When service hits, the griddle has to be hot the second the ticket prints. Waiting on slow-warming cast elements or chasing hot spots costs minutes, and minutes eat your margin. We built our short-wave IR heater for griddles to make that wait a thing of the past. What actually matters under the hood Short-wave infrared throws heat straight at the target—your griddle plate—without wasting time heating air. You go from a cold start to full operating temperature in seconds, not minutes. The element settles into stable output fast, and the focused radiation pattern keeps the energy where it needs to be: on the cooking surface. Pair that with a tight thermostat or solid-state control, and you get repeatable setpoints and fast recovery when a cold batch hits the plate. This isn’t just heat. It’s heat you can count on, and control. Why it works in a real kitchen In the thick of service, speed and consistency are the same thing. Short-wave IR brings the griddle up fast, so you can start cooking immediately. It recovers quickly between orders, so sear and flavor stay consistent from the first ticket to the last. Precision control means fewer overcooked proteins and under-melted cheeses, which cuts waste and keeps tickets moving. You also use less energy because you’re not heating the cabinet, the hood, and the back wall—you’re heating the plate. Less idle time means less wear on the equipment and fewer preheat delays at shift change. The practical details that save you headaches Installation is straightforward, but clearance and mounting matter. Keep the heater at the specified distance from the griddle surface, and make sure the housing is properly supported so nothing contacts the tube. Double-check electrical compatibility—voltage, phase, and amperage—before you order. The quartz envelope is tough, but it doesn’t like impacts, so protect it from tools and heavy pans. Cleaning is simple: let the unit cool, then wipe down the reflector and housing. Never spray cool water on a hot quartz tube. Match the heater to your griddle size and duty cycle, and you’ll get the quick, steady heat your line needs.