Types of Commercial Ranges & Their Benefits

When it comes to commercial ranges, the type that will suit you best will depend upon your needs and what type of business you have. There are a lot of different ones on the market to choose from. As one of today’s leading suppliers of commercial kitchen equipment, the team from Zanduco Restaurant Equipment & Supplies wanted to collect some information for you here to help you determine what type of commercial range will be ideal for your needs.

Below you’ll find everything you need to know about the types of commercial ranges, as well as information about costs, accessories, and more, so read on!

What Are the Different Types of Commercial Ranges Available?

As mentioned above, there are a variety of different types of commercial ranges available for you to choose from, making it a difficult choice if you don’t know much about your options. So here we’ve collected some of the most popular types on the market to make things easier.

Gas or Propane Commercial Ranges

One of the leading types of commercial ranges used by restaurants and commercial kitchens includes gas and propane ranges, which boast many advantages. They can offer a lot of different options to choose from when it comes to customizing and sizing your range accordingly for your cooking space.

Some of the most popular components, range top configurations, and accessories included with most gas or propane ranges are:

• Charbroilers: This component is composed of a series of different burners designed with grates over the top, enabling users to provide extreme heat that’s perfect for cooking everything from burgers to other types of meats, leaving attractive grill marks so the food truly looks the part.
• Burners: Of course, every commercial range will also include burners on the stovetop, but the size and type will be up to you. This is what you’ll use to fry, sauté, and cook meals that don’t need to go in the oven. You can also choose to have open or closed burners.
• Salamander Broilers: This type of broiler is actually located on top of the range, conserving space. It enables you to broil things like steaks and other items that require a crisp exterior and juicy interior.
• Griddles: Another addition to your gas range can be a griddle. These come with both flat or grooved surfaces and are often constructed from stainless steel or cast iron. The benefits of griddles are that you simply place the food directly on them to cook it; there’s no need for pots or pans.

Gas or Propane Oven Bases

Just like there are different add-ons for stovetops, so too do commercial gas ranges have different types of oven bases, such as standard ovens, which heat food from the bottom and include a broiler to heat food from the top. Additionally, there are convection ovens that utilize a fan inside the cooking interior to circulate heat and cook food more efficiently.

There are also space saver ovens for those with limited space in the kitchen that are designed to be compact. For those who only bake small quantities of items, they’re perfect.

Commercial Electric Ranges

In addition to gas and propane options, there are also commercial electric ranges that might suit you better. They can come equipped with all of the options mentioned above, as well as the oven bases that propane and gas ranges feature. However, some might find that there are some additional benefits to investing in an electric commercial range, the first being that they’re easier to relocate since they’re not connected to any gas lines.

Additionally, electric commercial ranges cook better at higher altitudes, whereas gas and propane ovens have to be specifically modified by the manufacturer to function properly at such elevations. Lastly, there are also small stovetop electric burners and other options that allow you to cook food in a smaller space.

Gas/Propane vs. Electric Commercial Ovens

If you’re wondering what type of commercial range to invest in, gas or electric, there are some key differences to consider. Firstly, you might not expect it, but electric ranges are actually more efficient than gas or propane ones. This is because most of the heat is placed directly onto what you’re cooking. With gas/propane, some of this heat is lost and goes up into the air, but that doesn’t mean you’re still not paying for it when the utility bills come due. Additionally, electric ranges can cause less heat in the kitchen, minimizing the need for complicated air conditioning and ventilation in the kitchen area.

Lastly, since electric ovens and ranges don’t have an open flame, there’s less risk of a kitchen fire breaking out.

However, there are some clear advantages to gas/propane ovens and ranges, the first being that it enables to cook to control the temperature much more rapidly; there’s no need to wait for it to heat up and rise like electric ranges. This is particularly beneficial in higher volume kitchens that need to get food out the door in the quickest manner possible.

When it comes to pricing, according to recent studies, electricity is the cheapest, whereas natural gas is the most expensive, followed by propane.

Where Can I Order a Gas/Propane or Electric Range

At Zanduco Restaurant Equipment & Supplies, we carry a variety of ranges and ovens designed to suit every need, some of our best sellers include:

• Garland G36-6R G Series 36" Gas Restaurant Range with 6 Burners and 26" Oven: This commercial gas range contains six 33,000 BTU power burners and one 38,000 BTU standard oven. Garland commercial ranges are made with high-quality stainless steel and also feature legs with adjustable feet, in addition to a large 27" (686mm) worktop surface depth for improved productivity.
• Garland X24-4L Sunfire™ X Series 24" Gas Restaurant Range with 4 Burners and Space Saver Oven: For those looking to save space in the kitchen, this Garland commercial range is ideal for your needs. It features four 30,000 BTU power burners, one 25,000 BTU standard oven, as well as a large 27" (686mm) worktop surface depth. For those who solely want the stovetop, you can also get this with storage space underneath rather than an oven.
• Imperial Electric Range - 24" wide IR-4-E: For those who are looking for a compact, efficient commercial electric range, this one might be ideal for you. It features a 5.3 KW oven element and unique baffle above the element distributes heat flow, as well as a temperature range from 150°F to 500°F (65°C to 260°C). It also boasts a stainless exterior in the front and welded, polished stainless steel seams.
• Imperial Electric Range - 36" wide IR-6-E: For a larger electric range that’s durable and efficient, the 36” Imperial Electric Range is ideal. It features a thick, highly polished steel griddle top that holds temperature and has a quick recovery. Additionally, its heavy-duty thermostat inside the oven ensures that your food is always cooking at the right temperatures and it can accommodate 18" x 26" (457 x 660 mm) sheet pans front-to-back and side-by-side. This commercial electric range also boasts a convection oven for maximum efficiency.

Contact us today for info about Garland commercial ranges, and more!

If you’re in the market for a new commercial range, the team from Zanduco Restaurant Equipment & Supplies can certainly help. But perhaps you’re working with limited space or want something with more mobility; we have you covered there as well. In addition to our gas/propane and electric commercial ranges, we also carry stock pot ranges that can be ideal for restaurants or bakeries that want to offer soups, stews, and other similar menu items without the need for installing an entire cooking system, as well as countertop induction cookers.

Backed by 60 years in the restaurant and foodservice industry, the team from Zanduco Restaurant Equipment & Supplies is equipped to handle all of your commercial foodservice needs. Whether you simply require storage options or dinnerware for your bar or restaurant, we have a vast inventory of supplies that runs the gamut of whatever necessity you might need.

For more about our inventory or to learn more about our commercial ranges and ovens, contact us today and request a quote by calling 1 (855) 926-3826. Our friendly customer service staff is committed to helping you find precisely what you’re looking for.