Many griddle users and foodies contend with the issue of whether you can use a griddle on an electric stove. It’s a crucial issue that, at some point, also gave me much trouble; I wasn’t aware whether to try it or not.
That curiosity led me to research more.
Fortunately, it did not take long before my research bore fruits, and voila! I got my answer.
If you have also been asking yourself the same question, allow me to share with you in detail all that I found out.
Can You Use a Griddle on an Electric Stove?
Yes. You can use your grill on an electric stove as effectively as you use it outside on a BBQ. Although you may have to do some things differently, generally, it will be a standard grill. Again, just like when planning to use it outside, you will also need to prepare your grill.
Few Things to Consider When Using a Griddle On An Electric Stove
As much as I have stated that you can use a grill on an electric stove, you will need to consider a few things.
As I stated earlier, you will need to prepare your grill.
One major challenge you will encounter here is the size of fit. Using a griddle on a stovetop will require a little bit of ingenuity.
Griddles are relatively lengthy. You will require at least two burners to heat a grill effectively.
However, there’s still another challenge here. Burners tend to vary in size, especially when they’re next to each other.
That doesn’t mean you can’t heat evenly heat your griddle. No, the heat from the burners will still be able to heat your grill to the level you need it.
Once you sort out the placement issue, you will find the rest easy to handle.
Kindly note that you should always ensure your griddle has heated to the right temperature before you begin to put food on it.
With the right temperature, you will enjoy the same mouth-watering sizzles as when you are cooking outdoors.
How Safe is it To Use A Griddle On An Electric Stove?
It’s safe. However, it would be best to be cautious, especially around hot metal surfaces.
Avoid touching your metal griddle with your bare hands at any time while hot. It could cause you severe burns.
Similarly, never use any plastic utensils on your griddle. The temperature of your grill would melt your utensils.
The only safe utensils are cast iron cookware. These can withstand the high temperature of the griddle and are perfectly safe for use.
Does a Griddle on an Electric Stove Work Efficiently?
This question disturbs many people every time they think of using their griddle on an electric stove.
Will you get similar results as those that you get while grilling outdoors? Let me say yes and no.
The yes is because you will still be able to grill your veg and meat to perfection. Your experience using a griddle will also contribute significantly to getting the best results.
That said, you will still get the same quality of food as when you cook outdoors. I have done this personally severally, and the results are just as impressive.
However, you might encounter a challenge with the functioning of the stove and the burners. It’s here where my no comes in.
The size of the griddle is not that uniform. As such, there will be some heating-related challenges with the electric coils.
Firstly, it might take longer to heat the griddle to the required temperature.
Furthermore, I have realized that the griddle will have some hot and cold zones. For instance, if you are cooking meat, it’s likely to take longer than you had anticipated.
These two are the main challenges you are likely to encounter when using your griddle on an electric stove.
Preparing to Use Your Griddle on an Electric Stove
Step 1: prepare Your Griddle
Begin by placing the stovetop griddle on top of your stove.
For smooth, flat top range, avoid sliding or setting it down hard, for it can cause damage to the stovetop.
Ensure you have around two burners, depending on the size of your griddle.
Next, place your griddle on top of the two burners.
Keep in mind that most burners have uneven sizes; as such, it may be necessary to use the smaller, single burner griddle.
Lastly, turn the burners on and adjust them to the temperature you want.
Step 2: Heating the Stove Top Griddle
Remember, the griddle must heat up first before you can use it. Failure to do this might result in a grill with some hot and cold sections.
Here is how to check whether your griddle is hot enough and ready for cooking:
First, check whether you notice any smoke coming off the griddle. Smoke is a sign that your skillet is heated enough and is ready for cooking.
However, do not allow your skillet to be excessively hot. An exceedingly hot skillet will lead to excess smoke when you begin cooking.
Second, you can splash a few drops of water on the skillet’s surface. If they produce a sizzling sound or bubble, it’s a sign that your skillet is ready for cooking.
Step 3: Setting the Griddle Ready for Cooking
Your grill is now ready to cook. You will need to make sure that the heat of the two burners is at the same level.
You can achieve this by turning the heat of the larger burner so that it gives off the same heat as the small burner.
This ensures that your grill has an even cooking heat so that your food will cook evenly.
The next step is applying a thin layer of fat to the griddle pan. The essence of this is to ensure your food does not stick on the grill.
You can use different fats or oils for this purpose. Some of the most commonly used include:
- Vegetable oils
- Canola oil
- Avocado oil
- Sunflower seed oil
- Sesame oil
- Olive oil
- Flaxseed oil
You can also use butter by smearing it in small amounts until it melts. Alternatively, you can spray the griddle surface using any cooking oil.
Take note that the fat the oil or fat that you use should coat the grill’s surface evenly.
Step 4: Cooking on the griddle
Your stovetop grill is now ready for cooking.
Go ahead, use the recipe of your favorite meal and prepare that mouth-watering delicacy of yours.
I would advise that you apply more fat in between the foods you are cooking.
If you notice that the fat begins to produce smoke, lower the heat of the burners.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you use a grill pan on a glass-top electric stove?
Yes, You can use a grill pan freely on an electric stove. However, this will work best if the griddle is made of cast aluminum.
Can I use an aluminum griddle on a glass-top stove?
Glass top stoves have highly delicate surfaces. As such, they can easily get scratched or even break before you know it. However, it’s okay to use cast aluminum, cast iron skillet, or lightweight lodge griddles.
Can you use a griddle on any stove?
Yes. You can use a grill on any stove. Check the size of your grill and place it on top of one, two, or three burners as appropriate.
How do you grill on a griddle on an electric stove?
Heat the grill pan by turning on the electric stove. Turn on the electric stove to high heat and keep it there for around 5 or 10 minutes. However, the operating capacity of the stove will determine the amount of time.
Wrapping it Up
In conclusion, I want to state again that you can freely and efficiently use a grill on an electric stove.
However, remember that you will have to consider the size of your grill. The grill size will determine whether you will require one, two, or even three burners.
The only major challenge you will face here is that, at times, the grill may have some cold and hot sections. This may slightly affect the duration your food takes to cook, causing it to take longer.
Your grill may also take longer to heat up, but eventually, it will still heat up to your desired temperature.