There are many ways to make grilled cheese sandwiches.
However, the easiest and perhaps most precise way is with a griddle.
Griddles make it easy to set the right temperature and cook sandwiches for just the right amount of time.
So, what is the ideal griddle temperature for grilled cheese?
Ideal Griddle Temperature for Grilled Cheese
Setting the right griddle temperature will allow you to make perfectly delicious grilled cheese sandwiches.
The ideal griddle temperature for grilled cheese sandwiches is between 260°F and 275°F. At this temperature, the sandwich will be crisp on the outside and soft and gooey on the inside.
However, factors like cooking time and technique will also affect the outcome.
Steps to Set and Maintain the Griddle Temperature for Grilled Cheese
The main benefit of using a griddle to grill cheese is that it gives you complete control over the cooking process.
You can easily adjust the temperature as you choose.
Here are the steps to set the right temperature and prepare the best grilled cheese sandwich.
1. Start on Low
The perfect temperature range for grilled cheese is 260°F to 275°F on an electric griddle.
All the ingredients will cook evenly at this temperature.
Starting at a low temperature will prevent the formation of any dry or cold spots.
The bread will toast evenly while the cheese melts.
To get the griddle to the right cooking temperature, start on low.
It’s easier to slowly increase the temperature to the desired level than starting it on high and reducing it later.
2. Don’t Preheat for Too Long
A griddle builds up heat quickly and remains stable at an elevated temperature.
Since it maintains a steady temperature, you will not have to wait for too long.
Use a thermometer to check the temperature of the griddle.
Once it reaches the desired range, place the food on it.
Leaving the griddle to heat for too long without food will make its temperature rise.
You will then have to reduce the heat and wait until the temperature decreases to begin cooking.
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3. Lower the Burners You Don’t Need
Grilled cheese doesn’t need too much heat to cook.
So you will not need all the burners to be on for the duration of cooking.
Once the griddle is hot and you place the bread, you can turn down the burners you don’t need.
A good approach is to turn off the burners at the ends and leave the ones in the center on.
This will balance the heat across the entire cooking surface.
If the griddle surface becomes too cool, you can turn up the knobs and adjust the heat.
How to Cook Grilled Cheese Sandwiches on A Griddle?
Once you set the griddle temperature, you can proceed with grilling your cheese sandwich.
Follow this sequence of steps to make the perfect grilled cheese sandwich on a griddle.
1. Use Butter
Butter is a key ingredient for the perfect grilled cheese sandwich.
Softened butter will hold the bread slices together and prevent them from breaking apart.
There are two ways to use butter.
You can spread the butter on the bread slices before placing them on the griddle.
Alternatively, you can also place butter on the griddle directly.
Place the bread slices on the buttered surface once the butter melts.
Make sure to use enough butter for each slice of bread.
2. Build the Sandwich
After laying down the first slice of bread, start building the rest of the sandwich.
Place a slice of cheese on the bread.
You should have enough cheese to cover the entire bread slice.
So you can add more than a slice of cheese based on how big or small your bread slice is.
If you use grated or shredded cheese, add enough cheese to cover the entire slice of bread.
You can also add any other toppings of your choice. Then cover the filling with the second slice of bread.
3. Flip the Sandwich After a Few Minutes
After building the sandwich, wait till it cooks on one side.
Depending on the temperature of the griddle and the size of the bread, it can take a few minutes.
Gently lift the sandwich from one side with a spatula to check the base.
Flip the sandwich once it develops an even brown color.
But if the bread browns too quickly, reduce the heat.
You should grill the sandwich slowly for it to be crisp on the outside and gooey on the inside.
4. Cook Till the Cheese Melts Completely
After flipping the sandwich, wait for the cheese to cook.
It will spread on the inside of the sandwich and stick to both slices.
When the sandwich is perfectly done, the outside will be crispy brown.
Meanwhile, the insides will be soft and sticky.
You can take it off the griddle at this stage. Wait for the sandwich to cool slightly. Cut it in half and serve.
An Alternative Way to Make a Grilled Cheese Sandwich on The Griddle
In the previous method, we asked you to build the sandwich on the griddle.
However, there is another way to make a sandwich.
You can also assemble your sandwich on the countertop.
Here are the steps to follow.
1. Make the Sandwich
Follow these steps to make your sandwich:
- Lay out a piece of bread.
- Place a slice of white or yellow cheese on the bread.
- If you are using shredded or grated cheese, place enough to cover the entire surface of the bread.
- Add any other toppings of your choice.
- Close the sandwich by adding the second slice of bread.
2. Place the Sandwich on The Cold Griddle
Start heating the griddle. Meanwhile, place the prepared sandwich on the griddle.
You can butter the outside surfaces of the sandwich before placing it on the griddle.
You can also directly apply butter to the griddle surface and place the bread on it.
Both methods work equally well.
As the griddle warms up, the sandwich will also start cooking.
3. Wait for The Slices to Brown
When you place the sandwich on the griddle, the base will start browning.
You can gently lift the slice to check if it’s cooking evenly.
As the base cooks, the cheese inside the sandwich will start melting.
When one side of the sandwich is evenly cooked and brown, you can flip it.
4. Flip the Sandwich Over
Grilled cheese sandwiches cook quickly on a griddle.
You can decide when to flip the sandwich by looking at the color of the bread.
It should be nicely browned and crisp throughout.
At this stage, flip the sandwich and let it cook on the other side.
It will take two to three minutes on either side for the sandwich to cook properly.
This will also give enough time for the cheese to melt well. It will stick to both slices.
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5. Take It Off the Griddle
You can take the grilled cheese sandwich off the griddle once it’s crisp on the outside and all the cheese has melted.
Wait for a minute to let it cool. Then, cut it into half so you have two triangles to serve.
