A Complete Guide to Buying a Commercial Charbroiler

Whether you serve tantalizing grilled chicken or juicy steaks, chances are that you use a charbroiler.

If your current one is on its last leg or you’re looking to purchase a new one for expansion purposes, you might have realized that you have too many choices, and an uncertainty of where to begin from.

With various types of charbroilers in the market, it might be difficult for you to choose the perfect one for your business. So, here’s a guide that’ll help you buy the right one:

Features to Look for

·         Adjustable Grates: Adjustable grates allow you to change the height of the back part of the grate to move that section farther away from the flames for greater cooking flexibility. These grates are easier to clean as compared to fixed ones.

·         Grate Style and Material: Almost all charbroilers come with cast iron cooking grates. This material retains heat well and is extremely durable.  Also, pay attention to the grates on your charbroiler, some of them offer a thinner and thicker width of bar that helps you achieve different grill marks by simply flipping them over.

·         Cast Iron or Stainless Steel Burners and Radiants: Cast iron burners hold heat better as compared to stainless steel; however, they corrode and rust easily. On the other hand, stainless steel burners do not corrode or rust easily. Thus, stainless steel remains a better option as compared to cast iron burners.  

Styles to Choose from

·         Countertop: A countertop charbroiler is designed to be placed on an equipment stand. You can choose between gas and electric models, depending on your need. This is the best choice for your restaurant considering its ease of use.

·         Free Standing: A free standing floor model charbroiler has its own legs. A number of manufacturer’s models include a cabinet style base that holds platters and plates close at hand.

·         Outdoor: Outdoor charbroilers are mostly utilized by companies who have large space to place them outside. Available with a number of accessories, buy an outdoor charbroiler only if you have enough space to place and operate it.

Radiant or Lava Rock?

·         Radiant Charbroilers: They have the burner positioned under an angled piece of metal known as a radiant. This directs the heat up toward the grates and food. Their design helps in channeling grease and drippings away from the flame and intro the drip pan. They are much easier to clean as compared to lava rock model

·         Lava Rock Charbroilers: Ceramic lava stones are placed above the burners in this type of charbroiler. They heat up and radiate the heat towards what you’re grilling. Rocks are porous, thus they catch and hold drippings, enhancing the delicious smells by creating more flavorful smoke and flare-ups. However, their maintenance and cleaning is a downside as you may have to replace lava rocks twice a year.

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