Residential gas ranges produce around 400 to 18,000 BTU. The heat output is enough for most cooking needs, but what if you need more?
Commercial units produce more heat than the ones at home. Their minimum BTU is only slightly lower than the maximum of residential stoves. As such, they’re more appropriate for cooking more than three meals a day.
What is a gas range suitable for heavy-duty operations? Keep on reading to learn more about the commercial gas stove.
Features of a Commercial Gas Stove
How does a commercial gas stove differ from its residential counterpart? For one, it’s more heavy-duty than the one you use at home. Even the trivets are more durable.
A suitable gas range for businesses can handle all-day usage and a heavy load. It has a design with rapid cooking and quick turnover in mind.
Commercial ranges deliver higher BTU numbers. These have larger burners and more apertures. With these characteristics, they can draw more gas.
Types of Commercial Gas Ranges
That said, the best type of commercial gas range still depends on your usage. Learn its three different types below.
1. Restaurant Range
The restaurant range is the most commonly used appliance in commercial kitchens. It serves as the entry-level option, being more affordable than the heavy-duty ranges. It’s a stand-alone unit, available in 24 to 72 inches.
Commercial gas stoves are suitable for small establishments serving fewer than 150 customers at a time. They’re also the perfect choice for church and shelter kitchens, where there’s no need to use the stove every day.
The maintenance of this type of gas range is also more affordable. The energy consumption costs are lower, as well.
However, the construction is lighter than that of heavy-duty ranges. The heat output is around 15,000 to 25,000 per burner, which is lower but enough for most cooking tasks.
2. Heavy-Duty Range
If you’re looking for one that can withstand heavier tasks, check out the heavy-duty range. This line is more expensive, though. The energy and servicing costs are higher, but they’re more suitable for larger kitchens.
Heavy-duty ranges have an extremely rugged and durable construction. They use industrial-grade materials, allowing them to handle heavy demands all day long. The metals are denser with thicker gauges.
This type of gas range can handle bigger and heavier pots and pans. It can help you prepare a high volume of food in a fast-paced environment.
An advantage of the heavy-duty range is that you can bank different units together in a continuous line-up or battery. It has various configurations due to the front or side gas connection.
The BTU is around 20,000 to 45,000 per burner. The increased heat power facilitates shorter cooking times.
3. Specialty Range
You can buy a commercial range for a specific use as well. A couple of examples are the stockpot and wok ranges.
The stockpot range, as the name suggests, accommodates large pots. If you have to cook huge batches of soup, stock, and broth, using a specialty stove instead of the typical burner is easier and more efficient.
The wok range has a raised ring designed to keep woks in place. It has high cooking temperatures, ranging from 50,000 to 120,000 BTU.
Other Configurations of Commercial Gas Stoves
Restaurants have more considerations when choosing the perfect commercial gas stove. Let’s delve deeper into them below.
Configurations
The top configuration of your range depends on the pans you’re using and the food you’re cooking. In most cases, you can mix and match, maximizing their versatility.
The most popular configuration is the open burner or grate top because it’s the most versatile. It fulfills various culinary roles; you can use it to fry, boil, simmer, sauté, and more.
We also have the hot top variety with a flat cooking surface. The gas burners underneath heat the whole area, but you can usually create a temperature gradient from the back to the front. Having a flat surface allows you to put as many pans as possible.
You can also choose griddle tops, graduated hot tops, charbroiler, and even plancha. Remember that you’re not limited to one variety as you can combine different styles. Review your needs to create the most effective top configuration for your commercial kitchen.
Range Base
What’s below the range top? Your range base should serve a function to your kitchen, too.
If you have some baking to do, choose an oven base. It can either be a “space saver” variety or a standard one.
You might want to choose a storage base instead, though. Oven bases don’t heat up as evenly as a separate convection type. You can use the space for storing pots, pans, and other tools.
A refrigerated base is also an option. It provides quick access to cold ingredients, streamlining the cooking process.
Ignition
Commercial gas ranges use two types of ignition: pilot and electronic. The newer models have the latter.
If the gas range has a pilot ignition, it uses a pilot light to keep the thermocouple heat. This component signals the gas valve to open when you turn the knob.
This option is not energy-efficient because the pilot light is always on. It consumes a small amount of gas to keep it lit. When it goes out in the middle of operations, it can cause an inconvenience.
That’s why electronic ignition is more popular today. It uses electric current to produce a spark, igniting the gas and creating an open flame.
Choose the Best Commercial Gas Stove
Using our guide above, have you decided if a commercial gas stove is right for you? When it’s time to buy one, you have other factors to consider.
Review the size, accessories, add-ons, energy efficiency, and other features for your commercial kitchen needs. However, buying from a reputable outlet is the most critical part of the process.
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