You’re looking for cookware online and come upon a store that sells it. As you browse through the page, you’ll see a variety of various-sized griddles and skillets.
You know one of them will be helpful for your cooking adventures, but you’re unsure which one to choose.
Don’t worry; not everyone understands which one they require. While both a skillet and a griddle are equipment that may be useful at times, specific technical differences affect the meals you cook.
Read on to know all about these two kitchenwares before purchasing one for your home.
Table of Contents
What Is A Griddle?
The cooking surface of a griddle is big, with lower walls. There are two varieties of griddles in terms of technicality, which are:
Griddle Pan:
A griddle pan has a grip on one side and is usually square or rectangular. It’s composed of cast iron and features a non-stick surface.
A griddle pan’s composition makes it suitable for use on various stovetops, especially gas and porcelain. You can also use it to keep meals warm on induction or in the oven.
Griddle Plate:
Griddle plates are popular in restaurants and are increasingly being used in households.
This griddle is rectangular and similar to a baking tray. Both sides of most griddle plates feature handles.
What Is A Skillet?
Skillets are generally composed of cast iron and have a circular shape. The cookware becomes more sturdy and retains more weight due to the cast iron, making it perfect for high-flame cooking.
The design of a skillet enables you to cook, sauté, and roast meals. You may use it to cook vegetables, fries, meat, waffles, and a range of other dishes.
What Are The Advantages Of Griddle And A Skillet?
Griddles are ideal for cooking meat and are often used to prepare famous burgers.
You may quickly cook outside and enjoy the sunshine while the meal cooks. Some griddles feature a waste container to catch spills and make cleanup a breeze.
Previously, containers were only available in indoor griddles, but they are now available in outdoor grills.
It’s much simpler to manage and alter the temperature on a griddle depending on the sort of food you’re cooking—this aids in the preservation of the meals’ original tastes.
In North America, skillets are distinguished by their cast-iron structure.
These pans are better options for a life free of health concerns since they are chemical-free.
The skillets survive longer than other items, with their solid and sturdy structure.
Although non-stick frying pans are available, you may prefer cast iron frying pans since they add iron to the cuisine.
Given the fact that a substantial portion of the world’s population is iron deficient, cooking with an iron skillet not only results in delicious food but is also healthy.
You may use skillets in ovens and they’re also appropriate for use on the burner.
A Quick Comparison: Griddle Vs. Skillet
| Aspects | Griddle | Skillet |
| Cooking surface | Greater cooking area with lower walls | Larger cooking surface and inward-slanting walls |
| Handle | They include handles on both sides to make them easier to carry | It has a smooth handle that is comfortable to hold |
| Material | Griddles are typically composed of cast iron with no coating material | It is composed of aluminum, alloy steels, copper, and cast iron, among other materials |
| Taste | A griddle is usually used to prepare typical barbecue dishes, including steak, chicken, bacon, and burgers | Foods like shrimp, veggies, and eggs are perfect for frying in a skillet |
| Portability | Griddles are portable since they don’t need a stand | Skillets are more portable due to their smaller size |
Griddle Vs. Skillet: What’s The Difference?
- Cooking Surface:
If you look at the burning surfaces of a skillet or griddle, you can quickly tell which one it is. A skillet features a larger cooking surface and inward-slanting walls. You may flip and tilt food before plating it because of the diagonal design.
You can cook or roast meals on a skillet if you don’t require a vast surface area. It’s generally utilized in the kitchen.
A griddle, however, has lower walls, making it unsuitable for tossing food. It also has a greater cooking area, making it excellent for preparing more food. It may be used to grill or fry meals in the house or outdoors such as burger or steak.
- Handle:
Griddles are generally huge. Thus, they include handles on both sides to make them easier to carry.
The lightweight nature of a skillet, on the other hand, reduces the need for multiple handles. It has a smooth handle that is comfortable to grasp when frying, flipping, or serving food.
- Material:
Skillets are often composed of aluminum, alloy steels, copper, and cast iron, among other materials. The topcoat on metal and copper skillets inhibits the iron from interacting with the food. Steel and wrought iron skillets aren’t coated, but they’re made to transmit heat well.
Griddles, however, are typically composed of cast iron with no coating material. Both iron griddles and skillets are strong, but they need seasoning to permit smooth food release and avoid corrosion.
In comparison to other materials, this substance also retains heat effectively.
- Taste:
Griddles and skillets are different things with distinct capacities. Therefore, they impart taste to food in various ways.
Outside, a griddle is usually used to prepare typical barbecue dishes, including steak, chicken, bacon, and burgers.
It grills food correctly, unlike a skillet, and retains a smokey taste. It may also make meals at elevated temperatures to enhance flavor.
On the other hand, skillets are unable to get the same smokey taste as griddles due to their inability to reach high temperatures. Foods like shrimp, veggies, and eggs are perfect for frying in them.
- Portability:
Griddles are portable since they don’t need a stand. They are ideal for making more food because of their enormous surface area, but only if the burner is large enough to handle the griddle.
On the other hand, skillets are more portable than griddles due to their smaller size. They’re small enough to fit on the stovetop and can be used to hurl food into the air. On the other hand, the limited surface area isn’t perfect for cooking vast volumes of food.
What’s The Verdict?
When deciding between a griddle and a skillet, there is no right or wrong answer since it all comes down to personal choice.
If you need cookware for daily usage, a skillet is an excellent choice since it is tiny and easy to clean. On the other hand, a griddle is ideal for cooking a massive volume of food for a big group.
Rather than picking one, you may want to have both kinds of cookware on hand in the kitchen since you never expect when one of them will come in useful.
FAQs:
Is It Possible To Use A Skillet Instead Of A Griddle?
Yes, you may use a pan for the griddle plate. If you want to use it rather than a griddle pan, watch the quantity of oil you use since the griddle pan’s principal duty is to drain excess fat from meals.
How To Differentiate Between A Skillet And A Frying Pan?
They both imply the same thing. However, you can recognize it as a frying pan in the United Kingdom and a skillet in the United States.
Is It Safe To Use Electric Skillets?
Yes, electric skillets are available on the market, much as cast iron skillets for cooking on gas stoves.
The main benefit is that, unlike gas heating, they can maintain a constant temperature throughout. You may use them to make pancakes and doughnuts.
Is It Possible To Fry A Steak On A Griddle?
Yes, cast iron griddles are ideal for grilling steaks because they distribute heat evenly over the surface. They’re also non-stick and help you lose weight.
Some types will also create beautiful grilled patterns on the food, simulating outside cooking. You may also use a griddle for cooking chicken pieces and other meats and vegetables.
In Conclusion
The choice between the two devices is entirely subjective. So, consider what you want your latest kitchenware to do for you, and then decide whether a griddle or a skillet is ideal for you.
While a skillet is ideal for daily kitchen use, a griddle can come in handy to prepare food for big gatherings. The points given above will help you distinguish between the two devices appropriately!
