The plancha is a cooking method of Spanish origin that has been very popular for a few years. It cooks food by direct contact on a metal plate heated to a high temperature between 250 and 300°C. Before embarking on your investment, here are some tips for making the right plancha choice.
The plancha allows you to cook your food evenly, without adding fat. The taste is respected, the nutrients are preserved and the cooking is healthy, economical and ecological. You will find many recipes here.
The use of the plancha can allow you to share a convivial moment, everyone participating in the cooking of their food.
The gas griddle is the most suitable model for outdoor use. Some models, like gas barbecues, are equipped with a trolley for transporting the gas cylinder for greater simplicity. Gas has the advantage of heating the plate much faster. Count between 80 and 2000 euros for this type of product.
However, it is quite possible to choose an electric model for the outdoors. This type of plancha generates no flame and allows good control and regulation of cooking. Plan a budget of 30 to 1000 euros for these models.
For good cooking, the plate must be designed in a material capable of diffusing the heat emitted quickly and evenly, offering good thermal inertia, preventing food from sticking, easy to maintain and strong enough to last in the kitchen. time without risk of degradation or deformation.
A chrome steel plate is the must in terms of material. It is more expensive to buy, but you will gain in cooking, comfort and durability. Planchas in enamelled steel and enamelled cast iron are also of high quality, provided that you opt for a very thick plate – otherwise it will deform under the effect of heat.
Avoid unprotected steel and cast iron models, as your food will stick to the surface, making it difficult to clean. As for stainless steel, it does not allow harmonious cooking, as it conducts heat poorly.
To choose the dimensions of your plancha, it all depends on your use and the number of guests to feed! For a family of four, small models 30-40 cm in length are sufficient. On the other hand, if you are numerous or if you regularly receive friends, opt for a 50 to 60 cm model to satisfy eight to ten people, or even 70 to 80 cm to satisfy a dozen.
Choosing a large model is also practical for cooking meat, fish and vegetables at the same time without the risk of mixing flavors.
The larger the model, the more burners it will need to properly heat the entire plate. Make sure and check that the temperature reaches at least 300°C. In addition, some models offer separately adjustable burners to modulate the temperature zones and perfect your cooking according to the products and tastes of each.
