Griddles are flat cooking surfaces commonly used to cook pancakes, eggs, bacon, and other breakfast staples. There are several synonyms for the word griddle, including hot plate, flattop, and plancha. A hot plate refers to a tabletop appliance that has a flat surface and generates heat from electricity. A flattop is similar in design to a hot plate but is typically larger and can be found in commercial kitchens. A plancha is a type of griddle commonly used in Spanish cooking and is typically made of cast iron or steel. No matter what you call it, a griddle is an essential tool for cooking up delicious breakfast dishes.