Can an Electric Griddle be used as a Warming Tray?

Electric griddles are so popular in most kitchens and restaurants. They provide consistent heat and have a large, flat, and smooth cooking surface.

Additionally, they’re efficient and offer quick cooking. For this reason, they are versatile and cooks a variety of foods.

Can you use an electric griddle as a warming tray? Electric griddles are versatile, portable, and have a flat surface, making them ideal to cook food on them. However, they shouldn’t be used as warming trays. Additionally, such use could make the griddle wear out pretty quickly and not remain as efficient as it should be.

What is an Electric Griddle?

It’s a type of griddle with a flat cooking surface that uses an electric element as its heat source and is placed beneath the cooking surface.

Electric griddles have short outer edges that catch grease or juices from foods being cooked. Among other features include a drip tray, heat control setting, and heat-proof handles.

Usually, electric griddles provide a flat and smooth cooking surface for cooking foods such as bacon, eggs, pancakes, hamburgers, fajitas, hash browns, among other breakfast foods. It can also cook thinly sliced steaks.

Our favorite electric griddle:

What is a Warming Tray?

A warming tray is a type of cookware used to keep already cooked food warm and ready to eat.

Most warming trays feature similar designs to those of electric griddles. They are also heated by an electric element and have a flat top surface made of steel or tempered glass.

It keeps food warm for several hours. The standard warming trays have a maximum temperature of about 185 degrees F to 230 degrees F.

With such a range of temperature; you can easily maintain the recommended internal temperature of food (i.e., 140 degrees F) for warming or hot holding.

Additionally, some trays have a safety fuse that prevents overheating.

Depending on the manufacturer, warming trays can be cordless or corded. The cordless tray heats up before placing food on it and is suitable for short-time use.

Conversely, corded warming trays are connected to power all time and keep food warm for many hours.

Using an Electric Griddles as a Warming Tray

Electric griddles should not be used as warming trays despite having similar features to an electric warming tray.

However, specific models of electric griddles are designed with a unique feature, such as a warming tray beneath the cooking surface.

It’s a built-in warming tray that can keep your food warm as you cook other foods. It can also warm plates.

Basically, an electric griddle is meant for direct-heat cooking. Therefore, using an electric griddle as a warming tray will shorten its life span and also reduce its effectiveness.

Additionally, it might affect the warranty offered by the respective manufacturer.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is medium-low heat on an electric griddle?

Medium-low heat on an electric griddle is approximately 200-275 degrees F.

2. Is a griddle the same as a hot plate?

Griddles are not the same as a hot plate, but they share many similarities, such as flat and smooth cooking surfaces. However, most griddles are rectangular, and hot plates are round.

3. Can you season electric griddles?

Most electric griddles come with a non-stick cooking surface that is also very smooth. For this reason, seasoning is not necessary. You don’t have to worry about food sticking on the griddle as long as you preheat the griddle for a few minutes before cooking on it. You instead season the foods to add flavors.

4. How long does it take for an electric griddle to heat up?

The griddle takes up about 10-15 minutes to preheat. After such a period, it’s ready to cook. However, it might take longer or shorter depending on the temperature setting.

Check out Atgrills indoor electric griddle to cook food on a cookware with natural stone coating.