pan-frying, sautéing, searing, braising, roasting and broiling.
What is the difference between skillets and griddles?
Making a choice on whether to use a skillet or griddle can be a bit hard if you don’t understand the differences between the two. Below are some of their notable differences.
- Design- The major difference between these two appliances is the design. Griddles have a flat and a larger surface area than skillets which enables them to accommodate more food. Due to their design, they are less portable than skillets. You will also find that most stoves have a small size which means that they cannot work with griddles.
- Food taste- When it comes to the food taste, griddles provides properly roasted foods. They also add a smoke flavor to your food which makes them ideal for roasting and searing meat. When preparing traditional barbecues or foods for a large gathering outdoors, a griddle will be the best appliance to use because it can accommodate more food than a skillet. On the other hand, skillets have a small size but they are able to reach high temperatures. Due to this, they are the best for indoor cooking.
- Price- In terms of price, griddles are more expensive than skillets due to their large surface area. However, they are worth the amount especially if you need to use them frequently.
Electric Skillet Vs Griddle
As compared to the standard skillets, electric skillets are more advanced. They come with unique features and they are also different from the ordinary skillets even in terms of design. Due to their excellent performance, they are among the modern kitchen appliances you should never miss in your kitchen. They are highly versatile and they will give you foods with a great taste.
Unlike when you are using a griddle, electric skillets allow you to use liquid components when cooking and they are also suitable for preparing large meals. Again, they come with a lid which gives you more control when cooking unlike when you are using a griddle. In terms of maintenance, electric skillets come with a nonstick surface which makes them easy to clean. Unlike other electric skillets on the market, Presto 06857 16 Inch Electric Foldaway Skillet and BELLA Electric Ceramic Titanium Skillet provide the best performance.
Cast iron skillet vs griddle
In terms of performance, both cast iron skillets and griddles are very reliable when cooking. The good thing about cast iron is that it is excellent when it comes to heat distribution and distribution. Just like griddles, cast iron skillets are suitable for preparing foods that require high heat. As a result, you can use both for searing and roasting but griddles provide foods with a better taste and smoke flavors.
However, griddles may not be the best for indoor cooking due to their large surface. If you would prefer to use a cast-iron skillet, you need to ensure that you have picked the best because they do not provide a similar performance even if they are made of the same material. In case you are not sure which one to use, the Lodge Pre-seasoned Cast Iron Skillet with Assist Handle Holder 12 Inch will be an excellent choice.
Camping skillets vs griddle
When camping, you may need a small or a large skillet depending on the number of people present. Griddles such as the Blackstone 1666 22” Tabletop Griddle Outdoor Grill are the most preferred for camping due to their large size but if you will only be preparing food for a small group, a skillet will be the best option. Skillets are also available in different sizes which allows you to choose what suits your camping needs. For those who prefer to use camping skillets instead of a griddle, Pre-seasoned Cast Iron 16” Large Skillet with Dual Handles is among the best skillets for outdoor cooking.
Skillet vs griddle for pancakes
Choosing between griddle vs skillet pancakes is not easy because the two appliances provide an impressive performance when preparing pancakes. These two cooking appliances provide excellent heat retention and distribution which makes them ideal for pancakes and other breakfast items. However, electric griddles are the best especially models such as Dash DEG200GBAQ01 Everyday Nonstick Griddle for Pancakes that allows you to adjust the temperatures.
To get the best results, you should ensure that the temperatures are set at 375 F when preheating. After this, reduce the temperatures to 360 F or 370 F once you state cooking. On the other hand, some skillets will give you better performance when preparing pancakes than others. If you are searching for a perfect skillet for pancakes and eggs, Carote 8 Inch Non-Stick Skillet Frying Pan Egg Skillet Omelet Pan will give you the best value for your money.
Griddle vs skillet – Which one should you choose?
Determining whether to use a skillet or a griddle is not easy because it depends on the type of food you are preparing and the available space. Griddles have a larger surface area and are more bulky than skillets. Due to this, they are the best for outdoor cooking. However, there are smaller models that are compatible with stovetops and these are more convenient than the larger ones especially if you have a small family. On the other hand, skillets are the most common due to their lightweight design. They are also versatile and easy to use.