A griddle is simply a flat metal plate which cooks food by conducting heat directly from the griddle surface to the food product. A thin layer of cooking oil or grease from the cooked item usually separates the food from the griddle surface to keep the food from sticking.

An electric griddle is particularly helpful for cooking a number of pancakes at a time, but you could also use one to make bacon, eggs, French toast, grilled cheese, steak, burgers, and a number of other things, like Colombian-style arepas.