What should be placed on the grill before cooking a pancake?

The correct approach when preparing to cook a pancake on the grill is to use nothing initially, as this helps to ensure that the surface remains free of any potential contaminants leading to unwanted flavors or textures. All pancakes cooked correctly without any added product like oil or butter will naturally develop a good nonstick surface once they start cooking due to the moisture and fat content in the batter itself.

Other options like using butter or cooking spray could create excessive greasiness, resulting in a crispy exterior rather than the fluffy texture desired for pancakes. The choice to start with an entirely clean grill surface emphasizes following best practices for consistency and quality in pancake preparation. Flour, being an ingredient in the batter, is not added to the cooking surface but rather incorporated into the pancake mix itself. This reinforces the understanding that for certain recipes or cooking techniques, simplicity and cleanliness of the cooking surface can lead to the best results.