How to choose a durable plancha ?

How does a plancha work?

If you want to make the most of convivial outdoor meals, cooking while preserving the nutrients and flavours of your food, planchas are particularly well-suited to the task. Unlike barbecues, they allow you to cook food without coming into direct contact with the flame. But what exactly is a plancha? Regardless of the type of plancha, whether it's on a trolley or not, the objective remains the same: to cook food outdoors while controlling the cooking process, with even heat distribution and a rapid rise in temperature.

There are two main categories of plancha:

• Gas planchas :

A gas griddle works as follows: a pipe carries the gas to the components under the griddle, called burners. These burners are pipes, most of them made of stainless steel, with small holes at regular intervals to allow the gas to escape. An ignition button uses a battery to activate an electric piezo which generates a spark and allows the gas to ignite. The resulting flames heat the underside of the hob to provide a rapid, even temperature rise.

• Electric planchas :

The operating principle of an electric griddle is equally simple: a control knob connected to an electronic board controls the power supply to a heating element via a thermostat. This resistor heats the underside of the hob to provide a rapid, even temperature rise.

How to check the reliability and sturdiness of a plancha?

You've chosen the technology that best suits your needs; perfect. But what model of plancha should you choose? To ensure you make a safe and trustworthy purchase, there are certain features and points we recommend you pay attention to; deciphering.

How to check the reliability and reparability of a gas or electric griddle?

The reliability of plancha plates:

Whether the griddle of your plancha is made of steel, stainless steel, chrome or enamelled cast iron, here are 3 important points concerning the reliability of this component:

• Plate material: Particular attention must be paid to the physico-chemical quality of each material and to the dimensions of the plate (thickness in particular). The original quality of the material, coupled with a sufficient thickness/size ratio, is a guarantee of quality. Bear in mind that the larger the griddle, the greater its thickness. This will avoid any risk of deformation of the plate.
• Enameling plates: Enamelled planchas, or more precisely planchas with enamelled plates (cast iron or steel), must have perfect mechanical resistance. They must never be deformed, as any structural changes will cause the enamel to flake.
  As for the enameling process itself, it must be based on ultra-rigorous know-how. If possible, choose manufacturers with real expertise, and opt for a multi-layer enamelled plate to ensure durability.
• Plate welding: (process excellence, certificate of competence)
  If the plate has welded seams, these must be carried out in strict compliance with the state of the art. For stainless steel plates, argon welding ensures that the anti-corrosion properties of the plate are not impaired.

Reliability of the electric resistance (electric plancha) :

Electric resistors are sensitive to humidity due to their construction.

For outdoor use, the electric griddle needs to be adapted to meet this requirement. Resistance-type heating elements generally use nichrome wire (80% nickel, 20% chromium), a ribbon or strip, a relatively high-resistance material that forms an adherent layer of chromium oxide when heated for the first time.
The resistive wire is usually wound into a coil which is surrounded by a very dense magnesium oxide powder, then wrapped in a protective sheath.

This material offers excellent thermal conductivity and high dielectric strength. Ceramic or mica insulators ensure electrical insulation of the terminal stem from the sheath.
Ideally, your plancha's electrical resistance should be stainless steel or armored. In all cases, ensure that the resistor is perfectly protected from liquids (IPX4 standard).

Burner reliability (gas plancha) :

Plancha burners have a major impact on the lifespan of your appliance. For outdoor use, burners must be highly corrosion-resistant (stainless steel, galvanized steel, aluminized steel, enamelled cast iron).

The origin of the burners (manufacturer certification, reputation, technical data on wear and/or aging) is also important when choosing a plancha.
Although it's not easy to obtain this information, don't hesitate to remove the griddle in store to inspect the quality of the burners. Rely on the perceived quality, the rigidity of the assembly and ask the salespeople questions.

The expert's word: We'll say it one more time, but burners and plates are elements on which you can't afford to compromise on quality.

Reliable chassis for long-lasting plancha :

The chassis is also subject to the stresses of use (splashes, heat, sharp utensils, etc.) and the environment (UV radiation, humidity, etc.). It must therefore offer enhanced resistance to these stresses, particularly at the weld level (a sensitive point for corrosion attack): marine-grade argon welding is preferred.

And don't hesitate to ask about finishing and corrosion protection processes, including galvanizing, electro-galvanizing, cataphoresis and powder coating.

What type of plancha should you choose to suit your needs?

Gas griddles, electric griddles, enamelled cast-iron griddles, stainless steel griddles: What are the differences between electric and gas griddles, and how do you choose the right one?

A number of factors can influence your choice. To find the plancha that's right for you, it's a good idea to consider a number of factors, and to take stock of your needs and constraints.

What kind of energy should I use for my plancha?

• Gas griddle: butane or propane gas bottle according to instructions, pressure reducer, gas connection or hose.
• Electric plancha: mains connection, power cord with plug.

In certain regions or localities with severe fire risks, gas hobs are not always welcome. In blocks of flats, regulations may also simply ban the use of gas - find out more.

How to choose a plancha according to where it will be used?

• Gas griddle: Perfect for outdoor use
• Electric griddle: Suitable for both indoor and outdoor use for models designed for this purpose.

For use on the beach (salty environment) or in the mountains (damp environment), the choice of materials will be of paramount importance, and you'll need to select materials that are highly resistant to corrosion.

Taking space requirements into account when choosing a plancha :

• Gas plancha: heavier and generally larger planchas, an imposing appliance that can nevertheless be moved anywhere.
• Electric griddle: compact appliance, table-top for most models

Cooking surface and number of burners on planchas :

• Gas plancha: wide choice of set-ups, cooking plates up to 90 cm. 2 or more burners with independent settings. Several different foods can be cooked simultaneously on the griddle at different temperatures.
• Electric plancha: a wide range of sizes on the market, up to around 70cm. Even temperature distribution.

It's not easy to size the appliance correctly, but keep in mind that the larger your plancha, the more energy it consumes. Sizing is therefore based on your needs and the size of your family.

The speed and heating power of planchas

• Gas griddle: unquestionably more efficient in terms of temperature rise (twice as fast as electric on average). Higher power to perfectly capture and obtain the Maillard reaction
• Electric griddles: some models feature 2 heating elements to optimize cooking and deliver maximum power.

The cost of buying a plancha :

• Gas griddle: Generally more expensive than an electric griddle of the same size and power.
• Electric griddle: generally less expensive than a gas griddle of the same size and power.

How much to invest in a plancha :

There are planchas on the market at all price points, and as is so often the case, the worst can be found alongside the best. Overall, remember that it's hard to get everything for nothing, so beware of false bargains and 'no-name' brands that will quickly end their lives in the rubbish bin. The price of a hob will be affected by the quality of the parts that make up the product (quality of the hob, chassis, burners, electronic board, heating element, etc.) as well as the design of the product, the quality of its materials and the place of manufacture.

Our advice if you're on a tight budget, choose a smaller plancha and forget the cart. Focus on the essentials, plate, burner.

How to make your plancha last as long as possible?

Two factors will determine how long your griddle will last: the quality of its main components (griddle, burners, thermostat) and maintenance (cleaning, storage).

Bear in mind that planchas are very sensitive to maintenance, use (utensils used, etc.) and storage (sheltered from environmental constraints, protected from insects, etc.). Even with the most robust and reliable plancha in the world, if you don't carry out any maintenance, the lifespan will be considerably reduced.

Read the instructions for use and maintenance of your plancha.

Planchas require simple but frequent periodic attention.

Gas plancha maintenance - when to clean your plancha?

• Cleaning burners after wintering (gas griddle)
• Clean the plate after each use according to the manufacturer's recommendations.
• Wipe grease and juice splashes from the griddle frame and around the product.
• Two accessories will make your plancha last: the hood and the plancha cover. Priority is given to the hood, but if you can afford it, don't hesitate to invest in a cover to protect your plancha between uses.
• In winter, when you're not using your plancha, protect it from humidity and treat it against corrosion if necessary.

Expert advice: While the plancha is indeed a healthier cooking method than the barbecue from the outset, you should be aware that cooking on a dirty plancha, accumulating carbon deposits, is not necessarily ideal.

Every plate has its own cleaning method! You can't become a griller without learning a little!

How to repair your plancha?

The best breakdown is the one that doesn't happen. Have you invested in a beautiful plancha or received one as a gift? To avoid breakdowns and problems, here is a short list of basic rules to follow:

• Choosing the right broadcast technology for your needs
• Avoid (shun) entry-level products
• Check availability of spare parts (plate, burners, resistance)
• Comply with usage and, above all, maintenance instructions

If you observe these few basic rules and have chosen a durable, i.e. sturdy, reliable and repairable griddle, you should be relatively safe.

However, no brand is immune to failure, and no product is infallible.

You turn on your plancha and nothing works: Why doesn't my plancha work anymore? Why doesn't my griddle heat up? Why won't my plancha light up? Why does my griddle heat up less? Why is my griddle rusting?
If you recognize yourself in one of these questions, we'll try to help you. On a plancha, whether gas or electric, you should normally be able to access the internal components without difficulty, and there's no reason why accessibility to the main components (burner, ignition system for a gas plancha, electronic board, resistance, thermostat for an electric plancha) should be impeded.

In the event of a breakdown, check the warranties first:

• If your griddle is less than two years old, contact the distributor who sold it to you, who is contractually responsible for the legal guarantee of conformity.
• If your griddle is more than two years old, check whether you have taken out additional insurance or extended warranty cover. Also check the manufacturer's warranties or commercial warranties, as these may be extended and take over from the legal warranty of conformity. Depending on the part, the warranty may also be longer or shorter. Some griddle plates, for example, are guaranteed for life.

Your griddle is no longer under warranty, don't panic! There are several points to check before declaring your product out of service:

• Guarantee or not, in all cases, first contact the after-sales service of the brand of your product, either directly with the manufacturer, or via the retailer.
• For electric planchas, before undertaking any repairs, always check that the appliance is correctly powered by checking your socket. To do this, unplug your plancha from its electrical socket and plug in another appliance (bedside lamp, clock radio, telephone charger). If nothing happens, there's a good chance the problem is with your electrical network.
• If your electric griddle causes your system to trip, the electrical resistance may have absorbed too much moisture. Take your plancha inside your home and simply wait a few days, then try again. If the problem persists, it means that the problem is more serious, and that a change of resistor should be considered.
• For a gas griddle, first check that your gas cylinder is not empty and that the gas is flowing correctly from the burners. Make sure you have nozzles that are compatible with your type of gas.
• If the cylinder is full but the gas isn't coming out, there's a good chance that a small spider-like creature is blocking the distribution line. Ditto if the plancha doesn't work properly. Clean all gas-carrying piping to remove any blockages, observing all necessary gas safety precautions.
• If your gas griddle is correctly powered but refuses to light, check the condition of the ignition battery linked to the piezzo and replace it if necessary. You may find it useful to use a long-nose gas lighter.
• You have significantly altered your siding. Solutions may be possible, so contact the manufacturer to check whether it's possible to refurbish your plate.

Repair tutorial for planchas

For the more DIY-minded among you, some problems can be solved by DIY (Do It Yourself). The Internet is full of explanatory videos, and there are many groups on forums.

You'll learn how to maintain and use your griddle, unclog burners, change ignition systems, etc. However, as with all electrical or electronic products, and especially gas-powered products, make sure you have a solid grounding in order to intervene in complete safety, and to avoid damaging the safety of the appliance and your home.

And don't forget the help you can get from Repair Cafés for small breakdowns.

When it comes to durability, make sure the manufacturer of your griddle has a high-quality after-sales service and/or technical support. All LONGTIME®-labeled products are repairable, so don't throw them away.