How to find the Best Commercial Crepe Maker? Choose the Best One!

A well-made crepe can add an innovative, trendy element to your restaurant menu, but the cooking procedure requires the right equipment to ensure you're doing it justice. You may find it challenging to choose the right crepe-making equipment for your kitchen, but we've outlined the different power types, styles, and cooking surfaces that you'll find so that you can make the right choice.

There are multiple products available in the market, and each one differs so much that choosing the right product becomes too daunting and overwhelming for most people. If you want to maximize your investment and create perfect crepes, consider these factors that can affect your decision.

How to find the Best Commercial Crepe Maker

Consider the following when choosing one:

• Power Type: Would you prefer electric crepe makers or gas crepe makers?
• Style of crepe maker: Single or Double?
• Surface Material: Teflon vs. Cast Iron
• Tools and Alternatives: Benefits of having one and available alternatives

Power Type

Gas Crepe Makers vs Electric Crepe Makers

Style of crepe maker

Choose between a Single or Double Crepe Maker depending on the purpose

Surface Material

Teflon vs. Cast Iron

Benefits of Crepe Maker Machines

To make a crepe, a round flat base pan is used traditionally. It's not easy to cook something from scratch, but it can be done. That’s one reason why having a crepe machine is ideal. If you're confused by how a crepe maker differs from the pans, here's a list of the main differences between them.

• You will need electricity for operating a crepe maker. For cooking on regular pans, gas stoves or induction gas are required.
• A good cup or a spreader is needed if you use the crepe maker but not if you use the pan.
• They're compact in size, so they're easy to carry around. and move to different places id needed.
• Crepe Makers lets you adjust the browning settings in a crepe maker that isn't available in pans.

Crepe Making Tools

The tools you use can have a big influence on the quality and consistency your crepe batter.

• A metal T-spreader helps ensure even, controlled distribution of batter across the cooking surface so that you get a smooth finish and consistent thin edges.
• A sturdy stainless steel spatula makes flipping crepes easy and prevents them from breaking.

Alternative to Crepe Machines

Crepe Pans

Crepe pans are smaller than commercial crepe makers, ranging in size from 7 1/2” to 10 1/2”. They're available in both cast iron and stainless steel and can be used on a normal range without any special equipment or tools.

Choose a Crepe Pan if...

• If you have a small budget and want to test out crepes on your menu first such as french crepes, then you should consider buying a crepe pan instead.
• If you want to make smaller delicious crepes

Key Factors to Keep in Mind For Choosing a Crepe Maker

Surface size

The crepe makers vary in size depending on their cooking surface areas. They range from 8 inches to 16-inch diameters. Choose a surface size that would be suitable for the dish that you would be serving.

Material

Most crepe makers use high-quality plastic materials for their exterior bodies. They're lightweight and easy to carry around. Some products use stainless steel as the material because it has higher durability and longevity than other materials. These crepe makers are heavy so they're hard to transport. Most of the products have a cooking surface made from Teflon or cast iron because it conducts heat faster and with good heat distribution.

Non-stick coating

Most crepe makers are made with a non-stick surface so that they don't stick to the pan. This will allow you flip or release crepes and pancakes, tortillas, etc. When buying a crepe maker, look for one that has no BPA or PFOAs in its non-stick coating.

Heating element

You need to check whether the heating element on your chosen crepe maker is working properly. Once the current flow through the heating element, it generates heat energy of a certain wattage, like 900 watts. This heat energy maintains the consistency of the cooking plate and ensures that the raw food gets cooked completely. As a result, a crepe maker with a strong heating element will take less time to cook than one without.

Temperature control

You need to think about temperature control because it will affect the texture and taste of your dishes. Most crepe makers offer a temperature control system that allows you to adjust the heat level and cook the desired food to perfection. You'll find a regulator knob that you need to rotate to change the temperature. On the contrary, if you want to achieve the desired temperature in some types of crepe makers, you must move the lever in the vertical direction. Apart from this, some products can automatically adjust the temperature to produce the most effective results.

Browning levels

Some crepe makers offer different browning levels so you can prepare crepes with different shades of brown. If you like soft crepes, then you need to set the browning at the lowest setting. On the other hand though, the regulator should be turned up to make the crepe crispier with a darker color.

Indicator lights

Crepe makers usually have two types of indicator light bulbs made from LEDs: one for the temperature and one for the cooking time. The red LED indicates whether the electricity supply to the appliance is turned on or off. A green indicator also lets you know when the cooking plate has reached the desired temperature.

Portability

Crepe makers are usually small and compact so they're easy to carry around to any place. However, you should check the weight of the product because you will have to deal with a lot of trouble if it has a heavy structure. To transport the crepe maker, be sure it isn't too heavy so that you don't have to exert yourself by carrying it.

Stability

You'd better choose a crepe maker that has a base with rubber feet. It will help you cook without having to worry about the appliance moving unexpectedly.

How to Properly Use a Crepe Maker

• Turn on the crepe maker and set it to low or 230-240 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Evenly apply oil or cooking spray to the cooking surface.
• Measure and pour batter onto the surface. Batter should measure approximately 4 1/2" - 4 3/4" in diameter once poured.
• Position a spreader over the batter with one end in the middle of the cooking surface and the other end at the edge. Keeping the handle low, move the tool in a large circle to smooth out the batter.
• Let the crepe cook for about 30-45 seconds, then flip over and cook for another 30-45 seconds. Use the spatula to lift and fold the crepe in half. Add desired toppings and serve!

How to Properly Season a Commercial Crepe Machine

Proper Seasoning for Crepe Machine

It's important to season your cast iron crepe pan to prevent it from sticking and rusting. Seasoning helps you cook without using too much oil, butter, and fats.

• First, connect your crepe maker and select 500 degrees Fahrenheit for cooking.
• Next, pour a tablespoon of vegetable oil onto the stovetop and spread it evenly with the cleaning pad.
• After heating up the oil for 5 to 10 minutes, the oil will turn dark brown.
• Spread olive oil eight more times, decreasing the amount of oil each subsequent time.

Proper Maintenance for Crepe Machine

To keep your crepe maker working well, first, turn it off and let it stand for a few minutes.

• You can then clean the cooking surface using an abrasion stone. When using a scraper, be sure to follow the grooves in the stone.
• After you're done, use a clean towel or rag to wipe away any dirt.
• You can then clean the cooktop with a kitchen towel and finish with a cleaning cloth. Don't wash cast iron with dish soap because dish soap will remove the seasoning from your cast iron pan. Instead, use water or water and coarse sea salt.

Need Dinnerware for your Food Business?

Here at CulinaryDepot, we carry all kinds of commercial kitchen equipment and crepe makers and accessories for your business. Learn more about the tools for professional and home cooks. Get in touch, and we'll help you get all the restaurant equipment you need to run your business!