Multi-task and create easy to make entrées by making the most of commercial griddles. Enjoy the ability to cook a variety of custom made entrées during breakfast, lunch and dinner. Restaurant griddles deliver consistent even cooking temperatures for faster serving times to broaden the selection of additional menu items. The wider surface area of kitchen griddles provides room to cook larger quantities of food items such as crepes, omelettes, pancakes and burgers. Add a variety of new and unique ingredients to the current customer favorites.

There are many different types of cost effective and environmentally friendly commercial griddles such as steam powered gas or electric commercial griddles and Energy Star® certified restaurant griddles. Making the most of commercial griddles can maximize energy savings and reduce the amount of cleaning time in the kitchen. A commercial grade griddle has one easy surface to clean. Review the range of options from smaller kitchen griddles with various types of heat sources up to large portable commercial restaurant griddles. Consider the following advantages:

1. A commercial stove top griddle can provide much needed extra work space.

2. Reduce cleaning time with polished surface industrial griddles.

3. Buy a commercial grade griddle that offers many different energy benefits.

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Buy space saving commercial stove top griddles

Locate a space saving commercial grade griddle. Use a stove top commercial griddle to streamline the efficiency of the kitchen. Stove top griddles eliminate the need for larger equipment. When it comes to purchasing industrial griddles for a kitchen with space issues, consider a stove top model.

I recommend: US Appliance carries space saving stove top griddles. Big Tray has a portable range with a gas stove top griddle. Industry Kitchens has a variety of electric griddles for sale that are designed for smaller kitchens.

Consider easy to clean commercial griddles

Purchase industrial electric griddles that all come with a flat surface to save time with easy cleaning capabilities. A polished griddle plate is easily wiped down and simple to use. Find a large selection of easy to clean griddles at affordable prices in a range of sizes.

I recommend: A City Discount has many choices of polished griddles and all are easily used with thermostat controls designed to maintain a selected temperature. Cooking.com offers simple to use griddle and grill combination equipment for easy variety in cooking.

Choose commercial griddles that offer energy savings

Save on energy costs with the latest technology for gas, electric and steam powered commercial grade griddles. Energy Star certifies high quality and energy efficient products. Energy saving restaurant griddles are also environmentally beneficial.

I recommend: AccuTemp Griddle offers the latest in energy saving steam powered gas or commercial electric griddle. Visit Energy Star® to learn more about commercial griddles utilizing energy saving benefits.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Keep an inexpensive backup commercial grade griddle in case of repair issues with the primary equipment.
• •  Use hickory flavoring on stove top griddles for added flavor.

Restaurants often use commercial griddles as invaluable pieces of equipment. Through the use of griddles, commercial kitchens can create many different dishes suitable for breakfast, lunch or dinner. Culinary avenues can be opened by the addition of this single piece of cooking equipment.

Consideration the space that is available in the cooking area, as well as to the cost and the style of the griddle when purchasing industrial griddles. Power sources for commercial griddles vary as well, so care must be taken to ensure that it's compatible with the present equipment. Keep the following in mind when making a griddle selection:

1. Griddles come in two types, electric and gas;

2. Restaurant griddles are constructed of either cast iron or a plate made of polished steel;

3. Industrial griddles range in size from 1 sq ft to 10 sq feet; and

4. Well made kitchen griddles will maintain a surface temperature of 400 degrees.

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Select from gas or electric griddles for sale

Choosing to purchase a commercial electric griddle or a commercial gas griddle depends on the power source. Both work equally well, although gas is generally cheaper fuel-wise and heats up faster.

I recommend: Work with BigTray to access a large selection of both gas and industrial electric griddles. They offer a choice of either heavy duty electric or light duty electric. Gas powered griddles are also available in heavy duty Gas or light duty gas. After looking over the wide selection, if you are still unsure BigTray has created a Buyer's Guide that addresses common concerns.

Select commercial stove top griddles with a polished steel plate or a cast iron surface

Polished steel heats more evenly while cast iron is best known for its crisping ability. Generally a commercial stove top griddle will be made from cast iron and have a smooth surface on one side and a ridged surface on the other.

I recommend: If the commercial griddles are too big, then look at what AbleKitchen.com has to offer. This website carries commercial stove top griddles and electric griddles made from cast iron or polished steel plate surfaces.

Compare kitchen griddles and restaurant griddles

The main thing that differentiates kitchen griddles from restaurant griddles is the size of the griddle. Griddles can range from 1 sq ft to up to 10 sq ft. Kitchen griddles tend to be smaller with the portability that allows for versatility in the kitchen. Restaurant griddles must accommodate not only more food, but a wider variety, so a larger surface area is a better choice.

I recommend: Examine the products offered by Chefs Catalog Online for kitchen griddles. Many have an added feature of the reverse side being a grill which provides a greater amount of versatility.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Commercial griddle manufacturers often offer free or reduced shipping. This can substantially lower the total cost of the purchase
• •  Keep in mind that griddles require a process called 'seasoning'. Seasoning is a process where the griddle is heated to 375 and then turned off. A generous amount of oil is then applied to the surface and it's allowed to sink into the 'pores' of the griddle as it cools. The surface should be slick. Any food will be simply scraped off instead of washing the surface in soap and water. Should the surface ever be washed, then it will have to be reseasoned.

Even those with some skill in preparing foods on backyard barbecues will admit that cooking on industrial griddles requires far more training and experience. Some restaurant cooks must manage a grill more than three feet in length that is loaded with burgers, chicken cutlets, omelets and steaks--just to name a few. Many restaurant owners are encouraging their novice cooks to go beyond hands-on training in the restaurant and read the product literature that griddle manufacturers provide.

Commercial griddles education and training begins with a thorough knowledge of the different parts that make up an industrial griddle. Cooks then learn what part of the griddle is hottest, for searing steaks, and which is medium in temperature, for cooking egg platters. Whether you learn best by watching video demonstrations or by reading operation manuals, commercial griddle education and training comes from a variety of sources:

1. Access the product specification sheet for any commercial grade griddle to find out about its key features and parts.

2. Follow the step-by-step instructions in operation manuals that manufacturers of restaurant kitchen griddles provide.

3. Watch videos showing how a professional cooks on a commercial stove top griddle.

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Learn about the restaurant griddles' key features from manufacturers' product specification sheets

Learn about the product's construction, dimensions, design and safety features, range of cooking temperatures and the manufacturer's suggested maintenance tips.

I recommend: APW Wyott offers specification sheets for its electric, manual and thermostatic gas commercial stove top griddles. American Range sets forth the features of its commercial griddles on the product description page. The website for Royal Range of California has product specification sheets for its flattop and charcoal griddles.

Get specific operation instructions from manuals for a commercial stove top griddle

Find out how to check the fuse on the control board, what to do if the motor does not work, how to light the grill manually if necessary and how to set the thermostat.

I recommend: Read the operation manuals provided on the websites for Wolf Stoves and Big John Grills. Traeger Grills' web pages contain a section for frequently asked questions that explain how to operate the grills.

Watch online video demonstrations of kitchen griddles

Demonstration videos allow you to watch as a professional controls the griddles' temperature, works with features like the splash guard and how to maintain an even heat setting while you're cooking.

I recommend: BBQGuys.com offer a series of videos explaining the key features of popular grills. Restaurant supply superstore Zesco.com offers videos that take you step-by-step through the operation of the commercial griddles they sell.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Part of your commercial griddles education and training should include knowledge of what kind of replacement parts your griddle depends upon and which suppliers can provide them.

A commercial griddle's pricing and costs depends on many factors--the model you select, the size of the cooking surface, and how it is powered. You can buy commercial stovetop griddles that are powered by electric, gas or steam. Each of these has advantages and disadvantages, but their benefits depend on the type of cooking you need to do.

When you're in the market for commercial griddles, pricing and costs shouldn't be your only consideration. You also need to consider the following:

1. Decide how much space you have available for a commercial griddle.

2. Ask yourself which types of kitchen griddles suit your cooking style.

3. Do your homework on commercial griddle manufacturers and vendors.

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Consider your available space and needs before you choose your restaurant griddles

If you don't have enough burners to use a commercial stove top griddle, you may want to look into a free-standing version. While these are more expensive, they can provide a much larger cooking surface. Some come equipped with a stove underneath; others have shelving. A commercial electric griddle will need to be plugged in, so you must be sure the available space has electricity nearby. If not, choose a self-contained gas griddle instead.

I recommend: Instawares has griddle-top gas ranges that cost between $2000-8000. ACityDiscount sells flat griddles that can be placed on the counter top for $800-4000 and freestanding ones for $1500-2000.

Select from stovetop griddles, industrial electric griddles and gas-fired griddles

If you need only a small griddle, you may be able to get one inexpensively in the housewares department of a retail store. These smaller-sized griddles may work well for catering or for a bit of additional griddle space during peak times. For most restaurants, though, industrial griddles are a better choice. They are much more expensive, but will provide a larger cooking surface, allowing you to prepare more foods to meet the needs of your clientele.

I recommend: Cooking.com offers small griddles suitable for home use. Their pan griddles can be purchased for $15-100. Electric griddles sell for $100-300. BigTray has electric griddles for sale from $1500-6000. They also offer manual and thermostatic gas griddles in the $1000-5000 price range.

Get the best buy by comparing prices and features

Before you buy, thoroughly research commercial griddle manufacturers to be sure you are not only getting a good price, but that the brand you selected is reliable. If the model you want is out of your price range, look for stores that sell used products. Often you can get a commercial grade griddle for about half the cost of new. Check the griddle over thoroughly before you buy to buy sure it is in good working condition. It isn't a bargain if you have to pay for costly repairs soon after you install it in your restaurant kitchen.

I recommend: C. Worth has both freestanding and tabletop griddles for sale for $700-1500. J&C Restaurant Equipment offers commercial griddles for under $1000.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Whatever commercial grade griddle you select, be sure parts and service are readily available if it should malfunction. Your business can't afford to be without its griddle for any length of time, particularly if it's a large one that is one of your main cooking surfaces.