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Comal is a round, thin griddle for making tortillas (the Mexican flatbreads, not the Spanish omelette ones.)

They have low-rimmed edges that allow you to slide flat breads out of the pan with just the tip of your finger.

The pans can be used to make or heat tortillas, blister chiles, or heat quesadillas. In parts of Mexico such as Oaxaca, they are also used for toasting cocoa beans on.

There are two models, traditional and "modern."

The traditional Comal is made of unglazed clay and straw that is formed then backed. It is put on three risers, usually stones called "tenamascles." You build your cooking fire, usually from charcoal or wood, under the griddle in the centre of the stones.

Modern versions are mostly made from metal instead of clay. They are lighter, less fragile, heat up faster, and give a more even heat.

Cast iron ones are essentially a cast iron pan, with no sides on it except for a slight lip all around. They tend to have a 9 inch (23 cm) cooking surface, with a long cast iron handle on them. Some instead have two small handles, one on each side. The cast iron surface is deliberately rough, to help prevent sticking. They need a while to heat up first before you start using them.

Some metal ones are now made out of aluminum. They heat up faster and can cook things faster, but can warp. Some metal models now are reversible, with one side flat, another ridged.

You can still, however, buy clay ones. New clay ones are seasoned with limewater first (the chemical.) They are up to 14 inches (35 cm) wide, and tend to slope down a bit towards the middle. Never let water come into contact with hot clay ones: let them cool completely first or there will be tears all round.

Substitutes
Electric or stove-top griddle.

Literature & Lore
The three stones reputedly represented the three dogs of the fire god Huehueteotl -- their names were Mizcoatl, Tozpan and Iiutl. Some people still toss a small piece of tortilla into the flame to feed the dogs.

Language Notes
From the Aztec word "comalli". Plural: comales.

Also called:

Other entries for:

Griddles
Comal, Lefse Griddle

Other entries for: Cooking Tools

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