If burgers, breakfasts or stir-fried dishes make up a good part of your menu, a commercial griddle is likely to be one of the hardest-working pieces of equipment in your kitchen, but with gas, electric and induction models all on the market, and plates ranging from thin steel to solid cast iron, choosing the best commercial griddle for your needs isn’t always straightforward.
Here we explain what you need to weigh up when comparing griddles, so you end up with one that keeps pace with your service rather than slowing it down.
Gas Griddles For Fast, High Volume Cooking
Gas griddles are a popular choice in busy kitchens because they heat up quickly and respond fast when you turn the temperature up or down. This makes them well suited to a fast-paced breakfast or lunch service where you are cooking a wide variety of items at different temperatures throughout the day.
They do need a gas supply and proper ventilation, however, so check your kitchen set-up can support one before you commit. If your restaurant already runs other gas equipment, a gas griddle is usually a straightforward addition.
Electric Griddles For Even, Controlled Heat
Electric griddles tend to heat more evenly across the whole plate, which can make them a good option if consistency matters more than rapid temperature changes. They are also simpler to install in kitchens without a gas connection, since they just need a suitable power supply.
The trade-off is that electric models can be slower to respond when you need to adjust the heat quickly, so they suit menus with steadier cooking demands rather than kitchens that swing between very different dishes minute to minute.
Induction Griddles For Precision And Energy Efficiency
Induction griddles heat the cooking surface directly using a magnetic field, rather than heating the air around it first. This means less wasted energy and a cooler kitchen environment for your staff, along with very precise temperature control.
They usually cost more upfront than gas or electric models, and the cookware or plate needs to be compatible with induction heating, so it's important to check that any cookware or accessories required for your operation are suitable for induction cooking. However, for kitchens that value energy savings and tight temperature control over a lower purchase price, induction is worth serious consideration.
Choosing The Right Plate Material
The material of the griddle plate affects both cooking performance and how much maintenance it needs. Chrome plates offer a smooth, non-stick style surface that is easy to clean and resists sticking, making them a good fit for delicate items like eggs or pancakes.
Steel plates are tougher and handle high heat well, which suits burgers and other robust foods that need a good sear. Cast iron plates hold heat exceptionally well and give excellent browning, though they are heavier and need a bit more care to prevent rust. The right plate material will depend on the type of food you prepare most frequently and the performance you expect from your equipment.
Thinking About Size And Cooking Zones
Commercial restaurant griddles come in a range of sizes, and it is worth matching this to your actual covers rather than buying the largest one available. A smaller kitchen with modest demand may only need a compact griddle, while a high-volume restaurant will benefit from a larger surface with multiple independent heat zones.
Multiple zones let you keep one area hot for searing while holding another at a lower temperature for warming, which gives your kitchen far more flexibility during a busy service.
Cleaning And Ongoing Maintenance
A commercial griddle is used constantly, so cleaning needs to be quick and straightforward. Equipment that's quick and straightforward to clean helps maintain hygiene standards while reducing the time required for end-of-service cleaning. Look for features like built-in grease management channels and removable grease trays, which make it much easier to keep the plate clean and food safe between services.
Ask your supplier about the recommended cleaning routine for the model you are considering, since some plate materials need specific cleaning products or techniques to avoid damage.
Matching The Griddle To Your Restaurant
There is no single best commercial griddle for every restaurant. A diner serving all-day breakfast has different needs to a burger joint running a lunchtime rush or a stir fry restaurant cooking to order. Be honest about your menu, your kitchen space and your budget, and the right choice becomes much clearer.
Ready to see the options side by side? Take a look at our range of commercial griddles and find the model built for how you actually cook.
