Commercial Griddles

A commercial griddle is a flat cooking surface designed for professional kitchens, restaurants, diners, cafés, food trucks, and cafeterias. It is used for cooking a wide variety of foods, including burgers, pancakes, eggs, bacon, grilled sandwiches, vegetables, tortillas, and breakfast items.

Commercial griddles provide a large, consistent cooking surface that allows chefs to prepare multiple food items at the same time.

Commercial griddles are available in several configurations, including:

• Gas griddles – Provide high heat output and fast temperature recovery
• Electric griddles – Offer precise temperature control and easy installation
• Countertop griddles – Compact models for smaller kitchens
• Floor griddles – High-capacity units for busy restaurants
• Restaurant range griddles – Integrated cooking surfaces for professional ranges

The best choice depends on kitchen space, cooking volume, and available utilities.

The right option depends on your kitchen requirements.

Gas commercial griddles:

• Higher BTU output
• Faster heat recovery
• Ideal for high-volume restaurants
• Excellent for heavy cooking demands

Electric commercial griddles:

• Precise temperature control
• Even heat distribution
• Easier installation in some locations
• Suitable for kitchens without gas connections

Both options provide excellent performance when properly matched to your operation.

Commercial griddles are available in different widths, commonly:

• 24-inch griddles: Small cafés and limited-menu kitchens
• 36-inch griddles: Medium restaurants and diners
• 48-inch griddles: High-volume foodservice operations
• 60-inch or larger: Large commercial kitchens and institutional facilities

Choose a size based on your available counter space and daily cooking volume.

Commercial griddles are extremely versatile and can prepare:

• Hamburgers
• Breakfast sandwiches
• Pancakes
• Eggs
• Bacon
• Sausage
• Grilled cheese
• Steak sandwiches
• Vegetables
• Chicken
• Seafood
• Tortillas

They are one of the most commonly used cooking appliances in professional kitchens.

Important features include:

• Stainless steel construction
• Heavy-duty cooking plate
• Adjustable thermostat controls
• Even heat distribution
• Multiple heat zones
• Splash guards
• Grease trough and collection drawer
• Easy-to-clean surface
• Adjustable legs or countertop design
• ETL or NSF certification

These features improve cooking performance, durability, and daily maintenance

Commercial griddles commonly use:

• Steel plates: Durable and excellent for high-volume cooking
• Chrome surfaces: Reduce sticking and simplify cleaning
• Grooved plates: Add grill-style sear marks
• Composite surfaces: Designed for specific cooking applications

A thick steel cooking plate generally provides excellent heat retention and recovery for busy kitchens.

Proper maintenance helps extend the life of a commercial griddle.

Recommended cleaning practices include:

• Scrape the cooking surface after each use
• Empty and clean the grease drawer regularly
• Use manufacturer-approved cleaning products
• Season steel surfaces when required
• Avoid abrasive cleaners that damage the cooking plate
• Perform regular inspections of controls and heating components

Daily cleaning helps maintain food quality and cooking efficiency.

Most commercial griddles operate approximately between 150°F and 550°F, depending on the model. Adjustable thermostats allow operators to select the correct temperature for different foods, from gentle warming to high-temperature searing.

Popular commercial griddle manufacturers include:

• American Range
• Vulcan
• Garland
• Southbend
• Imperial
• Atosa
• CookRite
• Star Manufacturing
• Wells
• Wolf

These brands are recognized for durable construction, reliable heating performance, and equipment designed for demanding commercial kitchen environments.