In the professional field, the difference between a griddle and a grill is substantial: it not only affects cooking times, but also the end result in terms of taste, texture and yield of dishes. Which of the two tools is the best in the kitchen? This depends on the type of locale, the menu offered and its goals. Read the article to learn about all the differences between cooking with a griddle and a grill...
Difference between Griddles and Grills: Technical Operation
The main difference between griddles and grills is how heat is transmitted.
The griddle, or fry top, exploits a direct heating system: the smooth surface is heated by electric heating elements or gas burners, quickly reaching high temperatures. This ensures fast, even and intense cooking.
The grill works using an indirect cooking principle. For example in gas grills (also called lava stone grills), flame heats the stone which, as it becomes incandescent, transmits the heat to the grill and thus to the food. Electric grills are also based on this mechanism: the heating element heats the air or the grill itself, creating a more delicate effect than with griddles.
In particular, when discussing the difference between griddles and electric grills, it is important to remember that two versions of electric grills can be found in professional kitchens: classic grills with separate heating element and contact grills, where the heating element is the grill itself. This second type of grill, like the innovative model CWK contact from Lotus Cucine, is equipped with a water drawer in order to maintain the proper levels of moisture in the food being cooked, which is essential to ensure the softness and juiciness of foods. An excellent solution to guarantee more delicate cooking and consume less energy.
Five Factors that Make a Difference when Cooking with Griddles or Grills
The difference between griddles and grills in professional cooking can be seen in several aspects:
1. TRANSFER OF HEAT
Griddle (direct cooking): reaches high temperatures very quickly.
Grill (indirect cooking): heat transmission is more gradual and less aggressive, promoting progressive and delicate cooking.
Comparison: griddles are ideal for quick and even cooking, while grills better preserve internal juices and make the cooked food more tender.
2. MANAGING MOISTURE
Griddle: tends to dry foods out, as direct contact and high temperatures cause surface liquids to evaporate more quickly.
Grill: Indirect cooking allows to maintain a higher degree of humidity. The effect is amplified in contact models with water, as the steam produced helps to preserve the juiciness of foods.
Comparison: burgers, cheeses and vegetables are delightful when cooked on griddles; large cuts of meat, pork ribs or fish steaks benefit most from the grill.
3. SPEED AND VERSATILITY
Griddle: fastest. In fact, an important difference between electric grills and griddles lies in the fact that for the same thickness and type of food, griddles significantly reduce cooking time compared to grills. In addition, griddles are extremely multipurpose: meat, fish, vegetables, eggs and even cheese.
Grill: takes longer but allows more delicate preparations and is ideal for authentic barbecued dishes. It is not suitable for foods that tend to melt or lose texture (e.g., fresh cheese).
Comparison: griddles are irreplaceable during high-turnover service, while in a restaurant focused on traditions and quality grilled foods, a grill is essential.
4. VISUAL APPEARANCE AND AESTHETIC RESULT
Griddle: creates even browning without special marks.
Grill: gives the typical "visible" stripes that enhance the presentation of a dish and are often associated with barbecuing.
Comparison: for gourmet or steakhouse restaurants, grills offer an inimitable aesthetic plus.
5. AROMA AND FLAVOUR.
Griddle: offers a clean, neutral taste.
Grill: makes it possible to recreate a slight smoky effect, or regardless flavours closer to traditional grills, especially in models with lava stone or water systems.
Comparison: griddles are perfect for those seeking maximum control over the original taste of the raw ingredients, while grills enrich the taste with distinctive aromatic notes.
Quality Makes the Difference between Standard and Professional Griddles and Grills
The choice of one tool over another depends on the type of locale, its menu and its goals: speed, versatility, sophistication and so on.
Sometimes both griddle and grill are present in the kitchen, to best meet different needs; however, the quality of the tool used is always a determining factor in making the difference in cooking results.
That's why once you understand the elements underlying the difference between griddle cooking and grilling, when making a purchase it is essential to turn to professionals in the field, namely, to manufacturing companies that are benchmarks in the market for their experience, technological innovation and reliability.
Would you like to learn more about the difference between griddles and grills and learn about Lotus's offer of cooking tools? Contact us for a custom consultation, write to lotus@lotuscookers.it or fill out the contact form.