Contact Grill & Griddle Plate for Catering: The Guide
Contact grills and griddle plates are the workhorses for panini, steaks, burgers, vegetables and more – fast, even and space-saving. This guide explains the differences between contact grill and griddle plate, the plate types (ribbed vs. smooth) and what to look for when buying.
Contact Grill or Griddle Plate?
Both belong to snack and grill technology but operate differently:
| Contact Grill | Griddle Plate / Griddle | |
|---|---|---|
| Principle | Grills from top & bottom simultaneously | Open surface, only from below |
| Speed | Very fast (both sides) | Flexible, more surface |
| Ideal for | Panini, sandwiches, steaks, burgers | Breakfast, fried eggs, bacon, vegetables, Teppanyaki |
Ribbed or smooth?
- Ribbed plate: creates the typical grill pattern, fat drains off – ideal for meat, vegetables, panini
- Smooth plate: for fried eggs, bacon, pancakes, delicate products
- Combination (ribbed on top / smooth below): maximum flexibility
What to look for when buying
- Grill surface: suitable for throughput (compact for cafés, large for snack bars/restaurants)
- Temperature zones: two separate zones allow different products at the same time
- Plate material: cast iron (stores heat) or chrome-plated (easy to clean, preserves flavours)
- Height-adjustable top plate on contact grill – 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 simultaneously (faster, ideal for panini/steaks). The griddle plate is an open surface heated only from below (more surface, ideal for breakfast business).
Ribbed or smooth – which should I choose?
Ribbed for grill marks (meat, vegetables, panini), smooth for eggs, bacon and delicate items. Combination devices offer both.
What grill surface do I need?
Compact surfaces are enough for cafés; larger surfaces with two temperature zones make sense for snack bars and restaurants.
Contact grills at Gastro-Nik
- KBS Contact Grill 36×27 cm, ribbed – compact
- KBS Contact Grill 52×24 cm, ribbed on top / smooth below, 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, plate type and performance.
Last updated on 10 July 2026.