How to clean a commercial flat top grill?

A good-working, efficient griddle is one of the pillars of any successful foodservice kitchen. It’s used for all types of cooking, from eggs and pancakes to sandwiches, vegetables, and meat. Not only will regular cleaning tasks and maintenance checks ensure the best food quality and prevent the transfer of food flavors, but these steps also will extend the griddle service life and, in terms of food safety, help ensure safe conditions for back-of-house staff. Grease buildup represents a significant fire hazard.

Different motives—operating costs, life cycle, and energy savings—go into choosing the right griddle. Depending on your budget, you can either invest in an economy model, made from mild-grade steel or a higher-end, chrome-plated model. As well, over the years, thicker metals that retain and conduct heat better have become available. The more efficient models perform better, and to ensure that the equipment continues to operate at peak performance, you should schedule them for very regular maintenance. Regardless of whether you choose an economy or high-end model, performing daily cleaning tasks and periodic maintenance will keep the equipment running at optimal performance.

How to clean?

Many griddles are stainless steel while others are made of chromium, commonly called chrome. The type of griddle you have will determine how you clean it. Chrome cooking surfaces, for example, should never be subjected to abrasives like grill bricks or screens. Using abrasives may even void your warranty. Consult your service manual if you aren’t sure about the type of surface you have on your griddle.

To clean your griddle, you will need:

Griddle Scraper

Griddle pad holder

Griddle scrub pad

Grill screen

Vegetable oil

Stainless steel cleaning chemical

Palmetto cleaning brush

Cloth

Warm water (Avoid using cold water or ice, as griddles can warp or even crack from continual thermal shock)

Cleaning a stainless steel griddle:

While griddle is hot, scrape surface clean of food debris and grease buildup

Pour warm water on it to start boiling off the grease buildup, being careful of any steam generated

Place a griddle screen and scrubbing pad on top of each other and place onto the griddle

Using the pad holder, press down on the griddle pad and screen

Scour the entire surface of the griddle

Rinse and wipe clean

Cleaning a chrome griddle:

While griddle is hot, scrape surface clean of food debris and grease buildup

Pour on warm water and scrub using a palmetto brush

Again, do not use an abrasive, such as grill bricks or scouring pads

Repeat if necessary

Allow surface to cool and dry off

Cover the flat top with a nonabrasive food-safe polish

Wipe clean with a dry cloth

Use a clean, damp cloth to remove all the polishing compound

Tips

Check and calibrate the thermostat every 30 days either with a surface thermostat or laser surface thermometer. Any employee can do this simple task; just do it once a month to ensure the griddle’s thermostat is working properly. As well, every 90 days or four times a year, look for stress cracks in metals and every six months or twice a year, do a visual inspection of the topside and underside of the grill. On a gas grill, check the gas pressure; on electric grills, have a professional service technician check the amp reading.

If you take the time and effort to clean and maintain your griddle in the present, it will continue to function properly and serve you well into the future. A griddle can last up to 20 years with minimal trouble.