Cast iron and stainless steel are among the best metal cookware materials on the market. These materials also make the best griddles.
When you go to purchase a new grill, and you need to choose between a cast iron and stainless steel, which one will you go for?
Both grills have fantastic features as well as limitations.
Let’s compare and see how they stack up against each other.
Cast Iron Vs. Stainless Steel Griddle
Cast iron is heavy, thick, and exceptionally durable compared to stainless steel. On the other hand, stainless steel is lighter, easier to clean and maintain, and does not affect food flavor.
Cast Iron Vs. Stainless Steel Griddle: Which One is the Best?
So you would like to purchase a griddle but you are hesitant. You are wondering which one is the best between cast iron and stainless steel.
I decided to make things easy for you. I did the research and came up with concrete findings, making it easy for you to choose.
I will discuss different features and see how they compare to both griddles. This in-depth review will help you make a sound buying decision.
Durability
If you are looking for a grill that will last a lifetime, a cast iron griddle is ideal.
Cast iron is heavy, thick, strong, and incredibly durable. If it slips from your hands and drops on the floor, you should be more concerned about the integrity of that particular floor and not the grill.
If you drop a stainless steel grill or hit it forcefully with a spatula, it is likely to get a dent. Stainless steel is slightly durable but cannot last a lifetime.
Seasoning and Maintenance
Cast iron and stainless steel griddles need regular seasoning. Seasoning involves heating up the grill on high heat and coating it with a thin layer of oil. It helps prevent rust and keeps food from sticking on the cooktop.
A stainless steel grill is easy to season and maintain. You do not need to season your stainless steel griddle as often as a cast-iron one. This material rarely gets rusty, even without seasoning.
Cast iron is more prone to rust and damage by environmental factors like extreme cold or chilly weather. As such, you need to season it more often.
The Flavor of the Food
When comparing a cast iron and stainless steel skillet, the impact on food flavor is a crucial consideration.
Stainless steel does not alter the flavor of your food. You don’t have to worry about food tasting like steel. As a result, you can cook all types of food on it.
Cast-iron cookware affects the overall flavor of food to a certain degree. Food cooked on a cast iron grill will have a slight metallic flavor.
The metallic taste results from cast iron reacting with acidic chemicals in food. Some foods like tomatoes are better not cooked on a grill. They have high acidity, which means that the metallic after-taste will be more notable than other foods.
Note: If you don’t clean your stainless steel griddle well, it will negatively affect the taste of your food.
Weight
Although weight is not a significant concern when purchasing a griddle for home use, it still matters.
A cast iron griddle is two or three times heavier than its stainless steel counterpart. Mounting a cast iron grill to your cooking station can be quite tasking.
A lightweight griddle is preferable because you will have to move it to and from the storage area every time you need to use it. It also gives you the freedom to use your griddle outdoors.
Therefore, stainless steel is a go-to choice if you are looking for a portable grill for outdoor activities.
Quality of the Sear
When cooking food, especially meat on a grill, you want to get that uniform crusty brown sear on the outside. The sear makes food appealing and tasty.
If you want a high-quality sear, go for a stainless steel grill.
Ease of Cleaning
Cast iron and stainless steel griddles can be tough to clean when food gets stuck on the cooktop.
However, a cast-iron skillet is harder to clean than a stainless steel one. It needs more time and care because it easily rusts. When cleaning a cast iron griddle, use warm water and a gentle scouring pad.
After rinsing, do not leave the griddle surface to dry on its own because that is a sure trigger of rust. Use paper towels or a clean kitchen towel to pat the surface dry. Immediately, season with a thin layer of oil and store in a cool, dry place.
It is advisable to clean your cast iron grill after every use. To prevent tarnishing its surface, you should avoid using soap and coarse scrubs on this grill.
The process of cleaning a stainless steel grill is the same as that of a cast iron. However, stainless steel does not need too much care and attention. You can leave it to dry on its own without fear of rusting.
Although it is good to season all griddles after cleaning, stainless steel can hardly rust even when left unseasoned.
Heating and Conduction
Although both metals are good conductors of heat, stainless steel heats up faster than cast iron.
Stainless steel is relatively thin, allowing heat to spread faster and more evenly.
Cast iron is thick and takes longer to heat up. It also tends to heat up faster in the area where the burners directly contact the metal surface. As a result, heat spreads across the surface unevenly.
If you are looking for a grill that promotes even cooking, stainless steel is the best. Restaurants and chefs prefer it.
Who Makes Cast Iron Griddles?
Blackstone Products Inc. is the leading manufacturer of some of the best grills in the market. Blackstone griddles are made of cold-rolled steel, which is cast iron.
There is no stainless steel Blackstone griddles. However, these grills are loved by most people due to their large cooktop and adjustable heat. They mostly come with three adjustable burners to allow you to have independently-controlled cooking zones.
Who Makes Stainless Steel Griddles?
If you want the best stainless steel grill, check out steel made in the USA. Their grills are 100% American-made and come with lifetime warranties.
They have a variety of griddle plates that you can add to your existing stove or outdoor grill. The griddles come with stainless steel drip plates and other desirable accessories. The ease of cleaning and maintenance stands out most about stainless steel grills.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better, stainless steel or cast-iron skillet?
A stainless steel grill is better than cast iron. It does not alter the taste of your food, has a high-quality sear, and allows even cooking. You won’t need to season a stainless steel grill as often as you would a cast-iron one.
Is a cast iron skillet good?
A cast iron griddle is one of the best products to have in your kitchen. It has excellent durability that can last a lifetime. This grill is incredibly versatile, and you can use it on a stovetop, grill, or oven.
Does stainless steel sear better than cast iron?
Stainless steel is better at searing than cast iron. It heats up quickly and distributes the heat evenly across the griddle surface without creating hot spots. As a result, your meat sears perfectly and uniformly.
Are Blackstone griddles cast iron or steel?
All Blackstone griddles are made of cold-rolled steel, which is cast iron. Blackstone does not manufacture stainless steel grills. Therefore, exposure to water or moisture could cause rusting.
Wrapping Up
From our discussion above, stainless steel grills seem to be easier to work with than cast iron griddles. They have impressive features like; ease of maintenance, high-quality sear, even heating, and lightweight.
Although cast iron griddles have several downsides, they win on durability and reliability. They can withstand heavy usage and handling without chipping or breaking. These grills are ideal for commercial purposes and home use if durability is your essential concern.
So, who is the clear winner between the two? Well, this depends on your individual needs. Go ahead and choose the one that best suits your needs.