Commercial Griddles

Commercial griddles are an excellent and versatile cooking option for every commercial kitchen!

Griddles provide a flat top cooking surface that is good for cooking anything from eggs and hash browns to steaks and hamburgers. Whether you are running a breakfast restaurant or a steakhouse, a commercial griddle is a must have. Of course if you are providing for high-volumes of customers, you may want to look towards full size floor models to efficiently produce high quantities more quickly.

With a countertop griddle, you may put the device on any accessible countertop space as long as you have access to the necessary utilities and ventilation. Commercial flat grills are easier to move around than floor model grills, whether for cleaning or rearranging your kitchen setup.

Griddle Plates

Steel is the most frequent plate material, while others are made of chrome. The thickness of the griddle tops range from 3/8 to 1” thick. The thicker tops take longer to heat up, but are capable of holding consistent temperatures longer during larger batches of cooking. Although thicker griddle plates are more expensive, they are less likely to distort over time.

Temperature Controls

On commercial griddles, temperature controls are available in thermostatic or manual controls. Manual controls are less expensive, however they provide a more general heating temperature. Thermostatic controls provide more accurate temperatures but can be more expensive.

Because flat-top griddles can cook so many different foods quickly and consistently, they can be found anywhere from small concession stands to high-end steakhouses.

Frequently Asked Questions about Commercial Griddles

Should you choose gas or electric?

• Gas griddles are good for use in areas where gas is cheap and plentiful, and they're great since they allow you to keep cooking even if the electricity goes out. Gas griddles are also superior at evenly heating the plate, have faster responses, and have higher heat recovery rates, making them suitable for large-scale operations.
• If you cook for a low-volume, or just use the griddle at home, electric griddles will be easier to setup while also saving you money. Electric griddles give off less heat, keeping your kitchen cooler, yet taking longer to cook foods. They heat the surface in the same way that a gas griddle does, but more slowly and frequently. You can be more accurate with your temperature changes with an electric griddle.

Why do BTU's matter in a commercial griddle?

Knowing the BTU's of your griddle could possibly help tell you how much propane you might use in an hour. The BTU isn't necessarily how hot the unit will get, but instead the power you can expect from every 12-inches of burners per hour. Lower BTU's could save you energy costs, while higher BTUs can stand up to a high-demand work environment.

What types of griddle surfaces are there?

The different types of cooking surfaces include polished steel and chrome plated.

• Chrome top griddles distribute heat more evenly and food is less likely to stick to it than to steel alone, which eases cleaning. The chrome plated surface radiates less heat into the environment, which can save energy costs. However, chrome-plated models are more expensive than others.
• Steel top griddles maximize heat transfer providing even temperature distribution. Steel griddle plates are stronger and more durable over time. However, over time steel can discolor.

How do you clean a commercial griddle?

• While the griddle is still hot, use a flat spatula or grill scraper to scrap off excess debris.
• While the griddle is still hot, pour on some water to loosen up grease build-up.
• Use a griddle screen or grill scraper to remove remaining debris into catch tray.
• Remove and wash catch tray.

Additional Burkett Resources

Check out this excellent blog to learn more about commercial griddles.

• Product Buying Guide: Commercial Griddle

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