What Are the Different Types of Commercial Charbroilers?
What are the different types of commercial charbroilers?
If you want to add a smoky, grilled flavor to your menu items, you might want to invest in a commercial charbroiler. A charbroiler is a cooking device that uses high heat and direct flame to cook food on a metal grate. Charbroilers can be used to prepare steaks, burgers, chicken, fish, vegetables, and more.
But not all charbroilers are the same. There are different types of charbroilers that vary in size, design, fuel source, and heating method. In this blog post, we will explain the main differences between the types of commercial charbroilers and help you choose the best one for your business.
Countertop vs. Freestanding vs. Outdoor Charbroilers
One of the first things to consider when buying a charbroiler is where you want to place it. Depending on your available space and cooking needs, you can choose between countertop, freestanding, or outdoor charbroilers.
Countertop charbroilers are compact and portable units that can be placed on an equipment stand or a refrigerated chef base. They are ideal for small kitchens or low-volume operations that need a versatile and convenient charbroiler. Countertop charbroilers typically have a smaller cooking surface and lower BTU output than freestanding models.
Freestanding charbroilers are floor models that are designed for heavy-duty use and high-volume production. They have a larger cooking surface and higher BTU output than countertop models. They also often include a cabinet-style base that can hold plates and platters. Freestanding charbroilers are suitable for restaurants, diners, and steakhouses that need a powerful and reliable charbroiler.
Outdoor charbroilers are specially designed for catering applications, country clubs, and resorts. They are usually mounted on casters for easy portability and mobility. They can operate on propane or natural gas and have a durable and weather-resistant construction. Outdoor charbroilers are perfect for grilling food in open-air settings and creating an attractive display for your guests.
Electric vs. Gas Charbroilers
Another important factor to consider when buying a charbroiler is the fuel source. You can choose between electric or gas charbroilers depending on your utility availability and preference.
Electric charbroilers use electric elements to heat up the food. They are available for those operations without a gas utility line or with limited gas supply. Electric charbroilers have some advantages over gas models, such as easier installation, lower maintenance costs, and more consistent temperature control. However, they also have some drawbacks, such as higher energy consumption, slower heat recovery, and less smoky flavor.
Gas charbroilers use natural gas or propane to create an open flame that heats up the food. They are far more common than electric models and offer more benefits, such as faster heat up time, better heat recovery, lower energy costs, and more authentic grilled flavor. However, they also require more maintenance, ventilation, and safety precautions than electric models.
Radiant vs. Lava Rock Charbroilers
The last major difference between the types of commercial charbroilers is how they heat up the food. You can choose between radiant or lava rock charbroilers depending on your desired cooking results and cleaning needs.
Radiant charbroilers have burners positioned under angled pieces of metal called radiants. The radiants direct the heat up toward the grates and food while also channeling the grease and drippings away from the flame and into the drip pan. Radiant charbroilers produce less flare-ups and smoke than lava rock models and are easier to clean and maintain.
Lava rock charbroilers have burners positioned under a bed of ceramic lava stones. The lava stones absorb and radiate the heat up toward the grates and food while also catching and holding the grease and drippings. Lava rock charbroilers produce more flare-ups and smoke than radiant models and create a more flavorful grilled taste. However, they also require more frequent cleaning and replacement of the lava stones.
Conclusion
As you can see, there are different types of commercial charbroilers that suit different cooking needs and preferences. To choose the best one for your business, you should consider factors such as space availability, utility availability, cooking volume, desired flavor, and cleaning ease.
If you need help finding the best commercial charbroiler for your business, you can check out our website for more information or feel free to contact us at 630-613-8535.
If you want to add a smoky, grilled flavor to your menu items, you might want to invest in a commercial charbroiler. A charbroiler is a cooking device that uses high heat and direct flame to cook food on a metal grate. Charbroilers can be used to prepare steaks, burgers, chicken, fish, vegetables, and more.
But not all charbroilers are the same. There are different types of charbroilers that vary in size, design, fuel source, and heating method. In this blog post, we will explain the main differences between the types of commercial charbroilers and help you choose the best one for your business.
Countertop vs. Freestanding vs. Outdoor Charbroilers
One of the first things to consider when buying a charbroiler is where you want to place it. Depending on your available space and cooking needs, you can choose between countertop, freestanding, or outdoor charbroilers.
Countertop charbroilers are compact and portable units that can be placed on an equipment stand or a refrigerated chef base. They are ideal for small kitchens or low-volume operations that need a versatile and convenient charbroiler. Countertop charbroilers typically have a smaller cooking surface and lower BTU output than freestanding models.
Freestanding charbroilers are floor models that are designed for heavy-duty use and high-volume production. They have a larger cooking surface and higher BTU output than countertop models. They also often include a cabinet-style base that can hold plates and platters. Freestanding charbroilers are suitable for restaurants, diners, and steakhouses that need a powerful and reliable charbroiler.
Outdoor charbroilers are specially designed for catering applications, country clubs, and resorts. They are usually mounted on casters for easy portability and mobility. They can operate on propane or natural gas and have a durable and weather-resistant construction. Outdoor charbroilers are perfect for grilling food in open-air settings and creating an attractive display for your guests.
Electric vs. Gas Charbroilers
Another important factor to consider when buying a charbroiler is the fuel source. You can choose between electric or gas charbroilers depending on your utility availability and preference.
Electric charbroilers use electric elements to heat up the food. They are available for those operations without a gas utility line or with limited gas supply. Electric charbroilers have some advantages over gas models, such as easier installation, lower maintenance costs, and more consistent temperature control. However, they also have some drawbacks, such as higher energy consumption, slower heat recovery, and less smoky flavor.
Gas charbroilers use natural gas or propane to create an open flame that heats up the food. They are far more common than electric models and offer more benefits, such as faster heat up time, better heat recovery, lower energy costs, and more authentic grilled flavor. However, they also require more maintenance, ventilation, and safety precautions than electric models.
Radiant vs. Lava Rock Charbroilers
The last major difference between the types of commercial charbroilers is how they heat up the food. You can choose between radiant or lava rock charbroilers depending on your desired cooking results and cleaning needs.
Radiant charbroilers have burners positioned under angled pieces of metal called radiants. The radiants direct the heat up toward the grates and food while also channeling the grease and drippings away from the flame and into the drip pan. Radiant charbroilers produce less flare-ups and smoke than lava rock models and are easier to clean and maintain.
Lava rock charbroilers have burners positioned under a bed of ceramic lava stones. The lava stones absorb and radiate the heat up toward the grates and food while also catching and holding the grease and drippings. Lava rock charbroilers produce more flare-ups and smoke than radiant models and create a more flavorful grilled taste. However, they also require more frequent cleaning and replacement of the lava stones.
Conclusion
As you can see, there are different types of commercial charbroilers that suit different cooking needs and preferences. To choose the best one for your business, you should consider factors such as space availability, utility availability, cooking volume, desired flavor, and cleaning ease.
If you need help finding the best commercial charbroiler for your business, you can check out our website for more information or feel free to contact us at 630-613-8535.