What the plate is and where our information comes from
The Waldmeister Plancha is a drop-in stainless steel plate with a rim, an accessory without its own heating. You place it on your grill’s grate and then have a closed cooking surface including a lid. The manufacturer calls it BruzzPlate; on Amazon it is listed as Waldmeister Plancha Grillplatte Edelstahl 40x30cm mit Griffen, Deckel und 2 Grillspachteln. This review applies to the version with grid drain, ASIN B0DKTJ8JD5.
According to the instructions, Waldmeister is run by Jaro Reimer, a sole proprietorship in Modautal; in the shop the brand describes itself as a German start-up from the Odenwald. The shop says the plate was developed in Germany. Amazon lists China as the country of origin (as of 20.10.2026); the two do not rule each other out. The manufacturer also advertises that it sells Germany’s first plancha with lid, grid drain and integrated handles; we found no independent evidence for this. The range stays with this one plancha line; alongside it, Waldmeister sells the plug-in gas grill BruzzLee and accessories.
Our information comes from the product page of the manufacturer shop (waldmeister-outdoor.de), from the seven-page instructions that Amazon links as a PDF in the listing, and from the Amazon catalogue. We retrieved everything on 20.10.2026; the catalogue data is dated 05.10.2026. The instructions give dimensions of 40 x 30 x 8 cm and so match this variant, although their article number JRBP01 differs from the Amazon model number JRGP1. We have not grilled with the plate; we have not handled it. Where we calculate or infer, we say so, and where the sources contradict each other, we give both sides.
Construction: stainless steel, edges, handles, lid
According to the instructions, the plate, lid, burger flipper and grill spatula are all made of stainless steel. The instructions give the dimensions as 40 x 30 x 8 cm, the Amazon page as 30 x 40 x 8 cm, while the catalogue data give only 4 cm in height (1.57 inches). What the 8 cm includes remains open. In the photo the handles clearly stick out beyond the rim, and no source explains whether the lid placed on top is counted. We do not calculate a grilling area from these dimensions: whether 40 x 30 cm is the area inside the edges or an outer dimension is covered in the list of missing information further down.
On weight, there are 4.56 kg (instructions, plate, lid, burger flipper and grill spatula together) against 4.9 kg (Amazon, without a breakdown).
The catalogue photo shows a flat tray with a smooth base and a raised rim all round. On the left and right the wall runs out into an angular handle with an opening each; the handles are therefore part of the plate, which fits the manufacturer’s statement of integrated handles. In the picture the lid is a flat sheet with a small knob in the middle that appears to be metal (our observation from the picture, not a manufacturer statement). The instructions require fireproof protective gloves for the hot plate; handles and lid are not mentioned there separately.
According to the instructions, the box contains one griddle plate, one burger flipper, one grill spatula and one lid; the shop also speaks of a burger flipper and a grill spatula. Amazon writes of two stainless steel grill spatulas with wooden handle, and in the photo both tools have wooden handles. These can be read together: by the two spatulas Amazon probably means the burger flipper and the grill spatula, and the instructions give stainless steel as the material without ruling out a wooden handle. So you should expect two tools in the box.
In detail: what the lid, edges and grid drain do
On a grate, the food sits on bars. Small or soft pieces fall through, and everything else gets stripes instead of an even browning. On a plate, the food sits on the whole surface. In return, fat and juices stay beneath it, and moist ingredients first cook in their own liquid: as long as water evaporates at the surface, the surface stays at around 100 °C and does not brown.
According to the manufacturer shop, the lid is meant to allow indirect cooking, keeping food warm and melting cheese; the Amazon text mentions burger patties with melted cheese straight from the gas grill. The design suggests how this works: a sheet above the food holds back rising heat and steam, and cheese on the patty gets heat from above. Nobody has measured this on this plate; the explanation is ours. No source gives times for melting cheese, and the instructions do not describe the use of the lid at all.
According to the Amazon manufacturer text, high edges and handles protect the food from flames licking over. Our inference on this: on a grate, fat drips into the fire and flares up; under a closed plate it only reaches the flame once it runs off through the drain. Whether the edges keep out flames that rise up the side of the sheet depends on the grill.
The manufacturer calls the fat drain a grid drain. According to the Amazon text, minimal holes in the bottom right corner let excess oil run off without vegetables or meat falling through. A level sheet does not send fat to the corner by itself; we read the text as meaning that you push it there with the spatula, but this is not documented. Where it goes afterwards is decided by the grill beneath the plate. On a gas grill it probably lands in its grease system, on charcoal in the embers, and there it flares up. How to avoid and put out a grease fire is covered in the guide Preventing grease fires on the grill.
On heat, the shop writes that the warp-free stainless steel stores heat and ensures even grilling results. For evenness, though, it also matters that stainless steel conducts heat poorly: common grades about 15 to 25 W/(m·K), unalloyed steel about 50, aluminium over 100 (values from materials science, not from Waldmeister). How well a plate evens out temperature differences therefore depends on its thickness, and the manufacturer does not state it. Our inference: over a single burner, the plate will get hotter there than at the edge.
This touches on the heat limit in the instructions. They advise not exceeding 300 to 350 °C to avoid deformation, which qualifies the shop’s word warp-free.
Does the plate fit your grill, and which version?
This can only be settled at your own grate. The manufacturer shop lists 20 compatible grills and says the plate fits almost any grill, but it gives no minimum size for the grate. Measure the free grate area.
The list includes Weber Spirit E-310 and Spirit II E-310, Enders Monroe Pro 3 SIK Turbo and San Diego Next 3, Napoleon Freestyle 425, Char-Broil Gas2Coal Hybrid, Rösle Videro G3-S Vario+ and Royal Gourmet GA5401T, followed by Und viele mehr (and many more). As areas of use, the shop names gas, charcoal and camping grills, and in its FAQ also open fire; slow, even heating is important to protect the stainless steel. For anything else, the instructions refer to the notes for the grill you use.
Under the hood, the height figure from the construction section helps only to a limited extent, because it is unclear whether the lid is included in it. It is best to measure the gap between grate and hood edge yourself before buying.
The shop recommends the size like this: 40 x 30 cm for 2 to 4 people and several dishes at once, the smaller 30 x 20 cm for one or two people and little storage space. This page covers the large plate. The shop has four variants: 40x30 with grid drain, 40x30 without grid drain, 30x20 and a saver set of the small and large plate. On 20.10.2026, according to the structured data of the shop page, both 40x30 variants were available, while 30x20 and the saver set were sold out. On Amazon, the size selection of this listing names only the variant without grid drain alongside it (ASIN B0FWK8BWY9); a 30x20 version could not be retrieved there as a separate page on the same day.
Price, accessories and returns
Our price box lists the plate at approx. €73. On the Amazon page it stood at €72.90 on 20.10.2026, as it did in the catalogue retrieval of 05.10.2026; the manufacturer shop charged €74.90 that day. The variant without grid drain has its own Amazon page with its own price (€69.90 on the same day). Prices change; check both pages before buying.
On top of the purchase price come things that are not in the box. The instructions require fireproof protective gloves, a fire blanket or fire extinguisher within reach and heat-resistant cooking oil; none of this appears in the scope of delivery that they list. The shop sells the BruzzPlate BBQ set, eight pieces according to the shop, including a multi grill flipper with bottle opener, a 2-in-1 grill brush, smash burger paper, a burger press, two fried egg moulds with handle and heat protection gloves. On 20.10.2026 it cost €34.90 there as a promotional price, regularly €49.90. The instructions forbid wire brushes on the plate, and a 2-in-1 grill brush is part of this set.
In its own shop a 14-day right of return applies, only for unused items, with the customer bearing the return shipping costs; on Amazon, Amazon’s rules apply. The instructions, product page, terms and conditions and returns policy do not mention a manufacturer warranty. According to the instructions, Waldmeister usually answers questions within 24 hours by email at info@waldmeister-outdoor.de.
Seasoning, cleaning and safety according to the instructions
On care and seasoning, the instructions and the manufacturer shop contradict each other several times. We follow the instructions because they are the document for the plate and the stricter version; the shop’s dissenting statements are given alongside each time.
Seasoning
According to the instructions, seasoning forms a wafer-thin patina on the stainless steel that acts as a natural non-stick coating; even so, a little oil should still be used when grilling. The shop sees it differently: stainless steel does not need to be seasoned, a short preheat and a light oiling are enough. The instructions describe six steps:
- Clean the plate with warm water and washing-up liquid and dry it completely.
- Using kitchen paper or a clean cloth, apply a thin layer of vegetable oil, for example sunflower oil, to the entire surface.
- Place the plate on the grill and heat the grill to approx. 250 degrees.
- Let it season for approx. 20 to 30 minutes; the oil forms a protective layer, and the plate changes colour, which is normal and intended.
- Switch off the heat and wait until the plate has reached room temperature.
- Remove excess oil with a clean cloth.
When grilling itself, the plate should be preheated before the food goes on it, and carry a small amount of fat. You place and turn food with the grill spatula until the desired doneness is reached.
Cleaning and care
On cleaning, care and storage, the instructions (pages 4 and 6) give these points, listed here in full:
- Clean thoroughly with warm water and washing-up liquid before first use and after every use, in each case only after it has cooled down completely.
- Do not use steel wool, wire brushes or other abrasive cleaners or scouring agents.
- Stubborn dirt can be removed with standard oven or grill cleaners.
- Rub the plate regularly with heat-resistant cooking oil, never with olive oil; remove excess oil with a soft cloth.
- Clean with warm water and mild soap before and after every use; the plate and grill spatula must be completely dry to prevent mould.
- Inadequate cleaning can impair the material or lead to unhygienic residues.
- Do not use sharp-edged tools or utensils; they can scratch or irreparably damage the surface.
- Do not use strong chemicals or aggressive or caustic cleaning agents that could damage the surface.
- Store the plate and accessories clean and dry, protected from direct sunlight and out of the reach of children; the original packaging with the instructions is advisable.
The list contradicts itself in one place: stubborn dirt is supposed to give way to oven or grill cleaner, yet aggressive and caustic agents are forbidden. Oven cleaners are usually strongly alkaline, so we would ask the manufacturer before using them.
On the dishwasher, the three sources say different things: Amazon calls the plate suitable for it too, the shop writes the opposite in its FAQ, and the instructions only describe hand cleaning. What is certain is what the instructions say.
The sources also disagree on timing. The shop recommends deglazing with water after grilling, working with the scraper and wiping off, and elsewhere also scraping while hot. The instructions require cleaning the plate only after it has cooled, and in the safety notes warn against putting it down hot on a cold surface because it can crack. Cold water on hot metal triggers a similar thermal shock and evaporates abruptly; this is not in the instructions, we are deriving it.
Safety
The warning and safety notes are on pages 3 to 5. Here they are in full, in our words:
- Read the instructions completely and carefully, keep them, and pass them on if you hand the plate on.
- Risk of burns: always wear fireproof protective gloves. The plate gets very hot shortly after being placed on the grill; after that, do not touch it or handle it while it is hot; it is hot everywhere.
- Observe the safety notes of your own grill, fire basket or fire pit.
- Keep a fire blanket or a suitable fire extinguisher close at hand to put out a grease fire; never extinguish burning fat with water.
- Never put the hot plate down on flammable materials, always on heat-resistant ones; set it down only on a level, stable and heat-resistant surface, never directly on a cold surface, to avoid cracks.
- Never leave hot objects unattended, and the plate in use likewise; handle hot cookware with care.
- Keep the product out of the reach of children and pets. The plate is not a toy for children, and neither is the packaging: plastic bags pose a risk of suffocation.
- Do not make any modifications to the plate.
- Clean all parts after every use to prevent bacterial contamination; let the plate cool after grilling, then empty and clean it.
- Intended use is exclusively for grilling various foods, exclusively private and not commercial, and only as described in the instructions. Any other use is considered improper and can lead to damage to property or personal injury; improper use can damage the plate. Waldmeister accepts no liability for wrong or improper use.
For disposal of the griddle plate and grill spatulas, the instructions refer to local regulations on separate disposal. They do not cover the gas connection, pressure regulator, hose and leak test; these belong in the instructions of your grill. As a general rule for charcoal and open fire (general rule, not a statement from the instructions): never in enclosed spaces, because of carbon monoxide.
What the manufacturer does not state
None of the three sources (instructions, manufacturer shop, Amazon catalogue) contains:
- plate thickness and stainless steel grade, for example V2A or 1.4301; in the shop only the words solid (massiv) and warp-free (verzugsfrei)
- usable grilling area inside the edges and handles, dimensions of lid and edges individually
- individual weights of plate and lid
- size, number and spacing of the drain holes (Amazon names only the bottom right corner), collecting container or drip tray
- minimum dimensions of the grill grate and suitability under a closed grill hood
- suitability for hob, induction or oven
- time for melting cheese, advice on handling the hot lid, temperature of handles and knob
- heat-up time, heat retention and warping as measured values
- food contact of the lid (the instructions name only the griddle plate, spatula and burger flipper as suitable) as well as standard, testing body or declaration of conformity (LFGB, EU 1935/2004)
- factory treatment or coating
- wood type and treatment of the spatula handles, dimensions of the spatulas, material of the grill brush in the BBQ set
- spare parts, meaning lid, spatulas or handles individually
- manufacturer warranty
- founding year and market launch of the product; the creation date of the instructions PDF (14.07.2025) is a file value
- minimum distances from flammable materials, suitability for the balcony, ventilation
What else is worth considering?
| Model | The difference | Price | Our rating | Choose this one if |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Waldmeister Plancha Grillplatte 40x30cm (this one) | Lid, integrated handles, grid drain; heat limit 300 to 350 °C according to the instructions | approx. €73 | 8.2 | you want to melt cheese under a lid or keep food warm covered |
| HAVENHAUS Plancha Smash Burger Set XXL | 4 mm plate with 2 burger domes, burger press and 2 spatulas (6 pieces) instead of a lid over the whole plate | approx. €85 | 8.2 | you want to press smash burgers and want to know the plate thickness beforehand |
| Arebos Plancha Grillplatte 40 × 30 cm | no lid included; 2 removable handles, drain opening, 350 °C upper limit according to the manual | approx. €57 | 8.3 | you only need an open plate and do not want to pay for a lid |
| Petromax Feuertopf ft6 | not a griddle: cast iron Dutch oven with 5.5 l in the pot, 9 kg | approx. €75 | 9.0 | you cook stews and braised dishes in the embers instead of frying on a plate |
Prices and ratings come from our individual reviews, the prices are guide values and not current on the day; the day’s price may differ (see the section on price). The rating is our editorial assessment and not a measurement result. The second column for the three alternatives is based on instructions, catalogues and manufacturer pages from HAVENHAUS, Arebos and Petromax. The table is not suitable as a performance comparison: there is no measurement for any of these plates, and the Petromax is a different type of design. For more grill accessories at a glance, see the Grill accessories comparison; you will find the category under Grill accessories.
Who the plate suits and who it does not
Our assessment: the lid is the reason to choose this plate, and at the same time the point with the thinnest source base. Burgers with cheese are the case it is intended for according to the manufacturer; fat content, smash or thick, and cooking times are explained in the guide Grilling burgers. If you want to press smash burgers, the HAVENHAUS set offers a press and two domes instead of a lid.
At full burner power you will hit the heat limit in the instructions. On a gas grill with individually controllable burners, the heat under the plate can be limited; on charcoal or open fire this is harder. For heat zones and cooking times for vegetables, the guide Grilling vegetables helps. For a hot sear, in our assessment the grate remains the better surface; the plate takes on what would otherwise fall through, such as onions or prawns.
The plate is wrong for anyone who only wants to load the dishwasher after eating, because oiling and hand washing are part of it. It is also wrong for snack bars and catering, because the instructions provide exclusively for private use, and for anyone who wants to fry on a hob, because there is no approval for that.
On a balcony, house rules and tenancy agreement decide which type of grill is allowed; details are in the guide Grilling on a balcony. Which grill suits you at all is shown by the Grill finder. Plate and lid are two separate parts and together with the accessories weigh several kilos; if you have little storage space, according to the shop’s information you will do better with the smaller 30 x 20 cm plate, provided it is available again.
In our assessment, the plate suits a gas grill with individually controllable burners and a hood clearance that you have measured beforehand best.
