One of the age-old dilemmas of those who spend most of their time in the kitchen is the following: Is it better to use a smooth or ribbed grill? The answer – as in most cases in this life – it's not simple, and requires specific knowledge. Let's discover the world of grill and let's find out which of the two is better to use in certain circumstances.
What is the grill?
Let's start with the basics: what is a grill? It's a utensil with built-in plates that can be used to place a variety of foods during cooking. And when we say " a variety of foods, " we mean that it can cook vegetables as well as meat, using a unique method that makes every dish tastier.
The grills differ in The type of plate, which can be smooth or ribbed. Choosing one of these two types requires considering the material and size.
As for the material, you should know that the different types of grill offer a different type of cooking, due to the temperature ( different cooling and heating times ) and the cooking times of the food.
As for size, you should choose based on the amount of food you'll be preparing. Small grill pans are suitable for two people, while larger ones are suitable for a large family. Size inevitably also affects cooking times, since smaller ones heat up faster. In any case, all grill pans should be preheated.
The plates are differentiated based on three characteristics: smooth or ribbed type; fixed or removable structure (the latter preferable for ease of washing) and shape (rectangular, square, circular).
The material of the plates
Cast iron grills are the most popular. Their advantages include ensuring excellent cooking, maintaining the flavor, and being easy to clean. They are highly resistant to oxidation.
Glass-ceramic hobs are the safest because they're made of non-toxic materials. They're ideal for quick cooking because they heat up quickly.
Natural stone grills are capable of evenly distributing heat, making them ideal for all those time-consuming recipes. They retain heat even after cooking is complete, even when the heat is off. Cleaning this type of natural stone grill requires a few extra steps than a standard grill: you'll need organic materials and a soft cloth.
Grills differ in the type of plate, which can be smooth or ribbed.
The advantages of a smooth grill
The smooth-grill plate is ideal for foods that require quick cooking or pre-cooked meals. It distributes heat evenly.
As for cleaning, this type of grill is preferable since food slides off much more easily along their smooth surface.
The advantages of a ridged grill
The grill with a ridged plate It's suitable for cooking meat, fish, and vegetables . These are the types of food that need time to be cooked thoroughly. Not to mention the appearance: grilling them also gives them a very distinctive look, typical of grill pans with black lines. Unlike smooth grill pans, ridged ones are a little more difficult to clean. If they have deep grooves, grease and other dirt will tend to stick to the surface and be more difficult to remove. To overcome this problem, a grill pan with removable plates can also be advantageous in terms of time. Or you can read our article on how to clean grills.
Conclusions: when to use one or the other
So the answer to the age-old question " is it better to use a smooth or ribbed grill? " is " it depends on what you're doing with it ." We've shown you which situations are best for one and which for the other, now it's up to you to decide which model to buy. Of course, if you have a large budget, you can also consider spending it on a grill with interchangeable plates, so you can use one or the other depending on the recipe and the guests you're hosting. Otherwise, Check out ours!
Now that you know how to choose your grill pan, you might find it helpful to check out our guide on how to cook the perfect burger . Check it out!
