Grills, Griddles and Chargrills Buying Guide


Grills, Griddles and Chargrills

Many fast food establishments offer grilled food and for that purpose it is important to have the right type of grill/griddle and chargrill in place to ensure good quality food that can be cooked as quickly as possible.  Grills are used for three different styles of cooking, high heat direct cooking (when food is placed above the source of heat, for example, lamb chops, steak etc.), indirect heat convection (for example, for roasting chicken), and indirect heat smoke roasting (when a lid is closed, for example barbeque style food). Additionally grilled food is gaining in popularity today as it is a much healthier option because during the grilling process, excess fat is drained off.

Grills

If your establishment only offers a small amount of grill cooking then a small capacity grill is an energy efficient way of cooking food.  The smaller footprint means this type of grill can fit into a limited space.  Contact grills cook food from both sides at once therefore speeding up the process.  They are constructed with ribbed or flat plates so choose the plates you need according to the food you cook, for example, if you offer grilled sandwiches or Paninis, the ribbed plates work best as they give that wonderful chargrill stripe mark.

Larger fast food restaurants might benefit from conventional grills which are mainly powered by gas but there are others using electricity.  The big advantage of gas or electrical grills is that you can control the temperature and they are much easier to clean than chargrills.  However, do remember that gas is explosive if not handled correctly.

There are many different types of grills available for fast food businesses on the Alliance website, including freestanding appliances and countertop equipment to suit your requirements and space.

Kebab Grills

Of course, if you have a restaurant or fast food business which specialises in grilled kebabs then you will need a specialist kebab grill which cooks Doner kebabs for takeaways.  These types of grills can be connected to a gas supply or electrical supply as necessary.

Griddles

Griddles are very useful pieces of equipment usually constructed out of stainless steel with one single piece of metal so, unlike a chargrill; the fat does not drip in between the slats.  Food is cooked beautifully in its own juices so does not dry out, leaving a moist, succulent finish.  There are different surfaces available on a griddle, for example, smooth chrome plates which are excellent for heat distribution so food does not stick, cast plates which are used for burgers and sausages or white steel plates which are used for cooking eggs and more delicate food such as pancakes, crepes, breads and flat breads.  Choose from free standing appliances or smaller, countertop versions and when you are making your choice look for energy saving dual heat (allowing just one part of the griddle to be used when your restaurant is quieter).  Also check the drainage channel to make sure it will be easy to clean.

Chargrills

There is a difference between a chargrill and a grill. A chargrill uses a lid with coal and keeps the heat inside; these are used especially for barbequing and for grilling meat to have that delicious smoky taste.  They get much hotter than standard gas grills and are excellent in creating a crisp finish to steak and lamb while keeping them moist and succulent inside.   Do remember that chargrilling needs good maintenance when cooking is complete as dirt and food residue can build up so it is important to clean them out regularly to prevent burnt food and sparks which can be dangerous.  Always use gloves and tongs when using a chargrill and choose a chargrill with power to spare. 

For further information visit the cooking equipment pages in the Catering Appliances section or contact the Alliance customer care team

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