‘A griddle is a gastronomic wonderland’
If you’re passionate about barbecuing, you might have already explored griddling. If not, why wait?
Incorporating a griddle into your barbecue expands your culinary options and introduces different cooking techniques on your grill. You may also consider purchasing a standalone griddle.
“The widespread appeal of the griddle stems from various reasons, such as its adaptability for different uses and its capability to prepare every meal of the day—from breakfast right through to lunch and dinner,” explains Chef Michael P. Clive, Weber Grill Master.
A griddle provides customers with the chance to move almost every meal from indoors to the grill. It opens up countless flexible cooking options ranging from pancakes and gooey scrambled eggs paired with bacon and light pancakes to grilled Italian sandwiches, crunchy smashed burgers topped with sweetened onions, and tasty fajitas. Essentially, a griddle acts as a gastronomic wonderland where you can prepare dishes not typically cooked outdoors. Additionally, these appliances are robust, simple to clean, and enjoyable to operate.
GRIDDLE ACCESSORIES
Clive notes that griddle accessories enable consumers to prepare an array of dishes tailored specifically for cooking on a griddle with precision. For instance, he mentions that Weber’s Smash Burger Press ensures you get those evenly flattened, crisp burgers which can be challenging otherwise. The Weber Griddle Essentials Kit consists of a five-item collection crafted to assist grill enthusiasts in making mouthwatering pancakes, fajitas, paninis, among others, followed by effortless cleanup.
The Griddle Breakfast Set is exceptionally well-liked — customers can prepare an entire morning meal on the grill using the included egg rings and batter dispensers. These additions were designed to help users maximize their use of the griddle and take full advantage of the wide range of dishes they can cook with it.
Clive mentions that you can find accessories that will convert your gas grill into an ‘upgraded’ version almost instantly. The Weber Griddle attachments are made to fit perfectly over the grates of various gas grills such as the Weber Spirit or Weber Genesis models. These attachments utilize the grill’s burners to deliver a distinctive griddling effect.
“If adding another grill to your backyard isn’t something you’re looking for, griddle inserts offer an excellent opportunity to enjoy the benefits of multiple cooking methods without purchasing a new grill,” he explains.
GRIDDLING TIPS
“Preparing food on a flat top grill differs significantly from using a gas or charcoal grill, thus requiring distinct guidelines,” explains Clive. Here are his suggestions:
- After the griddle is heated up, use a scraper to clean it thoroughly.
- Lightly drizzle some vegetable or olive oil onto the griddle and distribute it evenly using the handle end of a spatula.
- Spread the food into a single layer when cooking. This promotes even cooking and great caramelization.
- Barbecues Galore’s team endorses the use of griddles, noting that some customers who already own a barbecue wish to enhance it with a griddle insert or a flat-top griddle. Meanwhile, others intend to purchase a standalone griddle alongside their current setup, according to Marketing Director Robert Raymond.
numerous individuals barbecue for their evening meal, yet a griddle enables them to prepare breakfast outdoors as well,” he explains. “This encourages folks to venture out earlier in the day.” He adds, “Given how brief Canadian summers tend to be, one aims to maximize outdoor time whenever possible. So why not enjoy your morning coffee, head out onto the deck, and cook something up on your griddle?
Prepping your barbecu
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Napoleon shares advice for preparing your grill for the upcoming summer season:
- Wipe down the cooking grids and sear plates. Before thoroughly scrubbing these components to eliminate stubborn residue from burned-on foods, let the cooking grills soak in lukewarm soapy water. Meanwhile, take out the heat shields and vigorously clean off any debris, allowing easier brushing of the burners afterward. Inspect both the ignition system and the back burner to ensure everything functions correctly.
- Clean the grease cup. The more you use your grill, the more you’ll have to clean or replace your grease cup. Before firing up your grill, take out the old and put in the new.
- Remove the grease from the tray. Over time, old grease and leftover food particles accumulate and burn onto the grease tray. Scrape it thoroughly using a spatula or putty knife to ensure all residues are removed.
- Check for leaks. Visually inspect all hoses and feed tubes on your grill. If you detect any crimps, scratches or punctures, it’s time to replace the hoses. Perform a leak test if your grill has been in storage for a prolonged length of time or when changing any components on your grill. Cover each hose with warm soapy water and look for bubbles, which indicate a gas leak that needs repair before using the barbecue.
- Verify all components related to ignition. For systems using battery-powered ignition, consider replacing the current batteries with fresh ones. Inspect every electrical lead connected to the electrodes and make sure their tips are free from dirt, grease, or signs of corrosion. Should you find any residue, use fine-grit sandpaper for cleaning purposes.
