Commercial Panini Grills, Toasters & Rice Cookers in Toronto & Canada
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions we hear from operators.
What's the difference between a rice cooker and a rice warmer?
A rice cooker heats raw rice and water to actually cook the rice, then usually switches to a warm-hold setting once it's done. A rice warmer, on the other hand, only holds already-cooked rice at a safe serving temperature — it has no cooking function at all. Most of our lineup from Alpha and Winco are combination cooker/warmers, sized from 40 up to 90 cups, while Alpha's ARIW-100 is a dedicated 100-cup rice warmer for a high-volume buffet or banquet that cooks rice separately in bulk.
What's the difference between a ribbed and flat panini grill?
A ribbed panini grill plate presses classic grill lines into a sandwich and lets excess fat and oil drain away from the food. A flat plate gives full, even contact instead, better suited to quesadillas, delicate breads, or anything you don't want grill-marked. Several of our panini grills from Winco, Star, and Globe are available with either surface, or a combination of both on a double press, so you can match the plate to what's actually going through it.
What size conveyor toaster do I need?
Conveyor toaster capacity is measured in slices per hour, and it scales quickly with kitchen volume. A 250 to 500 slice/hr toaster suits a small breakfast counter or cafe, a 700 to 900 slice/hr unit covers most quick-service restaurants, and a 1,000 to 2,000+ slice/hr model is built for a high-volume buffet, hotel breakfast, or bagel shop running continuous service. We carry that full range from Waring, Hatco, and Star-Holman, in both standard and wide toasting openings for thicker bread and bagels.