A commercial charbroiler is a gas or electric grill that heats cooking grates from below, which is why it is also called an underfired broiler. The biggest choice is the heat media under the grates: radiants, lava rock or ceramic briquettes. After that, you size the unit by width and BTU, pick countertop or floor model, and plan the hood, gas line and clearances. This guide walks through each step using the specs on the charbroilers we list.
If you are deciding between a flat top and a grill for a backyard or patio, our griddle vs grill guide covers outdoor kitchens. This article is about restaurant cook lines.
What a commercial charbroiler does
Burners sit at the bottom of the unit. Above them is a layer that spreads heat and catches drippings, and above that are the cooking grates. WebstaurantStore describes charbroilers as one of the most common indoor commercial grill types, using grates over burners to give meats and vegetables a charred exterior. Fat drops away from the food, which creates both the flavor and the flare ups.
Radiant vs lava rock vs ceramic briquette charbroiler
Star Manufacturing, which makes the Star-Max, Ultra-Max and Toastmaster lines we carry, sums up the tradeoff on its charbroiler page. Radiant models give a more predictable cooking experience, the radiant shield protects burners from drippings, and they are easy to clean. Lava rock models cook more like charcoal because the porous rock catches and holds drippings, but the rock needs regular rotation and replacement and internal parts tend to wear faster. WebstaurantStore’s guide to grill parts adds that ceramic radiants spread heat evenly and hold it well, but leave burners more exposed to grease buildup.
| Factor | Radiant (metal) | Lava rock | Ceramic briquette |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heat up and recovery | Heats quickly | Slower to heat up, holds heat well | Even heat, holds heat well |
| Flare ups | Angled shields redirect grease | Porous rock holds drippings that can ignite | Burners more exposed to grease |
| Smoke and flavor | Less smoke and flavor | Closest to charcoal | Not stated by our sources |
| Cleaning | Easiest | Rock must be rotated or burned off | Moderate |
| Media replacement | Long lasting components | Regular replacement | Check the manual |
Sources: Star Manufacturing and WebstaurantStore, as cited above. Most of our listings are radiant or lava rock.
Radiant charbroiler picks
- Toastmaster TMRC36 ($2,351.00): 36 inch countertop, three steel burners for 90,000 BTU total, stainless steel radiants, cast iron grates, controls every 12 inches, water pan and grease trough. cULus and UL EPH Classified.
- Star Ultra-Max 8148RCBB ($4,757.99): 48 inch, cast iron burners rated at 20,000 BTU per 6 inches of width, grates adjustable per section to inclined or flat, standing pilot.
- Comstock-Castle BR48 (from $1,650.00): 48 inch, 140,000 BTU, four manual controls, 10 gauge stainless steel radiants, cast iron grates that set sloped or flat.
Lava rock charbroiler picks
- Comstock-Castle CCELB16 (from $803.00): 16 inch frame, 16 x 18 inch cooking surface, 30,000 BTU with one manual control, cast iron top grates. NSF, cETLus and ETL.
- Toastmaster TMLC36 ($2,351.00): 36 inch, three burners at 30,000 BTU each, cast iron grates, water pan, splash guard and grease trough.
- Star Ultra-Max 8036CBB ($3,657.99): 36 inch, 20,000 BTU per 6 inches, ships for natural gas with an LP conversion kit, 3/4 inch NPT connection, and a 5 pound bag of lava rock for each 12 inches of width.
Charbroiler BTU: per burner and per linear foot
Total BTU tells you little until you divide it by width. Using the figures on our listings:
- Toastmaster TMRC36: 90,000 BTU over 36 inches, or 30,000 per foot.
- Comstock-Castle BR48: 140,000 BTU over 48 inches, or 35,000 per foot.
- Star Ultra-Max: 20,000 BTU per 6 inches, or 40,000 per foot.
- Comstock-Castle 3272RB: 180,000 BTU over 72 inches, or 30,000 per foot.
Higher BTU per foot generally means more searing power and faster recovery under a full load. Also count the controls. Most units here have one valve per 12 inch section, which lets you run a hot zone for steaks next to a cooler zone for vegetables.
Sizing a charbroiler: 12 to 72 inches
We list charbroilers from 12 inches up to 72 inches. A rough way to match width to your menu:
- 12 to 24 inches: a bar menu, food truck, or a second station for burgers or skewers on a line built around other equipment.
- 36 to 48 inches: the main grill station for a full service restaurant where grilled proteins are a core part of the menu.
- 60 to 72 inches: steakhouses and high volume grill concepts. The Comstock-Castle 3272RB (from $11,330.00) has a 72 x 24 inch grilling surface, inverted V angle iron radiants and NSF compliance.
Measure your hood and stand first; the hood often limits width more than the menu does.
Countertop charbroiler vs floor model
A countertop charbroiler sits on 4 inch legs on an equipment stand or refrigerated chef base. It is the most flexible option and the most common in our catalog. A floor model or range style unit builds the charbroiler into a base with storage or an oven. The Comstock-Castle F33-3RB (from $8,470.00) is a 36 inch charbroiler with iron radiants and 93,000 BTU on a 33 inch cabinet base, with a 37 inch cooking height on 6 inch legs. It is NSF and cETLus listed. Some restaurant ranges also replace burners with a charbroiler section; see our gas range sizes guide for how commercial ranges are laid out.
Gas vs electric
Most charbroilers run on natural gas or propane. Check whether the unit ships for one gas and includes a conversion kit, as the Star Ultra-Max units do. Electric charbroilers make sense where gas is not available. Star notes they can be used in sub-basements or high rise buildings where gas cannot. We list the Star-Max 5124CF ($4,534.00), a 24 inch electric unit for 208V single phase.
Grates
Cast iron grates are standard on the units above. Several listings let you set the grates sloped or flat: sloped channels juices toward the front trough, while flat gives more contact for marks. Season cast iron grates after cleaning to slow rust and sticking.
Installation: hood, gas and clearances
- Hood and fire suppression: charbroilers produce grease laden smoke and open flame. Commercial cooking ventilation and fire protection fall under standards like NFPA 96, as adopted by your local jurisdiction.
- Gas supply: size the line for the total BTU of everything on it. The Star Ultra-Max uses a 3/4 inch NPT connection.
- Clearances: follow the installation manual for distances to combustible and noncombustible walls.
- Listings: look for NSF and a safety listing such as cETLus, ETL, CSA or UL, as shown on each product page.
A licensed gas fitter and your local code official have the final word on hookup, ventilation and fire suppression.
Cleaning routine
Brush the grates during and after service, empty and refill the water pan, and clear the grease trough daily. Pull radiants and wash them on a regular schedule. On lava rock units, rotate or flip the rock and replace it when it becomes saturated with grease.
Frequently asked questions
Is a radiant charbroiler better than a lava rock charbroiler?
Neither is better for every kitchen. Radiant models are more predictable and easier to clean. Lava rock adds more smoke and a flavor closer to charcoal, but needs rock rotation and replacement.
What size countertop charbroiler do I need?
Start with your hood length and menu. A 24 inch countertop charbroiler suits a secondary station, while a 36 or 48 inch unit is typical for a main grill station.
What is an underfired broiler?
It is another name for a charbroiler. The heat comes from below the grates, unlike an overfired broiler or salamander that heats from above.
Does a charbroiler need a hood?
In a commercial kitchen, expect to need a vented hood with fire suppression. Confirm with your local code official before installing.
Shop a commercial charbroiler with The Everything Depot
Browse more models from Comstock-Castle, or plan the rest of your line with our commercial kitchen equipment guide, combi oven vs convection oven guide and meat slicer buying guide. Call us at 866-777-2590, Mon-Fri 9AM-6PM PST, for help choosing width, BTU and gas type. Shipping is free freight on orders of $999 or more, and $200 flat below that. See our return and refund policy before you order.
