A Guide to Chargrills & Charbroilers for Commercial Kitchens

Barbequing is the world’s oldest form of cooking and gas Chargrills offer the same great “outdoor” taste cooked right inside your kitchen.

If you’re looking to add that distinctive smoky barbeque flavour to foods such as steaks, burgers, chicken and seafood, a Commerical Gas Chargrill is a must-have item for your kitchen.

Also known as “Charbroilers”, char grills cook at high temperatures using a grill surface that allows that great smoky taste that diners love while creating the characteristic grill marks that add to the food’s visual appeal on the plate.

There are several factors to consider before investing in the right chargrill for your restaurant or business, so we’ve put together a guide to help you find the right fit for your needs.

Commercial Chargrill Types

Chargrills usually come in either countertop, freestanding, or outdoor models. Let’s have a look at all three.

Countertop Chargrills

These equipment units are designed to be compact, making them a great option for space-conscious kitchens, as they are easily placed on any sturdy surface such as a countertop or table.

Freestanding Chargrills

Freestanding units are designed with their own support system which includes legs, and on some models, lockable castors. Most models typically include a built-in cabinet-style base or shelves for additional storage below.

Outdoor Chargrills

The more heavy-duty built Outdoor Chargrills are designed to withstand the elements and are most often used by catering companies and restaurants with outdoor food preparation. The legs are typically built with castors for easy portability and often include a built-in cabinet-style base or shelves for additional storage underneath.

Other Features to Consider

Type of Grates

We recommend choosing removable char grill grates for easy cleaning. It’s also good to choose a model with adjustable grates that allow you to adjust the distance between the flame and the grate for greater flexibility. Lastly, choose a grate that slopes towards the front to allow the easy draining of excess grease.

Grates are most often built with cast iron, while some outdoor char grills use grates made of stainless steel to more easily withstand harsher conditions outdoors.

While stainless steel grates don’t retain the temperature as long as cast grates, they are much easier to clean.

Back and Side Splashes

Be sure to choose a model that features back and side splashes which will help contain grease splatter when grilling. This is especially important if you have the chargrill placed side by side with other cooking equipment in the kitchen.

Grease Pan

Nearly all chargrill models have a grease collection pan to capture drippings from the food. Be sure to choose a model with a removable grease pan for easy cleaning afterwards.

Pro Tip

Before firing up your chargrill to cook that next delicious steak, be sure to add a little water to your grease pan prior to. This allows the grease to mix with the water instead of burning onto the bottom of the pan, making for a much easier clean up!

Which are the best Chargrills & Charbroilers for your kitchen?

Hopefully, this guide to Char grills & Charbroilers will help you choose the right fit for your restaurant or business.

If you have questions about Char grills & Charbroilers in general or specific models and features, don’t hesitate to get in touch with Caterlink’s commercial kitchen experts who are ready to assist you.