Commercial Griddles for Businesses and Operators

With increases in electric and gas rates, more kitchen operators are becoming aware that griddles with higher energy efficiency also deliver higher cooking performance and capacity. Commercial griddles that have earned the ENERGY STAR are about 10 percent more energy efficient than standard models.

ENERGY STAR qualified griddles include thermostatically controlled, gas and electric, single- and double-sided models.

To earn the ENERGY STAR, griddles must meet minimum cooking energy efficiency, as well as a maximum idle energy rates. Cooking energy efficiency represents the amount of energy absorbed by the food product compared to the total energy used by the griddle during the cooking process. Idle energy rate represents the energy used by the griddle while it is maintaining or holding at a stabilized operating condition or temperature.

Griddles that earn the ENERGY STAR must meet a minimum cooking efficiency of 70 percent (electric) and 38 percent (gas) while also meeting maximum idle energy rates. For comparison, standard gas griddles on average have a 32 percent cooking energy efficiency and use 3,200 Btu/h/ft² normalized idle energy rate, whereas ENERGY STAR qualified griddles must meet at least a 38 percent cooking energy efficiency and have a normalized idle energy rate of 2,600 Btu/h/ft².

Manually controlled griddles and fry-top ranges are not currently eligible.

Related Information

• ENERGY STAR Guide for Restaurants (1.1MB)
• Equipment Savings Fact Sheet (1.17MB)
• Austin Public Schools Case Study (884KB)
• Saratoga Restaurant Equipment Sales Case Study (203KB)
• Kessenich’s Ltd. Case Study (192KB)

• Covers gas and electric, single and double sided units which must meet cooking energy efficiency and normalized idle energy rate.
• Griddles that earn the ENERGY STAR must meet a minimum cooking efficiency of 70 percent (electric) and 38 percent (gas) while also meeting maximum idle energy rates.
• ENERGY STAR qualified griddles must meet at least a 38 percent cooking energy efficiency and have a normalized idle energy rate of 2,600 Btu/h/ft².

Commercial Griddles Key Product Criteria: ENERGY STAR

Learn How a Product Earns the Label

What else should I look for when buying a commercial griddle?

For a list of ENERGY STAR partners that sell ENERGY STAR qualified equipment, see Where to Buy.

For a list of CFS incentives, please see either the 2011 CFS Incentive Guide or the ENERGY STAR CFS Incentive Finder.

The ENERGY STAR CFS Incentive Finder displays utility incentives for ENERGY STAR qualified commercial food service equipment.

The 2011 CFS Incentive Guide is an excel spreadsheet that includes incentives for both ENERGY STAR qualified equipment and energy efficient equipment not covered by the ENERGY STAR program.

These are the top FAQs related to Commercial Griddles and the ENERGY STAR program.