Commercial Cooking Equipment Guide: Salamander Grills

As the name implies, a salamander grill refers to a heating appliance. The type used for heating an area is known as a salamander heater or furnace, and the type used in commercial food production is called a salamander oven, cooker, or broiler, and has its roots back in the 18^th century.

Read on for an explanation of the salamander cooker as a kitchen appliance; how it works, what it’s used for and specialist applications.

Quick Guide

Many salamanders are standalone countertop grill units, although large versions can be installed as a wall unit at normal viewing level. For many kitchens, the salamander is used for high heat broiling and browning at the end of cooking to finish a dish, which frees up time for larger or more general use cooking appliances.

While it is a type of grill, salamanders differ from regular grills and cheese melters in subtle but meaningful ways.

How a salamander cooker works?

The salamander grill through a very high temperature element positioned above the cooking space, designed to achieve a higher heat than the broiling element in regular ovens and perform the browning or toasting function quicker.

Unlike grills and ovens, there is no heat application from underneath, nor is the salamander fully enclosed, as the door space usually remains open. This prevents overcooking of an already finished dish that needs the final touch and avoids spitting from foods which will drip fat or liquids.

Primary Usage

Salamanders high heat can be used for browning and glazing of any food that requires finishing after cooking, which frees up time for larger or more general use cooking appliances.

They can also hold prepared food at a set temperature or re-heat. Some types of food can be completely cooked in the unit, where the intense heat will produce the best results, such as steaks, grilled sandwiches, and similar toasted bread dishes.

Specialist Usage & Types

Rotisserie attachments – While not as efficient as a dedicated rotisserie, these attachments allow a salamander to cook, heat or keep crisp large cuts of meat.

Branding plates – A branding plate attachment contacts the meat and creates a chargrill sear pattern.

Electric or Gas – Electrically powered salamanders use energy more efficiently, lowering expense. The gas grill tends to be more efficient if you’re grilling continuously. Please note that gas salamanders must be positioned under the canopy. Because of this reason, most of hospitality business choose electric units.

Rise and Fall – Most salamander grills allow manual height adjustment of the pan shelf, but a Rise and Fall Salamander permit the entire grill top to be raised and lowered for precision heating and fast operation.

Which is the best salamander for your kitchen?

We hope this guide to picking a commercial salamander grill will help you choose the right fit for your restaurant or business.

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