To grill an excellent barbecue the equipment is essential, especially indoors. Grilling is one of the most popular cooking methods among Italians, but a restaurant does not always have an outdoor space where the traditional charcoal or wood grill can be placed. In the kitchen, it is possible to use lava stone grills or fry tops that guarantee reduced smoke emission. These tools allow for fast grilling, enhancing the quality of the raw material.
The lava stone grill
In the lava stone grill, gas burners heat a bed of lava stone placed below the cooking surface. The heat is then radiated from the stones to the food that is placed on the grill above, without direct contact. The system maintains a constant temperature for a long time and ensures even, diffuse cooking.
Thanks to the adjustable burners, it is also possible to control the cooking temperature precisely, offering greater flexibility when preparing different types of food. You can choose the right cooking temperature for meat, fish, vegetables and other foods.
The fry top
The fry top is used like a grill but does not use lava stone or wood under the cooking surface as a heat radiating system. Cooking takes place directly on the cooking plate, which can be smooth or grooved. The equipment is available with electric or gas supply. Simply plug it into an electrical outlet, switch it on and within minutes it will be ready to cook food. The main advantage of choosing a fry top is the distribution of heat: it spreads the heat evenly over the entire surface. This allows for controlled cooking of food without the risk of too hot or too cold spots. It is also easier to clean because it has no components such as burners and grease trays, where food residues end up accumulating.
Gas or electric grill? Which one to choose for the restaurant
The differences between the lava stone grill and the fry top focus mainly on the power source, temperature control and size.
The fry top is easier to use, requires less maintenance and offers even heat distribution. Cleaning is another strong point: a special container collects all liquids that melt during cooking. It also produces fewer fumes because the fat from the food does not drip onto the hot stones.
The lava stone grill reaches high temperatures in a few minutes, reducing gas consumption and speeding up preheating. It requires more experience to dole out the heat. Time is of the essence in this cooking process and even one minute more can ruin the dish. However, the flavour and texture you get are quite similar to those you would get from traditional cooking on a wood grill.
Desco grills and fry tops for professional kitchens
Desco offers a range of professional kitchen equipment for any requirement that includes lava stone grills and fry tops, available with both smooth and ribbed plates.
Lava stone grills are equipped with gas burners, positioned to evenly radiate the volcanic stone bed. The backsplash and grills are height-adjustable, and the top is slightly inclined to facilitate fat drainage. Thanks to this structure, cooking is even and very light. The intensity of flavours is maintained and the dispersion of substances in the food reduces the need to use other seasonings.
The fry top is available in gas and electric versions. The cooking plates are made of a special thick ferritic alloy with high thermal conductivity, also in a chrome-plated version. They have the ability to maintain a constant ideal cooking temperature, even when used intensively. The glass-filled nylon knobs are placed at a useful angle to prevent liquids and food residues from seeping in. Grease drainage is channelled into a basin under the cooking plate, easily accessible for cleaning.
