A natural smoky taste is one of the reasons why a commercial wood fired grill is popular as a propane gas grill or electric gas grill cannot replicate the authenticity.
Unlike the apartment grills, the commercial wood fired grills are used in restaurants, live barbeque outdoor events, or in catering businesses. This does not limit its versatile cooking, in fact, you can cook whatever you want. From pizzerias to steakhouses, these commercial wood fire grills are becoming essential kitchen gear.
Here, in this article, I am covering everything that you need to know for a wood fired commercial grill from its working to its benefits starting from scratch.
What is a Commercial Wood Fired Grill?
Speaking of a wood fired grill commercial, this fuels on burning wood or wood chips as its primary fuel source which gives a unique and original texture of smoke.
These commercial grade wood fire grills are made for high-volume cooking in restaurants, and commercial kitchens. Due to its extensive and large cooking capacity, these eavy-duty wood fired grills for commercial use are made with durable materials, which can easily withstand intense heat while working for continuous hours.
Why should I Choose Wood Fired Commercial Grill?
Well, it is simple: if you are planning to start a catering business or expand your restaurant by adding a new menu, then you need a durable wood fired grill for business, then you need to stand out from the rest.
These industrial wood fired grills offer
1. Unique Flavor Profile
Wood-fired grills impart a natural, smoky taste that enhances the flavor of food. The type of wood used can further customize the taste, with hardwoods like hickory, oak, and cherry providing varying intensities and notes.
2. Enhanced Versatility
Wood-fired grills are highly versatile and can be used to cook various dishes, from pizzas to steaks, seafood, and even vegetables. This versatility makes them an attractive choice for restaurants that want to diversify their menu with bold, unique flavors.
3. Aesthetic Appeal
The flames and rustic look of a wood-fired grill add visual appeal to a restaurant’s ambiance, especially if it’s an open-kitchen concept. Patrons love the experience of watching food cooked over open flames, enhancing their overall dining experience.
4. Energy Efficiency
For some businesses, wood can be a more cost-effective and energy-efficient option compared to gas or electric grills, particularly if they have a steady source of high-quality firewood.
Thus, the wood fire grilling for restaurants is a good option to add. Plus, it will be a win-win situation if you have a good budget.
What are the types of Commercial Wood Fired Grill?
When it comes to its type, the commercial wood fired grill is available to cater to the needs of different cooking styles and applications. For instance, the most commonly used commercial wood grills for restaurants are
- Open wood fired grills
- Wood fired pizza oven
- Combination grills
- Rotisserie wood fire grills
Open Wood-Fired Grills
As you can hint from its name, the open wood fired grill has an open cooking surface over burning wood or charcoal.
Such grills are ideal for grilling meats, seafood, and vegetables. Plus, gives more control to the chefs over the heat to sear and smoke your meal. So, no more burns for the grilled meal.
The popular options for this category are
Backyard Discovery Authentic Gaucho Outdoor Grill
Backyard Discovery Authentic Gaucho estaurant wood fire grill is available in two different sizes, 4ft x 2ft and 5.5ft x 2 ft., with an ample grilling surface of 723 sq. in.
The 304 stainless steel heavy-duty body and grates and Santa Maria precision elevate the grilling experience.
What I personally liked about this grill is its adjustable height feature.
Fire pit 2 Grills Outdoor Grill
Fire pit 2 Grills Outdoor Grill type of outdoor grill offers dual fuel types, including wood and charcoal. It offers a 5.9 to 11.8-inch adjustable grate and comes with a 5.1 13.5-inch fork.
This grill ensures stability with its four uniquely designed legs with the dimensions of 25.6 inches x 25.6 inches x 31.9 inches.
Wood-Fired Pizza Ovens
The next best commercial wood fired grill is known for its exceptional pizza cooking ovens. These commercial indoor wood fired grill are designed as dome-shaped ovens lined with the stones or ceramic to offer uniformity in heating. This helps to cook pizza quickly due to high and uniform temperature to get the exact crispy crust and smoky flavor for which you are craving in just a few minutes.
The top picks for this category are
Outdoor Pizza Oven Aidpiza 12 inches Wood Fired
This Outdoor Pizza Oven Aidpiza 12 inches Wood Fired is a wood pellet oven that can bake and cook whatever you want. The pizza stone is solid yet rotatable at 360 degrees.
It is foldable and easy to use even if you are using it for the first time. The maximum temperature for this grill is 350 degrees C.
A perfect option for outdoor grilling.
Pizza Oven by Pizzello Grande
Pizza Oven by Pizzello Grande grill offers a large 2-layered cooking area with a cooking space of 12 inches, which is quite enough to bake a pizza of 16 inches.
It works on wood fire as well as on the charcoal. Due to its dual-layer feature, you can cook two pizzas simultaneously.
Combination Grills
These grills work with more than one fuel, as the name ‘combination grill’ suggests, meaning it offers dual fuel options, like wood with either electricity or gas. This offers the chef more cooking flexibility to switch between their desired heat source.
Such grills are versatile and equally good for commercial wood grills for restaurants as well as for the home for quick and flavored food.
Char-Griller Dual Function
Char-Griller Dual Function grill comes with a dual heating source, including charcoal and gas both, so that the user can switch easily.
As the name suggests, this is not only limited to the heating source but also works as a griller and smoker.
The cooking surface is 870 square inches, with a primary cooking area of 606 square inches and porcelain-coated cast iron grates to prevent stickiness. This would be suitable for a home as it caters to 6 to 8 people and can also be used for a small restaurant.
Royal Gourmet GD4002T 4-Burner
Royal Gourmet GD4002T 4-Burner grill offers a foldable leg and four burner options. This can be set in your backyard or is a good option for a food truck.
The good thing about this grill is that it works as a griddle as well as a grill. Due to its portability, it can be used as a camping grill too.
For combination grills, you can continue to read more at 4seasongrills.com.
Rotisserie Wood-Fired Grills
These grills have a rotisserie attachment, which allows the meat to rotate at a slow pace to cook over the fire for even cooking. Such grills are popular in barbecue restaurants for commercial grade grills. However, there are a few restaurants for cooking a whole chicken roast or some undercut meat.
The Key Features/Factors to get the Best Commercial Wood Fired Grill
Well, not a single but many amazing features make wood fired grilling equipment for catering a best option if you won’t overlook these features. This includes
1. Size and Capacity
Since we are discussing the commercial grade wood-fired grills, the size and cooking capacity are the key and crucial parts. They are available in different sizes (bigger than the ones we use at home) to meet the spacing of your restaurants.
Usually, the width for these grills ranges from 24 inches to 72 inches, which is good for small and large kitchens. The large grills with 72 inches allow for more food to be cooked at once, reducing wait times and allowing for better service during busy hours.
Whereas the length falls between 20 inches and 60 inches, catering to the needs of smaller and larger kitchen areas. While the height for such grills ranges from 36 inches to 46 inches.
2. Material and Build Quality
The material should be highly durable, as wood-fired grills endure high temperatures regularly. Here, you will have three options, cast iron, stainless steel, and aluminum grills.
Look for models made of stainless steel or cast iron, which can withstand intense heat and are easier to clean. However, if you are low on a budget and looking for a lighter option, then an aluminum grill is what you need.
3. The cooking grates
The grates for a commercial wood fired grill should be made of either by cast iron or stainless steel. Most importantly, they should be porcelain coated, making them easy to clean.
4. Heat Control and Airflow Management
The heat controls could be in the knobs form or digital that allows to set a precise temperature. A good airflow control allows chefs to adjust the flame intensity and temperature more easily. Commercial wood-fired grills often have vents or dampers to regulate airflow, which helps in controlling cooking temperatures.
5. Cleaning and Maintenance
Some models come with ash drawers or trays to collect ash and make cleaning easier. A removable grate and easy-to-access firebox are also beneficial features for simpler maintenance.
6. Portability and Installation
If you need a mobile solution for outdoor events or catering, consider a grill with wheels or a trailer-mounted design. Fixed installations are more common for restaurants, where space and layout are usually predefined.
How to Maintain a Commercial Wood Fired Grill?
Maintaining a commercial wood-fired grill is essential to keep it in top working condition and ensure it remains safe for use ensuring its extended operations. Hence, regular cleaning and proper care can is need to extend the life of the grill and prevent costly repairs.
Here are a few tips.
Regular Cleaning
Be sure you are removing the ashes daily or after each use, as buildup can obstruct airflow and affect heat control. Many grills come with an ash pan or tray for easy disposal, which makes it an effortless job.
Keep in mind to clean the ash pan or tray when it is cool to prevent burns.
Inspect the Grill Frequently
Inspect the grate, firebox, and other components regularly for any signs of wear or damage. Replace parts as needed, particularly grates that become worn or coated with burnt residue.
To clean them, soak the used grates in lukewarm water and dish soap, let them sit for a while, and then scrape them off.
Use the Right Wood
Use only high-quality hardwoods and avoid softwoods or wood with resin, as they produce excess smoke and can clog the grill.
Hardwoods burn longer and more evenly, providing a more consistent cooking experience. Plus, you have the option to have flavored hardwood to add more taste to your meal.
Season the Grill
It is similar to taking care of your skin. Seasoning your grill involves rubbing oil on the grates and cooking surface before and after each use. This will help to prevent food from sticking and protect the metal from rust.
Store Firewood Properly
Keep your firewood in a dry, well-ventilated area to ensure it burns cleanly and efficiently. Wet wood can cause excess smoke and affect the flavor of your food.
Conclusively, The Commercial Wood Fired Grill
The commercial wood fired grill is a perfect blend of kitchen gear, offering a combination of flavor, versatility, and ambiance, which the majority of the grills fail to provide.
However, these Restaurant-grade wood fire grills require more care and skill to operate than the standard gas grills, but I must say, the results would be worth the effort.
Well, with our guide, if you choose the right type of wood fired grill and maintain it properly, you will enjoy not only the desired flavor but also the longevity of your unit as well as in your dinner.