FAQ
The art of teppanyaki cooking began around 200 years ago in Japan and is less a cooking style than it is a performance. The word teppanyaki derives from the Japanese word “teppan”, which means “iron plate,” while “yaki” translates to “grilling.” So, the term literally translates to grilling on an iron plate.
These days, a teppanyaki grill is a large, flat, stainless steel surface in either a rectangular or circular shape. The surface heats up via gas or electricity similar to conventional stovetops. It allows you to cook food similar to how you would on a barbeque. But, with teppanyaki grills, cooking is healthier, easier and far less messy.
They can be built into your kitchen counter indoors or outdoors. They also come as free-standing bistro tables or portable stainless steel grills that plug into any regular power outlet. The UltraDine teppanyaki grill features unique ThermoFlex shallow dip technology that adds versatility to your range of cooking options!
Both cooking styles allow guests to watch the cooking process. In the U.S. the phrase Hibachi has become synonymous with what is actually teppanyaki cooking.
Teppanyaki utilises an iron or stainless steel griddle and the cooking is done on a flat, solid surface. Guests can sit around a teppanyaki grill and easily watch the chef prepare the meal.
Hibachi grills are also called shichirin in Japanese. They are usually much smaller in size and made from cast iron. They have a grate design rather than being a flat surface and will often use charcoal as a heating source rather than gas or electricity.
UltraDine teppanyaki grills are made from premium quality German 304-grade stainless steel. The cooktops are equally at home in your kitchen or in your BBQ area. Outdoor kitchens are the most popular use for them in Australia. They can be used both in covered alfresco areas or open areas. And coastal areas with salt air around are no problem either.
There are many different types and styles of teppanyaki grills and defining the best is difficult and somewhat subjective.
What we do know is no other teppanyaki grill on the Australian market offers our unique and innovative ThermoFlex Shallow Dip Technology with Dual Zone cooking. Leading German manufacturer, Gunter Bechtold from Weilheim Bavaria, have created a teppanyaki surface that goes concave in the middle when heat is applied. This essentially gives you a shallow bowl to cook in, enhancing food flavours and offering a larger range of cooking choices.
The UltraDine range is electric. Our standard element is 2250W which means you can plug the grill into a standard 240V/10 Amp household power point. When installing the built-in models we recommend having a dedicated power point.
The purchase of a teppanyaki grill is much like the purchase of an oven or a fridge. With so many choices available, price ranges can vary drastically.
You’re going to see – and maybe use – your teppanyaki every day for as long as you live in your home, and picking the right teppanyaki the first time is critical to ensure maximum enjoyment with minimum maintenance. Because of this, most shoppers elect to get the teppanyaki that will make them happiest in the long run.
There are many variables and each does affect the price. The prices range from about $200 to over $10,000, however, the higher quality teppanyaki plates generally start at about $3500.
Cook n Dine’s UltraDine Teppanyaki Plus grills are designed, engineered and made in Germany, crafted by metal artisans in Weilheim Bavaria, and don’t come cheap. Prices for the Portable and Built-In models start at $3812 for the PU-60 & range up to $9866 for the MO-111. The Teppanyaki Tables we quote on request – expect to pay between $9800 and $15,000 depending on size. Excellence & uniqueness are worth paying for!
Our cooktops are specifically designed to ensure cleaning is quick & easy. The steps are as follows:
- If the cooktop is cool, turn the heating element to 3
- Pour a little warm water on the stained area and simmer for 10-15 minutes
- Gently scrape with a non-metal spatula to remove any residue
- Wipe down with paper towel and the cooktop is ready for use once more
Over time there may be some discolouration of the cooking surface. Your cooktop can be restored to pristine condition using the UltraDine Cleaning Kit stainless steel cleaner with a little water and the special microfibre cloth supplied with the kit. Always rub in the direction of the silk brushed finish of the cooktop. Rinse and dry with a soft cloth for an amazing result!
Our cooktops are specifically designed dip down in the middle forming a shallow bowl effect. We call it ThermoFlex. This gives wonderful flavour enhancement by keeping all the food juices in the cooking area. It also means that you don’t need a fat drain or gutter. When you have finished cooking and allowed the grill to cool a little, simply pour some warm water onto the cooking area & wipe the cooktop clean with paper towel or microfibre cloth. For best results always wipe in line with the grain.
When cooking, especially meat and vegetables, it is important to use some kind of oil. This makes cleanup easier and ensures no food sticks to the grill.
Choose an oil that best suits the food you are cooking and fits your personal preferences. Olive oil, Soybean oil, Canola oil are good choices for grilling ingredients on our UltraDine Teppanyaki Plus grills.
There are thousands of dishes that can be cooked on a Teppanyaki Grill. Including:
- Steamed Fish
- Risotto
- Steak
- Filet Mignon
- Lobster
- Lamb Meatballs
- Prawns
- Chicken Saltimbocca
- Ribs
- Grilled Squid
- Chicken Fajitas
- Pork Tenderloin
- Spaghetti Marinara
- Fried Rice
- Pork Stir Fry
- Desserts
- Breakfast
- French Toast
- Eggs Benedict
And much more!
The simple answer? Our Shallow Dip Technology. We all know that to make something that seems simple work time and time again, a lot of engineering and technology has gone into it.
The Ultradine portable teppanyaki is completely self-contained and engineered with the material strength to absorb the stresses of the Shallow Dip feature when heated.
To be capable of doing this, more materials and more man-hours are required in the manufacture which is, of course, reflected in the price tag. But as we have done the hard work all you need to do is set it down on a flat surface and plug it into power and get cooking!
Our Ultradine Teppanyaki Plus Grills run off standard 3 pin 240V, 10Amp power available at household power points just like other appliances such as dishwashers. Even our built-in teppanyaki cooktops just need a standard powerpoint nearby to plug into. No hard wiring required!
The cooking area reaches a maximum temperature of 230°C and the warming area that surrounds the main cooking zone in the centre will stay at a temperature 50% lower so you can keep cooked food warm. The surrounding area will stay cool allowing you to serve food or store ingredients while you cook. The cool edges of the cooktop mean no heat transfer into the surrounding benchtop.
Some building codes in some states only allow electric appliances in high rise buildings due to fire risks with gas and charcoal. As the UltraDine teppanyakis are electric they can be used in high rise apartment buildings.
Our range of UltraDine Portable Teppanyaki Plus grills can be put on a bench or table and plugged into a regular power-point. This means they can be used virtually anywhere and they are safe to use in high rise apartments.
Our built-in teppanyaki grills can also be installed in any kitchen. We provide comprehensive Installation instructions that ensure tradespeople installing the benchtop can complete a perfect job. The Teppanyaki Table models are ideal for use on a balcony as well.
We offer a full 2-year manufacturer’s product warranty for private use. Commercial use is warranted for 12 months.
Correct installation of the built-in teppanyaki grills is critical to their performance and longevity. Each of the mounting studs must have a nut and washer firmly tightened to secure the cooktop to the bench and the nuts should be re-tensioned after 2-3 uses. Use of a sealant between cooktop and benchtop is necessary on all outdoor installations and recommended on indoor installs also to prevent moisture ingress into the electricals.
Yes, we do offer the option of having a teppanyaki grill made to order. If you are building a special kitchen or BBQ area and looking for a bespoke teppanyaki solution please contact us on 1300 655 031. We can also customise the existing range with different heating elements including 2500W & 3000W if required
Yes! Restaurants looking for a unique edge in cooking can benefit from the Ultradine cooktops. There are options to increase the heat range by stepping up the element from 2250 Watts to 2500 or 3000 Watts. What about a portable teppanyaki grill mounted on a trolley for mobile table service? Or Self serve teppanyaki for your patrons?