Top positive review
5.0 out of 5 starsABSOLUTELY LOVE IT!
Reviewed in the United States on May 12, 2011
I recieved my Lodge Logic LPG Pro 20 x 10 7/16 Inch Cast Iron Grill/Griddle, back in May 2011. I absolutely LOVE IT!!! I coat it on both sides with pure grapeseed oil using a paper towel and then wipe the excess with a clean sheet of paper before using it. Olive oil is not for very high temperatures and canola oil is not a healthy choice. For high temperatures, I use either coconut oil or grapeseed oil. The smoking point for olive oil is as follows; Extra virgin olive oil 320F, High quality (low acidity) extra virgin olive oil 405F, Virgin olive oil 420F and Extra light olive oil 468F. But, according to olive oil manufacturers on their websites, the smoking point of olive oil is 210F. Olive oil unlike others keeps its nutrition content at this temperature as stated. Therefore, I just coated the grill/griddle with the grapeseed oil. Fabulous results on my chicken breasts on the grill. The griddle is perfect for pancakes, blackened fish and meats, grilled vegetables and sandwiches. I never cook bacon because the sugary substance in bacon becomes very sticky. Sometimes, chicken also creates a sticky substance from its juices. It is very easy to clean and remove by heating the grill on medium heat until the sticky substance burns. It cracks, then just scrape lightly and remove. Just a snap.
When I make some fish fillets, I put a very thin layer of extra virgin olive oil only in the area where I would place the 2 fillets on the griddle, while it was still cold. Heated it up on medium high for just 2 minutes, turn the heat down to medium and placed the fish fillets, which I cook for approximately 3 minutes on each side. Before flipping the fillets, add some olive oil on top. This is for blackened fish. Nice light crust on the outside and flaky inside. YUM, YUM, YUM!
It is important that you heat your cast iron cookware on medium high to medium temperature with a very small amount of grease until a drop of water sizzles and rolls in the pan, before adding your food. Otherwise, your food will stick.
If this helps, I have a Whirlpool gas stove, that has 2 flat grates that go vertically across 2 burners. This Logic Grill/Griddle fits perfectly on top. The half moon shaped handle is on each end away from each of the burners. I measured my stove, specifically across the 2 burners before ordering. I recommend, you measure your stove and distance from burner to burner before ordering. If your grates are not flat enough that would make the grill wobbley, you could buy some flat grate to place on top of each burner, like some people have suggested.
As cast iron is supposed to be, the Logic Grill/Griddle is a little heavy, but not too heavy that you can not carry it around. I also ordered the 7 inch round Logic press that weighs approx. 4 lbs. and both items came in the same box. I am a 5'5" and 122 lb and 60 yrs. old female and I carried the box in, from the porch all the way to the kitchen, with no effort at all. Also, I believe that being a little heavy helps to keep the grill steady and firm on the grates on the stove, so I like that aspect of cast iron plus all the cooking benefits. Just in case you're not familiar with cast iron cookware, cast iron is supposed to be heavy. If you are over 80 yrs. old with a back problem, arthritis or parkinson, then perhaps it's not the type of cookware for you.
I leave the grill/griddle on the stove. When I need all 4 burners, I just remove it and lean it against any wall in my kitchen out of the way. The other good feature about this grill/griddle is that if you are using just one burner, you can place your cooked food on the other end to keep it warm, while you cook something else.
To clean it, I just use a paper towel to remove any burnt particles that were left and recoat with the oil before using it, if needed. Water and soap DO NOT kill germs 100%. Heat does. If it gets extremely dirty with hard to remove particles, I will scrub with just just water and if there stubborn stuck particles scrub it with the green scrubbing pads with or without soap, dry it on medium high heat on burner and coat with a very thin layer of oil. That's what I do with all my other cast iron Griswold cookware I have bought on Ebay. Always use stainless steel spatula and utensils on your cast iron cookware. Never use plastic or vinyl.
You may remove old crud from your cast iron cookware with oven cleaner. After 24 hrs., wash it and scrub in water. Repeat process if there is still crud left. Then remove rust using a 50/50 white distilled vinegar and water solution, watching it carefully. Dry well and place it in 200 degrees F oven or on stove to dry completely and to open pores. Oil it immediately with a very thin layer of flaxseed oil. Place in cold oven and pre-heat at 450 to 500 degreesF (or highest your oven heats) and when it reaches temperature, bake for an hour. Turn oven off and allow it to cool in oven for 2 hrs.. You may repeat process about 6 times. Never add thick layers of oil that would drip because it'll make your cast iron sticky.
There are other brands of good cast iron cookware like Griswold and Wagner, but I believe they are out of business today. You can find those items on Ebay but they go for an arm and a leg. Besides I haven't seen a grill by them so far. So, for this price you can't beat the Lodge Logic stove top grill. Perhaps not the best brand, but does the job!
I used the Logic 7" Round Press on chicken breast, steaks, fish fillets and sandwiches and it worked great! I keep the press in the warming drawer. I might order another press.
I'm not a chef or professional cook, but I've always loved to cook and to create recipes, so I'm familiar with many cookware and products and of certain cooking temperatures.
I'm adding a some pictures of an Argentinean Grill that I made on the Lodge Logic grill side. The pictures will only show the food after removed from the grill, but you can see some of the grill marks. I just love it!
I have ordered many products from Amazon throughout the years and my experience has always been WONDERFUL. I used the Super Saving Shipping with these items and they still arrived within 5 and 7 days after I placed the order. Can't beat that!
Good luck and hope you enjoy this product as much as I do! :)
