Apuro DY996-A Compact Contact Grill Flat Plates 1.5kW | Commercial Panini Press 10A

Grill orders to perfection, save valuable counter real estate, and accelerate ticket turnaround with the Apuro DY996-A Compact Contact Grill with Flat Plates. Engineered for space-restricted cafes, food trucks, takeaway outlets, kiosks, and pub kitchens, this heavy-duty commercial sandwich press pairs rapid 1.5kW heating with durable enamelled cast iron flat plates to cook everything from toasted sandwiches and wraps to steaks, burger patties, grilled vegetables, and fish fillets.

Uniform Dual-Plate Contact & Fast Thermal Recovery

The dual flat plate design delivers continuous, direct surface contact across the entire 210 x 226 mm cooking deck, transferring heat evenly through both sides of your food simultaneously. Featuring an initial start-up time of just 11 minutes and 30 seconds and a rapid 2-minute-and-30-second recovery between tickets, the unit comfortably delivers up to 19 cooking cycles per hour. This rapid thermal turnaround allows staff to cook to order during quiet spells to save on energy costs, while keeping up effortlessly with peak meal rushes.

Counterbalanced Swivel Head for Consistent Cooking

Equipped with a precision counterbalanced upper section, the lid lifts smoothly and holds its position safely without crashing down onto food. The floating swivel hinge automatically self-levels to match the contours and thickness of your ingredients—from delicate quesadillas to thick artisan sourdough toasties—applying uniform, gentle compression without crushing the bread or squeezing out fillings.

Enamelled Cast Iron Flat Plates (No Seasoning Required)

Unlike raw cast iron that requires lengthy curing cycles, the Apuro DY996-A features enamelled cast iron cooking surfaces that are ready for service straight out of the box. The flat plate format prevents food debris from getting trapped in grooves, making flatbreads, pancakes, and eggs easier to handle. Housed in premium 430 commercial stainless steel, it includes a slide-out grease collection drawer and a dedicated grill scraper to keep daily maintenance quick and low-effort.

Key Features & Benefits

• Dual Flat Plate Configuration: Maximises full surface-to-food contact for accelerated cooking times and uniform heat transfer.

• Enamelled Cast Iron Cooking Deck: Exceptional heat retention and non-stick release without requiring manual seasoning.

• Compact Countertop Footprint (290 mm Wide): Optimised for small-footprint kitchens, coffee bars, pop-ups, and food vans.

• Rapid 1.5kW Commercial Heating: Fast 11.5-minute cold start-up and quick 2.5-minute recovery time between batches (up to 19 cycles/hour).

• Counterbalanced Swivel Head: Floats parallel to food profiles to provide even compression without hand fatigue.

• Dial Thermostat (100°C to 300°C): Front-mounted dial gives chefs accurate temperature regulation for delicate toasting or high-heat searing.

• Slide-Out Grease Collection Drawer: Catches excess fats, crumbs, and juices to keep the surrounding benchtop clean.

• Durable 430 Stainless Steel Body: Resilient, corrosion-resistant chassis built to withstand demanding commercial kitchen use.

• Grill Scraper Included: Supplied complete with a heavy-duty scraper for quick clean-downs between customer orders.

• Standard Australian 10A Plug: Ready for immediate plug-and-play operation on standard 230V commercial wall sockets.

Technical Specifications

Daily Care, Maintenance & End-of-Shift Sanitisation

To protect the enamelled cast iron surface, prevent carbon accumulation, and maintain heating efficiency:

1. Service Debris Scraping: During active service, use the supplied flat scraper to clear away breadcrumbs, cheese residue, and fat runoff into the front drip tray.

2. Power Down & Cool Off: At the end of trade, turn the thermostat dial to the off position, unplug the machine from the wall outlet, and let the plates cool to a warm handling temperature (approx. 50°C–60°C). Cleaning while warm makes fat and grease removal significantly easier.

3. Plate Cleaning (Avoid Thermal Shock): Wipe down the warm enamelled plates using a non-scratch nylon sponge or grill pad dampened with warm water and a neutral, food-safe commercial kitchen degreaser. Never pour ice or ice-cold water onto hot cast iron plates, as extreme thermal shock can crack the iron or chip the protective enamel finish.

4. Drip Tray Emptying & Washdown: Slide out the front grease collection tray, empty spent oils into an approved waste grease container, and wash the tray in a commercial sink using warm soapy water. Dry thoroughly before reinstalling.

5. Stainless Steel Body Care: Clean the 430 stainless steel chassis and counterbalanced handle using a soft microfibre cloth dampened with a mild detergent solution. Buff dry with a clean cloth to eliminate water spots and streaks. Never use wire wool, steel scourers, bleach, or caustic oven cleaners, as they will scratch and pit the finish.

6. Electrical Safety: Never submerge the contact grill in water, and never spray the appliance with a commercial high-pressure washdown hose or pre-rinse sink gun.

Benchtop Placement & Electrical Guidelines

The Apuro DY996-A is designed for rapid countertop integration across cafes, takeaways, and mobile catering setups:

1. Standard 10A Electrical Connection: The unit is fitted with a standard Australian 10 Amp plug and operates on standard single-phase 230V power. With a 1.5kW power draw (approx. 6.5A), it plugs directly into any standard commercial benchtop socket without risk of tripping circuit breakers. Avoid using domestic adapters or multi-plug power boards.

2. Solid, Heat-Resistant Countertop: Position the 14.4 kg unit on a flat, level, sturdy, and heat-resistant commercial stainless steel prep bench. Ensure all four rubber feet make solid contact with the surface to prevent sliding when lowering the press handle.

3. Thermal Clearances: Maintain at least 100 mm of clearance around the rear and sides of the grill to facilitate natural heat dissipation. Allow sufficient overhead clearance so the counterbalanced upper plate can open fully without striking shelves or heat lamps.

4. Combustible Clearances: Keep packaging, paper serviettes, plastic film, and takeaway containers away from direct contact with the hot metal housing.

5. Kitchen Ventilation: Position the grill under an approved commercial kitchen exhaust canopy compliant with AS 1668.2 to extract cooking smoke, steam, and airborne grease vapours.

Freight & Delivery Notice

Standard commercial road freight delivery is available Australia-wide to commercial business addresses with level ground access or loading docks. For deliveries to residential or non-commercial addresses, please contact our friendly commercial sales team prior to ordering to obtain a customised courier quote and confirm delivery logistics.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I plug this contact grill into a standard 10 Amp power point?

Yes. The Apuro DY996-A draws 1.5kW (approx. 6.5 Amps at 230V) and comes fitted with a standard Australian 10 Amp plug, allowing you to plug it straight into standard power points across commercial kitchens, food trailers, or canteens without requiring a 15A outlet.

Do these flat plates require seasoning before first use?

No. The plates feature a durable commercial enamel coating that eliminates the seasoning and curing process required by raw cast iron. After a simple initial wash with warm soapy water to remove protective factory oils, the grill is ready for immediate commercial cooking.

What is the benefit of flat plates over ribbed plates?

Flat plates provide maximum, unbroken surface contact across the entire piece of food, resulting in faster and more uniform heat transfer. They are also much more versatile for cooking delicate items like eggs, pancakes, quesadillas, and burger patties, and are significantly faster to wipe clean because there are no grooves to scrape.

Can I clean the hot plates with ice or cold water at the end of the day?

No. Dumping ice or cold water onto hot cast iron creates violent thermal shock, which can warp or crack the plates and permanently damage the enamel coating. Always allow the grill to cool down to a warm handling temperature (around 50°C) before cleaning with warm water and non-abrasive pads.

How does the swivel top plate benefit sandwich toasting?

The floating swivel hinge allows the top plate to align horizontally with the food's top surface, regardless of height. This ensures equal contact pressure across thin wraps as well as thick, loaded artisan sandwiches without crushing the crust unevenly.

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