What do you Griddle Gods think?

SGH

I stumbled up on what I think is a real good deal. I found a Star Max 48" Griddle for sale that is 7 months old. The price on these things new is $2,500.00 and up depending on options and features. I can get it for $1000.00 cash. The only thing is it's set up for natural gas but I can rejet it for propane in about 5 minutes. Has anyone out there owned or used this particular Griddle? Your thoughts and input is wanted and much appreciated. 

WeberWho

WWRRPD?  

SGH

WeberWho said:

WWRRPD?  

If I had his money, I would buy everyone on the forum a Griddle.  

nolaegghead

That a 1" griddle?  Basically the good commercial griddles are thick plates with plenty of BTU.  I think that has both. 

blasting

I know nothing of that griddle, but I would be disappointed if you bought the same griddle as the rest of us.  

A 48" commercial unit is more in line with true SGH style.

SGH

WeberWho said:

WWRRPD?  

To answer this directly, he would whip out his big fat wallet and pay cash on the spot

DoubleEgger

You'll have all of the local round heeled women swooning with that purchase Scottie 

SGH

DoubleEgger said:

You'll have all of the local round heeled women swooning with that purchase Scottie 

I'm really wanting it. Just afraid that the wife will act a fool. She is getting kind of bitchy in her latter years. 

NPHuskerFL

1K for a 48" 4 burner chrome series is fair. You'll only need to convert the orfice or orfices to LP & possibly (likely) need to adjust or replace to gas regulator.

blasting

@SGH   Weren't you getting a big commercial grill a while back?  Seems to me it was a prototype or something along those lines, that you were going to get when they were done with it.

NPHuskerFL

Do you know how many gas valves it has? I've seen 48"-60" units with as many as 5. Remember each valve has to be converted along with the regular. You'll likely need to bump it to 11" wc - 14" wc (based off of specs which you should be able to access and download the PDF). 

BUFFALOMOOSE

All I can say is sweet!

westernbbq

Get it and post picts of burgers, fajitas and stir fry goodness youll be making....

Ozzie_Isaac

Only if it comes with the sweet metal frame its sitting on.

Jeremiah

Ozzie_Isaac said:

Only if it comes with the sweet metal frame its sitting on.

Agreed. That looks like something out of high school metal shop. 

MaskedMarvel

If you pay that for used restaurant equipment they should convert it for you. Nice find!

SmokeyPitt

 Just a thought- could you run a natural gas line to your cooking area instead? This of course assumes you already have natural gas in your house.   It would be nice not to have to worry about replacing propane tanks.  If it is anything like the blackstone you can burn through a tank quickly.  I did a quick search and it looks like this model has a 1 inch thick stainless surface. You could burn through 1/2 a 20 lb tank just getting it heated up.  

yljkt

Standing by for @SGH smashburgers...

fishlessman

looks like you would need the regulator and nozzles, about 60 bucks depending on model
http://www.tmeinc.biz/Star.htm

Hotch

@SGH If that one is a 648TF it should have thermostats for each burner. The 648TSPF will have a safety pilot. If true, that is a good one as you want have to keep adjusting each burner as I do on my BS. More like a set it and forget it.
From Star:

• Throttling thermostatic control from 150 to 450 degrees Fahrenheit
• 1" thick steel griddle plate
• Natural gas or LP gas operation

You may also want to verify if it is a "Chrome surface" or not. They are a bit more maintenance on cleaning.
If the top is a true polished steel top, you just might have a keeper!!.

THEBuckeye

A two egg breakfast, please. Bacon, Hash Browns, Smothered and Covered, Whole Wheat toast, light on the butter. 

HeavyG

SmokeyPitt said:

 Just a thought- could you run a natural gas line to your cooking area instead? This of course assumes you already have natural gas in your house.   It would be nice not to have to worry about replacing propane tanks.  If it is anything like the blackstone you can burn through a tank quickly.  I did a quick search and it looks like this model has a 1 inch thick stainless surface. You could burn through 1/2 a 20 lb tank just getting it heated up.  

Those kind of griddles are great in an operation where they are likely running all day long.

But for typical home use I'd agree that getting that puppy up to temp is going to likely take longer than the actual time to cook your grub.

SkinnyV

Standing by sir.... Standing by

fishlessman

HeavyG said:

SmokeyPitt said:

 Just a thought- could you run a natural gas line to your cooking area instead? This of course assumes you already have natural gas in your house.   It would be nice not to have to worry about replacing propane tanks.  If it is anything like the blackstone you can burn through a tank quickly.  I did a quick search and it looks like this model has a 1 inch thick stainless surface. You could burn through 1/2 a 20 lb tank just getting it heated up.  

Those kind of griddles are great in an operation where they are likely running all day long.

But for typical home use I'd agree that getting that puppy up to temp is going to likely take longer than the actual time to cook your grub.

thats one thing about the blackstone, your cooking in less than a minute. turn it on, get burger, smash it, get bread and plate, flip burger, done. instant gratification
@sgh, you going to need to get both

BilZol

HeavyG said:

SmokeyPitt said:

 Just a thought- could you run a natural gas line to your cooking area instead? This of course assumes you already have natural gas in your house.   It would be nice not to have to worry about replacing propane tanks.  If it is anything like the blackstone you can burn through a tank quickly.  I did a quick search and it looks like this model has a 1 inch thick stainless surface. You could burn through 1/2 a 20 lb tank just getting it heated up.  

Those kind of griddles are great in an operation where they are likely running all day long.

But for typical home use I'd agree that getting that puppy up to temp is going to likely take longer than the actual time to cook your grub.

Gotta second or third that. Once your up to temp you can load it up, feed hundreds, never lose temp, etc..., but fuel consumption getting it there and the time from cold to temp are slight drawbacks for a regular family night cook. 

Focker

fishlessman said:

HeavyG said:

SmokeyPitt said:

 Just a thought- could you run a natural gas line to your cooking area instead? This of course assumes you already have natural gas in your house.   It would be nice not to have to worry about replacing propane tanks.  If it is anything like the blackstone you can burn through a tank quickly.  I did a quick search and it looks like this model has a 1 inch thick stainless surface. You could burn through 1/2 a 20 lb tank just getting it heated up.  

Those kind of griddles are great in an operation where they are likely running all day long.

But for typical home use I'd agree that getting that puppy up to temp is going to likely take longer than the actual time to cook your grub.

thats one thing about the blackstone, your cooking in less than a minute. turn it on, get burger, smash it, get bread and plate, flip burger, done. instant gratification
@sgh, you going to need to get both

Good point fish.  Guys on the pizzamakingforum like pairing a WFO with a Blackstone oven.

SGH

I certainly appreciate everyone's thoughts and input on the Griddle. With that said, I have weighed the pros and cons and think that I'm going to bring it home. The Griddle is only 7 months old and I'm saving $1,700.00 bucks. Kind of hard to pass up. 
The business that owns it says it will hit 500 degrees in 5 minutes flat if turned up on high. They also advised that gas usage is significant. Oh well, that's just the nature of the beast though. I'm bringing it home, converting it to propane and mounting it on one of the big units. It should be a welcome addition to the arsenal. 

BilZol

SGH said:

I certainly appreciate everyone's thoughts and input on the Griddle. With that said, I have weighed the pros and cons and think that I'm going to bring it home. The Griddle is only 7 months old and I'm saving $1,700.00 bucks. Kind of hard to pass up. 
The business that owns it says it will hit 500 degrees in 5 minutes flat if turned up on high. They also advised that gas usage is significant. Oh well, that's just the nature of the beast though. I'm bringing it home, converting it to propane and mounting it on one of the big units. It should be a welcome addition to the arsenal. 

I'd have done the same thing. Hell, I drive a SuperDuty as a commuter. Overkill rules. 

blasting

Congrats @SGH.  Have fun.  Not sure I buy that 500 degrees in 5 minutes though.

SoCalWJS

SGH said:

I certainly appreciate everyone's thoughts and input on the Griddle. With that said, I have weighed the pros and cons and think that I'm going to bring it home. The Griddle is only 7 months old and I'm saving $1,700.00 bucks. Kind of hard to pass up. 
The business that owns it says it will hit 500 degrees in 5 minutes flat if turned up on high. They also advised that gas usage is significant. Oh well, that's just the nature of the beast though. I'm bringing it home, converting it to propane and mounting it on one of the big units. It should be a welcome addition to the arsenal. 

Good luck and best wishes! I have cooked on professional griddles in several different kitchens through the years - they are definitely better that the Blackstone (which I own and love). I would be concerned about the statement that it takes a lot of gas and you are going to convert it to propane. Invest in a propane company!

thetrim

THEBuckeye said:

A two egg breakfast, please. Bacon, Hash Browns, Smothered and Covered, Whole Wheat toast, light on the butter. 

IN THE STYLE OF DIXIE!!!