Are you craving a smoky-flavored steak with unbeatable taste? If so, it’s time to explore the Smokingrills’ expert recommendations on the best commercial charcoal grills—designed to deliver rich smokiness and the perfect sear in every cut.
These high-performance commercial charcoal grills offer advanced temperature control, ensuring your steaks are cooked to perfection with the mouthwatering smoky aroma that only charcoal can create.
Commercial Charcoal Grills to Get Restaurant-Quality Steaks
Restaurant-quality steaks, known for their rich flavor and tenderness, are usually preferred by customers. But why? Just because they are sourced from the premium cuts and are cooked precisely to achieve perfection.
Moreover, Commercial charcoal grills play an important role by allowing controlled cooking, creating both direct and indirect heat zones, and preventing the steak from being overcooked.
Commercial vs. Residential Charcoal Grills
Commercial charcoal grills differ from simple charcoal grills. The SmokingrIlls outline its features and distinctions as:
Feature | Commercial Charcoal Grill | Residential Charcoal Grill |
Intended Use | Professional use | Casual home use |
Size & Capacity | Larger, bulk cooking | Smaller, personal use |
Heating Power | High heat & fast cooking | Lower heat & slower cooking |
Temperature Control | Precise, advanced | Basic, manual adjustments |
Portability | Stationary or mobile | Portable, easy to move |
Maintenance & Durability | Low-maintenance, robust | Easier to maintain, less durable |
Price | Expensive | Affordable, budget-friendly |
Construction Material | Stainless steel & heavy metals | Lighter steel & coated grates |
Fuel Efficiency | Optimized for commercial use | Less efficient, smaller use |
Additional Features | Multiple zones, rotisserie | Single zone |
Airflow & Ventilation | Advanced, efficient | Basic, manual control |
Design Complexity | Complex, larger footprint | Simple, compact |
The Smokingrills Top Pick Commercial Charcoal Grills of 2025
1. Backyard Pro Charcoal Grill
As the name suggests, Backyard Pro Charcoal Grill is designed for a backyard to handle the high volume cooking typically found in commercial settings, such as restaurants, catering events, and outdoor food services. It comes in different configurations designed for both commercial and large-scale residential use.
Some top models are listed as
- Backyard Pro 36-Inch Charcoal Grill
- Backyard Pro 48-Inch Charcoal Grill
- Backyard Pro 60-Inch Charcoal Grill
- Backyard Pro Portable Charcoal Grill
Comparing Models:
Smaller models (24-36 inches) – better suited for personal use or compact commercial settings like food trucks and kiosks.
Larger models (48-60 inches) – better suited for bigger restaurants, catering services, or large outdoor BBQ events.
Product Features
- High volume cooking
- Built with 14-gauge stainless steel for long-lasting performance
- Powder-coated stainless steel cooking material
- Adjustable cooking grates
- Contains swivel casters for easy movement
2. Kamado Joe Big Commercial Charcoal Grill
Kamado Joe Big Commercial Charcoal Grills are ideal for restaurants, catering, or anyone looking for a unique grilling experience with high heat retention. These are incredibly versatile, enabling you to grill, sear, bake, roast, and even smoke with ease.
Product Features
Unlike many Kamado grills that require additional accessory purchases, each Kamado Joe grill includes:
- Grate gripper to safely add charcoal to the grill when it’s hot
- Contains an ash tool for efficient cleaning after each use, preventing buildup.
- Heat deflector, making it suitable for baking
- Flexible cooking rack for adding coal without lifting the entire grate
Some top models are listed as
- Kamado Joe Classic Series
- Kamado Joe BigJoe Series
- Kamado Joe Professional Series (For Larger Commercial Use)
Comparing Models:
Feature | Kamado Joe Classic Series | Kamado Joe Big Joe Series | Kamado Joe Professional Series |
Grill Size | 18 inches (Classic I, II, III) | 24 inches (Big Joe II, III) | Larger sizes (typically 24 inches and above) |
Cooking Surface | 256 sq. in. (Classic I), 405 sq. in. (Classic II & III) | 452 sq. in. (Big Joe II), 600 sq. in. (Big Joe III) | Larger cooking area (up to 800+ sq. in.) |
Airflow & Temperature Control | Standard vent system | Advanced airflow and temperature control system | Premium air management and heat control systems |
Cooking Flexibility | Grilling, baking, smoking, roasting | Grilling, smoking, baking, roasting, slow cooking | High-volume cooking, smoking, roasting, and grilling |
3. Lynx 36-Inch Professional Charcoal Grill
Lynx 36-inch Professional Charcoal Grill is a professional charcoal grill made from high-quality stainless steel. It is crafted for advanced grilling in professional kitchens, restaurants, and open-air cooking environments.
Product Features
- Easy-to-adjust heat settings
- Durable for heavy commercial use
- Customizable charcoal tray
- Interior lighting for better visibility
Some top models are listed as
- Lynx 42-Inch Professional Charcoal Grill
- Lynx Sedona 36-Inch Charcoal Grill
- Lynx 30-Inch Professional Charcoal Grill
Comparing Models:
Feature | Lynx 36-Inch Professional Charcoal Grill | Lynx 42-Inch Professional Charcoal Grill | Lynx Sedona 36-Inch Charcoal Grill | Lynx 30-Inch Professional Charcoal Grill |
Size | 36 inches | 42 inches | 36 inches | 30 inches |
Cooking Surface Area | Large | Larger | Large | Medium |
Burners | 2 Ceramic, 1 Trident | 2 Ceramic, 1 Trident | 2 Ceramic | 2 Ceramic |
Best For | High-end residential and small commercial | Larger outdoor kitchens or high-volume setups | Premium quality at a lower price point | Smaller outdoor kitchens or compact spaces |
4. Hasty-Bake 1324 Pro Commercial Charcoal Grill
The Hasty-Bake 1324 Pro Commercial Charcoal Grill is indeed a commercial-grade charcoal grill perfect for settings that demand long-lasting and strong grilling performance. It can be utilized in food trucks, restaurants, and catering businesses where large quantities of food must be prepared.
Product Features
- Commercial-grade components
- Designed for direct and indirect grilling, smoking, and even baking,
- Featuring a height-adjustable charcoal tray
- Heavy-Duty Construction: Built with high-quality materials
Some top models are listed as
- Hasty-Bake 256 Pro Commercial Charcoal Grill
- Hasty-Bake 254 Pro Charcoal Grill
- Hasty-Bake 354 Pro Commercial Charcoal Grill
Comparing Models:
Feature | Hasty-Bake 1324 Pro Commercial Charcoal Grill | Hasty-Bake 256 Pro Commercial Charcoal Grill | Hasty-Bake 254 Pro Charcoal Grill | Hasty-Bake 354 Pro Commercial Charcoal Grill |
Cooking Surface | 24″ x 24″ | 24″ x 24″ | 24″ x 24″ | 30″ x 30″ |
Cooking Area | 576 sq. in. | 576 sq. in. | 576 sq. in. | 900 sq. in. |
Best For | Medium to high-volume commercial use | Similar to 1324 Pro, good for smaller commercial setups | Versatile for medium volume use | High-volume, large-scale commercial operations |
Price Range | High | High | Moderate | Higher (due to larger size) |
Conclusion
The Smokingrills provides expert guidance on selecting the best commercial charcoal grills tailored to meet the high demands of restaurants, professional kitchens, catering services, and food trucks.
These grills are designed to handle high-volume cooking, using charcoal to produce intense heat for a perfect sear on steaks, burgers, and more, while infusing them with a signature smoky flavor.
FAQs
Q. What are the key Insights of Commercial Charcoal Grills?
Commercial charcoal grills are better known for producing a distinctive smoky flavor. They are ideal for searing and grilling and have the ability to reach high cooking temperatures. Because of their large cooking area, they can be used in catering and restaurants
Q. How long should the coals burn before it’s time to cook?
Allow the coals to burn for about 15-20 minutes until they develop a coating of gray ash, indicating they’re ready to use.
Q. Is it possible to use a charcoal grill in cold weather?
Yes, it is possible to use a charcoal grill in cold weather, but the grill may need more time to heat up. Cold weather can make it harder to maintain consistent heat; therefore, keep an eye on the temperature while grilling
Q. Is it possible to control the heat on a commercial charcoal grill?
Yes, we can control the heat on commercial charcoal grills by
- Adjusting the air vents
- Adding more charcoal, or moving the food closer or farther from the heat source.
- Use a grill thermometer
- Some models also have adjustable grates.