Commercial griddles are among the most versatile and practical pieces of equipment in a professional kitchen, providing a convenient cooking surface for everything from steaks and burgers to omelettes, vegetables and fish. Also known as planchas, commercial griddles are widely used in restaurants, cafes, pubs, hotels and other catering environments where a reliable and accessible cooking surface is required.
Our range of commercial catering griddles includes gas and electric models in a variety of sizes, configurations and cooking surfaces. Whether you need a compact countertop griddle or a larger unit for a busy commercial kitchen, choosing the right equipment will depend on the food you prepare, your available space and the cooking requirements of your business.
Commercial griddles are available in both gas and electric configurations, with each offering different practical considerations. Gas griddles require a suitable gas supply and installation arrangements, while electric griddles require an appropriate electrical connection. The right choice will depend on your kitchen facilities, available utilities and the type of cooking equipment you already use.
When selecting a catering griddle, consider the size of the cooking plate, the amount of food you need to prepare and how frequently the equipment will be used. Countertop models can provide a practical solution where kitchen space is limited, while larger griddles offer additional cooking surface area for businesses preparing greater quantities of food.
It is also worth checking the overall dimensions, available working space, cooking surface configuration and cleaning requirements before purchasing. These considerations can help you select a commercial griddle that suits your kitchen layout and daily operation.
Commercial griddles are available with different cooking plate configurations, including smooth, ribbed and mixed surfaces. The most suitable option will depend on the food you prepare and the cooking finish you require.
Smooth Plate Griddles provide a flat cooking surface suitable for preparing a wide range of foods, including burgers, eggs, fish and vegetables. Their uninterrupted cooking area makes them a versatile option for many professional kitchens.
Ribbed Plate Griddles feature raised ridges that create distinctive grill marks on food. They can be useful for preparing items such as steaks, burgers and other foods where a ribbed cooking finish is preferred.
Mixed Plate Griddles combine smooth and ribbed cooking areas on the same appliance, providing greater flexibility when preparing different foods or cooking styles.
The material and finish of a commercial griddle plate can influence its heating characteristics, cleaning requirements and suitability for different cooking applications. Depending on the model, griddles may be available with cast iron, mild steel, stainless steel, chrome-plated or other specialist cooking surfaces.
Cast iron is a popular cooking surface because of its durability and ability to retain heat. It can be well suited to regular commercial cooking, although some cast iron plates require seasoning and appropriate maintenance to help protect the surface and reduce sticking. Cast iron can also be relatively heavy, which is worth considering if equipment needs to be moved regularly.
Steel griddle plates are widely used in commercial catering equipment and provide a durable cooking surface for a variety of foods. Their heating characteristics and cleaning requirements depend on the particular steel, plate thickness and surface finish, so it is important to follow the manufacturer's care instructions.
Chrome-plated griddle plates have a polished cooking surface that can help reduce food sticking and make cleaning easier when maintained correctly. They can also reduce the amount of radiant heat released into the surrounding kitchen compared with some conventional plate finishes, although performance varies between models.
Other specialist cooking surfaces, including glass ceramic and vitro-ceramic options, may also be available. Always check the individual product specifications to ensure the plate material and construction are suitable for your intended cooking requirements.
Commercial griddles are used across a wide range of catering businesses, from restaurants and bistros to cafes, pubs, hotels and busy takeaway kitchens. Their versatility makes them suitable for preparing different foods throughout the day, whether cooking breakfast items, burgers, steaks, fish or vegetables.
Browse our range of commercial griddles to compare gas and electric models, cooking plate sizes, surface configurations and prices from leading catering equipment manufacturers. Choose the griddle that provides the cooking space and practical features required for your professional kitchen.