A commercial griddle is an essential piece of equipment for any professional kitchen. Whether it’s a restaurant, cafe or catering business, having a quality griddle in your kitchen will enable you to cook food quickly and efficiently without compromising on taste and texture. Commercial griddles are versatile pieces of cooking equipment that you can use to prepare a wide range of delicious dishes, from burgers and sandwiches to eggs, steak and fish.
What Are Commercial Griddles Used For?
Commercial griddles use direct heat from gas or electricity to cook food evenly. They are perfect for everything from pancakes, bacon and grilled cheese sandwiches to fajitas, stir-fry vegetables and hamburgers. Some commercial griddles also come with a clamshell design, similar to that of a contact grill, meaning you can cook from the bottom simultaneously.
Clam Griddles
Clam griddles are a type of commercial gas griddle with a slightly different design than traditional ones. The design means they heat up quickly and evenly, allowing for high-temperature cooking you can monitor easily. The high speed cooking clam griddle is constructed with two hinged pieces that open up like a clamshell, giving it its distinctive name. Inside the clam is an adjustable heating element which allows you to adjust the temperature accordingly.
The main advantage of using a clam griddle over other models is the ability to cook food at very high temperatures without fear of burning or overcooking it. This makes them ideal for searing steak, burgers and other proteins while retaining their moisture and flavour. The clam griddle is also ideal for quickly toasting bread and crisping veggies. The Lincat OE8210/FR Clam Griddle locks in flavour, reduces shrinkage and can cook foods up to three times faster than a standard griddle. With ribbed and flat plates, the perfect finish can always be achieved.
Differences between Griddles and Chargrills
It’s important to note that griddles and chargrills are different. A commercial griddle has a flat surface for directly cooking food, while a chargrill has grooves or ridges, which help impart flavour into whatever you are cooking and create those authentic branding marks.
Apart from the surface differences between a griddle and a chargrill, the other key difference is the heat source. A professional griddle uses direct heat, while a chargrill typically has an indirect heat source.
The main difference between a griddle and a chargrill is the cooking process. A chargrill does what it says in the name, char the food as part of a recipe or dish and add the distinctive marks, much like a BBQ.
Griddle Equipment Options
When buying a griddle, several different types are available, each offering something unique. Commercial gas griddles come with either single or double burners and range in power from 7kw - 45kw, depending on the size of your kitchen. You can also choose between ribbed, smooth or combination surfaces and different cooking surface materials like steel, cast iron and chromium plated.
Combination surfaces are an excellent idea for any busy commercial kitchen, as it allows you to cook different types of food on the same appliance. For instance, you can use the ribbed side for chargrilling steaks and burgers while using the flat side for pancakes and eggs.
To read more about choosing the perfect commercial griddle see our Complete Commercial Griddle Buying Guide.
Are Commercial Gas Griddles Better Than Electric?
The debate over whether gas griddles are better than electric ones is an ongoing debate. Each appliance comes with its own set of pros and cons. Commercial gas griddles tend to heat up faster and offer more precise temperature control, allowing you to adjust the heat level when needed quickly. On the other hand, electric griddles are more straightforward and often come with built-in timers for added convenience.
Other pros and cons to help you decide between an electric or gas griddle:
Gas Griddles
Pros:
- Quick heat-up time
- Precise temperature control
- More powerful heating element
- Provides steady heat with no hot or cold spots
- Widely popular in the catering industry
Cons:
- Can be more expensive to purchase and run
- Requires a gas line connection for use
Electric Griddles
Pros:
- More affordable upfront cost and running costs
- Easier to install than gas griddles as no gas line is needed
Cons:
- Heats up slower than gas griddles
- Patchy heat distribution in some models
- Historically not as popular as gas in commercial kitchens
Why Griddles Work Better in a Commercial Kitchen than a Regular Hob
The design of commercial griddles means they can handle heavy-duty work, making them ideal for a professional catering kitchen. They can easily cope with high demand and long hours with large cooking surfaces and powerful heating elements. They can also cook multiple types of food at once, making them perfect for busy environments where you must fulfil orders quickly and efficiently.
Best Practice for Using Commercial Griddles
Follow some best practices to get the most out of your commercial gas griddle. Always preheat the griddle before putting food on it, as this will give you more even cooking results. It’s also essential to clean your griddle after every use by scrubbing off any debris stuck to the surface and wiping it down with a damp cloth. Finally, always be mindful of safety when using your commercial gas griddle, making sure that you turn the gas off after use and never leave it unattended while in use.
When using a commercial electric griddle preheating should also be a factor before use. Thorough cleaning after use is also vital for food and kitchen safety.
Depending on the plate material of the cooking surface for electric and gas griddles, you will need to consider the tools you use to maintain and clean surfaces to prevent damage and also adequate seasoning for cast iron plates.
A commercial griddle will be a massive asset to any busy kitchen where succulent foods and quick yet delicious results are essential. These versatile pieces of equipment can elevate any restaurant menu and service.