Commercial Grills

22 products

Charbroilers & flat top griddles for Commercial kitchens

Build a high-performance grill station with commercial charbroilers and flat top griddles sized for real Canadian kitchens. This Commercial Grills collection includes gas charbroilers and gas or electric griddles / flat tops from brands like Quest, Southbend, Star Holman and Vollrath, so you can handle everything from burgers and steaks to all-day breakfast and seared vegetables.

Whether you’re running a steakhouse line, a busy pub menu or a compact café kitchen, matching grill width, BTU output and plate thickness to your menu helps keep sear marks consistent and tickets moving during rush periods. Use this page to compare charbroilers and flat tops, then dial in the mix that works best for your existing layout and utilities.

Charbroilers vs. flat top griddles

Charbroilers and flat top griddles each bring different strengths to a commercial grill station:

  • Charbroilers: Open-grate grills that deliver flame-fired flavour and classic sear marks on burgers, steaks, skewers and vegetables. Ideal for pubs, steakhouses and concepts where “from the grill” is central to the menu.
  • Griddles / flat tops: Solid steel cooking surfaces for everything from eggs, bacon and pancakes to smash burgers, grilled sandwiches and vegetables. Great for diners, brunch programs, hotel kitchens and high-volume short-order menus.

Many Canadian operations run both: a charbroiler for signature grilled items and a flat top for breakfast, sandwiches and à la minute searing. Choosing the right widths and burner configurations for each station helps you avoid bottlenecks when the line gets busy.

Key specs when choosing a commercial grill

Start with the dishes you sell most often and how many orders you push through the grill during your busiest 30–60 minutes. Then look at:

  • Width & burner zones: Wider grills and multiple independently controlled zones make it easier to separate proteins, veg and hold zones, or to run different temperatures for breakfast vs. lunch.
  • BTU output: Higher BTU burners support faster recovery and stronger searing, which is critical for thick cuts, frozen products or heavy all-day use.
  • Plate thickness (griddles): Thicker plates hold heat better, helping maintain consistent cook temps across the surface when you’re loading and reloading the grill.
  • Utilities & plug type: Most commercial grills in this collection are gas, with select countertop units available in electric with common NEMA plug configurations. Match your choice to your existing gas and electrical capacity.

If you are unsure which Quest, Southbend, Star Holman or Vollrath model is the right fit, start with your top sellers, peak ticket volume and available line space. A Russell Hendrix representative can help you compare specifications and lay out a grill station that works for your menu and utilities in Canada.

Frequently Asked Questions about Commercial Grills

How do I choose between a charbroiler and a flat top griddle?

If your menu leans heavily on burgers, steaks, skewers and grilled vegetables where sear marks and grilled flavour are part of the experience, a charbroiler should be a priority. If you run all-day breakfast, smash burgers, grilled sandwiches or need a very flexible surface for different items, a flat top griddle is often the better starting point. Many Canadian restaurants use both, with the charbroiler handling “from the grill” items and the flat top covering breakfast, sandwiches and searing.

What width commercial grill do I need for my line?

Grill width should match how many portions you need to cook at once during your busiest service. A smaller café or bar might be comfortable with a 24" unit, while busy pubs and full-service restaurants often choose 36"–48" models to handle multiple steaks, burgers or pans at the same time. Measure the available space under your hood, factor in required clearances and make sure there’s still room for staff to work safely in front of the grill.

Should I choose gas or electric commercial grills?

Most charbroilers and many flat top griddles in commercial kitchens are gas, because gas offers strong, responsive heat on high-volume lines and integrates well with existing gas ranges. Electric flat tops can be a good option in locations where gas is limited or not available, or for satellite kitchens and smaller venues. Before choosing, review your current gas and electrical capacity, panel space and hood layout so you know what your building can support.

How does plate thickness affect griddle performance?

Thicker griddle plates store more heat, which helps maintain stable temperatures when you load multiple burgers, pancakes or other items at once. Thin plates can cool down more quickly and may create hot and cold spots. For higher-volume Canadian kitchens or menus that load the grill heavily during rushes, choosing a heavier plate often leads to more consistent browning and faster recovery.

What are best practices for cleaning charbroilers and flat tops?

Daily cleaning usually includes scraping down grates or plates while they are still warm, emptying and cleaning grease drawers, and following the manufacturer’s guidance on brushing, seasoning and deep cleaning. Using grill and griddle-specific cleaning tools and chemicals helps protect cooking surfaces and extends equipment life. Establishing a clear cleaning schedule and training staff on safe handling of hot surfaces is especially important in busy Canadian kitchens.

Can I run commercial grills on a patio or outdoor space?

Many charbroilers and flat tops are designed for indoor commercial kitchens under a properly sized ventilation hood. If you plan to operate grills on a patio or outdoor space, review local codes and manufacturer guidelines carefully to confirm whether a given model is approved for that type of use. Your Russell Hendrix representative can help you interpret spec sheets and discuss typical setups for Canadian patios and outdoor cooking areas.

What if I don’t see the grill brand or configuration I want online?

This Commercial Grills collection highlights core charbroilers and flat top griddles from Quest, Southbend, Star Holman and Vollrath. If you don’t see the exact width, burner configuration, gas type or plate style you are looking for, a Russell Hendrix representative can help you review additional models, check lead times and suggest alternatives that match your menu and line layout in Canada.