Griddle Perfection with T-Fal
Written: Feb 06 '05
|
Product Rating:
|
|
| Ease of Use: |
 |
|
| Durability: |
|
|
| Ease of Cleaning: |
|
|
| Style: |
|
|
|
Pros: Thermo-Spot tells when pan is preheated, Copper base evenly distributes heat, warp resistant
Cons: Not a full 10 1/4" cooking surface (but this is being picky)
The Bottom Line: I feel safe letting the Bottom Line use this pan since the handle stays cool.
|
|
|
| dlstewart's Full Review: T-Fal Perfection Square Griddle |
Two griddles are currently sitting in my cabinet, and the one I use most often is the T-Fal Perfection Square Griddle. I use a lot of T-Fal product and like the way it cooks and cleans.
Description
The large tag that came attached to my T-Fal griddle says: “T-Fal Deluxe Edition Perfection Hard Enamel Black 10 1/4" Square Griddle”. This griddle features the Armaral base with a copper anti-distortion disc. This special disc distributes heat evenly throughout the pan and also has the added benefit of making the base "20 times more resistant to warping".
This is a very nice looking griddle. The pan’s black surface has a slightly sparkly look as though it is flecked with bits of glitter. From the outside edges, the griddle measures 10 1/4", though the actual inside working surface measures 9 3/4". The sides of the pan are raised about 5/8" and angle outward a bit.
The pan has a red 1 1/2" red circle in the center top. T-Fal calls this a Thermo-Spot “for perfect cooking every time”. This red spot has a circular maze-like design in it with a few T-shaped areas (standing for T-Fal no doubt!). As the pan preheats, the design changes, turning into a solid red dot when the pan is perfectly preheated and ready for cooking. The pan bottom features a copper disc that evenly distributes heat throughout the pan.
Another nice feature of this pan is the handle. It is 7 1/2" long and about 1" wide. The handle is connected to the pan with one screw. The handle is two-tone in color (silver and gray) and stays cool to the touch. At the end of the handle is a 1/2" diameter hole for hanging the pan if desired.
Since this pan is non-stick, T-Fal says the pan can be used without cooking oil. They also say that metal utensils can be used in the griddle. This T-Fal Perfection griddle is designed to use with a variety of heat types: coil electric, solid electric, ceramic, halogen. Note that T-Fal says this pan cannot be used with induction heat or in a microwave. It is dishwasher safe.
Before Using the Pan
The manufacturer suggests washing the pan in warm soapy water and drying it with a soft cloth or paper towel. This is saying the obvious ... wouldn’t you wash a pan you had just purchased before using it? Especially since this pan did not come in a box or with any protective covering. Also, T-Fall suggests seasoning the griddle’s cooking surface with a bit of cooking oil before first use.
My Experiences
This pan lives up to T-Fal’s claims. I place the griddle on the ceramic cooktop, and sure enough, when it is fully preheated, the design in the red circle gradually turns to a solid red color. I love the convenience of this full-proof method of knowing when the griddle is hot enough to cook food.
Even though T-Fal states that metal cooking utensils can be used in this griddle, I prefer using heat-resistant plastic or silicon. Perhaps it is because I was raised with firm instructions never, ever, under no circumstances to use metal utensils in any non-stick pan. I can’t seem to move beyond that conditioning. The plastic and silicon utensils I use glide easily across the surface of the griddle. As a precaution, I never use sharp utensils such as knives in this pan. T-Fal even goes so far as to say don’t use whisks.
When I use this griddle, I make sure to use low or medium heat. The manufacturer cautions that high heat can damage the cookware. Also, if you use gas heat, T-Fal says not to let the heat climb up the side of the cookware; make sure only the bottom of the griddle is heated.
I have used this griddle to cook pancakes, bacon, grilled cheese sandwiches, and Spam (no comments about Spam ... my dad likes it!). In all instances, the pan does a great job. If anything, I would like to learn how to make perfectly circular pancakes. My batter always finds its way to the edges of this pan so that my pancakes are somewhat triangular. That’s not the fault of the pan since my mother has used it ... and (sigh) her pancakes are beautiful circles. Pancake envy is not a pretty thing.
I do not use this griddle for cooking burgers, though the manufacturer says this griddle is good for burgers. I started to use the griddle for burgers but found that the burgers spattered too much during cooking. Now I use a T-Fal frying pan, which has higher sides, for cooking burgers. It keeps the stove top cleaner, and the cook unburned!
The sides of this pan do an excellent job of holding in grease, such as the type that bacon produces during cooking. Yes, bacon spatters too, but this griddle holds a good number of pieces, and I prefer cooking bacon on the broader griddle surface to using a frying pan. I like to save the bacon grease (in a glass jar that I refrigerate), and the warm grease is easy to pour out of this pan from one of the rounded corners. In case you are wondering, I use bacon fat to grease the muffin tin holes before baking popovers, and I also put a dab of it in the frying pan when cooking eggs. Not healthy, I know, but it adds extra flavor to the food, and I don’t use it often.
Ergonomic handles are important to me. I like comfort. This handle fits well in my hand. Since the pan is lightweight (as compared to some other griddles I have owned), the handle does not dig into the skin when holding or carrying the pan. This handle is curved, and the top of it has a slightly rounded area where the thumb naturally fits. My mother is in her seventies and says this griddle is one of the lightest griddles she has held and used. This handle also stays cool, so I don’t need to use a potholder. T-Fal says these handles are safe in an oven up to 350-degrees, but I have never used this griddle in an oven and can’t imagine that I ever would.
When I am finished cooking, I always remove the griddle from the heated element, placing it on a cool portion of the range top. When the pan has cooled, I then hand wash it using Dawn dishwashing liquid. This pan cleans so easily. Grease and food debris slide right off of the non-stick surface with the swipe of a soapy sponge.
Note that even though T-Fal says this pan is dishwasher safe, there are caveats. The manufacturer also says that the abrasive nature of dishwasher detergents may discolor and dull the glossy surface of the hard enamel. Another concern is that T-Fal says to place the pan in the dishwasher so that it sits vertically with as little contact as possible against the dishwasher spokes that hold dishes in place. This is so that the spokes do not rub against the protective non-stick coating. I have never put my T-Fal griddle in the dishwasher and never will.
One of my concerns is that eventually the non-stick coating of this pan will start to peel or flake. I have never owned a non-stick pan that has not, at some point, begin to shed its coating. T-Fal says that their non-stick coating is made from PTFE, which is inert and “will pass directly through the body without being absorbed”. The manufacturer further states that this presents no danger. After a few months of regularly using this pan, the coating is still like new.
Purchasing
This pan normally sells at Kohl’s for $34.99. I purchased it on sale for $29.74. Amazon.com sells this griddle for $19.99, but in order to ship it, I would have had to pay an additional $6.17 for shipping, bringing the cost to $26.16. For the small amount of savings, I liked the idea of locally buying the pan.
Summary
This T-Fal Perfection Square Griddle is beautiful and cooks exceptionally well. I’m very pleased. If you are in the market for a griddle, you might want to give this one a try.
I hope you have found this review useful.
Enjoy your day,
Dawn
http://dlstewart.com
Additional Information
T-Fal Consumer Service
2121 Eden Road
Millville, NJ 08332
Toll-free Phone: 800-395-8325
Monday - Thursday, 8:30 am - 5:00 pm EST
Friday, 8:30 am - 4:00 pm EST
Please read my other reviews.
T-Fal Perfection Saute Pan
Calphalon Professional Non-stick Sauce Pan
Granite Ware 19-inch Oval Roaster
Granite Ware Large Rectangle Roaster -- holds a 22-pound turkey!
Le Creuset Bean Pot
West Bend Automatic Egg Cooker
Braun Coffee Grinder (and flax seed)
KitchenAid 5-Speed Hand Mixer
Broan Allure III Range Hood
Maytag Gemini Double Oven Range
Copyright 2005 Dawn L. Stewart
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 29.74
|
|
|
|
|
- Add to My Yahoo!: 
- Add to Google Homepage: 
© 1999-2009 Shopping.com, Inc.