Cooking Equipment, Equipment Comparisons, Grills and Ranges

1 Product 4 Ways: Planchas Bring the Heat

FER compares the latest plancha models from Montague, Jade, Wood Stone and Hestan.

October 1, 2021

Planchas, though convincing clones of their better-known sister product the griddle, quickly set themselves apart. Most notably, they boast temperature capabilities hundreds of degrees above griddles, which typically top out at 550°F. Manual controls, as compared to the traditional thermostatic controls of a griddle, further differentiate the cooktop. Chipotle is just one operator that’s touted the plancha for its elevated cooking efficiency and resulting product taste.

Versatile

Customization is the name of the game for Montague’s Plancha Top. The manufacturer notes that its offering can be integrated into a freestanding Steakhouse Broiler, an island cooking suite and more. The Spanish-style, 1/2-in. thick, polished steel cooktop reaches 700°F. A three-sided grease trough empties into an interior grease container.

montaguecompany.com

Clean Machine

Hestan’s Plancha comes surrounded by a four-sided stainless grease trough which diverts grease into a fully enclosed, spillproof drawer for ease of cleanup. The 3/4-in. thick steel plate comes in widths of 18-in., 24- in., 30-in. or 36-in., with the largest unit boasting a temperature range of 550°F-900°F and the smallest ranging 650°F-850°F. Controls are manual.

commercial.hestan.com

Super Sizzle

Jade’s Plancha Range reaches a sky-high 900°F, with manual or thermostatic controls. Widths range from 18-in. to 72-in., and it’s available in gas or electric and for Titan and Bistro platforms. Mount the plancha on an oven base, refrigerated base or stand. The 5/8-in. thick plate, either steel or chrome, comes off for cleanup.

jaderange.com

Multipurpose

With zones that can simultaneously be set from 150°F-650°F, Wood Stone’s Gas Plancha brings flexibility to the table. The 3/4-in. thick steel surface boasts quick heat-up and fast recovery. Choose from four sizes: 60-in.W, with five heat zones and an optional welded divider; 48-in.W with four zones; 36-in.W with three zones; or 24-in.W with two zones.

woodstone-corp.com