Don't have an integrated griddle like the one shown on the Viking rangetop above? Well, they can be expensive.
But Le Creuset makes a product that covers two burners and can be used in a similar fashion. The Reversible Grill & Griddle is enameled cast-iron and has a flat side and ribbed side to grill meat or pancakes...
At about $130, the price tag makes this a practical, versatile, and convenient add-on for your stovetop, which would see daily use in our household. -regina
Lodge makes a similar item. I have it and love it -- but storing it (when not in a pancake all the time mood) is a bit of a pain).
The cooking wonders of it though make storage worthwhile.
Lodge's version is, I think, about half the cost.
Jayme, what are the cooking wonders of it? A similar grill came with my stove and I don't use it too often. It is a pain to clean and I haven't figured out how to use it v.s. a frying pan?
I just got married and during the madness of registering at W-S I signed up for the Le Creuset griddle. Then I headed over to Crate and Barrel and noticed a nonstick aluminum griddle for $29.95. (Linked in my name, I hope--it's now $39.95.) I know cast iron is preferable because it's so heavy, etc., but I figured the cheaper (and MUCH easier to handle) version would do us just fine for pancakes, and I registered for it instead. We use it all the time; it turns out perfect pancakes, is super easy to clean, and works like a charm for our purposes. I'd seriously consider it as an option if you don't feel like dealing with the weight/upkeep of cast iron.
I have one of the non-stick aluminum ones, too. The non-stick coating isn't the greatest, and you still need a liberal spray of Pam to avoid a pancake disaster.
The main benefit of having a griddle is to do 4 pancakes at once, whereas a regular frying pan will only do one (or maybe two) at once. That's a big productivity improvement, if you're trying to turn out a lot of pancakes, breakfast sausages, etc., quickly.
I actually have two lodge cast iron griddles. A big two burner one for pancakes & veggies, and a single burner one for meat. We use them about once a week, which to me is worth having them, but I have a large kitchen.
For pancakes I prefer a griddle to a fry pan. Not only can you cook more pancakes at once, you don't have to work around the sides of the fry pan.
I have the aluminum version as well. An added benefit: the conductive properties of the aluminum make for fast defrosting of meats. A boneless chicken breast can defrost in about 20 minutes, with the grill pan resting on the kitchen counter. Way preferable to the rubbery half-cooked microwave defrosting I'd tried in the past.
Ditto on the Lodge... I really like mine and it feels just as substantial as the Le Creuset.
My husband bought the Le Creuset grill and he LOVES it. We moved into a small apartment and could not keep our outdoor bbq grill, so my husband purchased this to make up for his loss. There is no upkeep to speak of with it. We cook on it and just wash it. It comes cured. We haven't cooked pancakes on it, just meat. It is fabulous for grilling meat.
we found a double-sided griddle at a thrift shop and use it frequently. one side has ridges for bacon and the other is flat for pancakes. it was under $10. a friend liked it so much we found one for her! i can't imagine the enamel makes a large difference in the cooking.