Heat Up Your Kitchen With Salamanders

An essential cooking platform in many commercial kitchens, the salamander broiler is a space-saver that’s especially important for today’s operators who are challenged to do more with less as they combat rising costs. The compact overfired broiler can be mounted above the range or on the wall, saving precious hood space and maximizing your footprint.

“A foot of hood space, horizontally, costs anywhere from $2,000 to $5,000,” notes one manufacturer. “Versus using hood space vertically— where you stack something on top of something else—that would be essentially free.”

A salamander is sometimes confused with another piece of equipment that looks similar: a cheesemelter. A salamander, though, offers intense heat and can broil steaks, burgers, chicken, fish, veggies and more. In contrast, a cheesemelter warms plates, toasts buns, and, you guessed it … melts cheese. It’s not made to cook raw items. A salamander can double as a cheesemelter and can put the finishing flair on a dish, caramelizing the sugar atop a creme brulee, browning an au gratin, or adding a glaze. Like a cheesemelter, a salamander can quickly heat a dish before it goes out to a table or is sent out for delivery. But a cheesemelter can never double as a salamander. Examine your menu mix to determine which equipment is best for your operation—or if you need both.

While able to melt cheese, salamanders pack more firepower than a cheesemelter, also allowing operators to cook raw items. Courtesy of Vulcan.

The salamander is closer to a different piece of equipment: an upright broiler. A salamander offers similar functionality, but is smaller and can be mounted vertically. Analyze your throughput needs before deciding which of these two to specify. For example, a salamander might meet the needs of a pub that offers steaks or burgers among its menu mix, but wouldn’t suffice for a high-volume steakhouse. In some cases, a salamander could even replace a charbroiler, again saving precious space.

HEATING THINGS UP

Salamanders are available in two different heating styles: infrared and radiant. Infrared salamanders feature ceramic tiles that use infrared radiation to penetrate and quickly cook food. They’re ideal for broiling flat foods, such as steaks and pork chops. In contrast, a radiant salamander has open-flame burners; stainless radiants reflect the heat and radiate it down onto the product. “It’s a more enveloping style of heat versus infrared, which is a more intense direct line of sight cooking,” explains one manufacturer that offers both types of salamanders. Radiant salamanders work especially well for irregularly shaped items, like a half chicken.

A radiant salamander has open-flame burners, whereas an infrared model features ceramic tiles that use infrared radiation to cook. Courtesy of Southbend.

Radiant salamanders work especially well for irregularly shaped items, like a half chicken.

Infrared salamanders comprise a larger share of the market. They heat up quicker, sometimes in as little as 90 seconds, and reach higher temperatures, which means speedier ticket times. And while they cost more, the difference is typically only a few hundred dollars.

Salamanders are available in natural gas-powered, liquid propane-powered and electric models, with natural gas the most popular. With the push toward electrification in some regions of the country, electric salamanders are gaining popularity—but one impediment is that they cost several thousand dollars more than nonelectric salamanders. Only a few manufacturers currently offer electric models, but others are developing them, with plans to launch in the next year or so.

PLACEMENT OPTIONS

Salamanders are available in range-mounted, wall-mounted and countertop models. Range mounting works best when aligning a salamander with a range built by the same manufacturer, because each company designs its range risers specifically to accommodate its equipment. In the case of a new build, operators often specify a range and salamander together from the same manufacturer, allowing the salamander to be easily range-mounted from the get-go.

One caveat: Never mount a salamander above a range with a charbroiler top. The charbroiler produces extreme heat, which could damage the salamander, shortening its life. The stacked salamander also might block emissions from escaping through the flue, leading to a smoke-filled kitchen. Wall mounting is a good option when pairing a salamander with a charbroiler range, as well as when mixing and matching salamander and range brands.

While not as common, some operators opt for countertop salamanders, if space allows. This can be useful when using a salamander to heat plates, as it offers easier access, especially for shorter crewmembers.

Standing pilots on some models enable quick ignition. Courtesy of Royal Range of California.

SPECIFYING SALAMANDERS

Some other factors to consider when selecting a salamander:

SIZE. Salamanders are available in various widths, generally 24 to 60 inches. Consider your sales volume and available space (including your range size, if the salamander will be mounted atop) to determine what’s right for you. Some electric countertop models are available in narrower widths, which might suit a coffee shop or small cafe.

NUMBER OF RACK POSITIONS. Most salamanders offer several rack positions, allowing food to be placed closer or further from the heat source, as needed. This is controlled manually by a lever on the exterior, allowing for easy adjustment during cooking. For example, you might sear a steak on the top level, and then lower it to finish cooking. Salamanders typically offer anywhere from three to six rack levels; so, consider how much flexibility you need. Some smaller countertop/wall-mounted models instead offer an adjustable upper housing, which functions similarly but moves the heat source. One manufacturer predicts that the next generation of salamanders might feature programmable recipes and robotics that automatically move a rack closer and further from the heat throughout a cooking cycle.

Moveable racks allow operators to control product-to-heat proximity. Courtesy of Imperial.

BTUS. Higher Btus mean more heat and faster recovery, helping a salamander quickly return to an optimal cooking temperature after loading cold products. That translates to faster throughput and shorter ticket times.

CONSTRUCTION. Some manufacturers offer a standard model and a higher end model that promises improved performance and durability, especially in high-volume settings. Construction highlights might include extra insulation, higher gauge stainless, or the use of more stainless components. Stainless components degrade at a slower rate than galvanized or aluminized steel, and are more resistant to pitting and corrosion.

Even the best-constructed salamander requires proper care to stay in prime condition. Be sure to follow the owner’s manual. Avoid hosing off the heating elements and never use ice to cool down a hot unit. Clean out the drip tray after each shift, or as needed. Take these steps and you’ll keep your salamander sizzling for years.

Getting Hotter

Start your search for a salamander by checking out the features and functions of nine manufacturers’ models.