Editing Griddle

{{Short description|Type of cooking device}}
{{For|the fish|Bowfin}}
{{Infobox machine
| name          = Griddle
| image         = File:Lefse on a griddle.jpg
| caption       = [[Lefse]] cooking on an electric griddle
| classification= [[List of cooking appliances|Cooking equipment]]
| industry      = Various
| application   = Cooking
| fuel_source   = Traditional fuels, [[natural gas]], [[propane]], [[electric]]
| material=
}}

A '''griddle''', in the UK also called a '''girdle''', is a cooking device consisting mainly of a broad, usually flat cooking surface. Nowadays it can be either a movable metal pan- or plate-like utensil,<ref name=Collins>{{cite book |title= Collins Dictionary griddle |url= https://www.collinsdictionary.com/dictionary/english/griddle |access-date= 23 December 2021}}</ref> a flat heated cooking surface [[Kitchen stove|built onto a stove as a kitchen range]],<ref name=spruce>{{cite web |title= All About Griddles |publisher= The Spruce Eats |date= 12 December 2019 |url=https://www.thespruceeats.com/what-is-a-griddle-995705 
|access-date= 21 December 2021}}</ref> or a compact cooking machine with its own heating system attached to an integrated griddle acting as a [[cooktop]].<ref name=Epic>{{cite web |author= Vaculin, Kendra |title= The Best Griddles for Cooking Pancakes, Eggs, and Bacon (at the Same Time) |work= Epicurious |publisher=[[Condé Nast]] |date= 12 March 2021 |url= https://www.epicurious.com/shopping/the-best-griddles-for-cooking-pancakes-eggs-and-bacon-at-the-same-time-article |access-date= 23 December 2021}}</ref>

A traditional griddle can either be a brick slab or tablet, or a flat or curved metal disc, while in industrialized countries, a griddle is most commonly a flat metal plate.{{cn|date=December 2021}} A griddle can have both residential and commercial applications and can be heated directly or indirectly.{{cn|date=December 2021}} The heating can be supplied either by a flame fuelled by wood, coal or gas; or by electrical elements.{{cn|date=December 2021}} Commercial griddles run on electricity, [[natural gas]] or [[propane]].<ref name=fes>[https://fesmag.com/products/guide/cooking-equipment/griddles/19275-a-guide-to-grills-griddles "A Guide to Grills & Griddles"]: general technical and construction details at the [[Foodservice Equipment & Supplies]] (FE&S) website. Accessed 23 Dec 2021.</ref>

Griddles can be made of [[cast iron]], but there are also non-stick varieties.<ref name=spruce/> A residential griddle may be made of cast iron, [[aluminium]], [[chrome steel]], or [[carbon steel]].{{cn|date=December 2021}} The vast majority of commercial-grade griddles are made from [[A36 steel]],{{Citation needed|date=February 2021|reason=Also, since A36 is a specifically American standard, evidence is needed that the "vast majority" are made in America.}} though some are [[stainless steel]] or composites of stainless and aluminium.{{cn|date=December 2021}} The plate surfaces of commercial griddles can be made of cast iron, polished steel, [[cold-rolled steel]] or can have a [[Chrome plating|chrome]] [[Surface finishing|finish]].<ref name=fes/>

==Etymology==
The word ''griddle'' is attested in 13th-century English and probably comes from [[Anglo-Norman language|Anglo-French]] ''gridil'', which had developed over time from the [[Latin]] word ''craticula'', 'small griddle' (''craticula'' – ''graille'' – ''gredil'' – ''gridil''),<ref name=Collins/> possibly via the Latin ''craticulum'', 'fine wickerwork'.<ref>{{cite web |title= Griddle |work= Online Etymology Dictionary |url= http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?term=griddle |access-date= 1 November 2011}}</ref>

In British English it is also called '''girdle'''.<ref name=Collins/>

==Traditional and early modern==
{{refimprove section|date=December 2021}}
[[File:Preparation of qurasah.jpg|thumb|Cooking [[flatbread]] on a griddle]]

Traditional griddles include a stone or brick slab or tablet, and a shallow platter filled with sand. The former are usually heated to cooking temperature before the food is placed on them, the latter heated after.{{cn|date=December 2021}} Later versions were sometimes integrated into the tops of wood-fired stoves as a removable iron plate, and later as a separate, typically handle-less plate covering one or more burners on a gas or electric stove.{{cn|date=December 2021}}

===Middle East===
[[File:Pita.jpg|thumb|right|Flatbread on a convex Middle Eastern ''saj'' griddle]]

In traditional [[Middle Eastern cuisine|Middle Eastern]] and [[South Asian cuisine]]s, a [[saj (utensil)|''saj'']] is a convex griddle that is used to cook [[Saj bread|a variety of flatbread types]].

===Latin America===
In Latin America, one traditional style of griddle is a ''budare''. Made from stone or clay, it is used to cook a variety of [[flatbread]]s, such as [[tortilla]], [[arepa]] and [[Tapioca#Flatbreads|casabe]]. Modern versions for commercial use are metal and called [[Comal (cookware)|comals]].

===Great Britain===
In Britain, the griddle is also called girdle and is used for instance for making [[scones]].<ref name=Collins/> It can take the shape of a thick iron plate, round and held from above by a half-hoop handle.<ref name=Collins/>

The traditional Scottish "girdle" has a flat [[wrought iron]] disk with an upturned rim to which a semicircular hoop handle is attached, allowing it to be suspended over the fire from a central chain and hook.<ref>{{cite web |title= Griddle |publisher= TheFreeDictionary.com |quote='''griddle''' (ˈɡrɪdəl) ''n'' 1. (Cookery) Also called: '''girdle''' ''Brit'' a thick round iron plate with a half hoop handle over the top, for making scones, etc |url=http://www.thefreedictionary.com/griddle |access-date= 17 October 2015}}</ref> Girdles are used for cooking [[Scone (bread)|scones]], [[Bannock (British food)|bannocks]], [[pancake]]s and [[oatcake]]s.<ref name=nefa>{{cite web |title= Archive - At Home on the Farm |work= NEFA - The North East Folklore Archive - Junior Section |publisher= Aberdeenshire Council |url= http://www.nefa.net/nefajnr/archive/peopleandlife/land/farmhome.htm |access-date=2 August 2011}}</ref><ref name=scran>{{Cite web |title= Scran - Cooking oatcakes, or bannocks, on a girdle. Turnabrain, Glenesk, Angus, 1967 |url= http://www.scran.ac.uk/database/record.php?usi=000-000-467-096-C |access-date= 2 August 2011}}</ref>

The traditional Welsh [[bakestone]] is similar, circular with a one-piece handle, typically cast iron, {{convert|1|cm|1|abbr=on}} in thickness. It is used to cook [[Welsh cake]]s, [[Crumpet#The English crumpet|pikelets]], and [[crepe]]s.<ref>{{cite news |last1= Barraud |first1= Winifred K. |title= Bakestone tradition |work=[[The Guardian]] |date=9 November 1962 |location= London |page=8}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title= Welsh Bakestone Or Planc |website= Antique Kitchenalia |url= http://antiquekitchenalia.com/welsh-bakestone-planc/ |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20150810220212/http://antiquekitchenalia.com/welsh-bakestone-planc/ |archive-date= 10 August 2015 |access-date= 9 November 2013}}</ref>

===United States===
In [[Upstate New York]], a griddle used to be the lid covering a round opening on the cooking surface of a wood- or coal-burning stove.<ref name=Collins/>

==Commercial griddles==
===Dishes===
Griddles are often used to prepare breakfast items such as pancakes, [[French toast]], [[eggs and bacon]], as well as [[stir-fries]] and meat dishes like [[hamburgers]], steak and chicken breasts.<ref name=fes/>

===Technical details===
Commercial griddles can be 2–6 feet wide and 18–30 inches deep, and their plates can be flat or grooved.<ref name=fes/> The burners on the griddle units can be controlled manually or with the help of a [[thermostat]].<ref name=fes/>

==Gallery==
<gallery mode=packed heights=180>
File:Electric griddle.jpg|alt=A basic electric griddle with temperature control|A basic consumer [[electric griddle]] with temperature control
File:Hamburgers à la Lindström in making (2646002595).jpg|Griddle with ridged surface
File:Pancakesongriddle.jpg|Pancakes cooking on a commercial griddle
File:US Navy 100821-N-2686K-030 Culinary Specialist Seaman Cody D. Cunningham prepares pork chops for lunch in the galley aboard USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77).jpg|Catering griddle in a warship's [[Galley (kitchen)|galley]]
</gallery>

==See also==
{{div col|colwidth=30em}}
* {{annotated link|Comal (cookware)|Comal}}
* {{annotated link|Flattop grill}}
* {{annotated link|Hot plate}}
* {{annotated link|Sheet pan}}
* {{annotated link|Tava}}
* {{annotated link|Teppanyaki|Teppan}}
* {{annotated link|Pie iron}} — a sandwich maker.
{{div col end}}

==References==
{{Reflist|2}}

==External links==
* {{commons category-inline|Griddles}}
* [[Foodservice Equipment & Supplies]] (FE&S): the FE&S website has [https://fesmag.com/search?Grills=&q=Griddle&Search= hundreds of pages] on commercial griddles. Accessed 23 Dec 2021.
* [https://www.foodservicedirector.com/foodservice-equipment/a-flash-in-the-pan "A Flash in the Pan"]: broad technical presentation of commercial griddles. Dan Bendall, 1 July 2006, ''Food Management'', US. Accessed 23 Dec 2021.

{{Cooking Techniques|state=collapsed}}

[[Category:Cookware and bakeware]]
[[Category:Baking]]
[[Category:Barbecue]]