In today’s demanding foodservice environments, fast, consistent cooking isn’t just a bonus—it’s an operational necessity. As consultants seek solutions that boost throughput without expanding kitchen footprints, AccuTemp’s XLR8™ Upper Heated Platen emerges as a powerful specification choice.
Designed to integrate seamlessly with any AccuSteam™ Griddle featuring a 24-inch cooking depth, the XLR8™ delivers dual-sided cooking with precise, electrically heated performance. Its proprietary technology ensures even top-down heating with near-instant temperature recovery, helping commercial kitchens achieve faster ticket times without sacrificing quality.
“The XLR8 transforms the AccuSteam into a double-sided cooking system, drastically cutting cook times while maintaining consistent food quality,” says John Pennington, vice president and corporate chef at AccuTemp Products, Inc.
Key advantages for consultants and clients
The XLR8™ is built for heavy-duty, high-volume use, offering operational and design benefits consultants will appreciate:
- Precision control: Operators can set platen temperatures from 150°F to 440°F with a digital control panel, ensuring versatility across menu applications.
- Time-saving technology: With top and bottom heat, cook times can be reduced by 50% or more compared to standard flat-top griddles.
- Robust construction: The all-stainless-steel build, single-hand lift mechanism, and positive top/bottom detents guarantee durability and ease of use.
- Simplified installation: The XLR8™ mounts easily to any 24-inch depth AccuSteam Griddle, requiring only a standard 208/240V single-phase electrical connection.
- Operational efficiency: Dual-stage automatic timers simplify training, support consistency, and allow staff to multitask during peak hours.
- Sustainability and service: Electric operation minimizes energy waste, and AccuTemp’s industry-exclusive Lifetime Service and Support Guarantee offers peace of mind long after installation.
Practical performance: breaking down the impact
To illustrate the real-world impact, consider a typical kitchen preparing chicken breasts. On a traditional charbroiler, cooking 8 pieces at a time at around 4 minutes per batch (plus handling) yields about 106 pieces per hour, or roughly 213 during a two-hour lunch rush. At $12 per entrée, that’s about $2,556 in potential revenue.
Using an AccuSteam™ Griddle equipped with the XLR8™, cook time drops to roughly 1.5 minutes per batch, enabling kitchens to produce approximately 160 pieces per hour—or 320 pieces during the same two-hour window. That pushes potential lunch revenue to $3,840—a $1,284 increase per day. Over just 181 busy days, this could translate into over $230,000 in additional annual revenue, without factoring labor savings, reduced energy costs, or improved consistency.
Menu versatility and broader applications
The XLR8™ is not limited to traditional burgers or sandwiches. Its broad application includes proteins like steaks, pork chops, and chicken breasts, plus breakfast items such as hash browns and grilled favorites like paninis and melts. With a cooking surface measuring 11.6 inches wide by 23.6 inches deep, it delivers significant production capacity without consuming additional floor space.
By dramatically improving cooking speed and consistency, the XLR8™ helps operators achieve faster table turns, shorter ticket times, and enhanced customer satisfaction—all critical KPIs for modern foodservice operations.
A smart specification for modern kitchens
Whether incorporated into new builds or retrofit projects, the XLR8™ Upper Heated Platen represents a strong, future-focused specification. Consultants can confidently recommend it to clients seeking improved kitchen productivity, increased revenue potential, and more consistent food quality – while maintaining a smaller footprint and lower operating costs.
As with all AccuTemp products, the XLR8™ comes backed by the company’s Lifetime Service and Support Guarantee, offering clients exceptional peace of mind and investment protection.
Further details:
AccuTemp will be showcasing the XLR8™ Upper Heated Platen at the upcoming NRA Show, Booth #3636.
Learn more at https://www.accutemp.net/xlr8-upper-heated-platen/
