In the last few decades, cooking with a gas stove (and not just the idiom!) has seen a dramatic return to favor. From kitchens to BBQs, gas is efficient and effective.
Some of the more popular cooking surfaces are stovetop griddles, with their simple, robust design and versatility. However, with such a range of products out there, how do you choose the best griddle to use with your gas stove?
When selecting a griddle plate for a gas stovetop, ensure that the griddle covers two or more of the burners; is made of durable metal; fits your stove, and is large enough to suit your needs.
Steelmade is a USA company specializing in these griddles, with various products to suit most needs.
Choosing a good quality griddle is essential. But which other factors should be considered when purchasing a griddle? And what are some of the best options available on the market?
Choosing The Right Gas Stovetop Griddle
There are many options of griddle available.
Companies have customized griddles to such an extent that it almost becomes too much of a selection!
To keep things simple, it is paramount when choosing a griddle to remember what the intended purpose and needs are for the griddle.
Before purchasing a griddle, there are some essential questions to answer:
- What size stove do you have, and how many burners does it have?
- How many people do you plan to cook for on average?
- Are you going to cook indoors or outdoors?
- What frequency of use do you plan on getting out of your griddle?
- The type of food do you plan to make?
These questions all play a role in determining which stovetop griddle you pick.
What Makes A Great Gas Stovetop Griddle
Note: With all of the diversity in griddles out there, it’s necessary to know that what is referred to when you read “griddle” is a flat top or stovetop griddle.
A flat top or stovetop griddle is fundamentally a large, flat piece of metal placed over some or all of your stove plates/burners.
This metal heats up evenly and creates a larger cooking surface for your convenience.
Any Griddle That is “Worth Its Salt” Should
- Griddles should heat up evenly (this works in combination with the burners, but if their burners are all the same temperature, the griddle should also be).
- Griddles should have the option of creating different heat regions by playing with the burners. (i.e., one side to cook, the other side to keep warm).
- Griddles should have a non-stick surface (seasoned).
- Griddles should be large enough and of the correct shape to fit on your stove.
- They should have the capacity to cook a large variety of foods.
- Griddles should cover two or more of your stove top burners (this all depends on the size of the griddle, there are single burner options, but for the larger models, they need to cover two or more burners).
- Griddles should come with a drip tray and an easy method for moving the excess oil from the griddle into the tray.
- Griddles need to be made of durable metal, either chrome steel, stainless steel, anodized aluminum, cast-iron, or carbon steel.
Cast-iron is not recommended because it is inferior in heat distribution, so anodized aluminum or steel (carbon or stainless) is preferable.
These griddles need to endure intense heat from a direct heat source. Anything of subpar quality will result in breakages and potential stove top fires.
Most cooking usually takes place up to a maximum of around 4000F (steaks are around 500 to 5500F), so a griddle needs to be rated for temperatures of at least 5500F; more is preferable.
- Griddles need to be warp-resistant. Nothing ever is warp proof, and there will be a small degree of warping with any metal and heat. However, once the griddle cools down, it should return to its original shape.
Recommended Good Quality Stove Top Griddles Built To Purpose
Steelmade, of the companies specializing in stovetop griddle manufacturing, has a range of quality griddles designed to meet your needs.
They are a Kansas-based company, who designs and make various griddle sizes and shapes from mild steel (carbon steel) sourced in the USA.
They have a range of griddles designed, dual purposefully, for gas and electric coil stovetops. They also have a range of glass-ceramic stovetops and outdoor grilling.
Below are some of their products in the gas stovetop and outdoor grilling ranges.
All products are available here.
Gas Stovetop Griddles From Steelmade
These products from Steelmade are designed to fit and work on either a gas or electric stove. Steelmade advises purchasers NOT to use this type of griddle on a glass-ceramic stovetop, as it may crack the stovetop.
These griddles are the “standard” range from Steelmade.
They are designed for regular 30-inch gas or electric coil stove tops with up to five burners or stove plates.
The griddle sits over all the burners of the stovetop.
Features
- Cooking surface
These griddles boast a surface area of 27 by 20 inches for cooking and are deemed “extra-large.”
- Materials
These griddles are made from mild steel and are classed as heavy-duty with a 3/16 inch thickness.
- Non-stick
The surface has also been hand-oiled to ensure its non-stick properties.
- Weight
The standard griddle weighs 30 pounds.
- Temperature
These griddles are rated to a maximum of 6000F.
- Extras
This griddle comes standard with a drip tray, which can be washed in the dishwasher.
Price
- The STEELMADE Flat Top Grill costs $169.00 and has a lifetime warranty.
Although these griddles are around half the size of the “standard” one, they are otherwise similar.
These griddles are designed to work on gas or electric stoves with between four and six burners or stove plates and a minimum of 21 inches.
The “slim” design allows this griddle to lie over two burners, leaving the rest open for other cooking utensils.
Features
- Cooking surface
The surface area for cooking on these griddles is 11 by 19 inches.
- Materials
These griddles are made of mild steel, which has a thickness of 3/16 inches.
- Non-stick
The cooking surfaces have been hand-oiled to create a non-stick feature.
- Weight
The slim griddle lives up to its name; at 12 pounds, it is half the weight of the standard edition.
- Temperature
These griddles are rated up to 6000F.
- Extras
A drip tray, which can be put in the dishwasher, is included.
Price
- The STEELMADE Flat Top Slim costs $99.00, including a lifetime warranty and free FedEx ground shipping.
These griddles are the “cream of the crop” in terms of what Steelmade has to offer.
These griddles are also designed to work on standard 30-inch gas or electric coil stoves, with up to five burners/stove plates.
This griddle also covers the whole stovetop area (over all the burners).
Features
- Cooking surface
The surface area is the same as the standard griddle, with 27 by 20 inches of cooking space available.
- Materials
The big difference comes in at this point. The pro version is manufactured using mild steel of 3/8 inch thickness, double the thickness of the standard edition.
This increase in thickness results in a 20% faster cooking time compared to the standard version. The cause for this is better heat distribution across the griddle. Less heat is lost when food is added, and higher temperatures can be reached.
A further benefit is boiling large pots of liquid on top of this griddle.
- Non-stick
The same hand-oiled surface allows for food to not stick when cooking.
- Weight
The pro edition, at 68 pounds, weighs almost double the standard edition’s weight.
- Temperature
The pro edition is rated at an impressive 7500F.
- Extras
These griddles also sport a dishwasher-compatible drip tray.
Price
- The STEELMADE Pro Series Flat Top Grill costs $289.00 and includes a warranty that lasts a lifetime.
The Junior edition griddle is a bit of a hybrid between the slim and standard range.
These griddles are designed to be used on a five-burner gas stove (or five-plate electric coil stove).
These griddles are designed to cover either the right side or the stove’s center, leaving the other burners free.
These griddles are designed especially for the stovetops with a central burner and will not work correctly without them.
Features
- Cooking surface
The surface area available for cooking is 18 by 19 inches.
- Materials
These griddles are also made from 3/16 inch mild steel.
- Non-stick
The same lubricated surface to make sure food doesn’t stick is a feature of these griddles.
- Weight
These griddles are middle of the range weight at 20 pounds.
- Temperature
These griddles are rated to 6000F.
- Extras
A dishwasher-compatible drip tray is included.
Price
- The STEELMADE Flat Top Junior costs $139.00 and includes the same lifetime warranty.
- Flat Top Grill – Custom Size
If you do not have a standard stovetop, Steelmade has a custom size option for griddles.
If you provide them with your stovetop’s dimensions, some additional photos for clarity and fill in the questionnaire, they are more than happy to design a griddle to fit your needs.
Features
- Cooking surface
As needed
- Materials
3/16 inch mild steel
- Non-stick
The same hand-oiled lubrication.
- Weight
The size requirements will determine this.
- Temperature
The minimum rating of 6000F, unless otherwise specified.
- Extras
As requested, but a drip tray minimum.
Price
- The STEELMADE Custom Flat Top Grill costs $179.00. Unless otherwise quoted.
Although not exactly in the same range of griddles, Steelmade also sells a pizza tray.
These pizza steels are designed to be used in any oven or outdoor grill.
Features
- Cooking surface
The cooking area is 14 by 16 inches.
- Materials
These pizza steels are made from ¼ inch steel.
- Non-stick
The same oil as the griddles is used, with an additional coating on the surface.
- Weight
This product weighs 17 pounds.
Price
The STEELMADE Pizza Steel costs $69.00
Outdoor Cooking Griddles From Steelmade
Above were those griddles designed for indoor use, but when you want to flip burgers or enjoy a good BBQ breakfast, outdoor cooking is what we’re looking for.
Below are products in the Steelmade outdoor range.
These griddles are specifically designed for use in charcoal or wood fire grills.
The most prominent design draw is that the griddle has been divided between a traditional grill (with spaces to allow direct heat to the food) and a top plate.
This means you have some versatility in what can be cooked and how it can be cooked while still benefiting from the wood/charcoal flavor.
These griddles are placed inside the charcoal grill in the place of the grid (original cooking surface).
Features
- Cooking surface
These griddle inserts come in three different sizes to fit most standard Webber models.
- Materials
Griddle inserts are manufactured out of 3/16 inch steel.
- Temperature
These griddles are rated to 6000F.
Price
- The STEELMADE Griddle Insert costs $89.00 and also features a lifetime warranty.
- Flat Top For Outdoor Grill
These griddles are designed to fit inside the majority of grills while allowing the lid to close. They have been designed to work with both propane and charcoal-type grills.
Features
- Cooking surface
To fit a variety of grills, the dimensions for these griddles are 16-1/8″ deep x 23-7/8″ wide x 15/16″ tall on the outside of the griddle.
- Materials
The same 3/16 inch steel is used to make these griddles.
- Weight
These griddles weigh 21 pounds.
- Temperature
These griddles are rated at 6000F.
- Extras
The drainage holes of these griddles are more extensive, at half an inch, spanning the width of the front of the griddle, and designed to run into the grills existing grease trap.
Price
- The STEELMADE Outdoor Grill Flat Top costs $99.00, with a lifetime warranty.
Tips For Cooking On A Stovetop Griddle
According to www.thespruceeats.com, some tips to keep in mind when cooking on a griddle include:
- Make sure your griddle is sufficiently lubricated with butter, oil, or cooking spray.
- Have your lubricant close by in an easy-to-use container, so no time is wasted!
- Griddles get hot! Be sure to have some oven gloves.
- Utensils come in all sizes and shapes; make sure the one you use fits the purpose and size requirements.
- Using a griddle creates a lot of unwanted oil and grease to build up. Remove this from your food if you don’t like it too oily.
- To make sure your griddle is efficient and effective, make sure to clean it after each use!
A further tip from Steelmade is that, when using a griddle, you can adjust the heat of each burner to create different temperature zones on the griddle.
This is great for keeping cooked food warm while still cooking or cooking two different types of food simultaneously.
There are limitations. The heat difference cannot be too extreme; otherwise, you may end up warping your griddle.
Conclusion
When purchasing a stovetop griddle, quality is critical. Griddles need to be able to endure the heat with little to no warping and no breakages. Griddles should also be purchased to suit your personal cooking needs. Make sure you purchase a griddle from a reputable dealer to ensure the best quality that works!