When it comes to cooking burgers, there are a few different schools of thought. Some people swear by the grill, while others prefer the more traditional method of frying in a pan.
There is one cooking method that almost always yields juicy, delicious burgers: cooking on a griddle. Griddles have been used in diners and steakhouses for a long time.
However, outdoor griddles such as Blackstone griddles, have gained enormous popularity among amateur cooks in recent years, thanks to their versatility and ease of use.
So, are burgers better on a grill or griddle?
Burgers are better on a griddle mostly because of how much more juice and flavor they retain when compared to grilled burgers. When you cook a burger on a grill, a lot of the fat and juices that make the burger taste great drip down into the coals or grease trap, leaving your burger dryer and less flavorful than it could be.
Of course, some people may prefer the taste of grilled burgers. I prefer burgers cooked on a griddle for a few reasons.
Let’s take a closer look at why this cooking method is the best way to cook a burger for me. It’s not just about the taste of the burger but also about the whole experience of making the burger. By the way, I am not the only one who thinks so – even top chefs prefer griddle-cooked burgers!
Table of Contents
- 1) Burgers cooked on a griddle are juicier
- 2) Burgers are cooked evenly on a griddle
- 3) Griddle burgers have a crispier crust
- 4) It is easier to prepare burger toppings on a griddle
- 5) It is easier to cook multiple burgers at once on a griddle
- 6) Griddles are easier to clean than grills
- 7) Griddles are fun!
- Conclusion
- FAQ
1) Burgers cooked on a griddle are juicier
Burger patties are relatively high in fat and it’s the fat that helps to keep the burgers juicy and tasty. When you cook a burger on a grill, the fat drips down into the flames or grease trap.
However, when you cook your burger on a griddle, the fat, the seasoning, and the flavor have nowhere to escape. In essence, the burger cooks itself in its own juices, which keeps it moist, juicy, and delicious.
Moreover, thanks to the full contact with the flattop, the patty is quickly seared, trapping the tasty juices inside.
You might argue that this makes the burgers even more unhealthy, but really, it’s all about moderation. A little bit of fat never hurt anyone!
Can you make a dried-out brick out of your burger patty on a griddle? You sure can, but it’s much harder to do than on a grill.
So if you’re looking for the juiciest burgers possible, be sure to cook them on a griddle.
2) Burgers are cooked evenly on a griddle
A griddle is a flat surface that heats evenly, meaning that all parts of your burgers will cook evenly. In addition, the flat surface of a griddle helps to caramelize the juices from the burger, giving them a delicious flavor.
When burgers are cooked on a grill, they are often cooked unevenly, especially on a charcoal grill. Given the nature of charcoal, it is challenging if not impossible to get even heat under the grates. Even if you use a gas grill, the heat distribution is not as even as on a griddle.
3) Griddle burgers have a crispier crust
If you are like me, you love a good burger with a crispy, brown crust. A crispy crust is much easier to achieve on a griddle than it is on a grill. This is caused by the even heat distribution and the flat surface of a griddle.
The whole surface of the burger patty is in contact with the griddle, which allows it to form a crust quickly. When burgers are cooked on a grill, only the parts of the burger that are in contact with the grate will form such a crust.
So if you’re looking for a burger with a crispy, caramelized crust, be sure to cook it on a griddle.
4) It is easier to prepare burger toppings on a griddle
This may be subjective depending on the type of toppings you like in your burger. For example, if you like caramelized onions, they are easier to prepare on a griddle. Just throw the sliced onion on the griddle surface right next to your burger patty and off you go.
With a grill, if you were to throw the sliced onion on the grates, you would end up with burnt onions all over your grill and a sad lonely burger patty. No one wants that.
Seriously, preparing toppings, sauces, and side dishes is extremely easy either directly on the griddle plate or using a saucepan. An outdoor griddle can easily act as a stovetop when needed.
Of course, some gas grills do come with side burners that can be used for this purpose, but they are not always as effective and easy to use as griddles.
5) It is easier to cook multiple burgers at once on a griddle
It may be my personal bias as a griddle lover, but I think it is easier to cook multiple burgers at once on a griddle. This is especially true if you have a large griddle surface. You can fit a lot of burgers on a griddle, meaning that you can feed a large crowd with ease.
With proper tools, such as the metal spatulas that Blackstone offers, you can easily flip and move the burgers around on the surface without them falling apart.
This is not always the case with a grill, where the burgers can stick to the grates and fall apart when you try to move them.
And then there’s the horror of flipping them and having them fall through the grates. No thank you.
6) Griddles are easier to clean than grills
Grills can be a pain to clean, especially if you don’t have the right tools. Griddles, on the other hand, are extremely easy to clean. In most cases, all you need is a spatula, cooking oil, and some paper towels.
Heat the griddle to medium, scrape off the burnt gunk, add some oil, wipe it down with paper towels, and you’re good to go. It’s that easy.
Yes, you might argue that some grills have removable grates that you can put into the dishwasher. But from my experience, the dishwasher doesn’t always do a great job of getting all the gunk off the grates.
7) Griddles are fun!
Whether you are using your griddle on your porch during summer or indoors during cold weather, griddles are just pure fun. Yes, this is very subjective, but there is something about cooking on a griddle that just feels fun. Maybe it’s the fact that it’s like cooking on a giant frying pan. Or maybe it’s because flipping burgers with two metal spatulas is just strangely satisfying.
Conclusion
So there you have it, seven reasons why griddles are better than grills for cooking burgers.
The number one reason, in my opinion, is that you get a juicier burger. But all the other reasons are also valid. So if you’re looking for the best way to cook a burger, be sure to give a griddle a try. You might just be surprised at how much you love it.
Do you disagree with me? That’s fine, we all have different opinions. Burgers from grills can be delicious too, especially if you like the char-broiled taste, which is pretty much unattainable with a griddle due to lack of open flame.
Now, if you are a grill owner and are intrigued by the beauty of griddles, you don’t necessarily have to get a standalone griddle you can always buy a griddle attachment that will fit right on top of your grill. That way, you can have the best of both worlds.
Or, you could just buy a Blackstone griddle and be done with it. Your call.
FAQ
Can you put frozen burgers on a Blackstone Griddle?
Yes, you can cook frozen burgers on a Blackstone griddle. Just make sure that they are fully cooked before eating them, and keep the temperature low at first to avoid burning them right off the bat. Putting too much frozen food on a preheated griddle may lead to warping.
Is a burger from griddles healthier than from grills?
There is no huge difference in the healthiness of a burger cooked on a griddle or grill. Burgers from griddles may be a bit higher in fat because they tend to retain more of their juices and also cooking on griddles requires a bit of oil to be applied on the cooking surface.
Some people believe that grilling can cause carcinogens to form on the food, so if that is a concern for you, then cooking on a griddle may be the better option.
How long do burgers take on a griddle?
About 4-5 minutes on each side should do the trick, but it depends on how well you like your burgers cooked and on the thickness of the patty. If you like them medium rare, then less time will be needed. If you like them well done, then more time will be needed.
What temperature should the griddle be for burgers?
For burgers, you’ll want to heat the griddle to about 375 degrees Fahrenheit. If it gets too hot, the outside of the burger will be overcooked or even burned while the inside remains raw. If it’s not hot enough, then the burgers will take forever and may dry out.
You want enough heat for a crust to form quickly so that the juices are locked in, but not so much heat that the burger becomes an incinerated mess.
What is the best way to flip a burger on a griddle?
The best way to flip a burger on a griddle is with two metal spatulas. This allows you to get a good grip on the burger and flip it without it falling apart or landing on your deck.
If you only have one spatula, you can use that, but it’s a bit more tricky when you are just starting out.
How do you know when a burger is done on a griddle?
Burgers are done on a griddle when they reach a certain internal temperature. The temperature depends on how well you like your burgers cooked. USDA recommends at least 160 degrees Fahrenheit to be safe that all the bacteria and viruses have been killed. At 160 degrees, the burger will be pretty much well-done.
To check the temperature, you can use a meat thermometer. Just stick it into the middle of the burger and wait a few seconds. The internal temperature will be displayed on the thermometer.
If you don’t have a meat thermometer, then you can use the touch test. Raw burgers will be very soft and spongy. At 160 degrees, the burger will be firm but still slightly springy. Keep in mind that this is not the most accurate method, and you may end up overcooking or undercooking your burgers.
Do you need to grease a griddle for burgers?
If your griddle is well-seasoned, then you shouldn’t need to grease too much. If it’s not well-seasoned yet, the patties may stick and you may need to use a bit more oil.
With ceramic or titanium-coated electric griddles, there is usually no need to grease them at all. The non-stick surface will ensure that the burgers don’t stick.
Photos: Daniel Reche, Valeria Botneva
