If you want to get started with the Plancha, you should find out ahead of time about all the functions and special features that come with your griddle. After all, thanks to the griddle, the food should taste better and not lose any of its quality. 

The origins of the griddle

Originally, griddles or “Plancha” come from Spain, hence the exotic-sounding name. In the course of the 19th century, the practical grill accessory made its way to Europe via France, and is now seen as an indispensable part of any sophisticated grill party. 

Depending on which grill you have at home, you should also choose your griddle accordingly. Char-Broil offers a wide range of grills, e.g. the Performance PRO, which already boasts an integrated griddle. For our other grills, we offer griddles in various sizes and materials that you can use either on top (or instead) of the grate. 

Be it a cast-iron or stainless steel Plancha: When grilling with a griddle, this should already be placed in the grill when heating up. It gets nice and hot, thereby allowing you can prepare vegetables, fish or meat to perfection. 

1. Slice the food thinly: Griddles get extremely hot, and transfer the heat to the food. This makes everything nice and crispy, but sometimes, it doesn’t reach the right internal cooking point. We, therefore, recommend cutting fish and meat a little thinner than usual when grilling on a grate. 
2. Select the correct size: Not every Plancha will fit in every grill. When buying a griddle, find out beforehand which shape and size suits your Char-Broil grill. 
3. Grill safely: Liquids – such as fat – are prevented from escaping onto the burner of your gas grill when grilling using a griddle. This results in less smoke and when grilling with charcoal, you can prevent flame jets from shooting out thanks to the griddle. And, on a side note: with our TRU-Infrared gas grills, fat and juices drip onto an emitter plate instead of directly onto the burners – even without a griddle. All grills with Char-Broil’s patented heat technology thus prevent uncontrolled flare-ups, reduce smoke formation and protect the interior from soiling. 

Traditionally, a lot of fish is prepared on the Plancha in true Mediterranean style: Salmon, scampi and other seafood are seared while still remaining succulent. In addition to this, small food items do not fall through the grill. Do you prefer a traditional look? Meat and sausage also make a delicious main course on your griddle. To respond as flexibly as possible to the wishes of family and friends, we recommend a reversible griddle: One side is smooth and the other has grooves. You can give meat and fish the rustic lattice look and try out new dishes with the smooth side. 

The griddle fits, the grill is preheated and the guests have received their invites. And so now, nothing stands in the way of a cosy evening with friends. When grilling with a griddle, you’ll be sure to conjure up delicious Mediterranean dishes for your guests and ensure an unforgettable culinary evening. Savour the advantages of your Plancha and grill less dense food items without any issue.  

Grill today, grill tomorrow – your griddle should be ready for use again. Regular care and cleaning is important to keep it in good condition. Do not use stainless steel brushes as you will damage the coating. Instead, you can let the griddle burn off from your grill and then wipe it down with a cloth. Each time after cleaning, you should also rub your griddle with a little cooking oil.