One well-loved variant of pancake, albeit not as fluffy, is the crepe. To have this variety of thin pancake, the batter is poured into a griddle and thinned by agitating the pan or by evening it out by using a scraper, then cooked on one or both sides to achieve a network of fine bubbles often compared to lace. There are two crepe variants, namely, sweet and savory. Sweet crepes are also referred to as crépes sucrées and the flour used in them is usually wheat flour. Savory crepes, also called galettes or crépes salées are unsweetened and usually made with buckwheat flour.



This very versatile dish is said to originate from Brittany, France. These days, crepe is well-loved by people all over the globe, and they can be found being served by street vendors, and in casual and formal dining establishments. Crepes are very versatile. Breton galettes or savory crepes are often served with sausages, steaks, and omelet. As dessert, they are usually served with jams, chocolate, whipped cream, and ice cream.

Crepes are popular because they are moreish, light, and if prepared like sandwich wraps, are convenient to eat even on the go. In addition, some crepe variants, especially those made with buckwheat, are a healthier option compared to other restaurant offerings since these are rich in fiber and vitamins.

Nowadays, you can enjoy fresh, hot crepes at home by getting stovetop crepe pans. There are stovetop griddles, as well as gas-powered and electric crepe makers available in the market today. A lot of consumers seem to agree that the most ideal gas or electric crepe makers to purchase are those that are created using cast iron since these have impressive durability and good thermal conductivity which will allow you to make delicious, evenly thin crepes which do not have torn edges. The disadvantages of those with cast iron griddles though is that they are heavy, requires higher maintenance and seasoning to prevent food from reacting to the metal. One option would be to buy enamel-coated cast iron crepe makers which are a bit pricier but do not have to be seasoned unlike their bare cast iron counterparts.

If you wish to have a crepe machine or pan that is not as heavy consider getting one made from stainless steel instead. Remember though that compared to cast iron, stainless steel is inferior in terms of thermal conductivity. Then again there are stainless steel crepe makers that have copper or aluminum cores which are more conductive than regular ones. They also tend to be more expensive than cast iron griddles. For your convenience, buy stainless steel griddle that has been treated with a non-stick coating.

Crepe machines with manual temperature dials will help you create crepes according to your preference. These kitchen implements can also help you in making other pancake variants such as the Indian cheela and Indonesian serabi.