The Popular Kitchen Design Feature That Julia Child Hardly Used

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Julia Child was very particular about her kitchen and the items in it. One of her most treasured features was her restaurant-style gas stove. However, despite her love for this appliance, there was one section she avoided using for its intended purpose. "Julia's restaurant stove was one of her favorite pieces of equipment. To the right of the burners was a grill top. She rarely used it," Stephanie Hersh, Child's personal assistant, revealed in the 2016 book "In Julia's Kitchen: Practical and Convivial Kitchen Design Inspired by Julia Child."

Instead of using the built-in grill top for searing steaks or flipping pancakes, Julia Child actually decided to turn it into something more practical for her needs. She had a cover made specially for the area and used it as extra counter space. It was a popular place for her to set cooking utensils and plates while she cooked, and it was more practical for her than its intended use.

The name is a bit of a misnomer, as it is actually a flat griddle top, usually made of cast iron, and many gas stoves come with them. Though they are slowly being phased out, they are still a controversial kitchen appliance that may actually boost home value, because of their cost and practicality. With most people trying to find ways to free up kitchen counter space, her idea isn't a bad one. However, before you go and copy Child, consider giving this cooktop a shot.

These grill tops are a little tricky to use, and it's easy to see why Julia Child decided to add a cover. It isn't an everyday cooking tool, as meals that require a lot of stirring or flipping, or produce a lot of grease, can be hard to manage on its surface. However, it does have its uses. 

A grill top may not become your go-to cooking tool, but it is handy in many situations. Anything you need to heat up a lot that is at least semi-solid and doesn't require a lot of movement can work on a grill top. For example, you can cook multiple pancakes at once, letting you get food out faster, without having to use several pans. Also, they are a great place to warm or toast items. Depending on the kinds of meals you make, this is a cooking tool you may use more often than you can imagine.

Because many of them are made to produce a roughly medium temperature across a large surface, they are perfect for gently warming up items as well, like making grilled cheese or quesadillas. They are also fairly easy to clean, as most simply lift off the burner and then can be washed in the sink. It may not be quite as simple as the easy-to-clean stove to consider when looking to renovate your kitchen, but it can still be practical.