HOW TO CLEAN A GRIDDLE
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Pancakes, paninis and hamburgers can easily be at home, even if you don't have enough space in the kitchen. Grill trays are usually very compact for most kitchens and only require a small counter or flat surface to create a practical extra cooking surface. It is important to keep the surface of your plate clean to prolong its life. Fortunately, it is not very difficult to clean most griddles, even if the food on their cooking surface is burnt.
Types of griddles
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Many griddles for domestic use are supplied with electricity. Simply plug the plate cable into any wall outlet and adjust the heat with the built-in controls.
Alternatively, you can have a built-in griddles on your stove or a removable hob that is not independently powered, but placed on top of a heated stove. The built-in griddles is usually made of chrome or stainless steel, the removable griddle is usually made of aluminium or cast iron.
You can also find gas griddle that run on natural gas or propane. They are usually found in commercial facilities (e.g. restaurants) or are attached to outdoor propane griddle.
You can have a panini or a special sandwich plate, a type of electric plate specially designed for grilled pressed sandwiches. They are usually equipped with a double-sided, ribbed or flat heating plate. They can be cleaned like any other electric plate.
Built-in GRIDDLE
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Normally with flat cooking surfaces, integrated hotplates can be difficult to clean.
If the food sticks to the surface, or if you notice a taste transfer between the cooked food on your grill plate, it's probably time to clean it. The best cleaning method for your type of griddle, however, depends on the material it is made of.
If your plate is made of stainless steel, you will need it:
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Flat Edge Spatula
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Water
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Thick paper towels double folded
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One or two drops of mild dish-washing detergent
Clean your griddle while the surface is still hot, but make sure it is turned off. Using a flat spatula, scrape off any food particles that remain on the hot surface. Hold the edge flat against the surface to avoid scratches.
Once the food particles have been removed as far as possible, but the surface is still warm, pour some warm water over the surface. If the surface stains are particularly stubborn, you can add a drop of dish-washing detergent to the water. Let it boil a little to remove the grease. You can then wipe off the water and grease with the folded paper towels using the spatula as a handle and guide.
If your plate is chrome-plated, you will need it:
A steel or hard rubber spatula with flat edges.
Water
Hand brush (natural silk with long handle for cleaning the grill surfaces)
A non-abrasive polishing product suitable for food cooktops.
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Clean the dry cloth
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Start with a hot surface and scrape off the food particles as much as possible. Apply hot water to the surface and wash with a gentle hand brush. Repeat if necessary, then allow the surface to cool and dry naturally. After complete cooling, apply the polish and remove with a clean, dry cloth.
Electric griddle
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To clean any type of electrical shield, first disconnect the device. If your plate has a removable griddle surface, it is probably easier to remove the surface from the rest of the appliance to clean it. You can then wash the removable part with warm soapy water and a non-abrasive sponge.
Otherwise, soak a non-abrasive sponge in soapy water and wring it out carefully to prevent it from dripping and damaging electrical components. Wipe the surface with the sponge and remove the hardened parts with a little more pressure. Once the surface is clean, wipe it several times with a clean, damp sponge to remove the soap residue.
Alternatively, you can use a mixture of 1 cup white vinegar and 2 cups warm water, which is applied with a soft cloth or sponge. Persistent stains may react to a paste of baking soda and some warm water applied with a sponge or paper towel. Don't forget to clean with a clean sponge dampened with water to remove any vinegar left over.
Any drop or spill on the rest of the appliance should be wiped off with a damp paper towel.
Avoid damaging your iron and its surface
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To prevent damage to your iron, do not expose any electrical components (including cords and plugs) to water or cleaning products.
Avoid using steel wool and abrasive or abrasive sponges on the surface of your grill. These products can easily scratch and damage any non-stick counter-top coating.
Finally, never place your griddle in the dishwasher or immerse the entire griddle in water. Clean cooking surfaces only with recommended methods so that your griddle will function perfectly for many years to come.
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Electric griddles are very a very handy kitchen tool and hence you should know how to clean it if want to increase its durability.
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