After deciding on a heavy-duty or restaurant range a top configuration must be established. Top configurations can consist of all the same components or a combination of numerous components. Top configurations can include gas or electric burners, griddles, hot top, French top, salamander broiler or cheesemelters. Open top gas burners are the choice of most professional kitchens. They provide an instantaneous and visible heat source that can be easily controlled and regulated. Gas burners are usually much cheaper than electric burners and provide faster heat to a cooking vessel.

Things to consider

• Easily removable and durable top grates
• A wide range of burner flame heights
• Ring or star style burners
• Nursing Homes
• Individual pilot lights for each burner
• High or low BTU rating depending on user preference

Most professional kitchens prefer gas for its affordability and usability, however if gas is not an option in your area electric burners may be necessary. These types of units are ideal for establishments that desire the versatility of a full size range without the need for a gas connection.

Things to consider

• Solid electric plates are more durable than coils
• Voltage requirements
• Diameter of electric plate or coil

Griddles consist of a flat metal plate made of steel, cast iron or aluminum and food is cooked directly on top of the griddle’s surface. The large amount of open space allows the user to cook numerous items simultaneously, ideal for customers who want to prepare various types of foods very quickly.

Things to consider

• A large grease trough allows for easy clean-up
• Manual valve controls provide user regulated temperature control
• Thermostatic controls provide accurate temperature control
• Surface should be non-stick or well seasoned

Ranges can come in varying configurations of burners, griddles and tops to suit your needs.

Hot Tops
Hot tops consist of a flat metal plate made of either cast iron or steel. However, unlike griddles, you do not cook directly on top of a hot plate. Instead, pans or pots are placed directly on top of the unit in order to heat them.

Things to consider

• Burners that will heat the entire plate evenly such as 'H' style burners

French Tops
French tops consist of a continuous cooking surface that allows the user to easily move pans from one section of the top to the other. French tops are used in high end kitchens around the world for both quality and precision cooking.

Things to consider

• Removable rings for versatility of cooking
• Heavy duty construction to support a diverse range of cooking vessel