Commercial Char-Broilers

A commercial char-broiler is a professional cooking appliance that uses gas burners beneath cast iron or stainless steel grates to cook food over an open flame. It creates authentic grilled flavor and attractive sear marks, making it ideal for cooking steaks, burgers, chicken, seafood, vegetables, and sandwiches in restaurants, steakhouses, diners, and commercial kitchens.

Although both appliances grill food, a commercial char-broiler is specifically designed for indoor commercial kitchens and uses powerful gas burners beneath heavy-duty grates. It delivers consistent heat, faster recovery, and higher cooking capacity than many traditional outdoor grills, making it suitable for continuous restaurant use.

Commercial char-broilers are available in several configurations, including:

• Countertop char-broilers
• Floor model char-broilers
• Radiant char-broilers
• Lava rock char-broilers
• Infrared char-broilers
• Gas char-broilers
• Restaurant range char-broilers

The best model depends on your menu, kitchen space, and production requirements.

Each type offers unique benefits:

• Radiant char-broilers provide even heat distribution and are easy to maintain.
• Lava rock char-broilers create a traditional charcoal-like flavor by vaporizing drippings over heated rocks.
• Infrared char-broilers deliver extremely high temperatures, faster cooking times, and excellent energy efficiency.

Choose the style that best matches your cooking preferences and menu.

Commercial char-broilers are commonly available in:

• 12-inch
• 24-inch
• 36-inch
• 48-inch
• 60-inch
• 72-inch

Smaller units work well for cafés and food trucks, while larger models are ideal for high-volume restaurants and steakhouses.

Commercial char-broilers are ideal for preparing:

• Steaks
• Hamburgers
• Chicken breasts
• Chicken wings
• Fish
• Shrimp
• Pork chops
• Sausages
• Vegetables
• Kabobs
• Sandwiches
• Plant-based burgers

Their open-flame cooking creates authentic grilled flavor and appealing grill marks.

Key features include:

• Heavy-duty stainless steel construction
• Cast iron or stainless steel cooking grates
• High BTU burners
• Independent heat controls
• Adjustable grates
• Removable grease trays
• Even heat distribution
• Adjustable legs
• ETL or NSF certification

These features improve durability, cooking performance, and ease of maintenance.

Regular cleaning helps maintain cooking performance and food quality.

Recommended maintenance includes:

• Clean cooking grates after each use.
• Empty grease trays daily.
• Remove food debris and grease buildup.
• Inspect burners regularly.
• Use manufacturer-approved cleaning products.
• Perform routine deep cleaning to maintain efficient operation.

Proper maintenance extends equipment life and promotes safe operation.

Yes. Modern commercial char-broilers are designed to maximize heat transfer while minimizing energy waste. Radiant and infrared models are particularly efficient because they distribute heat evenly and reduce cooking times, helping improve overall kitchen productivity.

Several trusted manufacturers produce reliable commercial char-broilers, including:

• American Range
• Southbend
• Imperial
• Atosa
• Star Manufacturing
• Wolf
• Dukers
• Serv-Ware

These brands are recognized for durable construction, dependable performance, and equipment built for demanding commercial foodservice environments.