Gas or Electric Griddle — Which Is Better for Your Setup?

The right choice comes down to one thing: how your griddle performs when the pressure is on.

This is a practical guide based on real commercial setups. Specifications can vary by model and site, but the core differences between gas and electric stay consistent.

If you’re choosing a commercial griddle, gas is often the more straightforward option for busy kitchens and mobile setups. Electric griddles can work just as well in the right environment — it depends on how and where you’re cooking.

Quick answer:
Choose gas if you need strong heat and fast recovery during busy service.
Choose electric if you want steady, controlled cooking and have the power supply to support it.

Why Gas Griddles Are Widely Used

Gas is what you’ll find in most commercial kitchens and food trucks for a reason — it delivers the heat and recovery needed to keep up during service. When you’re cooking burgers, bacon or other high-contact items, that recovery makes a noticeable difference once the plate is under load.

Gas units heat up quickly and don’t rely heavily on electrical supply, so they work well in environments where power is already being used by multiple appliances.

Where Electric Griddles Work Well

Electric griddles tend to be used where gas isn’t suitable or simply isn’t available. They provide steady, controlled heat and suit cafés, kiosks and indoor setups where consistency matters more than outright output.

They work particularly well for eggs, pancakes and fish, where maintaining a consistent temperature across the plate is key. Units like the Lincat GS9 electric griddle are designed with that kind of control in mind.

Power Supply Is Key

Power demand is the main consideration with electric griddles. Larger units can draw significant wattage, so you need to make sure your supply can handle it. This is especially important in mobile setups, where generator capacity is often limited.

Gas units avoid this issue. They run on fuel rather than electrical load, which is why many food trucks and event setups rely on them.

Which Should You Choose?

Gas is usually the more flexible option for higher-output cooking and mobile setups. Electric works well where the power supply is in place and the focus is on controlled, consistent cooking.

In most cases, it comes down to your setup — what you’re cooking, how busy you expect to be, and what power or fuel is available on site.

If you’re comparing options, you can explore the full commercial griddle range here to see how gas and electric models vary in practice.

If you’re unsure which option suits your site, call us on 01379 641223 — we’ll help you choose based on your menu, space and power supply.