How to Get Your Griddle to the Proper Temperature

When it comes to griddle cooking, managing your temperature is the key to creating delicious meals. Here’s my tried-and-true method to achieve the ideal heat every time.

Step 1: Preheat on Low

I always start by preheating my griddle on low. Most griddles heat up quickly, so starting low gives you better control. After about 10 minutes with all four burners on low, the surface typically reaches 350–375°F, depending on the weather.

It’s important not to walk away while preheating—griddles can overheat fast. If left unchecked for 15–20 minutes, you might return to a 450°F griddle, which isn’t ideal for foods like pancakes. Once the temperature hits your target (say, 375°F), you can start cooking. Adding food will often stabilize or slightly reduce the temperature. From there, adjust the burners as needed, even turning some off to maintain consistent heat.

Step 2: Use Zone Cooking

A four-burner griddle offers great versatility. You don’t need all burners on high at once! Often, I’ll only turn on the middle two burners to medium or medium-low, allowing the outer burners to act as warming zones. I still preheat the griddle with all four burners on, but when I'm ready to cook that's when I turn off the outside two burners.

For example:

Cooking peppers and onions for a quesadilla: Start them in the hot center zone.
When they’re almost done, move them to the outer warming area to stay warm without overcooking while you grill chicken strips in the center.

This technique keeps everything at the right temperature and prevents overcrowding your cooking space.

Step 3: Use Water to Control Heat

Water isn’t just for cleaning your griddle; it’s also an excellent tool for cooling down hot spots. This is especially handy during breakfast cooks, where eggs require lower heat.

Here’s how I do it:

Squirt water onto the cooking area: This cools down the surface and cleans away black bits, ensuring your eggs stay neat and golden.
After the water evaporates, the griddle will be at a lower temperature, perfect for delicate foods like eggs.

Essential Tools for Temperature Control

Investing in a reliable infrared thermometer is a game-changer for griddle cooking. My go-to is the ThermoPro 2-in-1 Infrared Thermometer. It’s precise, easy to use, and ensures you hit the perfect temperature every time.

Grab the ThermoPro 2-in-1 Infrared Thermometer here and use code Johnny10 for 10% off (minimum spend applies).

Mastering your griddle’s heat is the first step to becoming a confident griddle cook. Follow these tips, and you’ll be serving up perfectly cooked meals in no time!