New design (introduced July 2025) features much larger area and drains directly onto the grease drain below. It features a large 37 x 48cm cooking area and is made from 304 Stainless Steel.
Preparation
- Remove the left grill rack, leave the grease tray in place with the vent holes uncovered.
- Take care not to hit the temperature sensor on the left.
Grill Controls
Firing Up
- Fire the grill up.
- Set temperature to 180℃ to pre-heat for 10-15 minutes.
- The hotplate temperature will be 20-40℃ hotter than the grill’s displayed temperature, so once grill displays around 160℃ / 320℉ start testing the hotplate temperature with fine water spray for beading (see cooking section below).
- Once cooking, adjust temperature to higher temperature as required as required.
- Keep the lid shut as much as possible while cooking.
Shutting Down
- Shut the grill down as normal.
- The Hotplate will stay hot for more than an hour, so take care when removing from the grill, and wear heat proof gloves.
Cooking
- During operation the surface of the hotplate may be significantly hotter than the grill temperature shown on the controller display. Do NOT use the grill temperature as main indication of the hotplate temperature. Physical testing (see next point) is required.
- To check if the grill is hot enough to start cooking, spray some water (fine spray only) on the hotplate.
- If the water it sizzles it is NOT hot enough yet.
- If the water forms tiny balls that roll around (know as the Leidenfrost effect) it is close to or above 200℃, the perfect temperature for hotplate cooking!
Never pour water or large pile of cold food on the hotplate while hot as it can cause the metal to permanently warp out of shape.
- Once up to temperature apply a generous amount of high smoke point cooking oil and place on food.
- Let the food to sit until a crust forms, allowing it to lift off the stainless steel more easily.
- Keep the grill lid shut as much as possible when cooking (use LOW or MEDIUM heat). Doing so will keep the temperature more stable and significantly reduce wood pellet usage.
- If cooking with the lid often, or continually open, the HIGH setting may be required to provide sufficient heat.
- For more information on how to cook on stainless steel, check out the video below.
Cleaning
Never pour water on the hotplate while still hot as it can cause the metal to permanently warp out of shape.
- Clean the stainless steel the same as any stainless cook-wear.
- Jif, Bar Keepers Friend or similar kitchen cleaning powder/cream are safe to use.
- Do not leave the hotplate outside exposed to weather as although it is made from 304 stainless steel it can still form surface rust in certain conditions. If any rust does appear, polish off with stainless steel cleaner and ultra-fine wire wool.
- The hotplate can be cleaned while sitting in place, with any soapy, dirty water pushed down through the drain hole, onto the grease tray and down into the grease bucket.
- Do NOT pour cold water onto the hotplate while hot!
Safety
- The hotplate will stay hot for a long time after the cook is finished.
- Wait to cool down before removing, or use high temperature gloves when removing if still hot.
- Do not put a hotplate that is still hot anywhere somebody (or a pet) could accidentally touch it.