Contact Grill & Griddle Plate for the Catering Industry: The Guide
Contact grills and griddle plates are the workhorses for paninis, steaks, burgers, vegetables and more – fast, even and space-saving. This guide explains the differences between contact grill and griddle plate, the types of plates (ribbed vs. smooth) and what you should consider when buying.
Contact grill or griddle plate?
Both belong to snack and grilling technology but operate differently:
| Contact grill | Griddle plate / griddle | |
|---|---|---|
| Principle | Grills from top & bottom at the same time | Open surface, only from below |
| Speed | Very fast (both sides) | Flexible, more surface |
| Ideal for | Paninis, sandwiches, steaks, burgers | Breakfast, fried eggs, bacon, vegetables, teppanyaki |
Ribbed or smooth?
- Ribbed plate: creates the typical grill pattern, fat runs off – ideal for meat, vegetables, paninis
- Smooth plate: for fried eggs, bacon, pancakes, delicate products
- Combo (ribbed top / smooth bottom): maximum flexibility
What to look for when buying
- Grill surface: matching the throughput (compact for cafés, large for fast food/restaurant)
- Temperature zones: two separate zones allow different products at the same time
- Plate material: cast iron (retains heat) or chrome plated (easy to clean, preserves flavours)
- Height-adjustable top plate on contact grills – for different thicknesses
- Fat drip tray & removable parts for easy cleaning
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a contact grill and a griddle plate?
The contact grill grills from top and bottom at the same time (faster, ideal for paninis/steaks). The griddle plate is an open surface heated from below only (more surface, ideal for breakfast business).
Ribbed or smooth – what should I choose?
Ribbed for grill patterns (meat, vegetables, paninis), smooth for eggs, bacon and delicate items. Combination devices offer both.
Which grill surface do I need?
Compact surfaces suffice for cafés; larger surfaces with two temperature zones are sensible for fast food and restaurants.
Contact grills at Gastro-Nik
- KBS Contact Grill 36×27 cm, ribbed – compact
- KBS Contact Grill 52×24 cm, ribbed top / smooth bottom, 2 zones – flexible
- Bartscher Contact Grill 3600 2G – smooth
- Bartscher Contact Grill 3600 2GR – ribbed
Which grill suits your concept?
We help you with surface area, plate type and performance.
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Last updated on 2 September 2026.