Commercial Griddle & Flat Top Grill Repair in Philadelphia
Grills, griddles, flat tops, flattops – whatever you call them, when they stop heating evenly your whole line feels it. I provide fast, honest repair for commercial griddles and flat top grills across Philadelphia.
Breakfast lines, burger spots, diners, cafes and food trucks. Gas or electric, manual or thermostatic, chrome or steel plate.
- Owner-operated, factory-trained hot-side tech
- OEM-first parts sourcing
- Serving Philadelphia and nearby suburbs
When Your Flat Top Is Off, Your Food Is Off
A commercial griddle or flat top grill is usually the busiest piece of equipment in the kitchen. Eggs, pancakes, burgers, cheesesteaks, quesadillas, smash burgers, sauté work – it all lives on that plate. When it stops holding temp, develops dead spots or keeps tripping the hi-limit, tickets slow down and quality drops.
I’m Ryan, The Oven Man. I focus on hot-side equipment that actually needs diagnostics: griddles, grills, ovens, combis and more. The goal is simple: find the real failure, explain it in plain language and fix it in a way that holds up to a slammed service.
Types of Grills, Griddles & Flat Tops I Service
Gas & Electric Griddles
- Natural gas and propane griddles
- Electric griddles on dedicated circuits
- Countertop and stand-mounted units
- Combination range tops with integrated griddles
Manual & Thermostatic Control
- Manual “infinite” control flat tops
- Thermostatic/snap-action griddles with tighter temp bands
- Multi-zone plates for different temperature sections
Plate Types
- Standard steel plate griddles
- Polished or chrome plate units
- Extra-deep and extra-thick plates for high volume menus
Flat Tops in All Kinds of Kitchens
- Diners and breakfast-heavy restaurants
- Burger and sandwich concepts
- Food trucks and small-footprint kitchens
- School, campus and institutional kitchens
Common Griddle & Flat Top Problems I Fix
Most griddle calls fall into a few patterns. These are issues I see constantly in Philadelphia restaurants and food trucks:
Uneven Heat & Cold Spots
- Edges scorching while the center stays pale
- Clear hot and cold zones across the plate
- Food that used to cook evenly now taking longer or burning
- Incorrect plate leveling causing grease pooling and cold “islands”
Thermostat & Temperature Problems
- Griddle not reaching set temperature
- Running too hot even on low settings
- Hi-limit tripping and shutting burners or elements down
- Thermostats or sensors out of calibration or failed completely
Ignition, Pilot & Burner Issues
- Pilots that will not stay lit
- Burners lighting inconsistently or lifting
- Weak or lazy flame, poor combustion or sooting
- Electric elements not cycling or staying cold
Controls & Safety Failures
- Gas valves that are stiff, leaking or seized
- Failed hi-limit thermostats and safety resets
- Wiring damage from heat and grease
- Control knobs broken, stripped or unreadable
Plate Damage & Maintenance
- Warped or “cupped” griddle plates
- Deep gouges or pitting from aggressive scraping
- Chrome plate damage from improper cleaning
- Grease management problems causing flare-ups or overflow
Ventilation & Grease Issues
- Excessive smoke or grease vapor even at normal temps
- Performance changes after hood or make-up air work
- Drip trays overflowing, drain tubes clogged
Each call starts with a simple rule: confirm the fault, test the system and replace the part that is actually bad, not three parts “just in case.”
Grill & Griddle Brands I Service
I work on most major commercial griddle and flat top grill brands found in Philly kitchens and food trucks, including:
Common brands: Star, MagiKitch'n, Garland, US Range, Southbend, Vulcan, Wolf, Lang, Imperial, APW Wyott, American Range, Toastmaster, Atosa, Globe, Wells, AccuTemp and more.:contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}
Not sure what you have? Send a photo of the data plate or control panel to info@theovenmanphilly.com or text it to (267) 773-3295 and I’ll let you know if it is in my lane.
How A Griddle Service Call Works
- Quick intake. You tell me what the grill or griddle is doing, how long it has been happening and what kind of menu you are running.
- On-site diagnostics. I check gas pressure or electrical supply, burner/element performance, thermostat operation, hi-limit behavior and plate condition instead of guessing from across the kitchen.
- Repair on the spot when possible. If the part is on the truck or a safe adjustment can be made, I handle it in one visit so your line is not down all day.
- Clear estimate when parts are needed. For special-order or OEM-only components, you get a straightforward estimate and realistic timeline, not a surprise invoice.
No mystery charges, no “let’s replace everything and hope.” Just real diagnostics and a plan.
Who Calls Me For Grill & Griddle Repair
I focus on kitchens where the flat top is mission-critical:
- Diners and breakfast spots
- Burger joints and sandwich shops
- Bars and taprooms with serious food programs
- Food trucks and ghost kitchens
- Cafes, bakeries and brunch concepts
- School, campus and institutional kitchens
If a dead griddle means backed-up tickets and lost covers, it is a priority.
Service Area
I am based in South Philadelphia and travel to:
- South Philly and Center City
- Fishtown, Northern Liberties, Brewerytown
- University City and West Philly
- Manayunk / Roxborough and nearby neighborhoods
- Nearby suburbs such as Upper Darby, Lansdowne and parts of Delaware and Montgomery counties
If you are on the edge of the map, reach out and I will let you know quickly if it makes sense for me to come out.
Griddle & Flat Top Repair FAQ
Do you repair both gas and electric commercial griddles?
Yes. I work on gas and electric griddles, including countertop units, stand-alone flat tops and range-top griddles with manual or thermostatic controls.
Can you fix hot and cold spots on my flat top?
Many uneven heat problems can be improved or fixed with proper diagnostics: checking burners or elements, manifolds, thermostats, contact between the plate and heat source, and plate condition. Some badly warped plates may be past the point of realistic repair, and I will be honest about that.
What brands of commercial griddles do you work on?
Common brands include Star, MagiKitch'n, Garland, US Range, Vulcan, Wolf, Southbend, Lang, Imperial, APW Wyott, American Range, Toastmaster, Atosa, Globe, Wells, AccuTemp and others. If you have something unusual, send a photo and I will confirm.
Is it worth repairing my old restaurant griddle?
It depends on plate condition, safety, availability of OEM parts and how hard your kitchen runs. I will walk you through repair cost versus realistic remaining life so you can decide whether to repair, nurse it along or start planning a replacement.
Need Commercial Griddle or Flat Top Grill Repair in Philadelphia?
If your flat top is running cold, burning one side of the line or shutting down mid-service, it will not fix itself. Get a proper diagnosis and a plan that keeps your grill or griddle working the way your menu needs.