Top 10 Griddle Happy Accidents: Learn from My Mistakes!
Griddling is an art, and like any art form, it takes practice to perfect. I’ve had my griddle for about 4 years now, and during that time, I’ve encountered plenty of hurdles. But hey, I prefer to think of them as “happy accidents,” a concept I borrowed from Bob Ross. So, let’s dive into the top 10 griddle mistakes I made, and how you can avoid them to make better meals on your griddle!
1. Melting Bottles and Plastic
One of the first lessons I learned was about the heat distribution on the sides of the griddle. With four burners putting out serious heat, it’s easy to forget that the area around the griddle can get scorching hot. I’ve melted more than a few plastic bottles and bowls that were too close to the edge. Keep your cooking tools and ingredients away from the sides to avoid this common blunder.
2. Not Pressing Smash Burgers Enough
If you’re a burger lover, you know that the secret to a great smash burger is to press it down thin enough. I often didn’t press down hard enough, which meant I missed out on that delicious crust and juicy flavor that comes from cooking them in their own fat. Whether you use a weight or just two spatulas, make sure to flatten those burgers! Also I was using too much beef with my burgers. Now I like to use 2.5 to 3 oz balls.
3. Zone Cooking
Utilizing the four burners effectively is crucial. Initially, I thought they all needed to be set to the same temperature, but that’s not the case. For instance, keep one side lower for eggs while using higher heat on another side for bacon or pancakes. This technique, known as zone cooking, helps maximize your cooking efficiency and ensures that everything finishes at the right time.
4. Getting a Cover
Don’t underestimate the importance of a good cover for your griddle. Exposure to the elements can lead to rust, which means you’ll have to sand it down and re-season it. A quality cover protects your griddle and extends its lifespan. Invest in one to keep your griddle in top condition!
5. Worrying About Oil Types
When I first started, I was overwhelmed by the debate over which oil to use. Should I use avocado oil, grapeseed oil, or just stick with vegetable oil? Here’s the truth: use what you have! Vegetable or canola oil from your kitchen will work perfectly for cooking and seasoning your griddle. Don’t stress over the oil—just get cooking! My favorite oil now is Avocado because it has a nuetral flavor and high smoke point.
6. Preheating on High
Another rookie mistake is preheating your griddle on high. It’s tempting to crank it up, thinking it’ll get hot faster. However, this can warp your griddle and create temperatures that are too high for cooking. I learned to start on medium-low and gradually increase the heat as needed.
7. Getting Prep Ready Before Cooking
Preparation is key! If your griddle is outside and your ingredients are inside, you’ll find yourself running back and forth. I learned the hard way to have everything prepped and within reach before I started cooking. Whether it’s using ramekins or a simple sheet pan, having everything organized can save you a lot of hassle.
8. Cooking Food in the Wrong Order
The order in which you cook your food matters! When making breakfast, I learned to always put the meat down first (like bacon), followed by potatoes, and save eggs for last. This way, everything is hot and ready to serve at the same time. Remember: meat first, then potatoes, followed by eggs and veggies.
9. Touching Your Food Too Much
It’s tempting to keep flipping and moving food around, especially on a griddle. I made this mistake with my potatoes, thinking it would help them cook better. However, letting them sit allows for that beautiful browning and crispiness. The same goes for steak and burgers—give them time to sear!
10. Not Controlling the Temperature
Finally, the biggest mistake I made was relying solely on the knob settings for temperature. These settings can vary significantly between different griddles and conditions. Instead, invest in a good infrared thermometer to measure your cooking surface accurately. Knowing your temperature is key to cooking everything perfectly without burning or undercooking.
Wrapping It Up
Griddling can be a fantastic way to create delicious meals, but it does come with its own set of challenges. By learning from these happy accidents, you can elevate your griddling game and impress your friends and family with perfectly cooked meals. Remember, practice makes perfect, so keep on griddling!
If you’re looking for more tips and recipes, check out my Griddle 101 E-book. Happy griddling!
Griddle 101 Ebook
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