Patent ID: 7335860

Claim:
A multifunctional griddle comprising: an upper housing section and a lower housing section interconnected by a hinge assembly, wherein said upper and said lower housing sections include upper and lower handles disposed in interlocking engagement; an upper heater assembly including a heating plate having an integrated heating element, wherein said upper heating assembly is disposed within said upper housing section, and a lower heater assembly including a heating plate having an integrated heating element disposed within said lower housing section; a temperature controlling means electrically interconnected to said upper heater assembly and said lower heater assembly, said temperature controlling means also being electrically connected to a power source; and a plurality of interchangeable cooking plates having a cooking surface on a first side thereof and a flat heat transfer surface on a second side thereof, said cooking plates being disposed in face-to-face relation with said upper heater assembly and said lower heater assembly respectively to provide a sliding interface therebetween to facilitate interchangeability of said cooking plates, each of said interchangeable cooking plates including plate retaining means for securing said cooking plates in position, wherein said plate retaining means include an integral clasp formed on a front edge thereof for sliding engagement with a mating clip formed on said upper and lower handles, said clasp interlocking with said clip to retain said cooking plates in position during operation.