What you need to know:

Salamander Grill vs Char Grill: Which Does Your Kitchen Need?

At first glance, a salamander grill and a char grill might appear interchangeable. However, the choice between a salamander grill vs. char grill becomes a lot easier once you see how one works compared to the other.

While both types of grill are pieces of cooking equipment that generate serious heat, that’s where their similarities end. One finishes food just before it reaches the pass, while the other looks after the actual cooking. This guide will help you make the right choice so your equipment keeps service smooth and your customers happy.

Salamander Grill vs Char Grill: Which Does Your Kitchen Need?

What is a Salamander Grill?

A salamander grill is a finishing appliance. It applies intense heat from above to ‘finish’ food, rather than fully cook it through. Depending on the model, the heat may come from either radiant gas burners or electric quartz elements, with food sitting on an adjustable rack below the heat source. This lets chefs control how much heat hits the food.

What do you cook on a salamander grill?

Unlike an oven or char grill, a salamander grill is not usually used to cook thick cuts of raw meat or foods all the way through. Instead, they handle quick jobs at the end of cooking, such as:

  • Melting cheese over toast, pasta or other dishes
  • Browning the top of gratins
  • Caramelising sugar and other surfaces
  • Glazing sauces
  • Crisping or browning plated dishes
  • Keeping finished dishes warm briefly before serving

They heat quickly, so they’re a great option for a finishing touch.

Where does a salamander grill fit in the kitchen?

One thing to consider when choosing a commercial salamander grill in Australia is how it will fit into your line. They typically sit on a benchtop, attach to a wall bracket or are positioned above a cooking range. If you’re limited on space, a wall-mounted or above-range model will keep the grill within reach without using up valuable space.

What is a Char Grill?

Char grills are a primary cooking appliance that provides heat from below food. They use gas burners or electric elements to heat cast iron or steel grates, with the food sitting directly on the grill bars. This direct heat cooks the food while creating dark grill marks, like on steaks.

As the food cooks, fat and juices can also drop below the grates. It’s where the smoky flavour that char-grilled food is known for comes from.

What can you cook on a char grill?

Unlike a salamander, a char grill cooks raw food all the way through. It’s commonly used for:

  • Steaks and burger patties
  • Chicken and meat skewers
  • Fish and seafood
  • Sausages and other meats
  • Corn cobs, capsicum, zucchini and other vegetables

Where does a char grill fit into a kitchen?

A char grill for commercial kitchens is designed to stay hot across long services. It makes them a central part of the cooking line in pubs, steakhouses and casual restaurants where plenty of grilled dishes are on offer.

For high-volume kitchens, floor-standing and leg-mounted models will give you plenty of grill space. Bench-mounted char grills are more compact, and are often found in smaller venues or even food trucks.

Key Differences at a Glance

While the biggest difference between a salamander grill versus a char grill is the direction of the heat, there are other features that can help you make a choice.

Feature Salamander Grill Char Grill
Heat direction Heats from above Heats from below
Main task Finishes, browns, melts and glazes Cooks food directly on the grates
Kitchen placement Benchtop, wall-mounted or above a range Floor-standing, leg-mounted or benchtop
Typical foods Gratins, cheese-topped dishes, sauces and plated meals Steaks, chicken, fish, burgers and vegetables
Fuel options Gas or electric, including quartz elements Gas or electric
Cleaning Crumb trays, racks and interior surfaces need regular cleaning Grates, burners and grease trays need more intensive cleaning
 

While we’re on the subject of cleaning, there are some slight differences that need highlighting. A salamander grill usually has removable trays or racks to collect crumbs, drips and melted cheese, so they're quick and easy to clean. However, char grills deal with a lot of fat, grease and burnt-on food, so the grates need regular mid-service scraping, and grease trays, burners and surrounding surfaces also need regular deep cleaning.

When a Kitchen Needs Both

Depending on your menu, it may not be a case of salamander grill vs char grill, but rather both. For example, a steak may be cooked on the char grill to create grill marks, colour and flavour. It can then be moved to the salamander grill for a final crust, melting a herb butter or glazing a sauce on top before plating.

Or regarding fish, the char grill can handle the bulk of the cooking, while the salamander grill can caramelise a glaze or crisp up the top without continuing to cook the underside.

On busy nights, having both can help keep your line moving. The grill chef can continue cooking raw proteins while another chef finishes garnishing or plating up dishes under the salamander grill.

How to Decide Which One to Buy First

Buy a char grill first for a grill-focused menu.

If your menu is heavy on steaks, burgers, chicken, seafood or grilled vegetables and doesn’t already have a grill, a char grill should be your first option. The decision is then the type of char grill for a commercial kitchen. A small benchtop model is going to be fine for occasional grilled dishes, while a venue like a pub or steakhouse will want a large unit for continual use.

Buy a salamander first for finishing.

A salamander grill makes more sense if your kitchen already has a range, oven, solid top or other appliance that handles the primary cooking. It fills the gap when chefs need to quickly melt cheese, brown something off, glaze sauces or add a little colour to a dish.

Invest in both for a busy, varied menu.

As for menus with a lot of grilled dishes and finishing touches, both appliances are going to earn their place. Just check if you have gas or electrical connections available, and the appropriate ventilation to make sure they work with your setup.

Shop Salamanders and Char Grills at AGC Equipment

There’s a grill for every dish. Browse AGC Equipment’s range of commercial salamanders, char grills and broilers today.


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