Pricing and costs of commercial ranges vary considerably. Pricing depends on the grade-whether heavy duty or medium duty-and other factors, such as weight, number of burners, type of oven and other special features.

Find new commercial cooking ranges in the catalogs of online restaurant equipment distributors. If you're purchasing used equipment, most equipment professionals recommend inspecting the product in person because purchases of used equipment are likely to be final. Consider your restaurant's needs as you survey the market for pricing and costs of commercial ranges:

1. Buy heavy duty commercial electric ranges that are perfect for high-volume restaurant business.

2. Consider medium duty commercial range ovens for smaller operations.

3. Keep costs low by purchasing a used commercial stove.

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Invest in heavy duty commercial ranges for a food business that must keep up with high volume

Heavy duty ranges usually come in sizes of 24 to 72 inches in width. Most have raised broilers and, on the higher end, some even have built-in convection ovens.

I recommend: At Instawares, heavy duty restaurant ranges vary in price from $3200 to $6600, depending upon whether you want two burners or as many as six. All the ranges have hot top storage bases, some with convection ovens. Heavy duty ranges at Range World start at $1400, for a 36-inch range with two regular powered burners, to $6000 for a range with four high-powered burners. Read more about heavy-duty restaurant ranges in general at Ice Cube Machines.

Opt for medium duty commercial ranges for busy but smaller food operations

Medium duty restaurant cooking ranges come equipped with thermostat controls, cast iron French plates and coil high speed elements. These ranges are just the right size for medium to large breakfast lunch operations.

I recommend: Restaurant Equipment World guarantees a 55 percent savings when you buy a 60-inch electric range for about $7000. Kaboodle offers several models of medium duty ranges with prices depending on weight and oven capacity. A range weighing 325 lbs. with space saver range is $3700 while an 815-lb. range with two standard ovens is $7600. At Ace Mart Restaurant Supply you can get a medium duty electric range with six burners for $4700.

Keep your start up costs to a minimum when you buy used commercial stoves

If you're starting a new food business, there's no better way to control your initial costs than to purchase high quality used commercial kitchen equipment.

I recommend: JC Restaurant Equipment specializes in used restaurant equipment. Purchase an 850-lb. commercial cooking range for only $2400 or a 475-lb range for only $1500. L & D Appliance offers used heavy duty and medium duty ranges at almost half off the original price. A used commercial range with six burners and convection oven sells for about $4000.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Look for new and used commercial ranges whose ovens offer top browning control.

Commercial electric ranges and gas commercial cooking ranges are the best way to prepare meals in your restaurant. Whether you choose gas or electric is a matter of preference, but either way, industrial ranges are a necessity in a modern kitchen.

If you are just starting out, you can find used commercial stoves, particularly used commercial gas ranges, at a discounted price. Combination commercial range ovens are also a good investment if you need an oven for baking purposes. Buying a commercial range oven combination can save space and help you save money on your initial investment.

Commercial cooking ranges come in wide variety of configurations and styles. Choose one of these configurations to suit your needs:

1. Commercial electric ranges

2. Gas commercial ranges

3. Custom-configured commercial ranges

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Choose gas commercial range ovens for precise temperatures, every time

Most chefs prefer gas ranges because a gas burner can be set at a precise heat. Whether you're looking for a new or used commercial stove, you are sure to find a gas model right for your kitchen. Because there is little in the way of parts that can go bad, you can count on many years of service from a gas commercial range.

I recommend: Garland offers a wide range of gas commercial ranges on their Garland Group website. ACityDiscount offers both new and used commercial stoves.

Pick commercial electric ranges and save space

Commercial electric ranges are improving, but they still can't offer the fast response of gas ranges. However, many commercial electric ranges come in tabletop models. This can help if space is an issue in your kitchen.

I recommend: Big Tray, Inc. and Central Restaurant Products both offer a wide range of commercial electric ranges in many different configurations. You're sure to find just what you are looking for among their products.

Configure your commercial range ovens to suit your needs

Rather than just getting burners, you can purchase commercial cooking ranges that perform all sorts of jobs, from toasting buns to frying pancakes. Griddles, fryers, woks and warming shelves are just a few of the various combinations offered on kitchen ranges.

I recommend: Look at the large selection of choices provided by Food Service Warehouse. Also consider all the choices offered by Mission Restaurant Supply.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Most gas ranges come with natural gas settings. However, if you're going to cook on LP gas, make sure you purchase the appropriate fittings.
• •  Every kitchen is a different size and shape, and the makers of commercial ranges know that. They have products that range from 17 inches all the way to 72 inches wide. Work with your contractor to design your restaurant's kitchen to maximize cooking space.

Commercial ranges education and training is important to your kitchen's success and safety. Train employees the right way to use commercial cooking ranges so that you utilize your expensive kitchen equipment properly and efficiently. Educate yourself and your staff on the correct way to use a restaurant cooking range. Having the right knowledge to share with your employees not only keeps your kitchen running more efficiently, it will also keep it a safer working environment.

Work with vendors that know their product well and have educational materials at your disposal. Utilize the many guides that are available. Train your staff on the differences in used and new commercial ovens so that you can consider the savings when making a purchase. Consider these tips for your commercial ranges education and training.

1. Have an open rapport with vendors who specialize in kitchen ranges.

2. Educate staff how to use new commercial range ovens as well as used commercial stoves by learning the different technology.

3. Purchase commercial electric ranges from vendors who have educational materials available.

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Talk to your commercial electric range vendor and learn from their knowledge

Speak with a knowledgeable sales representative that can guide you on the training and education of commercial ranges. Their experience will help you teach your employees the proper way to use the equipment.

I recommend: Mission Restaurant Supply has representatives that can answer any questions you may have on commercial ranges and will locate someone else for you if they can't answer your question. Ace Mart has a live help desk that you can chat with by computer or phone to answer your questions.

Consider purchasing used commercial ranges and educate your staff on using them

Think about purchasing or leasing a commercial range that can save you money and still be useful to your business. Employees will need to be training on the proper use of leased or used equipment so that it can last longer and work more efficiently.

I recommend: Directory M Articles has an in-depth article on purchasing commercial ranges that includes leasing information for you to consider. Food Service Warehouse offers an article on how to maintain your commercial oven so that you can get the most use out of a used oven or maintain your purchase price of a new commercial range.

Get helpful materials and guides from industrial ranges vendors

Educational materials about your specific commercial range can be one of the most important factors in keeping your equipment in top shape. Ask your vendor for any guides and materials that may not automatically come with your equipment purchase.

I recommend: A City Discount has a useful buyers guide to help when choosing a commercial oven for your kitchen. Amana has a "perfect match" system to help you choose which oven will work best for your kitchen type and a literature area that includes all product literature.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Utilize instructional and educational material that is included in your purchase of a restaurant cooking range.

Restaurant and catering kitchens require more than the small stovetops used in home kitchens. Commercial ranges feature industrial strength materials, additional burners and features that also accommodate frying and grilling. Discover industry terminology like “clog-free burner,” “mixed top” and “crumb tray” to determine which commercial range features will suit the nature of your food operation. Learning about key parts and accessories will also help you order the proper replacements or request maintenance from your vendors and technicians.

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Burner options

If your kitchen staff uses a variety of cooking vessels like saute pans, stock pots or wok pans, for example, look into a range with interchangeable burner options. Staff can switch the tops easily to direct flames for the specific type of pan used to increase efficiency.

I recommend: The Remodel Guide explains in detail what burner options are.

Griddle top

Consider adding a griddle top model to your row of commercial ranges. The flattop range makes it convenient to prepare foods from pancakes to burgers with a griddle feature. The burner-free flattop is easy to heat, clean and maintain.

I recommend: Learn more about griddle features on commercial ranges, including uses and specifications, through American Range.

Mixed top

If you don't use the griddle enough to purchase an entire unit dedicated to the flattop, consider a mixed top range that features a combination of open burners and a smaller griddle segment.

I recommend: Discover the benefits of mixed top ranges, in gas and electric versions, through Food Service Warehouse.

Clog-free burners

Cut down on maintenance calls and costly downtime by purchasing commercial ranges with clog-free burners. Also called no-clog burners, the units eliminate the need to remove burner heads for routine maintenance.

I recommend: Mission Restaurant Supply offers an assortment of commercial ranges with clog-free, open burners.

Backsplash

Equipping your commercial range with a backsplash can prevent messy splatters from hitting the wall behind the range and eliminate unreachable spills behind the equipment. Consider a backsplash created of the same material as the range for a seamless look.

I recommend: See a variety of ranges with different stainless steel backsplash styles through the Central Restaurant website.

Crumb tray

Ease the clean up of commercial ranges with pull out crumb trays that catch wayward bits of food. The ability to clean the crumbs can help prevent malfunctions and maintenance down the road.

I recommend: Check out a selection of commercial ranges with crumb tray options through Big Tray.