LOTUS ribbed gas fry-top with two cooking zones

A ribbed gas fry-top transfers heat from gas burners through a thick steel plate into food, concentrating the energy along raised ridges. The ridges sear meat and vegetables quickly, leaving characteristic grill marks while allowing fat and juices to drain into the troughs. This method gives the speed of a griddle with the visual appeal of a char-grill, and the two cooking areas let the operator run different temperatures or processes side by side without flavour transfer.

The operator lights the pilot flame with the piezo igniter, then opens the gas valve for each zone. A thermocouple and safety valve cut the gas if the flame fails. Each zone has its own temperature knob, calibrated from 50 °C to 300 °C, so one side can hold sauces at a gentle simmer while the other sears steaks at full heat. The ribbed plate is 2 mm thick stainless steel with rounded edges; a rear splash guard and chromed trim protect the controls and worktop. An IPX5-rated waterproof control knob allows safe wipe-downs. Below the plate, a removable grease tray collects fat and liquids for easy emptying.

Construction is 18/10 AISI 304 stainless steel throughout, finished in a Scotch-Brite satin polish. The rear panel lifts off for access to the burners and gas train, and adjustable legs level the unit on uneven floors. The unit ships with jets for both natural gas and LPG, so no additional parts are needed for site conversion.

The 14 kW power rating means the fry-top requires a dedicated gas line capable of supplying the full load without pressure drop. The 800 mm width and 705 mm depth set the footprint on the worktop, while the 108 kg weight indicates that two people or a trolley are needed for safe movement. The 280 mm height allows under-counter storage or a standard worktop build-up.

Cleaning starts with scraping the hot plate, then wiping with a damp cloth once the surface has cooled. The grease tray slides out for emptying and washing. The rear panel and control knobs can be removed for access to the burners and gas valves, and the entire unit can be lifted onto a sink for deep cleaning if required.

The FTRT-78G is a ribbed gas fry-top with two independent cooking zones, listed in the LOTUS professional catering range under heavy-duty griddles.