An outdoor flat-top griddle is an excellent investment for any home chef or outdoor enthusiast.
It is a versatile and efficient way to cook, allowing you to prepare delicious meals outdoors. Flat-top grills are fuel efficient, offering up to four times the heat of traditional grills.
In addition, they offer healthier cooking options with no flare-ups, less fat and cholesterol absorption, and the preservation of natural flavors and nutritional value of food.
With proper care and maintenance, these grills can last a long time. They also offer several different cooking techniques that can be used to create a fantastic array of dishes.
What is a Flat Top Grill?
A flat top grill, like this Traeger Flatrock™, is a versatile cooking appliance that is capable of virtually any cooking style.
It consists of a flat metal cooking surface that is heated from underneath. This makes it an ideal tool for searing and frying, as well as other types of cooking.
The flat top also makes it easier to heat the entire surface without hotspots evenly, allowing the user to control the temperature of the food more effectively.
Compared to electric stoves and griddles, flat top grills are more fuel efficient and heat faster, resulting in less fuel being used.
With the right accessories, a flat top grill can be used to cook various dishes, from eggs and pancakes to burgers and steaks.
Fuel Efficiency
Excluding charcoal, flat top grills are more fuel efficient than electric stoves and griddles.
They heat up faster and use less fuel, making them an economical and efficient choice for outdoor cooking.
Additionally, they are well-suited to large-scale cooking since they have a larger surface area than other grills.
This allows you to cook more food at once, making them an ideal choice for large family gatherings or parties.
Versatility
Versatility is one of the best advantages of flat top grills. Not only can they be used to grill, but they can also be used for other cooking techniques like searing, sautéing, and frying.
This makes them a great choice for anyone who loves to cook a variety of dishes.
Plus, you have the option of adding accessories such as woks, griddles, and pans to your flat top grill for even more versatility.
With a flat top grill, you can create delicious meals with less fat and cholesterol absorption and preserve food’s natural flavors and nutritional value.
Health Benefits
The health benefits of a flat top grill are numerous. They allow for healthier cooking options that reduce fat and cholesterol absorption, preserve natural flavors, and maintain nutritional value.
Griddles use an even heat distribution method that does not require direct contact with flames, making them a great option for those looking to reduce fat intake.
The absence of flare-ups also helps in preserving the natural flavors and nutritional value of food.
In addition, the non-stick surface allows for the use of little or no oil when cooking, which further reduces fat intake.
When cleaning up, griddles are quite simple to maintain as the non-stick surface makes it easy to clean with a damp cloth.
Healthier cooking options with flat top grills
Griddles are a great way to enjoy healthier cooking. They are incredibly fuel efficient, as they don’t require as much oil as a traditional grill.
This allows the natural fats from food to render and run off into the grease tray, making for a healthier meal.
Additionally, griddles don’t produce flare-ups, which can burn the fat in food and increase cholesterol absorption.
Moreover, griddles can preserve the natural flavors and nutritional value of food better than other cooking methods, while also reducing fat content.
With proper maintenance and knowledge of techniques, griddles can be an easy and healthy way to cook delicious meals for you and your family.
No flare-ups, less fat and cholesterol absorption
Flat top grills are a great choice for those looking to reduce their fat and cholesterol intake.
The flat surface of the grill means that flare-ups can be minimized, reducing the amount of fat and cholesterol absorption from the food.
The ability to control the temperature also helps keep food from getting overly crispy or burned, which can be unhealthy.
Additionally, the natural fats from the food have a chance to render and run off into a separate reservoir, further reducing fat and cholesterol absorption.
All of these features combined make flat top grills a healthier cooking option compared to traditional grills.
Preserves natural flavors and nutritional value of food
Grilling your food helps to preserve the natural flavors and nutritional value. The intense heat of the grill quickly cooks the food, sealing in the juices and flavors.
It also helps reduce fat absorption since no extra oil is used to fry the food. Grilling food over a flat top grill is an even healthier option, as it requires even less oil and uses less fat than other methods.
Moreover, foods cooked on a griddle retain most of their vitamins and minerals, making them a healthier choice overall.
Griddles also make it easier to control the cooking temperatures and times, allowing for maximum flavor extraction without overcooking the food.
Maintenance of a Griddle
Maintaining a griddle is relatively simple but requires more effort than a grill.
You can’t just burn the gunk off like you can with a grill; you need to wipe down and scrub the griddle after each use.
Cleaning regularly will help keep rust from forming, much like with cast iron pans. Conditioning the cooking surface of your griddle is also vital to keep it in good condition.
To condition it, rub oil onto the surface and heat it up for a few minutes until the oil starts to smoke.
This will help keep food from sticking and will also create a non-stick layer on the surface.
Make sure to clean your griddle after every use to prevent grease build-up. Doing so will ensure that your griddle stays in top condition for years to come.
Cooking Techniques for Griddles
Cooking techniques on flat top grills are versatile and can be used to make a variety of dishes from breakfast items such as pancakes and eggs to dinner entrees like burgers and steaks.
Griddles offer the ability to cook food quickly and evenly without needing constant stirring or flipping.
Grillers can also use the flat top surface to warm up tortillas, reheat leftovers, and even bake cookies!
As a bonus, the flat surface makes it easy to remove cooked food without scraping off any lingering bits from the grates.
With just a few simple tips and some practice, you can master the art of cooking on your flat top grill in no time.
Should I Invest in an Infrared Grill or Stick with a Flat Top Grill?
When deciding between an infrared grill and a flat top grill, understanding the truth about infrared grills is crucial. Infrared grills use radiant heat, which cooks food faster and more evenly. They also typically reach higher temperatures and offer better searing capabilities. However, flat top grills provide a larger cooking surface and are versatile for various cooking techniques. Ultimately, the choice depends on your cooking preferences and the specific features you value the most.
3 Quality Options On Amazon
There are several excellent options on Amazon when finding quality options for flat-top grills.
The Camp Chef Flat Top Grill 900 Outdoor Griddle FTG900 is a great choice for an easy-to-use and efficient cooking surface.
The Char-Griller E8936 Flat Iron Four Burner Gas Griddle Grill is perfect for cooking larger meals quickly.
And the Blackstone 1883 Gas Hood & Side Shelves Heavy Duty Flat Top Griddle is ideal for those who want a heavy-duty griddle that can handle higher temperatures.
All three options provide excellent fuel efficiency, versatility, and health benefits that make them worth the investment.
Option #1: Camp Chef Flat Top Grill 900 Outdoor Griddle FTG900
The Camp Chef Flat Top Grill 900 is the perfect outdoor griddle for those who are looking for a quality grilling experience.
This model features six burners and an 877 sq. inch cooking capacity, making it ideal for large family gatherings and events.
With two adjustable heat controls, you’ll be able to cook a variety of meals quickly and easily.
It also comes with a hard cover to protect the griddle from the elements, making it perfect for both indoor and outdoor use.
The Camp Chef Flat Top Grill 900 is a great way to enjoy healthy, delicious meals with friends and family.
With its versatility and fuel efficiency, you can cook up a variety of dishes in no time, while enjoying the health benefits of grilling with a flat top grill.
Option #2: Char-Griller E8936 Flat Iron Four Burner Gas Griddle Grill
The Char-Griller E8936 Flat Iron Four Burner Gas Griddle Grill is an excellent option for anyone looking to up their grilling game.
This top of the line griddle features four burners and a reinforced griddle top, making it a great choice for larger gatherings or frequent use.
The good burners and ignition system offer reliable performance and durability, while the hinged lid makes it easy to monitor and adjust heat levels when needed.
Regarding health benefits, this griddle helps preserve natural flavors and nutritional value of food by avoiding flare-ups and reducing fat and cholesterol absorption while cooking.
The Char-Griller E8936 is also relatively easy to maintain, making it perfect for those who want to make sure their grills last for multiple seasons.
Option #3: Blackstone 1883 Gas Hood & Side Shelves Heavy Duty Flat Top Griddle
The Blackstone 1883 Gas Hood & Side Shelves Heavy Duty Flat Top Griddle is designed for maximum fuel efficiency and versatility.
This griddle has four burners that offer even heat distribution for perfect cooking results.
It also features a hood and side shelves that are extremely durable and provide ample space for food preparation.
The side shelves make it easy to store utensils, condiments, and other grilling accessories within arm’s reach.
The Blackstone 1883 also has a grease cup liner that helps to keep the griddle clean and makes cleanup easier.
With its large 28-inch cooking surface, this griddle is perfect for cooking multiple dishes at once, so you can entertain friends and family without having to cook in batches.
The Blackstone 1883 Gas Hood & Side Shelves Heavy Duty Flat Top Griddle is an excellent choice for those looking for a quality flat top grill that offers great fuel efficiency, versatility, health benefits, and easy maintenance.
Are Combo Grills as Versatile as Flat Top Grills?
Combo grills worth it offer the versatility of both gas and charcoal grilling in one unit. However, flat top grills have their own appeal, especially for cooking breakfast foods and stir-fries. Combo grills can be versatile, but it ultimately depends on the specific cooking needs of the user.
Conclusion
In conclusion, a flat top grill, like this Traeger Flatrock™, is worth the investment. They offer a more efficient, healthier and versatile way to cook than traditional grills.
They are easy to maintain and come in various sizes and configurations.
From the Camp Chef Flat Top 600 to the Char-Griller E8936 Flat Iron Four Burner Gas Griddle Grill to the Blackstone 1883 Gas Hood & Side Shelves Heavy Duty Flat Top Griddle, there is an option to suit every budget.
Whether you’re looking for a restaurant-grade cooking experience or want to make dinner for the family, a flat top grill is worth the investment.