Why is proper care and cleaning necessary?
Commercial griddles are high-heat, heavy use pieces of equipment. If the surface is not cleaned well, grease and grime can build up quickly. In turn, this build up can led to a thick and hardened layer of carbonized grease that can be near impossible to remove. This makes your griddle less efficient and will negatively impact how it transfers heat to items, leading to inconsistent results. Griddles are used to cook everything from crepes and pancakes to burgers and other meats. While individually those are great meals, no one wants their pancakes to taste like burgers or vice versa. If a griddle is not cleaned thoroughly between different meals flavor transfer will occur causing some confusing meals being sent out to your customers.
Helpful Tools
Having the right tools for the job is always smart, including when it comes to maintaining your commercial griddle. It is important to always check your equipment’s user manual for cleaning and care instructions, but the following are common tools used to maintain griddles:
• Griddle/ Grill brick
• Scraper
• Griddle screens and holder
• Microfiber towels
• Cooking oil
• Gloves for safety
Daily Griddle Care Tips
Scrape your grill after every use, and do not forget to invest in a quality scraper. This will keep flavor from transferring between every item cooked. It will also make your end of day cleaning far easier.
• Turn off your grill. Scrape while the grill cools, using heat resistant safety gloves. Room temperature water can be used to loosen tough debris but rinse very well if you use any detergent or soap.
• After water evaporates, use an abrasive pad/block and cooking oil on the surface. Scrub down and scrape off. Repeat as needed.
Have a chrome griddle?
If you do, NEVER use steel wool griddle block or other abrasive scrubbers. Instead use a fresh towel with mild soap and water to clean the surface. Then use a different clean towel to thoroughly remove all residue and polish the front of your griddle. While you should consult the manufacturer for care instructions, the following steps are recommended:
• Use ½ cup of vinegar and spread evenly across the surface of your griddle. Make sure the vinegar does not pool anywhere on the surface.
• Use a fresh towel and slowly rub vinegar into the surface until polished, then push leftover vinegar into the waste drawer.
• Coat the surface of your grill with cooking oil to season your griddle.
Weekly
Other than your daily upkeep, you should invest some time in deeper cleaning on a weekly basis.
• Unplug your griddle, once entirely cool use a towel and sanitizer or soap and water to clean the surface. Use this time to get in a good deep clean, removing residue from every surface, edge, and crevice. Thoroughly rinse with water afterwards.
• While the waster drawer of your griddle should be cleaned and emptied daily, take the time while your griddle is off to fully clean and sanitize waste basket.
• After deep cleaning it, coat the surface of your griddle with a thin layer of cooking oil to avoid rust.
When appropriately and properly taken care of, a griddle can last a lifetime. Now you have the knowledge and know how to make sure your griddle is cared for, and customers leave happy and full for a long time to come! Of course, if you find yourself needing repair or replacement, we will be happy to help with that, too.
