The shape that the working surface of the grill has.
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Corrugated. Corrugated plates with a striped surface are designed in a way that only the protruding ribs come into contact with the product, allowing fat and juice to flow freely into the recesses. The heat of the grill causes the liquid in the recesses to boil, creating distinctive fried stripes on the dish. The surface between the stripes is not fried as much as it is sealed. This corrugated surface is considered ideal for cooking meat as it allows excess fat to drip off, resulting in a less greasy finished dish compared to using a smooth surface. However, vegetables are not as well-suited for a corrugated grill.
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Smooth. The smooth surface, without any prominent texture, is typically considered ideal for frying vegetables, but it is not as effective for cooking meat. On a smooth surface, meat tends to fry in its own juice, resulting in a dish that is higher in fat compared to using a ribbed surface.
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Smooth and corrugated. Some grills are designed or come with a set of surfaces that offer both types of textures mentioned earlier. This includes a combination of smooth and corrugated surfaces. This design is commonly found in barbecue grills and raclette grills, allowing users to cook different types of food simultaneously. Another option, commonly seen in contact g
...rills, involves interchangeable plates that come with the device. These plates can be adjusted to accommodate specific foods. Additionally, in models that offer a 180° opening function, different types of dishes can be cooked simultaneously, similar to an open combination grill.
— Grid. The working surface of the grill is typically in the form of a grid positioned above the heater. One of the main advantages of this design is its ability to impart a smoky flavor to dishes. The juice and fat from the food being cooked drip onto the heater, evaporating and infusing the dish with a distinct aroma. However, these grills require regular maintenance and cleaning, not only of the grid but also of the heater. The cleaning process can be challenging due to the presence of hard-to-reach areas. As a result, this type of grill has become quite rare in modern times.Removable plates in the devices make the line between grills and sandwich/waffle makers quite thin. By replacing one plate with another, we essentially change the type of the device. Accordingly
, models with a plate for sandwiches allow you to turn a classic contact grill into a
sandwich maker.
