A griddle is a flat cooking surface with no sides or rims that can be used to cook a variety of food items. Griddles are particularly popular for making pancakes, burgers, eggs and sandwiches. They come in different sizes and materials like cast iron and aluminum that can produce varying results when cooking.
Cooking spray, on the other hand, is an aerosolized mixture of oils typically made from vegetable oil, water, soy lecithin (an emulsifier), natural flavors and propellant gases such as butane or propane. It’s commonly used to coat pots, pans and baking dishes to prevent food items from sticking on them.
In this article, we will discuss whether it is safe or not to use cooking spray on a griddle along with other alternative solutions you can try.
What is Cooking Spray?
Cooking spray is an inexpensive solution for those who want to prevent their food from sticking without using too much fat or oil in the cooking process. It comes in different flavours and materials like butter flavour, olive oil flavor spray etc., they’re also available in organic varieties.
However, just because it’s convenient doesn’t mean it’s always necessary, depending on what you’re trying to achieve when cooking.
Can You Use Cooking Spray on a Griddle?
If you own a non-stick or ceramic-coated griddle then using cooking spray won’t cause any significant issues. In fact, it might make your job easier by preventing the foods from sticking on the surface.
However, if you have an aluminium or cast-iron griddle pan then you need to be more careful as using cooking spray might not only cause damage but also create health hazards.
Factors to consider before using cooking spray on a griddle
- Type of Griddle: Always check if your griddle coating allows for non-stick agent sprays
- Heat Requirements: Overheating your grill can cause the sprayed agent to ignite
- Safety standards: Double check if the cooking spray you’re using meets safety standards
Pros and cons of using cooking spray on a griddle
Reasons for Using Cooking Spray on a Griddle
- Preventing food sticking The primary reason for using cooking spray is to prevent your foods from sticking on the surface. It works well with pancakes, eggs or seafood that looks to stick without any added fats.
- Add Flavor Cooking sprays are also flavourful and can add extra aroma to ordinary dishes. Infused oils like garlic herb or basil oil covers up some blandness in the dish making it more appetizing.
Reasons against Using Cooking Spray on a Griddle
- Risk of Flaring A vast majority of cooking sprays in the market contains chemical propellants like butane. If you use too much, and heat is applied to it, flames might ignite, causing fire hazards to your kitchen.
- Unhealthy consequences Even though alternatives like olive oil or coconut oil don’t contain any harmful propellant gases, they still contain calories that aren’t good for an individual who wants to maintain their calorie intake either out of health concerns or other medical reasons.
Other Alternatives to Cooking Spray
Butter or Margarine
Butter and margarine tend to give food an excellent taste when frying while ensuring that it doesn’t stick. Adding butter creates snappier edges while margarine is ideal if you want something which can withstand higher temperatures since it has a high smoke point.
Vegetable Oil
Thick oils such as vegetable oil are quite suitable for griddling since they tend not to lose most of their texture even after prolonged heating. Different types of vegetable oils have different suitability though most work well with fewer chances of flare-ups.
Types of Vegetable Oil
- Rapeseed (Canola) Oil: It’s renowned for its heart-healthy component since it contains low levels of saturated fat.
- Sunflower Oil: This is neutral in taste thus exceptional to use in cooking foods that need aromatics while maintaining their natural flavours and tastes.
- Olive Oil: This is probably the most commonly used type of oil for different cooking styles. It’s rich in antioxidants, vitamins and healthy fats that benefit our health while adding great flavors to the dish
How to Apply and Clean Your Griddle After Using Cooking Oil
Applying the Cooking Oil
Preheating Your Griddle
Place your griddle on medium heat settings to preheat it before you apply any coating spray.
Spraying Your Pans with Enough Coating
Spray a thin layer all over the surface of your griddle ensuring every bit of it is well coated. Keep slightly away from the griddle’s edges, to avoid flare-ups during heating.
Brushing Over Some Oil
You can also use a cooking brush spreading some oil uniformly on the griddle surface.
Cleaning Your Griddle After Every Use
As important as properly using your griddle, you need to ensure that you clean effectively after every subsequent use. Routine maintenance helps prolong its lifespan as well keeping bacteria at bay.
Turn Off the Heat
Turn off the heat once your food is ready and give time for it to cool down before cleaning. If not allowed enough time, applying water might cause irreversible damage via warping or creating cracks.
Scrapping off the Excess Grease
Remove any standing grease using a scrapper spatula aided with paper towels.
Soaping your Kitchen Towel
Mix water and soap then wipe using a kitchen towel clearing up any residue proteins without damaging your pan’s coating layer.
Wiping the Surface with Cling Wrap
Dry off residual moisture by wiping with cling wrap avoiding hard cloths or towels scratching it off in addition minimizing rusting.
Conclusion
In conclusion, using cooking spray might seem like an easy way out for preventing foods from sticking, but it might not always be wise depending upon the type of dish you want to cook. Nonetheless, if used wisely accompanied by other alternatives such as wiping over oil, butter or margarine, you can make the most of your cooking experience. Additionally, always ensure that your griddle’s coating is compatible with spray before use to prevent any unwanted health hazards or damage.
Q&A
- Q: Can cooking spray be used on a non-stick griddle? A: Yes, cooking spray is safe to use on a non-stick griddle. However, try not to overuse it, as it can leave residue and affect the non-stick coating’s performance.
- Q: Is it better to use oil or cooking spray on a griddle? A: It depends on personal preference and what you’re cooking. Oil provides better flavor and doesn’t leave residual chemicals on your food like some cooking sprays may. However, for quick clean-up and convenience, cooking spray can be a good option.
- Q: Can using too much cooking spray damage my griddle? A: Using too much cooking spray can create a buildup that’s difficult to remove and may impact the griddle’s performance over time. However, using a moderate amount of cooking spray every so often shouldn’t harm your griddle.
- Q: Are there any alternatives to using cooking spray on a griddle? A: Absolutely! Some alternatives include using butter or oil with a brush or paper towel, applying the oil in advance by seasoning the griddle with oil and heated thoroughly before use, or simply wiping the surface with a damp cloth before heating the griddle up.
