Gas BBQ Tips: Using a Grill vs a Griddle

There is nothing quite like cooking outside on a gas BBQ grill. When the summer cookout season hits one of the things that most people can't wait to do is fire up the gas BBQ grill. The taste of the food defines the summer season. However, as with all methods of cooking, there are countless ways to prepare the food.

Along with the various methods to prepare the food, there are different cooking surfaces you can use. It does not mean that one way is better than any other, but that the way the food tastes might be a little bit different. One thing to consider is a gas BBQ grill compared to a griddle. The grill is a staple of outdoor cooking, while the griddle is something that is mostly done inside. Today, you can even combine the two into one unit. Here are a few of the advantages and disadvantages of each.

Gas BBQ Grill

Gas grills are the hallmark of summer living. The smells, the sight, and the taste of the food is something that many people wait all winter for. However, that is not the only benefit. Cooking on a grill, with the open grates, is actually healthier for you than regular frying. The grease is released from the meat and drops into the grease catcher on the grill. Gas BBQ grills come is all kinds of different sizes to accommodate different cooking needs. There are even indoor grills that can be used when the winter weather sets in and you are still desiring that grill taste.

Griddles

Griddles are the staple of diners and restaurants. Most griddles are large, flat surfaces that heat up over the entire length. The main benefit of a griddle is that you can cook multiple foods on it at once and create several dishes. They are also very easy to clean by simply rubbing oil on it and then scraping it off when it is hot. For home use, there is a smaller, electric griddle that is controlled with a small temperature regulator. They are portable and set up on the countertop for cooking many different foods. The grease can be scraped off and will drain through a small hole into a grease cup.

Cooking Differently

The grill and griddle cook different because of the way that they are constructed. The grill uses the heat underneath the food to sear it and cook it on open grates. The griddle, on the other hand, uses a flat surface much like a frying pan. The metal on the griddle cooks the food. Preparing a hamburger on each one, while still tasting like a hamburger, will cook differently.

Clean up Issues

No matter which type you choose to cook with, you still need to keep them clean. Although a little bit of left over on the gas BBQ grill will add some flavor, the griddle should be clean of any food residue. Cleaning a grill is a matter of cleaning the grates, which can prove to be difficult if sauces and food hardens. A griddle will come clean easily with a rub down of soap and warm water.