Apuro CU613-A Double Contact Grill Half Ribbed Half Flat 2.9kW | 2x 10A Plugs

Expand short-order versatility, sear authentic chargrill lines alongside uniform flat-press melts, and eliminate service bottlenecks with the Apuro CU613-A Commercial Double Contact Grill with Half-Ribbed and Half-Flat Plates. Purpose-engineered for Australian cafes, takeaway sandwich shops, espresso bars, lunch kiosks, delicatessens, university canteens, and mobile catering setups, this 550 mm wide heavy-duty commercial panini press delivers a flexible dual-zone cooking deck, combining smooth flat cast iron plates on the left and grooved ribbed cast iron plates on the right across a total 2.9 kW heating output on two standard 10A circuits.

Dual-Surface Flexibility: Half-Flat Toasting & Half-Ribbed Branding

Standard uniform contact grills force kitchens to choose between full-contact toasting and traditional ribbed searing. The Apuro CU613-A solves this by combining both configurations in a single compact benchtop footprint:

• Left Cooking Zone (Smooth Flat Plates): Delivers 100% surface contact for rapid, uniform toasting of sourdough toasties, wraps, Mexican quesadillas, and Turkish rolls, as well as easy shallow-frying of eggs, mushrooms, and sliced halloumi.

• Right Cooking Zone (Grooved Ribbed Plates): Channels fats and oils away from ingredients while searing appetizing, professional grill lines into artisan paninis, steaks, chicken breasts, sausages, and burger patties.

Independent Dual-Zone Temperature Control & Digital Timers

High-volume service requires thermal flexibility across different food types. The CU613-A features independent mechanical thermostat dials (100°C to 300°C) paired with separate digital countdown timers for each side. Kitchen staff can toast delicate filled croissants at lower temperatures on the flat deck while searing minute steaks at 280°C on the ribbed side. During off-peak periods, either side can be shut down completely to minimise idle power consumption without interrupting active orders.

Heavy-Duty Cast Iron Plates with High Thermal Mass

Pressed-aluminium sandwich grills often drop heat dramatically when loaded with cold proteins or refrigerated sandwiches, leading to pale crusts and long customer queues. The CU613-A uses heavy-gauge commercial cast iron plates (Lower Deck: 482 x 235 mm; Dual Upper Plates: 215 x 215 mm each) that store substantial thermal energy. This dense iron core delivers consistent thermal stability, rapid start up, and fast temperature recovery between successive docket orders.

Counter-Balanced Swivel Top Plates for Even Compression

Crushed bread crusts and unevenly melted fillings compromise presentation. The CU613-A utilizes counter-balanced, heavy-duty sprung hinges that offset the weight of the cast iron upper plates. Operators can raise and lower each lid smoothly with one hand. The top plates incorporate a self-levelling swivel mechanism that adjusts parallel to food of varying thickness, applying balanced, gentle contact pressure without pushing sandwiches forward off the grill.

Durable 430 Stainless Steel Housing with Removable Drip Tray

Engineered for demanding commercial environments, the chassis is manufactured from high-grade, wipe-clean 430 commercial stainless steel, resisting oil corrosion, heat wear, and kitchen impacts. A removable front-mounted grease collection tray captures fat, excess butter, and crumbs directly from the front channel, keeping counter surfaces clean and compliant with Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) Standard 3.2.2 Food Safety Practices. The tray slides out easily for fast sanitising in a commercial scullery dishwasher.

Dual 10A Australian Plug Setup for Immediate Deployment

To provide 2.9 kW of commercial heating power without requiring expensive 15A rewiring or three-phase line installation, the Apuro CU613-A is factory-fitted with two independent standard Australian 10 Amp 3-pin plugs and leads (one dedicated to each independent heating zone). It comes complete with a commercial metal grill cleaning scraper tool and is backed by a comprehensive 2 Years Commercial Parts and Labour Warranty across Australia.

Key Features & Benefits

• Half-Flat & Half-Ribbed Configuration: Cook flat-pressed toasties and chargrilled paninis simultaneously on a single benchtop unit.

• Dual Independent Heat Zones: Separate manual dials allow simultaneous cooking of different menu items at tailored temperatures (100°C to 300°C).

• Dual Digital Countdown Timers: Dedicated digital timers with audible alarms reduce the risk of burnt food during busy rushes.

• Heavy-Duty Cast Iron Heat Retention: Dense cast iron plates retain thermal energy to ensure fast temperature recovery during continuous service.

• Counter-Balanced Swivel Lids: Lowers parallel over thick or thin sandwiches without crushing delicate breads.

• Commercial 430 Stainless Steel Housing: Durable, corrosion-resistant exterior wipes down easily and withstands heavy kitchen wear.

• Removable Front Grease Tray: Channels fat runoff and food matter away from work surfaces for effortless clean-down.

• Complimentary Cleaning Scraper Included: Heavy-duty metal scraper supplied to clean cast iron grooves between orders.

• Dual Australian 10A Plug Setup: Plugs straight into two standard 240V commercial power outlets on separate circuits with zero electrician setup costs.

• 2 Years Commercial Warranty: Backed by comprehensive parts and labour warranty coverage nationwide.

Technical Specifications

Daily Care, Cleaning & Maintenance Guidelines

To maintain seasoned cast iron plates, protect internal elements, and satisfy commercial food hygiene standards:

1. Power Isolation & Cool-Down: Always turn both temperature dials to the off position, isolate the wall power switches, and disconnect both 10A power plugs before performing any maintenance. Allow the cast iron plates to cool down to a warm handling temperature (around 50°C to 60°C) before applying cleaning tools.

2. Initial & Ongoing Plate Seasoning: Before first service, wipe plates clean, preheat to 200°C, apply a light, even coat of high-smoke-point vegetable oil (such as canola or rice bran oil) with a cloth, and allow it to bake in until a natural, non-stick patina forms. Reapply light oil weekly to protect the cast iron from oxidation and surface rusting.

3. Plate Scraping & Debris Clearing: While the plates are still warm, use the supplied metal grill scraper to push carbonised fat, melted cheese, and bread crumbs into the front grease drainage channel. Use the grooved teeth for the ribbed side and the flat edge for the smooth deck. Never use caustic chemical sprays or abrasive cold-water washdowns on hot plates, as thermal shock can crack cast iron.

4. Removable Drip Tray Cleaning: Slide the front grease collection tray out after every meal service. Empty collected cooking oils and food matter into an approved grease disposal container. Wash the tray in warm soapy water or run it through a commercial pass-through dishwasher.

5. Stainless Steel Body Care: Wipe down external 430 stainless steel panels daily with a soft microfibre cloth dampened with warm water and a mild commercial food-grade degreaser, wiping in the direction of the metal grain.

6. Counter-Balance Hinge Inspection: Inspect the rear tension springs and hinge pivots monthly. Wipe away airborne flour and grease to ensure the counter-balanced lids open and close smoothly without binding.

7. Washdown Safety Precautions: Never immerse the grill in water or spray it with high-pressure washdown hoses or commercial pre-rinse guns. Wipe clean using damp, well-wrung cloths only.

Commercial Kitchen Placement & Electrical Guidelines

The Apuro CU613-A is engineered for commercial cafe prep passes, sandwich stations, and food truck lines:

1. Dual Dedicated 10A Electrical Connection: The CU613-A draws a combined 2.9 kW and is fitted with two separate standard Australian 10 Amp 3-pin plugs. Each plug powers one half of the appliance. To prevent circuit overload, plug each lead into a separate, dedicated 10A wall circuit. Never connect both leads into a single domestic power board or double adaptor.

2. Stable, Heat-Resistant Countertop Placement: Position the 30.0 kg unit on a flat, level, heat-resistant commercial stainless steel prep table. Ensure the rubber feet sit firmly on the worktop to prevent movement when opening or compressing the heavy cast-iron lids.

3. Clearance & Ventilation: The grill radiates high surface temperatures during service. Maintain at least 150 mm of unobstructed airspace around the sides, rear, and top of the unit to ensure adequate ventilation and prevent heat transfer to adjacent joinery.

4. Combustible Material Separation: Never place paper napkins, takeaway packaging, plastic wrap, or cooking oils directly beside or behind the grill housing during operation.

5. Baking Paper & Sheet Best Practices: When toasting wraps or buttered breads, commercial baking paper or non-stick Teflon sheets can be placed over the plates to reduce daily crumb build up and further speed up sandwich changeover.

Freight & Delivery Notice 

Standard commercial road freight delivery is available Australia-wide to commercial business addresses with level ground access or loading docks. Due to the 30.0 kg net weight, cast iron plates, and heavy-duty chassis, transit via insured courier handling or protective carton freight is standard. For deliveries to residential, home-based business, or non-commercial addresses, please contact our friendly commercial sales team prior to placing your order to obtain a customised courier quote and confirm delivery logistics.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the benefit of a half-ribbed and half-flat plate configuration?

The split configuration delivers two distinct cooking functions on a single machine. The left flat side provides full surface contact for even, fast toasting of sandwiches, wraps, and eggs, while the right ribbed side sears classic char lines into paninis, steaks, chicken breasts, and burger patties while channelling away excess cooking fat.

Why does the Apuro CU613-A have two power leads?

The unit draws a total of 2.9 kW of heating power. Splitting the power between two standard Australian 10A cords allows the machine to run on existing single-phase circuits without requiring an electrician to wire an expensive 15A or three-phase power point.

Can I run only one side of the grill during quiet periods?

Yes. Each plate features independent temperature controls and power circuits. During off-peak hours, you can run one side for sandwiches while leaving the other side switched off, cutting energy consumption in half.

How do the digital countdown timers work?

Each side features its own digital timer display with control buttons. Staff can set exact cooking countdowns for specific menu items, and an audible acoustic alarm sounds when the time elapses, preventing burnt sandwiches during busy service rushes.

Do these cast iron plates require seasoning?

Yes. Because these plates are heavy-duty raw cast iron, they should be seasoned prior to first use. Heat the plates to 200°C, apply a light coat of high-smoke-point vegetable oil, and let it bake in to establish a natural non-stick patina that resists rust and improves food release.

How does the counter-balanced top plate prevent crushing food?

The upper plates are connected to an internal spring mechanism that offsets their heavy cast iron weight. This allows operators to lift and lower the lid smoothly with one hand. The swivel joints allow the top plate to rest completely flat against items of varying thicknesses without crushing them.

What commercial warranty is provided with the Apuro CU613-A?

The unit is backed by a comprehensive 2 Years Commercial Parts and Labour Warranty across Australia.

N.B Images are for illustrative purposes only. Specifications are subject to change without notice.