Nonstick Griddle Pan | Kitchen Equipment and Cookware Information

With a high quality griddle pan, you can quickly transform any meal into a fun and delicious treat. Like other kitchen implements, the best way to shop for a griddle pan is to select the one which best meets your needs in terms of its shape, its material, and the type of nonstick surface.

Anodized Aluminum Griddle Pan: Many of the best griddles are made from this type of metal. It’s the one of the easiest to clean, and is a very durable material for cooking. The aluminum can come in different colors, from a rich, deep black to a matted silver.

Stainless Steel Griddle Pan: Far flashier than its anodized aluminum counterpart, stainless steel is also relatively easy to clean and looks great on the stove. Unlike the aluminum, the stainless steel has a slightly heavier feel.

Handle: Many griddle pans have a flexible, spongy handle that is perpetually cool to the touch and easy to grip. Buying a griddle pan that does not have a rubber handle will require you to wear either gloves or use an intermediate boundary, such as an oven mitt, to handle the pan when cooking to prevent your hands from being burned.

Square Griddle Pan: Square pans are perfect for sandwich breads, such as those used to make panini style sandwiches, or other lunch type foods. Debris can occasionally build up in the corners of a square pan if they are not cleaned vigorously between uses. For busy lunch counters or other professional outfits, always make sure to thoroughly scrape the pan.

Circular Griddle Pans: Circular griddles are perfect for breakfast foods, such as pancakes or other pastry dishes. Unlike square pans, they can generally be rinsed without the danger of crumbs piling up.

Ridged Griddles: While most pans feature a built-in griddle, as opposed to a flat, smooth surface, the ridges of the grill require a thorough scrub between uses. Make sure that all crumbs and other debris are removed so that all the food prepared in the pan does not taste of previous meals. Unlike cauldrons of soup, an aged griddle pan should not impart additional flavor.

Most griddle pans come with a standard nonstick surface that makes cleaning incredibly easy. However, when shopping, make sure that the pan clearly states that the nonstick surface is part of the manufacturing process. Griddle pans that do not feature this as a prominent part of their list of features will be very difficult to cook with and clean.