The stove that we bought last year has a long burner in the middle. The stove is no larger than a regular stove but it does have that added middle burner, which is great for a griddle. I have an electric griddle and a Griddler, which I love and have used way more than I ever thought I would, but I keep those type things out in the storeroom because of having such a small kitchen. Sometimes, mostly when cooking breakfast, I need a griddle. If we’re having bacon cooked on one big skillet, eggs cooked in another, then Speck’s eggs cooked in a small skillet, and hash browns, there just isn’t room on the stove top for those pots and pans .. unless they’re all on the smaller side. I decided I needed a cast iron griddle . . something that I can stand up in my cookie sheet cabinet and even use on the charcoal grill if needed. I ordered this one.
Cast Iron Griddle
(You might notice I’ve scratched the stainless steel at the top of the stove!).
The cast iron griddle comes in several sizes. I got the smaller rectangular one so I could still use small pots if needed.
Grill and Pots
There’s not a lot of extra room but decent size pans will fit on the stove with the griddle. Someday soon, I will also have tile on that back wall!
The griddle is pre-seasoned but it takes a while for it to get smooth and seasoned enough that I can fry eggs on it. It’s just now getting to that point. Some of my old cast iron pots are smooth as glass inside and nothing sticks. I’ll be happy to get this griddle to that point.
Many mornings, I’m cooking bacon or sausage, eggs, and hashbrowns on the one griddle . . all at the same time.
The other side has ridges so it can be heated and a steak sizzled on it. I wouldn’t do that in the house and if I’m going to do it outside, I would just use the grill. Last night I grilled zucchini strips. It works great for that! I spritzed the strips with olive oil, added salt and pepper, and grilled them.
Zucchini
A couple of nights ago, I cut tomatoes into thick slices, put them down on the hot grill, added a very thin slice of mozzarella cheese and some slivered basil. They were delicious and . . they were diet friendly!
CJ says
I have one of those too, but I’ve never used it in the house since my stove is a glass top. Next house I will have a propane cooktop! Is your range a duel fuel or is the oven gas too?
Pam says
I am sure that you have read the manual to your gas stove.
The reason I mention it is my particular 5 burner gas range says not to use a griddle over the middle burner. My middle burner has the most BTU’s. I use the griddle over 2 side burners.
Enjoyed the Speck story.
JudyL says
Yep, they’re all different. Mine says to use the middle burner for the griddle.
Judy H says
I have one of those, too!
I used it just last night. I preheated it in the oven at 450 and when it was hot, I put a little olive oil on it and laid some salmon (pre-seasoned with olive oil and seasonings) on it skin side down. Then I baked the salmon for 8 minutes at the same 450 and it was SO good! The skin was crispy, the fish was moist and tender and it just fell off the skin.
Yep, I love my pan.
I also use it to do eggplant. Here’s a recipe for you, but you may have to change it a little to be paleo:
Cut your eggplant slices, sprinkle with salt and let it weep for a few minutes. Rinse well, and grill the eggplant. Then bring it in, put a light coating of olive oil on the skillet side of your pan, lay down the eggplant, top with sliced tomato, fresh basil, and cheese. I use an Italian blend from HEB. Then allow it to bake at about 325 until the cheese is melted and the tomatoes soften. We gobble that up! LOL!
You could do the second part of the recipe on the grill, too, but I always need the grill for other things after the eggplant. The smoky flavor from the grill is in the eggplant and it doesn’t have to be finished on the grill.
Enjoy your new pan! I’m sure you’ll come up with lots of other ways to use it, too!
CindyM says
My new range came with the reversible griddle, much like the one you are showing. I’ve only set the smoke detector off once using it. *sigh*
Mary-Kay says
I have a similar stove and to use the griddle, you have to take out the grill part and fit the griddle in there. I’ve never used it yet because I only ever thought to grill steaks or chicken on it and I really didn’t want to clean it all up after, the bbq is so much easier.. Never thought of veggies. Thanks for the idea. Also I did notice that the griddle isn’t very smooth and I didn’t know that over time it smooths out. Guess I better start using it to help it along. You sure know all kinds of stuff. Thanks for sharing it.
Donna says
When I do squash or zucchini I mix 2 parts olive oil with 1 part balsamic vinegar and brush on each side then grill. We love it like that. Fried was my husband’s favorite when we married but last night he told me fried is now his least favorite as the grilled and roasted have taken top spot.
Marlene says
Judy the link you provided went to the Griddler. Would you provide one also to the cast iron griddle you bought? Thanks and blessings, Marlene