Griddle Source / Experince?

[DesertRose]

I have an ancient Griswold cast iron griddle my Mom used for years before she gave it to me. I think she got it before I was born when we lived in Alaska. I know it has been on uncountable camping trips. Based on this I would say cast iron is fairly durable.

We use ours two ways. First you can set it on a two burner stove which makes a nice cook top.

Second, we use it with our propane grill. This is nice if you want to save space and only bring the grill instead of a grill and stove.
Here are a couple of pictures I took when I was testing out a Fajita dish at home.

You're really lucky - that's an incredible grill, and hard to find now - I think Griswold was all-US made, and really good quality. I have a very old Griswold waffle iron we use every Sunday.

I second all the comments here on iron and carbon steel for griddles (and other cookware). I cook almost exclusively at home on cast iron (both 'naked' and enameled). Love it. Better than teflon for non-stick.

 

[James86004]

Nothing to do with what's in it or how it's made. Certainly, not worried about chromium. I find that while it looks pretty, it is crappy to cook on.

Thanks for clearing that up. I interpreted your earlier comment incorrectly.

We just got our first cast-iron skillet, and have found it makes our electric stove a lot easier to use than our stainless steel stuff did. It makes the urgency of getting a gas stove less urgent.

 

[Superu]

I have cast aluminum griddle that I use on canoe trips where weight is an issue. It works very well. It's cast with the drain grooves around the rim and I like those.

2nd the aluminum griddle. We love ours. Lightweight, good heat distribution and easy to clean,

 

[rusty_tlc]

... But then again I am an ungracious and grumpy person of extended years who's prone to flatulence.

That could be my sig line right there. :clapsmile

 

[Accrete]

I've recall cast iron products in use during family camp outs for as long as i remember (50yrs - 5yrs??). My wife and i switched several years ago to SS+copper-bottom. No issues so far and we find ourselves cooking with much lower flame on the cook-top due to the designs.

: ) Thom

 

[Scenic WonderRunner]

Is this any good?


http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=44704

I know it's prolly oiled up.....and from China!

How soon would I die?


....and should I bring a Spot.....so I can hit it one last time before I fire up da griddle>?!!!!




.

 

[Superu]

I like the two sided flat grill and slotted grill aspect. Since it's cast iron it's probably not filled with lead!

 

[Scenic WonderRunner]

I also found this one..........


Great Price!


Griddle/Grill Topper............

I like the holes.

Tell me what the advantages of the holes are?

Good when cooking...........? ........Fish....Veggies......small little thingys that could normally fall through? Get ALL da smokey grill flavor on da food?


OH Shoot!.......I can't use this one with a Coleman Stove!




.

 

[IggyB]

I use a 12" lodge skillet as a griddle when cooking for 1 or 2. And using it on the cast iron grill of the WeberQ grill keeps the heat nice and consistent.

 

[AndrewP]

Very jealous of that Griswold piece. If you want to sell, PM me.


Anyway, as a long term cast iron appreciator, the thrift store is an excellent place to find decent skillets and occasional gems like griddles. I really dislike stainless, mainly because verything sticks so badly. I would guess things stick to Aluminum because it can't be seasoned, but I don't know so don't take it as gospel.

I am intrigued by the idea of making a griddle from a sheet of 1/4 inch steel plate. Weld on a rim.... I wonder if you can season mild steel. Probably worth a try.

Regarding the cast iron from China-they rust proof it with a nasty shellec/wax that has to be scrubbed in very hot water and soap to remove it. Lodge is shipped with just a coating of veg oil and can just be cleaned with hot water and seasoned. Besides, Lodge cast iron is cheap anyway, you may as well keep those dollars circulating in our economy and not China's.

Lodge makes a round griddle that works great on a camp stove and isn't too heavy, as well as some rectangular traditional shaped griddles. I have the larger of the two and it's heavy and does a great job. Just remember it takes 5-10 minutes to come up to full even heat before you cook.

 

[James86004]

The Chinese made one I looked at had quite a few little bubbles in the surface, whereas our Lodge cast iron one is completely smooth.

 

[rusty_tlc]

Very jealous of that Griswold piece. If you want to sell, PM me.


Anyway, as a long term cast iron appreciator, the thrift store is an excellent place to find decent skillets and occasional gems like griddles. I really dislike stainless, mainly because verything sticks so badly. I would guess things stick to Aluminum because it can't be seasoned, but I don't know so don't take it as gospel.

I am intrigued by the idea of making a griddle from a sheet of 1/4 inch steel plate. Weld on a rim.... I wonder if you can season mild steel. Probably worth a try.

Regarding the cast iron from China-they rust proof it with a nasty shellec/wax that has to be scrubbed in very hot water and soap to remove it. Lodge is shipped with just a coating of veg oil and can just be cleaned with hot water and seasoned. Besides, Lodge cast iron is cheap anyway, you may as well keep those dollars circulating in our economy and not China's.

Lodge makes a round griddle that works great on a camp stove and isn't too heavy, as well as some rectangular traditional shaped griddles. I have the larger of the two and it's heavy and does a great job. Just remember it takes 5-10 minutes to come up to full even heat before you cook.

I'll trade you the Griswold griddle for the knuckle SST. :flipoff2:

If you fab your own I'd suggest 3/8" steel with a rim 3/4 of the way around and a catch basin in the front, just like a real flat top. You could probably use a piece of angle iron with one edge cut down for the grease trap. I think 1/4" would be to prone to warp and 3/8 wouldn't add that much to the cost or weight.

 

[AndrewP]

I'll trade you the Griswold griddle for the knuckle SST. :flipoff2:

If you fab your own I'd suggest 3/8" steel with a rim 3/4 of the way around and a catch basin in the front, just like a real flat top. You could probably use a piece of angle iron with one edge cut down for the grease trap. I think 1/4" would be to prone to warp and 3/8 wouldn't add that much to the cost or weight.

I would consider trading the knuckle SST for that. is it a big flag Griswold or a small flag? post a pic of the back if you have nothing else to do, or better yet, show it to me next trip. BTW_You are welcome to use the knuckle tool at any time. It is as cool as it looks and works amazingly well.

I am going to try a small scale griddle out of 3/8. I agree it is likely to warp welding on the sides. If it will season like cast iron, I'll make a full size two burner one. I just need a weekend with nothing else to do. I might get one in 2011. Maybe.



Edit: this is my favorite griddle. I never use the grill side, but the flat side is the bomb.https://secure.lodgemfg.com/storefront/product1_new.asp?menu=logic&idProduct=3943

 

[rusty_tlc]

I would consider trading the knuckle SST for that. is it a big flag Griswold or a small flag? post a pic of the back if you have nothing else to do, or better yet, show it to me next trip. BTW_You are welcome to use the knuckle tool at any time. It is as cool as it looks and works amazingly well.

I am going to try a small scale griddle out of 3/8. I agree it is likely to warp welding on the sides. If it will season like cast iron, I'll make a full size two burner one. I just need a weekend with nothing else to do. I might get one in 2011. Maybe.



Edit: this is my favorite griddle. I never use the grill side, but the flat side is the bomb.https://secure.lodgemfg.com/storefront/product1_new.asp?menu=logic&idProduct=3943

Mom would likely disown me if I let that griddle go.

Maybe I could cook you up some Fajitas on a Goler wash to Balarat trip sometime this winter?

Actually I was thinking 1/4" might warp in use. Chicago is looking for welding projects. Let me cost out materials and see if he wants to fab one up out of 3/8".

 

[rusty_tlc]

Just called Metal Masters, $35 for a piece of 3/8" X 10" X 16" steel.

I wonder how that compares to a manufactured griddle?