The FENNEK Plancha is a true all-rounder on the gas grill and offers you the opportunity to perfectly prepare a wide variety of dishes – from tender steaks to succulent seafood and crisp vegetables. But to ensure everything turns out well, you should know how to use your plancha plate correctly. In this blog post, we'll give you valuable tips to ensure your next grilling adventure is a complete success.
What is a plancha?
Before we get into the details, a quick overview: A plancha plate is a smooth grill plate, often made of stainless steel or cast iron, that is placed directly on the grill grate. It distributes heat evenly and ensures that the food browns evenly and doesn't fall through the grill grates. The plancha plate is especially ideal for delicate foods that fall apart easily or lose a lot of liquid.
The advantages of the plancha on the gas grill:
- Versatile uses: meat, fish, vegetables, eggs, pancakes - almost anything is possible on the plancha plate
- Even heat distribution: No hotspots, everything is cooked evenly
- Clean grill: No dripping of fat and marinade into the flames, less smoke development and easier cleaning of the grill
Step by step: Using the plancha plate correctly
1. Preheating is key:
Preheat your gas grill and plancha thoroughly. Stainless steel and cast iron plates need about 10–15 minutes to heat evenly. A well-heated plancha plate prevents food from sticking and ensures a beautiful roasted flavor.
2. Choose the right temperature:
The temperature of the grill plate depends on what you want to grill. High temperatures (200–250°C) are suitable for meat, while medium temperatures (150–180°C) are ideal for vegetables and delicate foods. Test the temperature by splashing a few drops of water onto the plate; if they evaporate immediately, the plate is hot enough.
3. Oiling the plancha:
Before placing your food on the grill, you should lightly oil the plancha plate. Use a heat-resistant cooking oil, which you apply thinly with a brush. This prevents sticking and gives your food a nice, crispy crust.
4. Place the food correctly:
Place the food on the grill plate with some space between each other so the heat can circulate evenly. Turn the food over only when it easily lifts from the plate—this is a sign that it's browned to the right degree.
5. Set up heat zones:
Use the different burners on your gas grill to create heat zones. This allows you to sear meat on one side of the plancha while finishing it at a lower temperature on the other. This gives you more control over the cooking process.
6. Resting times and serving:
After grilling, let the meat rest briefly so the juices can redistribute. In the meantime, let the grill plate cool down and start cleaning to avoid stubborn residue.
Extra tips for ultimate enjoyment:
- Marinating: Marinades with sugar can easily caramelize on the hot plancha and give your grilled food a special aroma.
- Direct serving: Use the plancha plate as a serving surface - this keeps the food warm longer and looks great on the table.
- Close the lid if necessary: When grilling thicker pieces of meat or fish, close the lid of the gas grill to ensure the top surface cooks evenly.
Conclusion:
With the right use of your FENNEK plancha on your gas grill, you'll be able to create a variety of delicious dishes. Whether juicy steaks, crisp vegetables, or fresh seafood – the plancha plate adds variety to your grill and makes your BBQ experience even more versatile. So, get to your gas grill and inaugurate your griddle!
Recommended products:
FENNEK Plancha 40 x 30 cm
FENNEK grill spatula
FENNEK BBQ spatula
FENNEK Smasher
Grill gloves
Premium leather grill gloves
BBQ apron cotton, waxed
Premium leather grill apron
