Yep, Tent is spot on! You want to leave the blank drip pan in place. It would get messy in the body of the pit, and you're correct, the temperature would be uneven in the griddle if you took that pan out-- you'd definitely have hot spots.
It sounds like your griddle may have just had an older copy instruction sheet referring to the 2 Star features.
Here is the text from our current instruction sheet:
This griddle is made from high grade aircraft aluminum, with a hard anodized Teflon impregnated finish. Over time, the finish can wear off just like a frying pan. To help preserve the finish, follow these recommendations:
Spray cooking surface with oil or cooking spray
for best non-stick results.
Do not cook at temperatures above 400°F.
Do not use metal cooking utensils. Using high
temperature tolerant silicone utensils will help prevent
scratching the cooking surface.
To clean, use only hot water, dish soap, and a
non-abrasive cloth.
DO NOT put griddle in the dishwasher, as the detergent will harm the Teflon surface.
MAK GRILLS LLC •
support@makgrills.com • (503) 623-1234