When conducting maintenance on an electric griddle, what is crucial to do first?

Before conducting maintenance on an electric griddle, the first crucial step is to unplug the unit. This is essential for ensuring safety, as working on any electrical appliance poses a risk for electric shock or injury if the unit is still powered on. Unplugging the griddle eliminates any electrical current flowing to the appliance, making it safe to perform maintenance tasks such as cleaning, inspecting, or making repairs.

While other actions, such as cleaning or removing components, are important in the maintenance process, they should only be carried out after confirming that the appliance is completely powered off. Ensuring that the unit is unplugged is a fundamental safety protocol in any food service operation, where the risk of accidents can be significantly reduced by following established procedures.