Cooking on the flat top.

[RAS1187]

The really really ghetto way that I used to do before we bought bricks was ice and one of the older grill brushes

[Just Jim]

Like others, I've used every method known to man.
I like the screens unless there is a lot of build-up, then the brick is my preferred method.
I've used lemon juice or chemical neutralizers, but don't like to season my grill every morning, so I prefer just oil, usually dipped from the fryer.

As far as bricks go, nothing wakes you up faster than grill brick napalm on the hand.

[ED BUCHANAN]

Originally Posted by KitchenGardener

Hi all,
Just curious about a guy at my new job who uses lemon (not real) and water to clean the flat top.This seems wrong,any thoughts?
Thanks,
Muriel

Are we talking flat top as pertaining to a stove with no open burners, or a large grill. They are both cleaned differently.

[shipscook]

was wondering that myself Ed,

which is it?? most answers seem to be pretaining to a grill???

Nan

[chubyalaskagriz]

I've worked in kitchens from Illinois to Alaska and I find there are many different names for the 2-3 devices most at some point call a "grill". And sometimes it appears to be regional, too.

The shiny slick flat surface most use to cook pancakes and grilled-cheese-type sandwiches on- I call a griddle (but often hear it called a grill or a flat-top).

The severely hot flat surface (that sometimes has large, removable flat irons) that one places pots on and sautes in pans on top of, I am used to calling a flat-top.

To me, a "grill" is a char-broiler with removable grids used for grilling steaks, chicken boobs, fish, burgers, etc. A "flat-top" is not cooked directly on- only has pots and saute pans placed on top of it. And pancakes are cooked on a "griddle". But my personal definitions that I came up learning, don't fly w/ others elsewhere in different regions.

[boar_d_laze]

Originally Posted by chubyalaskagriz

I've worked in kitchens from Illinois to Alaska and I find there are many different names for the 2-3 devices most at some point call a "grill". And sometimes it appears to be regional, too.

Yes to regional.

The shiny slick flat surface most use to cook pancakes and grilled-cheese-type sandwiches on- I call a griddle (but often hear it called a grill or a flat-top).

I've been out of the game for a long time, but in California I've never heard it called a flat top, and only occasionally a grill.

The severely hot flat surface (that sometimes has large, removable flat irons) that one places pots on and sautes in pans on top of, I am used to calling a flat-top.

Also a "French top" and a "piano." The ones I'm familiar with have varying ranges of temperatures depending on how close to the burners you put your pans. There's a smooth range of temps from sear to simmer you can "play like a piano" simply by sliding your pans about.

To me, a "grill" is a char-broiler with removable grids used for grilling steaks, chicken boobs, fish, burgers, etc.

Yep.

A "flat-top" is not cooked directly on- only has pots and saute pans placed on top of it.

Yep.

And pancakes are cooked on a "griddle".

Yep.

But my personal definitions that I came up learning, don't fly w/ others elsewhere in different regions.

Yep.

BDL