Fracino MULTI Review: LPG Waffle Maker, Griddle and Panini Press for Mobile Caterers
The Fracino MULTI is one of those rare bits of kit that genuinely earns its place on a mobile catering counter. It’s a British-made LPG cooking system that handles waffles, paninis, burgers, bacon, eggs, and grilled sandwiches — all from one compact unit running entirely on propane. No electricity, no generator needed. Swap between cast iron waffle irons and double-sided griddle plates in seconds, and you’ve got a complete breakfast-to-dessert cooking station that fits in a 393 × 570 mm footprint.
For mobile caterers adding a waffle or breakfast sideline to their existing coffee offer, the MULTI solves two problems at once: it keeps your menu diverse without eating into your already-limited counter space, and it runs off the same propane bottle you’re already using for your coffee machine.
➡ View the Fracino MULTI in our shop
Fracino MULTI Technical Specifications (From the Manufacturer Brochure)
| Specification | Detail |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Fracino — Birmingham, England |
| Dimensions | 393 mm (H) × 570 mm (W) × 453 mm (D) |
| Weight | 38 kg |
| Gas Type | Propane 37 mbar (standard UK mobile catering) / 50 mbar LPG / 20 mbar Natural Gas |
| Burners | 2 × independent gas burners |
| Heat Output | 2.30 kW per burner (4.6 kW total) |
| Minimum Heat Input | 1.05 kW (LPG) / 1.28 kW (Natural Gas) |
| Heat-up Time | 10 minutes |
| Ignition | Piezo (no electricity required) |
| Certifications | BSI ISO 9001, Kitemark, EN 203-1:2014, EN 203-2-9:2005 |
| Gas Appliance Type | Type A (no flue connection required) |
| Waffle Iron Dimensions | 224 mm × 163 mm × 40 mm (each) |
| Griddle Plate Dimensions | 405 mm × 245 mm × 10 mm (each, double-sided: ridged/smooth) |
Three Configurations: Waffle Maker, Griddle, or M-Ultimate
Fracino sells the MULTI in three versions, each with different accessories included:
| Product Code | Version | What’s Included | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| WM-2 | Waffle Maker | 2 × waffle irons | Dedicated waffle service — coffee shops, dessert vans, events |
| MULTI-GRIDDLE | Griddle | 2 × griddle plates, 1 × panini press, 1 × spatula, 1 × cleaning brush | Hot food focus — burgers, bacon, paninis, toasties |
| M-ULTIMATE | Combo System | 2 × griddle plates, 2 × waffle irons, 1 × panini press, 1 × spatula, 1 × brush | Maximum versatility — swap between waffles, griddle, and panini on the same unit |
The M-ULTIMATE is the version we stock at MobCater because it gives you every cooking surface in one box. Run waffles on one burner and paninis on the other, or swap both sides to griddle plates for a burger service. One machine, three businesses.
The system is designed to be upgradeable — you can start with the WM-2 or MULTI-GRIDDLE and buy additional plates later to build up to the full M-ULTIMATE specification.
Why the MULTI Works for Mobile Catering
Space efficiency. At 393 × 570 mm, it takes up less counter space than a domestic microwave. In a food van or trailer where every centimetre counts, replacing two or three separate appliances with one unit is a significant gain.
Menu flexibility. Morning service: waffles and coffee. Lunchtime: swap to griddle plates for burgers and paninis. Event work: run both simultaneously. You can pivot your menu between services without buying extra equipment.
Genuinely off-grid. The MULTI uses piezo ignition and has zero electrical components. It runs entirely on propane — no generator, no mains hook-up, no inverter. This makes it ideal for market stalls, outdoor events, and anywhere power is limited or expensive.
British quality. Fracino have been making commercial coffee and catering equipment in Birmingham since 1963. The MULTI uses premium cast iron cooking surfaces that improve with seasoning over time, and carries BSI Kitemark certification.
What Can You Cook on the MULTI?
| Cooking Surface | What It Handles | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Waffle Irons | Belgian waffles, bubble waffles, waffle cones | Dessert service, coffee shop add-on, events, children’s menus |
| Griddle — Ridged Side | Burgers, steaks, halloumi, vegetables, chicken | Char-marked grilling, BBQ-style service |
| Griddle — Smooth Side | Bacon, eggs, sausages, pancakes, hash browns | Breakfast service, all-day brunch menus |
| Panini Press | Paninis, toasted sandwiches, flatbreads, quesadillas | Lunch service, café menus, quick snack options |
With the M-ULTIMATE, you can run different surfaces on each burner simultaneously — waffles on the left and paninis on the right, for example.
Earning Potential: Waffles as a Sideline
Waffles are one of the highest-margin items you can sell from a mobile setup. A basic Belgian waffle costs around 30–40p in ingredients. Sell it plain for £3.50, or loaded with Nutella, strawberries, and cream for £5–£6. That’s an 80–90% gross margin before you factor in gas and packaging.
At a busy event selling 20 waffles per hour at £5 average, you’re turning over £100/hour from a single burner on a machine that costs under £1 per hour in propane. Even on a quieter market day, 30–40 waffles across a full shift adds £150–£200 to your takings with minimal effort.
Paninis and toasties run at slightly lower margins (70–75%) but are quicker to serve and pair naturally with coffee — making the MULTI a strong addition to any mobile coffee setup.
LPG Consumption and Running Costs
At full output (both burners running at 4.6 kW total), the MULTI uses approximately 0.34 kg of propane per hour. Here’s what that means in practice:
| Usage | Propane per Hour | Hours per 13 kg Bottle | Approximate Cost per Hour |
|---|---|---|---|
| Both burners (full power) | 0.34 kg | ~38 hours | ~85p – £1.00 |
| Single burner | 0.17 kg | ~76 hours | ~42p – 50p |
At current propane prices (approximately £2.50–£3.00 per kg from Calor or Flogas), running the MULTI at full power costs less than a pound per hour. A 13 kg Calor Lite bottle comfortably covers a full week of trading.
Frequently Asked Questions
What gas type does the Fracino MULTI need?
The MULTI runs on propane (LPG) at 37 mbar — the standard regulator pressure for UK commercial mobile catering. It can also be configured for 50 mbar LPG or 20 mbar natural gas (mains). For mobile catering, you want the 37 mbar propane version. Never use butane — it fails to vaporise below about 2°C, making it useless for outdoor trading in the UK. A standard propane regulator and a 13 kg or 19 kg Calor bottle is all you need.
Can I use just one burner at a time?
Yes. The MULTI has two independent burners, each rated at 2.30 kW. You can run one side while the other stays off. This is useful for quieter trading periods or when you only need one cooking surface — for example, running waffles on the left burner during a morning coffee service without firing up the griddle.
Does the MULTI need electricity?
No. The MULTI is entirely gas-powered with no electrical components. Both burners use piezo ignition. This makes it genuinely off-grid — you don’t need a generator or mains hook-up to run it, which is a major advantage for market stalls, outdoor events, and food vans where power is limited or expensive.
How do I switch between waffle irons and griddle plates?
The cooking surfaces lift off the burner housings. To swap from waffles to griddle (or vice versa), let the current surface cool, lift it off, and place the alternative surface on. The M-ULTIMATE version comes with both sets of plates, so you can switch your entire menu between services. Allow around 10 minutes for the new surface to reach cooking temperature.
What can I actually cook on the MULTI?
More than you might expect. The waffle irons handle Belgian waffles, bubble waffles, and waffle cones. The griddle plates (double-sided: ridged on one side, smooth on the other) do burgers, bacon, eggs, sausages, steaks, halloumi, and vegetables. The panini press handles toasted sandwiches, paninis, flatbreads, and quesadillas. With the M-ULTIMATE, you can run waffles on one burner and paninis on the other simultaneously — giving you a dessert menu and a savoury menu from a single 393 mm × 570 mm footprint.
How much LPG does the MULTI use per hour?
At full output (both burners, 4.6 kW total), the MULTI uses approximately 0.34 kg of propane per hour. On a standard 13 kg Calor Lite bottle, that gives you roughly 38 hours of cooking at full power — comfortably covering a full week of trading. Running a single burner halves consumption to around 0.17 kg/hour. At current propane prices (approximately £2.50–£3.00 per kg), you’re looking at under £1 per hour in fuel costs.
Is the Fracino MULTI worth the investment for a mobile caterer?
Consider what the M-ULTIMATE replaces: a separate waffle maker (£300–£500), a commercial griddle (£400–£700), and a panini press (£150–£300). That’s £850–£1,500 in separate appliances, each needing its own counter space and power source. The MULTI puts all three into a single 393 × 570 mm unit that runs entirely on LPG. For a food van or trailer where every square centimetre matters, that space saving alone can justify the price. Add in the earning potential — waffles at 80–90% margins, paninis at 70–75% — and most traders recoup the cost within the first month or two of regular trading.