A griddle with cold spots usually has a burner or element that is not putting out heat, a thermostat that is reading the wrong zone, or a plate that has warped or built up carbon. On gas griddles, blocked burner ports and bad air mixture are common culprits, while electric griddles often have a failed element or contactor. A few simple tests can show you which one you have before you call for service.
Check the plate before the burner
Before blaming the heat source, look at the surface. A plate with heavy carbon buildup, grease under the surface or grooves worn by scrapers can cook unevenly. A warped plate leaves gaps where heat does not transfer evenly. Run a straight edge across a cool plate to look for dips or bulges, and look at the underside if you can reach it safely. Clean the surface thoroughly with the cleaner and procedure recommended for your griddle.
Map the cold spot
Pour a little water or place a few pieces of thin food across the surface when the griddle is at temperature, and see where the sizzle fades. A cold strip across the front usually means one burner or element has stopped. A cold area on one side may point to a thermostat zone problem. A uniformly low plate points to a thermostat or control issue. Use an infrared thermometer if you have one and note readings at several points. Write them down so the technician can see where the pattern sits.
Gas griddles
Gas griddles use a row of burners under the plate, often controlled by individual valves and thermostats. If you smell gas at any time, leave the building and call the gas utility from outside. Do not try to relight burners or use switches on your way out.
What commonly causes cold zones
- Blocked burner ports. Grease, food scraps and rust close the small holes the flame comes from. The flame then looks small, yellow or uneven.
- Air shutter out of adjustment. Too much or too little air gives a poor flame and poor heat.
- A failed pilot or flame sensor. One burner may not light or may go out and not relight.
- A weak thermostat. Individual thermostats control zones, and a bad one can leave a section cold or too hot.
Electric griddles
Electric griddles use elements under the plate, and power must be turned off at the breaker before anyone inspects wiring. A dead element leaves a cold band across the plate. A loose connection, burnt terminal or failed contactor can cause the same pattern. A thermostat with a bad sensing bulb or capillary may shut off early and cause cycling.
| Pattern | Gas griddle cause | Electric griddle cause |
|---|---|---|
| One cold strip | Blocked or unlit burner | Failed element or connection |
| Whole plate low | Gas pressure, thermostat, air shutter | Thermostat or contactor |
| Hot and cold swings | Thermostat calibration | Thermostat or sensing bulb |
| Cold corner | Warped plate or edge burner problem | Element end or wiring |
| Heat but slow recovery | Dirty burners, low gas pressure | Weak element, voltage drop |
What a technician does
A technician cleans and inspects burners, checks gas pressure and air mixture, tests thermostats against a calibrated thermometer, tests elements and contactors, and inspects the plate for warping. On griddles with solid-state controls, the sensor and control board may be tested as well. Some problems, such as a slightly warped plate, may not be fully solved by a repair, and we will tell you plainly when a plate has reached the end of its life.
Preventing cold spots
Clean the surface daily and scrape grease into the trough rather than letting it bake in. Empty the grease trap before it overflows. Keep the front vents and flue clear. Have burners cleaned and thermostats checked on a regular schedule, especially in a busy breakfast kitchen where the griddle runs for hours without a break. Avoid splashing cold water on a very hot plate, which can warp it.
We repair gas and electric griddles and charbroilers, explain the cause of cold spots, and give a written price before we start. Same-day appointments are often available.
A quick routine for finding the problem yourself
Let the griddle cool, clean it, and then heat it to a typical cooking temperature, such as 350 degrees. Wait fifteen minutes so the plate has time to even out. Take readings at the same spots every time, for example the four corners and the center. Compare them with each other rather than with the dial. If one reading is far from the rest, you have found the zone to point out to the technician. Repeat the test after any repair, so you can see the change and confirm that the fix worked.
FAQ
Why is one side of my griddle cold?
A dead element, a blocked burner or a thermostat zone problem is the usual cause. Mapping the cold area helps pinpoint it.
Can a warped griddle plate be fixed?
Sometimes a plate can be resurfaced or the burner adjusted to compensate, but a badly warped plate may need replacing. A technician can tell you which is realistic.
Is it safe to clean the burners myself?
Surface cleaning is fine with the griddle off and cool. Burner adjustment and gas work should be left to a technician.
What if I smell gas?
Leave the building and call the gas utility from outside. Do not turn anything on or off, and do not relight burners.