This article is part of our guide to gas griddles. To discover our comparative guide to gas griddles, click here!
The criteria for choosing your gas griddle?
Power: a criterion that needs to be qualified
Focusing solely on pure power is a common mistake when buying a griddle. Beyond simple power, it is important to pay attention to your appliance's heat output capacity, which depends on several factors:
- Plate material(s): a good plate should be able to distribute heat evenly without warping under the effect of heat.
- Burners: they should be able to provide maximum heat to the plate without consuming excessive amounts of gas or electricity.
In fact, comparing the performance of a gas griddle and an electric griddle immediately becomes more nuanced. The most important thing is to choose an appliance with maximum heat transfer capacity.
Heating capacity
The heating capacity of your griddle is essential for successful cooking. A griddle is a device designed to sear your food in order to caramelize it and achieve the famous Maillard reaction, which will give your food a unique flavor and tenderness.
To achieve this, your griddle must have a heating capacity of 680°F to allow for optimal heating of your plate and perfect searing of all your food.
This is why it is once again difficult to compare the two models. Electric griddles can have a higher heating capacity than gas griddles and vice versa.
Food intake on the plate: equality
In addition to heating capacity, how well food sears on your griddle will depend, once again, on the materials used to make it.
Because it will be equipped with materials capable of optimally distributing heat, your griddle will be able to spread heat evenly and prevent the creation of hot and cold spots, ensuring that all your food sears perfectly.
In addition, your griddle should allow your food to cook without sticking.
Once again, it is quite difficult to compare the two types of griddles objectively. For example, an electric griddle with a stainless-steel plate will have poorer heat conductivity than an enameled cast iron gas griddle, just as an electric griddle with an enameled cast iron plate will have better heat conductivity than a gas griddle with an enameled steel plate.
Ease of use: mobility, temperature control, ignition, mobility
Mobility: advantage to the gas griddle!
The main advantage of a gas griddle over its electric counterpart is its outdoor mobility. Whereas you will need to plug your electric griddle into a domestic power outlet or extension cord, which will inevitably limit its mobility, a gas griddle can be moved anywhere outdoors, thanks to its connection to a gas cylinder.
Temperature control: advantage to the electric griddle
When it comes to temperature control, electric griddles have a slight advantage. Thanks to the thermostat, you can adjust the cooking temperature of your appliance a little more precisely. Conversely, you will have to adjust the temperature on your gas griddle “by eye.”
Ignition: advantage to the electric griddle
The electric griddle stands out for its simplicity when it comes to ignition. Generally, all you have to do is plug it in and turn the thermostat. Newer models even feature touch panels to turn them on.
Gas griddles usually work with a piezo or electronic ignition system that generates a spark to light the burners. Although very fast, this system requires extra vigilance, especially in windy conditions.
That’s why at ENO, we equip our gas griddles with a thermocouple safety which automatically switches off the arrival of the gas in case of strong wind, thus preventing you from burning yourself.
Versatility: equal
A griddle, whether gas or electric, is a device designed to cook (almost) anything. Thanks to the plate, you can cook large pieces of meat as well as chopped vegetables.
Capacity: advantage to the gas griddle
Electric griddles are generally more compact than their gas counterparts. While an electric griddle usually has a capacity of between 4 and 6 people, gas griddles, designed in the same way as barbecues in this respect, can easily accommodate between 8 and 12 guests at the same time, making it easy to cook for large groups.
Safety: advantage to electric griddles
In terms of safety, electric griddles have the advantage of not requiring a gas cylinder to operate. No gas cylinder means no gas leaks from the cylinder.
However, ENO gas griddles are equipped with a thermocouple safety that automatically switches off the gas supply in case of strong gusts of wind, making their use as safe as an electric plancha.
Maintenance and cleaning: equal
Once again, there is no real difference between gas and electric models. It all depends on the materials used to make your griddle. Choose a griddle made from naturally non-stick and weather-resistant materials.
Remember that regular maintenance of your griddle is essential to ensure optimal durability and easy cleaning.
