Why Colorado Restaurants Are Switching to Heat-Activated Grill Cleaning

Your flat-top grill takes a beating every shift. Burgers, steaks, hash browns, and fajitas leave behind layers of carbonized food and grease. The way you clean that cooking surface affects both the quality of your food and the lifespan of your equipment.

Many restaurants in Colorado and Wyoming still use grill bricks for this essential task. It's what's always been done. But there's a better approach that's gaining traction among restaurant owners who've discovered it: heat-activated grill cleaner.

The Problem With Traditional Grill Bricks

Grill bricks work through abrasion. You scrape the brick across the hot cooking surface, grinding away carbonized buildup. This mechanical action removes the residue, but it also removes something else: your grill's protective surface.

Over time, repeated use of grill bricks wears down the grill top. The abrasive action gradually exposes heating elements and damages the cooking surface. What starts as minor wear becomes costly repairs or early equipment replacement.

Grill bricks also create another issue. The physical scrubbing requires significant effort and time, especially after a busy dinner service when your team is tired. It's hard work that doesn't have to be that hard.

How Heat-Activated Cleaning Works

First Mark Heatalizer Heat Activated Grill Cleaner uses chemistry instead of abrasion. You apply the cleaner to your hot grill surface, and the heat activates the cleaning agents. The product breaks down grease and carbonized food without scraping or grinding.

The process is straightforward. Apply Heatalizer to the heated grill, let the heat activate the cleaning formula, then wipe away the loosened residue. No heavy scrubbing required. No grinding away at your equipment's surface.

The product is food-safe, which matters when you're cleaning a surface that will immediately be used to cook the next order. You don't need to worry about chemical residue affecting food quality or safety.

Time Savings That Add Up

Restaurant kitchens operate on tight schedules. Every minute spent on cleaning is a minute not spent on prep, cooking, or closing tasks. Heat-activated cleaning cuts grill cleaning time significantly.

Instead of the extended scrubbing session required with grill bricks, Heatalizer allows for quick application and removal. The heat does the work. Your staff applies the product, gives it time to activate, and wipes it away. The entire process is faster and requires less physical effort.

For restaurants running breakfast, lunch, and dinner services, these time savings accumulate. Faster grill cleaning between services means more efficient kitchen operations throughout the day.

Protecting Your Equipment Investment

Commercial flat-top grills represent a significant capital investment. Whether you're running a Bar & Grill serving burgers and steaks, a Mexican restaurant cooking fajitas and quesadillas, or a breakfast diner handling endless hash browns and eggs, that grill is central to your operation.

Heat-activated cleaning extends equipment life by eliminating the abrasive wear caused by grill bricks. The cooking surface maintains its integrity. Heating elements stay protected. Your grill performs consistently for longer.

When equipment lasts longer between replacements, your kitchen maintenance budget benefits. The cost of heat-activated cleaner is easily offset by extended equipment lifespan and reduced repair needs.

Two Pack Sizes for Different Operations

Performance Foodservice Denver offers First Mark Heatalizer in two configurations to match different restaurant needs:

Heatalizer Heat Activated Grill Cleaner (#DT452): This 32x3oz pack size works well for restaurants with moderate grill usage. The individual 3oz portions make it easy to control application and ensure fresh product for each cleaning session.

Heatalizer (#EA936): The 6x1qt size suits higher-volume operations that clean grills multiple times daily. This larger format provides better value for busy kitchens with extensive flat-top cooking.

Both sizes contain the same effective formula. The choice depends on your volume and usage patterns.

Restaurant Owners Who Try It Keep Using It

The best indicator of a product's value is reorder frequency. Restaurants that try Heatalizer typically make it a permanent part of their kitchen operations. Once kitchen staff experience the easier cleaning process and see the results, going back to grill bricks doesn't make sense.

This adoption pattern shows up across different restaurant types throughout Colorado and Wyoming. Whether you operate an Italian restaurant with a flat-top for searing proteins, a pizza shop cooking calzones, or a BBQ joint handling various grilled items, heat-activated cleaning delivers consistent performance.

Making the Switch

If your restaurant still relies on grill bricks for flat-top cleaning, consider what that approach costs in terms of equipment wear, staff time, and physical effort. First Mark Heatalizer offers a straightforward alternative.

Contact your Performance Foodservice Denver representative to discuss which pack size fits your operation. They can provide guidance on application technique and help you calculate usage based on your grill cleaning frequency.

Your kitchen team will appreciate the easier cleaning process. Your equipment will last longer. And you'll maintain the clean cooking surface necessary for consistent food quality.

Frequently Asked Questions on Heat-Activated Grill Cleaning

Is heat-activated grill cleaner safe for food contact surfaces?

Yes. First Mark Heatalizer is food-safe and formulated for use on cooking surfaces. After cleaning and wiping, the grill is ready for immediate food preparation.

Will this work on my grill if I've been using grill bricks for years?

Yes. Heatalizer works on all commercial flat-top grills regardless of previous cleaning methods. It may take a few applications to fully clean surfaces with heavy buildup.

Which size should I order for my restaurant?

If you clean your grill 1-2 times daily, the 32x3oz pack (#DT452) is typically sufficient. For operations cleaning grills 3+ times daily or multiple grills, the 6x1qt size (#EA936) offers better value.

Does the grill need to be at a specific temperature?

The grill should be hot for the heat activation to work effectively. Apply Heatalizer when the grill is at cooking temperature or slightly cooled from peak heat. Your staff will quickly learn the ideal timing.

How long does it take to clean a grill with Heatalizer?

A: Most restaurants complete grill cleaning in 5-10 minutes, significantly faster than traditional grill brick methods. The exact time depends on grill size and soil level.