When buying a professional griddle, one of the factors that will most affect your day-to-day in the kitchen is the material of the plate. Not all plates are made the same way, and they don’t all respond the same way to your business’s pace of work.
Generally, there are 3 types: blued steel, rectified steel, and hard chrome. We’ll walk you through the pros and cons of each so you can choose wisely.
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Blued steel or iron: the most affordable option
t’s the thinnest of the three plates, which means the surface heats up very quickly. That’s why it’s ideal for low-demand work: small businesses or home use, where continuous performance isn’t required. However, it has its limitations:
- It needs a lot of cleaning and maintenance to prevent corrosion
- Because it’s such a thin plate, it can’t maintain a uniform temperature if it’s loaded with a lot of cold food all at once.
In short: it’s a good option if you’re looking to save on the initial investment, but it’s not designed for intensive use.
Ground steel: power and resilience for intensive use
If what you’re after is power, performance, and staying power for long shifts, ground steel is an excellent choice.
It reaches the right temperature relatively quickly and holds it steady thanks to the thickness of the plate. It also holds up well against bumps and scratches, something key in fast-paced kitchens.
Its weak point is the surface: being porous, it’s prone to wear over the medium term To extend its lifespan, it needs daily maintenance, applying a layer of oil at the end of the day to prevent the plate from oxidizing.
Cromo duro: la opción más resistente del mercado
Hard chrome is a coating applied over the steel plate, making it much harder and more resistant to wear. It’s without a doubt the most rewarding material to cook on:
- If you know how to use it, food doesn’t stick.
- It has high resistance to rust and corrosion, which considerably extends the machine’s lifespan.
- It retains heat better within the plate, which translates into lower energy consumption.
- It’s very easy to clean, thanks to its smooth surface.
- It practically requires no maintenance beyond daily cleaning.
That said, it does need certain care: at high temperatures, the material is more sensitive, so we always recommend using spatulas with rounded edges, never scrapers.
As for timing, it takes a few minutes longer than ground steel to reach 300°C. But once it gets there, it stabilizes and holds heat better than any other material.
Which one should you choose?
Each material has its own strength, and the best option depends on your work volume, your budget, and the type of maintenance you can commit to day to day:
- Blued steel: affordable, ideal for low demand.
- Ground steel: powerful and resilient, perfect for intensive use with daily maintenance.
- Hard chrome: maximum durability, better energy efficiency, and minimal maintenance.
Before deciding, think about what best suits your business. And if you have any doubts, feel free to contact us, and we’ll be happy to advise you.