CAT // 5793 — CATEGORY
Waffle irons & contact grills
Waffle irons and contact grills are essential for cafés, hotels, and restaurants serving breakfast, snacks, and quick lunch items. Whether you need dual-grid waffle makers for high-volume service or compact single contact grills for panini and toasted sandwiches, this range covers tabletop and built-in options.
Choose from ribbed, grooved, or smooth plate configurations in cast iron or non-stick finishes, with power ratings from 1.8 kW to 3.6 kW to match your kitchen's output and electrical capacity.
Electric waffle irons and contact grills for cafés, hotels and restaurants. Waffle makers produce Belgian or standard waffles; contact grills press paninis, toasties and meats. Power ranges 1.8–3.6 kW. Choose single or double plate, ribbed or smooth cast iron, depending on volume and menu.
When selecting a waffle iron or contact grill, consider your service volume, available counter space, and the menu items you'll prepare most often. Single-plate units suit smaller operations or limited-menu venues, whilst double and larger grills handle higher throughput during peak service.
Cast iron plates retain heat exceptionally well, making them ideal for consistent batch cooking; non-stick surfaces require less cleaning downtime. Check the power requirement against your kitchen's electrical supply—larger griddles operate at 3.6 kW and may need dedicated circuits.
- Plate type: ribbed (panini/marks), grooved, or smooth for versatility
- Power rating: 1.8–3.6 kW depending on volume and kitchen capacity
- Footprint: measure your counter or prep area before ordering
- Heat control: adjustable thermostat for consistent results across batches
- Plate material: cast iron (durability) or non-stick (low maintenance)
FREQUENTLY ASKED
Common questions
What's the difference between a contact grill and a waffle iron?▾
Contact grills have two heated plates that press food (paninis, steaks, vegetables). Waffle irons have grooved plates that cook batter into waffles. Both are tabletop electric units.
What power rating do I need for a busy service?▾
Single grills run 1.8–2.5 kW; double grills 3.6 kW. Higher wattage recovers heat faster between cooking cycles, critical for high-volume breakfast or lunch service.
Should I choose ribbed, grooved or smooth plates?▾
Ribbed plates create grill marks on paninis and steaks. Grooved plates are standard for waffles. Smooth plates suit gentle pressing of vegetables or fish. Combisteel offers cast-iron options in all three finishes.
Will a single contact grill handle a hotel breakfast service?▾
Single grills (1.8–2.5 kW) suit small cafés or à-la-carte. Double grills (3.6 kW) handle higher throughput. Assess expected covers and item count per hour before ordering.
What's the price range for a tabletop unit?▾
Single contact grills start at €270.60 inc. VAT. Double grills and waffle makers range €338–€683 inc. VAT, depending on power and plate specification.