Restaurant promotion

Commercial Grills and Griddles: Which One Is Right for You?

Commercial Grills and Gridlles

Did you know that the food service industry is booming in Australia? In fact, in 2020 the industry was valued at approximately $43.53 billion.

The secret to creating a business that thrives in this industry is to have the right commercial equipment, and commercial grills to ensure you can offer the best experience and food for your customers.

There are so many different types of commercial grills and griddles on the market, that it can be hard to decide which one is right for your business. 

Not only do you need to consider the size and shape of the grill or griddle, but you also need to think about features like temperature controls and even accessories like waffle irons.

But don't worry. We can help! Keep reading because, in this article, we'll walk you through the basics of choosing a commercial grill or griddle for your restaurant.

The Type of Food You’ll Be Cooking

Are you planning on serving breakfast items like pancakes and eggs, or grilled lunch and dinner items like burgers and steaks? If you're mostly going to be cooking breakfast items, a griddle might be the better option.

For lunch and dinner items, a grill will likely give you better results.

The Size of Your Kitchen

When choosing a grill or griddle, size is an important consideration. If you have a small kitchen, you'll want to make sure you choose a model that will fit comfortably in the space you have available.

Otherwise, you'll be constantly moving it back and forth and it will become more of a nuisance than a convenience. On the other hand, if you have a large kitchen, you'll have more flexibility in terms of size.

You can opt for a larger unit that will allow you to cook more food at once or a smaller one that will be easier to store when not in use. Ultimately, it's up to you to decide what will work best for your needs.

Your Budget

Of course, your budget is also an important consideration when choosing a commercial grill or griddle. There are options available at a wide range of price points.

So it's important to determine how much you're willing to spend before beginning your search.

The Features You Need

When shopping for a commercial grill or griddle, there are a few features you might want to look for. For example, some models come with a built-in grease trap, which can make cleanup a breeze.

Others have multiple cooking surfaces, so you can cook multiple items at once. And some even come with a warming drawer, so you can keep cooked food warm until it's time to serve.

The Brand You Prefer

There are many different brands of commercial grills and griddles on the market. So, it's important to do your research to find the one that best meets your needs.

Once you've narrowed down your options, read online reviews to get an idea of the quality of each brand's products.

Griddle Plate Thickness

The thickness of the griddle plate is another factor to consider when choosing a commercial grill or griddle. A thicker plate will retain heat better, which can be beneficial if you're cooking items that require a longer cook time.

A thinner plate, on the other hand, will heat up faster, so it's ideal for quick-cooking items.

The Material of the Griddle Plate

Griddle plates are typically made from either cast iron or steel. Cast iron is more durable and heats evenly, but it's also heavier and more difficult to clean.

Steel is lighter and easier to clean, but it doesn't retain heat as well as cast iron.

The Warranty

When it comes to investing in commercial kitchen equipment, and benchtop equipment, one of the most important factors to consider is the warranty. A good warranty will give you peace of mind in knowing that you're protected.

There are a few things to look for when choosing a warranty. First, make sure that it covers all parts and labour. Second, check to see how long the warranty lasts.

And third, make sure that the company offers 24/7 customer support in case you have any problems.

By taking the time to research your options, you can rest assured that you're making a wise investment that will serve you well for years to come.

Controls

When choosing a grill or griddle, one of the most important considerations is the type of controls. Manual controls are typically less expensive and easier to use, while electronic controls offer more precision.

However, there are pros and cons to each type of control. Manual controls are often less accurate, which can make it difficult to cook food evenly.

Electronic controls, on the other hand, are more expensive and can be harder to use. But they offer greater precision, making it easier to cook food evenly.

Ultimately, the best type of control depends on your needs and preferences. If you want the most affordable option that is easy to use, then manual controls are a good choice.

But if you're looking for greater precision and are willing to pay a higher price, then electronic controls are the way to go.

Accessories

Any grill master will tell you that the key to a great grilled meal is all in the preparation. That's why having the right accessories can make all the difference.

A cover, for example, can help to keep your grill clean when not in use, while a stand can make it easier to transport and set up.

Of course, not all accessories are essential - it's ultimately up to you to decide what will best help you get the most out of your grill.

But if you're looking to take your grilling game to the next level, investing in a few key accessories is a good place to start.

Check Out Our Commercial Grills Today!

Buying commercial grills or griddles is normally a daunting task, but it doesn't have to be. When you work with a provider of restaurant equipment like us at Federal Hospitality Equipment, you can get the quality options you need.

At Federal Hospitality Equipment, we have a vast collection of commercial kitchen equipment, including bain maries and bar fridges Australia offers for businesses of all sizes. Our high-quality products are made to last and come with a warranty for added peace of mind.

Contact us right now to find the commercial grill you need!

Knowing the Local Demographic While Building Your New Restaurant Establishment

restaurant opening soon

When building up a new restaurant or café is it imperative to know your local demographic, that is - what’s popular within the Australian market and in your local area.                                                                                                                             

Customers are a priority and you need to be targeting the right demographic to enable any potential chances of success, as inadequate research and consideration of your market can lead to instant failure.

There are multiple reasons for consumer wants and needs when it comes to dining – some are looking for a quick fast food bite, others want to go out with a palette of high end and expensive options, while others want to try new tastes, ethnic specials, and emerging dish trends.                                                                

People have different appetites and preferences for certain cuisine. The main question that needs to be asked is: How can you address such a large range of food preferences?

Ideally, it comes down to knowledge and experience, as well as research and owning your target demographic. Looking at the most popular restaurants and cafes within your local town or region and knowing what they sell will give you great observational insight into the immediate hotspots, but it’s also useful to look from the outside, on a much bigger scale to see what’s changing within the industry.

According to a respondent survey conducted by Eating Out Australia last year (2017), almost 60% of people would almost always call up to book a table, while 22% would always book through the internet.     

Within the same vein, in a similarly conducted scale survey concerning how people acquire information on a restaurant or café with a 1 to 5 rating (1 - never and 5 - always), social media came out with the highest rating (3.98/5), with a restaurant website (3.77/5) coming in second place. This shows that establishing an online presence will provide you with massive consumer advantages and a bigger commercial spotlight over those who don’t utilise the internet.

The current trends suggest that more people are choosing healthier food options, while fast food is becoming more of a rapidly casual dining or takeaway experience. Alcohol consumption has also seen a slightly declining trend.

The study also conducted a food popularity rating with modern Australian cuisine (meats, seafood, prawns, chips, pastry etc) achieved the highest rating of 87.4% with that figure increasing, Italian dropped to second place at 81.5%, this was followed by Seafood (80.5%), Chinese (79.1%), healthy eating (78.5%) and Thai (78.3%).

Fast food establishments were further down the list but consisted of 35.9% of the market. Fast food also took the most earnings (42.4%), only slightly edging out restaurants, but this was widely due to mass use of commercial establishments (McDonald's and KFC) which generally operated on a fast, quick transactional basis.

A 2017 report from the Australian Bureau of Statistics also presented interesting statistics on Australian eating habits with 14% of Australians now making an effort to avoid red meat and 10% looking to get their daily protein requirements from plant and dairy-based foods. This is a surprising result due to the significant beef industry still strongly operating within Australia. It shows that a small percentage of Australians are becoming health conscious concerning what they consume. This is further evident with the declining trend of processed food consumption, with many Aussies leaning towards a growing preference for organically grown and manufactured food instead.

As these statistics suggest, Australian preferences for food consumption is complex and varied, but there are a few emerging changes that are growing momentum. It all comes down to what you have a predilection for and matching that up with the current research to reach for the best potential results. This then works into selecting the right food equipment distributor to supply your kitchen equipment, catering and restaurant supplies, commercial appliances and machines to create and craft your restaurant’s culinary selections.

This provides an ideal window into what the current food market resembles and what trends and operations you should consider. Customers are vital to your business and it’s important to acknowledge what will bring in the biggest consumer base to enjoy the fresh food and culinary dishes at your establishment.