A cast iron griddle allows you to cook pancakes, eggs, burgers and some flat breads on the stovetop to perfection. Provided the griddle is already seasoned, only a thin layer of oil is needed to cook almost any food without sticking. Heating a cast iron griddle on an electric stove is a simple task that takes only minutes. By properly heating the griddle, foods are easy to cook.
Coat the surface of the cast iron griddle with a thin coat of cooking oil. Use paper towels or a pastry brush to apply the oil to the surface.
Set the griddle on the stove burner. If your griddle is a double burner model, set it evenly over the back and front stove burners.
Turn the stove burner on to medium. If you are using a two-burner model and one burner is smaller than the other, turn the smaller burner to medium high heat.
Allow the griddle to heat up. This may take 2 to 4 minutes.
Wet your fingers, and drop several drops of water onto the heated griddle. If the water sizzles, the griddle is ready to use.
Tips
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You can also pre-heat the griddle in a 350-degree Fahrenheit oven for 10 minutes before placing it on the stove burner. This will ensure that the griddle is heated evenly.
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Allow the griddle to cool naturally before washing. Wipe any remaining grease from the griddle with paper towels before washing to make cleanup easier.
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Cast iron griddles can be purchased new with the seasoning already done for you.
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If purchasing an old cast iron griddle from a flea market, thrift store or other used outlet, wash and season the griddle before use.
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If your griddle begins sticking, it is time to re-season the cast iron. Coat the griddle on both sides with a heavy layer of cooking oil or lard. Pre-heat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit, and place the griddle on the center rack. To avoid drips from the griddle from dirtying the oven, place a cookie sheet on the rack beneath the griddle. Cook the griddle for 1 hour, turn the oven off and let the griddle cool in the oven until cool enough to touch with your bare hands. Wipe excess oil or lard off the griddle with paper towels.