Groen vs Cleveland Kettles

[olivero]

What’s the deal with the little rust spots on the bottom of the kettle, I think it’s from paddles hitting it but how do you fix that?

 

Considering it’s stainless, it should be healing itself the second the exposed chrome comes in contact with the oxygen, what grade is the stainless? It’s on KGL-100’s.

[wtrapp]

I am the Product Line Specialist – Cooking (Groen).  Please see below and hope this helps.

Which would you recommend, a Groen or Cleveland kettle? I would recommend the Groen (DH-100).  Cleveland does not offer a 100-gallon tilting kettle that i am aware of.  They do offer a 100-gallon stationary kettle which I will reference for these questions since it is the kettle being used for this discussion.

I need to purchase an 80 or 100-gallon kettle, natural gas, tdo with tri-clover flange, tilting.

Which heats faster, Groen or Cleveland?  Groen, due to its 360,000 Btu rating versus Cleveland’s 190,000 Btu rating.  Groen will bring 33F water to a boil in 20 minutes.

Which gets hotter?  They are both 50psi kettles but they operate at approximately 45psi.  At 45psi, both models with reach a max temperature of 287F.

Durability?  Groen, with its reinforced bar rim, IPX6 water wash down related controls and the fact that it is approximately 300 lbs. heavier than the Cleveland model.

Ease of cleaning?  Groen.  Groen’s interior is finished using a 180 emery grit sanding process which actually removes metal making the interior less porous versus Cleveland’s interior finished with a bead blasting process that mostly cleans the interior.  https://www.guyson.com/guyson-blast-blogs/blast-media-and-applications/cosmetic-finishing-by-bead-blasting/   Also, the Groen has a mirrored exterior polish (equal to a #7 high buff polish versus Cleveland’s #4 finish.  Groen’s reinforced bar rim is much easier to clean than Cleveland’s rolled rim.

Which is better engineered?  Groen 

     Controls are away from intense heat areas.      Controls are electronic with an extremely tight temperature variance (+/-2F).      Controls are IPX6 water wash down rated versus Cleveland’s “splash proof controls”.      Single trunion design which tilts the kettle within its own footprint.      Butterfly pouring lip provides the narrowest pour path in the industry      All floor models have a 316 stainless steel interior as standard.      Manufactured in the U.SA., not Canada.

Which has better heat thru put?  Groen with its 360,000 Btu’s.

 

Ectofix – Anyway, I did a very quick, two-minute search on the internet.  The 100 gal gas-heated Groen unit I came up with is only rated to a max of 30 psi (274°F):  You pulled up the AH stationary kettle.  This discussion is about a tilting kettle.  Try the link below for the DH-100 that is a 50psi rated tilting kettle.

http://unifiedbrands.dhchicagostagingtwo.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/gas-tilting-kettle-model-dh-100-1.pdf

 

https://unifiedbrands.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/gas-model-ah-1.pdf

The Cleveland counterpart is a 50 psi vessel:

 

https://www.clevelandrange.com/asset/?id=zrzfi&regions=us&prefLang=en

The Groen is rated at 145K Btu, while the Cleveland is rated up to 190K.  Groen’s DH-100 is rated at 360,000 Btu

 

Although the Cleveland is $10,000 more in initial cost – as a technician, I’m convinced that the Cleveland kettle is a better investment.  It’s more heftily built, Groen’s kettle weighs approximately 300 lbs. more than the Cleveland offers greater heat output and (from my experience) Groen’s kettle is rated at 360,000 Btu versus Cleveland’s at 190,000 Btu (almost twice as much) is built to be more resilient to a wet working environment it will be exposed to since everything in the gas train is better protected from it.  Groen’s gas train is behind the kettle, not under it and the controls are IPX6 water-washdown rated.

(I’m sorry, Groen) All good

 

While BOTH are fine with a standard 115v, 15a electrical outlet for control power – the Cleveland kettle requires a 3/4″ gas connection while the Groen only needs a 1/2″ source.  That’s obviously due to the difference in their heat output capabilities.  Incorrect.  The DH-100 requires a 1” gas connection, obviously due to the difference in heat output capabilities.

Fixbear –   I also prefer Cleveland for build quality.  Please reference the build quality above.  But I also prefer separate steam supply.  whether house steam or a steam generator. After all, the kettle rarely dies, but the steam source does.  And replacing a steam generator is a lot less than a whole kettle.

Ectofix – BTW:  I suggest that wayninsky shouldn’t consider my suggestion to be conclusive and should consult with the manufacturers and dealerships for possibly more accurate info and guidance.  Great suggestion.

Additional Groen notables:

     10-year hemisphere warranty      Faucet bracket is standard      Standard 3/4” rim mounted water fill faucet      Electrically driven worm gear tilt of kettle body for pouring and cleaning is standard

 

Joenicholson – Referencing the incorrect Groen model.  wayninsky is asking for a tilting kettle.  I see your chart has Cleveland and Crown listed.  Aren’t they the same kettle?  Groen’s trunnions are grease-able as well.  

 

This is a very interesting discussion from many different industry views and experiences.