Commercial broilers are a major piece of restaurant equipment, whether you're using an outdoor grill for catering or outdoor serving or just need a countertop range for broiling in a limited area. Both indoor and outdoor broilers are large pieces of equipment and buying a broiler is a big commitment of money and space.

Broiler manufacturers make broilers specifically designed for indoor or outdoor use and chargrilling. If you're shopping for commercial broilers, you'll need to decide ahead of time what space you have to accommodate a large broiler and whether you'll need it for indoor or outdoor use.

When browsing commercial broilers, investigate the following options:

1. Check out the countertop options available from broiler manufacturers;

2. Get infrared broilers from broiler makers;

3. Shop for outdoor chargrills from broiler distributors.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Shop for countertop ranges from broiler manufacturers for indoor broiling

Broiler makers sell two types of broilers for indoor use: countertop ranges and floor ranges, which stand as tall as countertop models but require wall space all the way to the floor. Depending on your space requirements, you can get either a floor or countertop model.

I recommend: Garland and Imperial are two broiler manufacturers that sell well-known indoor broilers. Garland offers countertop broilers for sale online or locally from a dealer if you need assistance deciding which broiler to purchase, and Imperial sells a range of countertop or floor broiler models for any kitchen.

Shop broiler distributors for infrared deck broilers

Infrared deck broilers are another type of broiler you can use, primarily for indoor broiling. Infrared broilers have deck shelf inserts for placing food to broil, and operate using infrared heat rather than gas flames. Infrared broilers also are commonly used indoors to cook, heat and warm prepared food.

I recommend: Infrared broilers are available from several distributors. Broiler World sells several infrared broilers with specifications available online. Prices and specifications are also available for Southbend models of infrared broiler.

Find outdoor broilers for chargrilling from broiler distributors

Commercial broilers are widely used in outdoor cooking and catering. Broilers are more commonly referred to by commercial broiler suppliers as chargrills when used outdoors, and offer a large surface for quick food preparation on a large scale.

I recommend: Central Restaurant sells catering grills and towable grills, as well as heavy duty broilers for use in an outdoor range or with casters to make grills more portable for catering. Zesco MagiKitchen charbroiler is another popular commercial broiler for outdoor catering of grilled and broiled foods.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Broilers and chargrills are expensive pieces of restaurant equipment, and many people choose to rent rather than buy commercial broilers. If you are interested in using a broiler but are unsure of the regularity or cost effectiveness of use, consider renting a broiler initially or seasonally.