Commercial ranges come in a few standard widths: 24, 36, 48 and 60 inches. The width decides how many burners or how much griddle you get, how many ovens sit underneath, how much hood you need and how much gas the line will pull. Picking the wrong size is expensive, because the range is usually the piece the rest of the line is built around. This guide walks through what each size is good for and how to choose.
Start With the Menu, Not the Space
Count how many pans you need going at the same time during your busiest hour. Each open burner holds one pan or stock pot. A 12 inch griddle section replaces roughly two burners and handles eggs, pancakes, burgers or quesadillas. If your menu is mostly sauté and sauces, you want burners. If it is breakfast or flat-top items, a griddle section pays for itself. Many kitchens end up with a mix.
24 Inch Ranges
A 24 inch range usually has 4 open burners and one oven. It suits a small cafe, a food truck commissary, a kitchen that only needs a few pots going, or a second station next to a fryer or griddle. It is also a good choice when the kitchen is narrow and every inch of hood counts. Example: the Cookline CR24-4-NG 24 inch 4 burner range.
36 Inch Ranges
The 36 inch range is the most common size in restaurant kitchens. Typical tops are 6 open burners, 4 burners with a 12 inch griddle, 2 burners with a 24 inch griddle, or a full 36 inch griddle, all over one oven. A standard oven or a convection oven base are both common. For most small and mid-size restaurants, one 36 inch range covers the sauté station. Examples: the Cookline CR36-6 6 burner range, the Cookline CR36-6C with a convection oven and the Migali C-RO4B-12GL 4 burner range with a 12 inch griddle.
48 Inch Ranges
A 48 inch range gives you 8 burners, or 4 to 6 burners with a griddle section, usually over two ovens. It fits a kitchen that has outgrown a 36 inch range but does not have room or hood length for a 60. Example: the Migali C-RO8B 48 inch 8 burner range with 2 ovens.
60 Inch Ranges
A 60 inch range is the workhorse for high volume kitchens, banquet halls and full service restaurants. Common tops are 10 open burners or 6 burners with a 24 inch griddle, over two ovens. One 60 inch range can replace two smaller ranges and keeps the line in one piece. Examples: the Migali C-RO10B 10 burner range and the Cookline CR60-24G 6 burner range with a 24 inch griddle.
Quick Size Comparison
| Width | Typical top | Ovens | Good for |
|---|---|---|---|
| 24 in. | 4 burners | 1 | Cafes, small kitchens, second station |
| 36 in. | 6 burners, or burners plus 12 or 24 in. griddle | 1 | Most restaurants |
| 48 in. | 8 burners, or burners plus griddle | 2 | Growing kitchens |
| 60 in. | 10 burners, or 6 burners plus 24 in. griddle | 2 | High volume and full service |
Check These Before You Order
- Hood length: The range must sit fully under the hood with the overhang your local code requires. A wider range can mean a longer hood.
- Gas supply: Total BTU goes up with size. A 60 inch range pulls far more gas than a 24 inch one, so have your gas line and meter checked. Order natural gas or propane to match the building.
- Oven type: A standard oven is fine for braising and roasting. A convection oven base bakes and roasts faster and more evenly, which helps if the range oven is your main oven.
- Door and aisle space: Measure the delivery path and leave room to open the oven doors fully.
- Installation: Gas equipment must be connected by a licensed installer.
Do You Need One Big Range or Two Small Ones?
Two 36 inch ranges give you two separate ovens and let you turn one off on slow days. One 60 inch range takes less floor space than two separate units with gaps between them and keeps cooks on one line. If you also need a fryer, griddle or charbroiler, compare the range against separate countertop units on a equipment stand or refrigerated chef base.
Shop Commercial Ranges
Browse all commercial ranges and electric ranges, or read the commercial range buying guide and 36 inch range configurations. Brand overviews are in our Cookline, Migali and Dukers guides. Freight with liftgate delivery is included to the 48 contiguous states. Questions about the right size? Contact Express KitchQuip.