One of the most important pieces of equipment you will purchase for your restaurant is your commercial stove. This is where you and your employees will spend countless hours preparing food for your guests. Therefore, it is integral to have a commercial stove that is efficient, safe to use, user-friendly, and a good fit for your kitchen environment.
Based on specs, pricing, and key features, the best commercial ranges for restaurants are:
Commercial Ranges Compared
Commercial stoves are just one of many tools needed to start a restaurant. Read our guide on how to start a restaurant to see everything you need to get your business up and running.
Why You Can Trust Us
Ray Delucci has spent the last 10 years working in restaurants. He has managed operations, validated ingredients and equipment, and gained in-depth knowledge of what makes quality restaurant equipment. Ray looked at 10 of the most popular commercial ranges across three different fuel sources to bring you the recommendations in this buyer’s guide.
Best Overall: 36” Wolf by Vulcan Challenger XL Series 6 Burner
Pros
- 30,000 BTU per burner
- Free “Checkout” service with Hobart to ensure the fit into your kitchen
- 6” adjustable legs
- Lift-off cast iron cooking grates
Cons
- Max oven temp of only 500F
- No extra cooking surfaces included
Why We Picked It
The Vulcan C36S-BSN Challenger Natural Gas Range is our top-rated range due to its efficient heat output, top-of-the-line safety features, and multiple US and Canada inspection verifications. This natural gas oven must be professionally installed, but when it is in use, it will serve you during the busiest services.
It comes with six cast iron burners and an underreach oven that can hit a temp of 500F. The frame is fully welded out of stainless steel, making it easy to clean. The range also has a back shelf to hold ingredients or pans while you cook. Overall, it is priced fairly while delivering the essential functions you will need in a professional kitchen.
Key Features
- 15,000 BTU in total
- 6 open-top, cast iron burners
- 6” adjustable legs
- Shrouded flash tube pilot system (one pilot for two burners)
- 250F-500F oven thermostat
- Back shelf for ingredients and pans
- Monthly financing available
Best Range With Griddle: Vulcan SX Series 6 Burner With Griddle
Pros
- 30,000 BTU griddle plate
- 6 burner and griddle combo made for many different cooking functions
- Stainless steel welded build
- Double oven underneath the burner area
Cons
- Only 500F max oven temp
- Less than 30,000 BTU per burner
- Non-stainless steel heat control knobs
Why We Picked It
The SX60F-6B24GN SX Series 6 Burner Range comes with double standard ovens and a built-in griddle plate. This unit is great for restaurants that need both the space to saute over open flame and also need a flattop cooking surface. Cook burgers, breakfast foods, and other ingredients that need consistent high heat on the griddle. The ability to not only saute and grill but also bake is what makes this range so versatile.
The griddle itself is ¾” thick and is made of stainless steel, so it heats up quickly and is easy to clean. This range runs on natural gas and does require professional installation with your gas line. The grates on the range are cast iron and lift off for ease of cleaning after use. Finally, the two standard ovens can be set to different temperature zones, giving you the option to bake foods at two different temperatures at any given time.
Key Features
- 28,000 BTU open head griddles
- 24”, 30,000 BTU griddle
- 250F to 500F adjustable ovens
- Shrouded flash tube pilot system (one per two burners)
- Back shelf for ingredients and pans
- 6” stainless steel adjustable legs
- Monthly financing available
Best Electric Range: Imperial Pro Series 8 Burner Range
Pros
- 240-volt power
- Sealed electrical burners for great heat distribution and easy cleaning
- In-depth heat controls for each burner
- 8 burners for maximum production
Cons
- Pricey
- No extra tools included with range
Why We Picked It
This Imperial 8 burner electric range is a dynamic and high-capacity commercial cooking range for restaurants that need to do a lot of covers during their service. The range offers 9” cooking surfaces that are sealed in order to offer the best heat distribution and also to offer easy cleanup when done. Each burner has in-depth heat control knobs that offer you mastery over the heat function across the range.
The knobs themselves are made of cast aluminum and a finish coating that protects against overheating, making it safer for you to adjust heat when in use. There is a space-saver carriage under the left-hand side of the burners to store equipment that you need consistent access to. The standard-size oven has a temperature range of 150F to 500F and is perfect for cooking food or keeping it warm.
Key Features
- 240 volts with 8 burners
- Sealed 9” cooking surfaces
- Stainless steel welded build
- Maximum heat control flexibility
- Solid, flat cooking top under burners so no leaks or spills can build up
- 5.3 KW element throughout oven yields high-performance baking results
- Unique baffle element within the oven for efficient and even heat flow
- Monthly financing available
Best Dual Oven Range: Garland Liquid Propane 6 Burner Range
Pros
- Dual oven for multiple baking options
- Adjustable steel legs
- Flame failure burner protection
- Fully porcelainized oven interior
Cons
- 26,000 BTU burners
- Pricey upfront cost
- Oven only goes to 500F
Why We Picked It
This Garland Dual Oven cooking range is a bit on the pricier side, but for good reason. It runs on liquid propane, which lights quicker and uses less fuel, making it more efficient in energy usage when compared to natural gas. This range also has two separate oven chambers, allowing you to bake at different temperatures. The Vulcan SX also has dual ovens, but Garland’s unit offers more capacity, as well as flame failure protection in each burner. It also includes adjustable legs in order to manage the height at which you want to cook at.
The stove has a failure burner protection, cutting off gas if the flame goes out within the pilot. Garland also boasts that they have optimized the space on which you cook, making it one of the largest per-inch cooking spaces for this burner count in the industry. All of these reasons are why this dual oven range made it to our guide.
Key Features
- 26,000 BTU burners
- 32,000 oven BTU
- Spark ignition
- Stainless Steel Build
- 238,000 total BTU
- 5” deep front ledge
- Monthly financing available
Best Affordable 6-Burner Range: CookRite ATO-6B Range
Pros
- Very affordable 6-burner range
- Oven pilot safety shutoff
- Enamel oven interior for easy cleaning
- Stainless steel build
Cons
- 25,000 BTU burners
- No payment plan option
- Lower output efficiency
Why We Picked It
This CookRite 6-burner range is a great, affordable option for those looking for a well-made range that does not break the budget. It has a 5-star rating on Amazon and can be shipped to wherever your restaurant may be located. It is made out of stainless steel and boasts six removable cast iron burners for ease of cleaning. It also includes a drip tray under the burners to catch any falling food debris.
This commercial range offers adjustable legs so that you can adjust the height at which you are cooking. The grates on the burners are built with a grease catch that funnels grease down into a safe area in order to avoid flare-ups when using the stove. Finally, the tubing within the stove itself is made of stainless steel, which makes it highly resistant to corroding over time.
Key Features
- 25,000 BTU burners
- Oven range of 175F to 550F
- Standing pilot for top burners
- Stainless steel build
- Grease trough built-in to cast iron gates
- Enamel oven interior
- Metal knobs that are easy to clean
- Safety valve for flame stabilization
Best Counter 2-Burner Range: Avantco Countertop Electrical Range
Pros
- Highly affordable unit
- Sealed electric burners
- Small footprint in kitchen
- Cooking elements heat to 800F
Cons
- Only 2 burners
- Very limited functionality
- No backsplash to stop food from splattering
Why We Picked It
The last stove on our list is this Avantco Counter 2-Burner Range. This model is designed after the French flattop and is made for small areas that need some space to cook out of. The sealed electric burners allow for consistent heating and easy cleanup as well. The elements themselves can reach up to 800F, making them a formidable heat source for whatever recipe you are making. This electric burner is the perfect stove for a cafe or small restaurant with limited cooking space and low volume.
Key Features
- Fits on a countertop with ease
- Infinite temperature control knobs allow for easy heat control
- Can reach up to 650F on the burners in 10 minutes
- Can accommodate up to a 40 qt stockpot
- Elements are separate, allowing for different temperature settings
- Bull-nose front allows for easy cleaning and separation from heat and the person cooking
How to Choose the Right Stove for Your Restaurant
Below are some of the common points of interest I would consider when purchasing your commercial range:
Fuel Source
One of the most important aspects you need to understand is your fuel source and what will fit in your kitchen. Are your gas lines properly set up? Do you have enough power to draw on for an electrical unit? All of this must be first consulted before making your decision. Hire professionals if needed, but you must understand the right fit for your business.
Price
What is your budget? What exactly are you willing to pay to bring in this piece of equipment? Do note that a commercial stove is one of the most heavily used items in a professional kitchen. You want to ensure you are buying a quality range that will perform well and last a long time. Understand your budget before making your purchasing decisions.
Materials
Stainless steel is often the standard for commercial stoves. But you will want to know if it is built with multiple pieces or welded together to avoid grease and food buildup. Understanding other features, such as what the interior of the oven may be made of, can also be useful as you will know how easy it is to clean. This is great information to know when looking out for a range.
Capacity
How many burners a range has will also most likely be a focal point of your decision-making process. Does the range come with extra cooking attachments, such as a griddle? How many burners do you really need to get through your busiest service? Understanding the volume of food you could reasonably push out through a range needs to be taken into account before committing to a purchase of one.
Physical Space
One last important piece to look for when buying a stove is how exactly it will fit in your kitchen. Are the dimensions ones that will make sense for the space you will be working with? Does the stove actually fit on your line? Know where your stove will go, and be sure to measure so that you can be positive that the purchase you make actually fits into your restaurant.
Safety Inspections
Most commercial ranges will come with safety inspections, often done by an agency within the country the range was built. It is important to know the range you are buying is safe to use and has passed common testing. This will ensure you are buying from a reputable business and that the equipment you are bringing into your kitchen is safe for your employees to work with.
How We Evaluated Commercial Ranges
We looked at 10 different commercial ranges across electric, natural gas, and liquid propane fueling to recommend the best one for you. Here is a breakdown of our scoring criteria:
25%
Durability and Features
25% of Overall Score
25% of Overall Score
25% of Overall Score
25% of Overall Score
Finally, we looked at any standout features and how they paired against the price of the commercial stove we were reviewing. We also took note of ease of use, brand reputation, and how the gear was received across other websites.
*Percentages of overall score
Commercial Stove Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
This question really depends on the chef. Most commercial kitchens do have gas stoves due to better overall heat control and a more direct heat source. But gas stoves can also pose some danger due to live gas being needed to operate them. Electric stoves are generally safer and do perform as well. The decision depends on you and your team’s cooking style, any building code or regulatory standards in your area, and the type of food you are preparing.
This will depend on your business needs and the demand of your restaurant. I have worked in restaurants with two 8-burner stoves, needing every single one in order to keep up with customers. But in a small coffee shop, a 4-burner may be all you need. Even a 2-burner countertop unit could suffice. 6-burners are often the norm for professional kitchens, but every business has different demands.
The best way to keep a commercial range clean is to understand how it can be pulled apart in order to get to hard-to-reach spaces. Being able to pull out drip trays, oven racks, burner tops, and in some cases, side panels will all give you access to grease buildup and generally dirty areas. Once that is done, setting a consistent and timely cleaning program is key to keeping your commercial stove clean and running properly.
Bottom Line
Finding the perfect commercial stove can be a challenge. So much depends on the power sources you have, your budget for the equipment, how you cook, and the space you have in your kitchen. Knowing your business volume, speaking with other chefs about what works for them, and using this buyer’s guide will help you pick the ideal commercial stove for your business.
The Wolf by Vulcan Challenger XL Series Range is our top pick due to the 30,000-per burner BTU output, along with other stellar range features. On top of that, having the option to have a pro check out your space before committing to this range just gives you an advantage in your purchasing.
