Editing Grilling (section)

===Flattop grilling===
{{Main|Flattop grill|Griddle}}
[[File:Seattle - Cooks at the Northern Lights Dining Room - 1952.jpg|thumb|upright|Cooks at the Northern Lights Dining Room, Seattle, Washington, 1952. A [[flattop grill]] being used is located on the right.]]

Foods termed "grilled" may actually be prepared on a hot griddle or flat pan. The griddle or pan may be prepared with oil (or butter), and the food is cooked quickly over a high heat. Griddle-grilling is best for relatively greasy foods such as [[sausages]]. Some griddle-grilled foods may have grill marks applied to them during the cooking process with a ''branding plate'', to mimic the appearance of charbroil-cooked food.

A flattop grill is a cooking appliance that resembles a [[griddle]] but performs differently because the heating element is circular rather than straight (side to side). This heating technology creates an extremely hot and even cooking surface, as heat spreads in a radial fashion over the surface.

The first flattop grills originated in Spain and are known as planchas or la plancha. Food that is cooked a la plancha means grilled on a metal plate. Plancha griddles or flat tops are chrome plated which prevents reaction with the food. Some base metal griddles will impart a subtle flavor to the food being cooked.

The flattop grill is a versatile platform for many cooking techniques such as [[sautéing]], toasting, [[steaming]], [[stir frying]], grilling, [[baking]], [[braising]], and [[roasting]], and can also be used in [[flambé]]ing. In addition, pots and pans can be placed directly on the cooking surface for even more cooking flexibility. In most cases, the steel cooking surface is [[Seasoning (cast iron)|seasoned]] like cast iron cookware, providing a natural non-stick surface.