Commercial Gas Griddles – Installation, Maintenance and Troubleshooting

1. Commercial Gas Griddles – Installation, Maintenance and Troubleshooting In many foodservice establishments, the gas griddles work as the primary workhorse of the kitchen. From eggs to sandwiches, pancakes to artisan desserts – their flexibility and efficiency make them an equipment you cannot do without. Precise heating temperature and long-term heat retention let you prepare delicacies your customers are sure to love. Typically, commercial gas griddles are available in Natural Gas (NG) and Liquid Petroleum Gas (LPG) variants. They are praised for fast, edge to edge cooking and are capable of speeding up the whole process, reducing waiting time for your customers. They are available in various styles, sizes, and customizations. However, to get the best service from this powerful piece of commercial kitchen equipment, proper installation and maintenance are essential. In this blog, we will cover the three most important technical aspects of using gas griddles – Installation, Maintenance and Troubleshooting so that you know your gas griddle better and get the best service for your investment.

2. Installation Installing the griddle need not be a hassle, but it should be carried out by a professional or someone with the right experience. You can always ask your commercial gas griddle supplier for installation assistance. During the installation, consider the following, Properly locate the appliance on an incombustible, levelled countertop. With the help of the adjustable stainless-steel legs level the equipment; maintain at least 100mm distance from the base. Make sure that there is a gap of at least 350mm between the appliance and the wall or other equipment. The distance from the ceiling should be minimum 1000mm. Just like the gas char grills, different gas griddle models come with different gas supply pressure and volume specifications. So, before installation, check out the gas type required, supply pressure as well as the input rate. Adequately sized piping should run directly to the connection joint with minimum tees and elbows in between to ensure sufficient uninterrupted supply. It is best not to place anything, or any other equipment close to the griddle. Also, do not place any other appliance under the tabletop on which you have installed the device. Placing another tool close to the griddle might influence combustion or the air supply. Leave sufficient space in front of the appliance to ensure easy access to the control panel. After installation, you should first check the device for any piping joint leak with a testing instrument. Finally, check the gas supply pressure with a digital gauge, and if everything seems to be perfect, the appliance is ready to start operation.

3. Cleaning and Maintenance Before cleaning, turn off all the control valves and cut off the gas source just the way you do it for a gas stove. Now let the equipment cool down. It might take as long as 30-40 minutes for the equipment to get to the room temperature. Do not use any abrasive detergent or brush to clean. The device is not suitable for immersion or pressure washing. Use a cloth and non- corrosive soap to wipe the surface of the unit and clean the residue. Recommended cleaning method The body of the equipment should be cleaned daily with a soft cloth and mild detergent. Wipe it off with the wet cloth and then follow with a dry one to remove any watermark. The control panel, including the control valve knob, should also be wiped daily with mild detergent and a soft cloth, followed by dry wiping. The frequency to clean the catch tray should depend on the use. Pull out the catch tray from the front after the appliance has cooled down completely. Remove any grease or crumb, clean it, and reinstall. If the equipment was not in use for a long time, clean the surface with a soft cloth. Use a mild detergent if needed. After cleaning, spread cooking oil on the plate and let it sit for some time before you use it again.

4. A high-quality 304 stainless steel made gas griddle does not need much maintenance. Handle it right and keep it clean –that’s all is required. Simco also sells the same qualitygas burners with oven to serve the unique needs of different commercial kitchens. However, it’s essential to check the machine daily before and after use to ensure maximum safety. If it feels there are some problems with the appliance or in the circuit, stop using it immediately. Every day, before you switch on the device, check if the machine is properly levelled on the surface. Also, check for any damage to the control panel. In case there’s some strange odour, vibration, noise, flameout, or disturbance in heating power, turn off the gas entirely and contact your supplier or service department. Troubleshooting If any fault occurs with the appliance, no matter how small it looks, stop using the device and contact the technician immediately. Contact your supplier to get information about the authorized technician for commercial gas griddles in Sydney, Perth, Brisbane, Melbourne, Hobart or Adelaide. The information here will help you understand the issue, but we do not recommend any corrective measure all by yourself. If the appliance is not lighting up, often it is because of insufficient gas pressure in the pipe. However, loose thermocouple connection or damage to the thermocouple or even nozzle occlusion can trigger the same problem. Gas control valve failure can be another reason for the issue. You closed the gas and heard a sound of fire - This can happen due to insufficient gas pressure or improper flow in the gas pipe. Wrong nozzle diameter that doesn’t fit properly is the other common reason. In case you find the flame has turned to yellow and the device is shooting black smoke, most probably you have reached the bottom of the gas cylinder and replacing it will resolve the problem. However, improper nozzle diameter or not enough air for ignition can also be the reason.

5. Simco offers a selection of the best quality gas griddles for commercial kitchens. All our griddles come with heavy-duty constructed frame, American Robert Shaw valves and controls to ensure maximum longevity. We also offer two years of Australia-wide warranty on parts and labour. Simco is committed to providing the best quality equipment at the most economical price to the Australian market. So, if you are looking for high-quality commercial gas griddlesfor sale get in touch with Simco to check out the current offers.