If you cook on a hard chrome industrial griddle, this is for you.
Hard chrome is one of the best materials you can have on a griddle: it’s non-stick, it retains heat very well, and it’s much more hygienic than any other material. Hard chrome is one of the best materials you can have on a griddle: it’s non-stick, it retains heat very well, and it’s much more hygienic than any other material.
At Mainho, we’ve been designing hospitality equipment for over 40 years, and we know that good maintenance is just as important as the quality of the equipment itself. Today we’ll tell you what NOT to do and how to properly care for your plate.
View this post on Instagram
🔴 1. Don’t place pots or pans on the plate
Chrome plates aren’t designed to be in direct contact with other materials like stainless steel, iron, or Teflon.
If you try to boil water, sauté food in a pan, or keep food warm directly on the plate, you’ll damage it. The pot or pan will leave a mark, and there’s nothing that can fix it afterward.
🔴 2. Don’t cook with the scraper
Every tool has its purpose. The scraper is designed to remove built-up residue from the plate, not to move, press down, or flip food.
Its sharp edges can easily damage the chrome. To cook, always use a spatula with rounded edges — that way you’ll protect the plate from scratches and marks.
🔴 3. Don’t use generic cleaning products
We know this step is one of the ones you worry about most, so we’re going to walk you through it step by step.
Hard chrome needs specific products. Many generic soaps, polishes, and degreasers contain abrasive chemicals that can damage the surface.
The best thing you can do is clean the plate with ice cubes while it’s still hot and remove baked-on grime with a scraper. Here’s how:
Here’s how:
- Turn off the machine.
- Add ice cubes onto the surface. The contrast with the heat softens the baked-on residue and makes it come loose easily.
- Run the scraper over it to remove the loosened residue. If needed, repeat the process.
- Is the grease being stubborn? Add a splash of degreaser specifically made for hard chrome and go over it with the scraper again.
- Rinse with plenty of water to remove any degreaser residue.
- Dry the plate with a clean cloth or paper towel.
And that’s it, your griddle is ready to get back to work.
Good maintenance, an ally that lasts for years
If you know how to properly care for your hard chrome plate, you’ll have an ally that will stay with you for a long time in your kitchen’s daily routine. Avoiding these 3 mistakes and following a proper cleaning routine is the key to keeping all its advantages intact: non-stick performance, heat retention, and hygiene.
Want to learn more about our hard chrome griddles or fry-tops?
Have questions about maintaining your griddle, or want to know which model best suits your business? Write to us.