Choose a gas rotisserie oven if you have a gas line, a hood that can cover it and volume of 20 or more chickens a load; choose electric where gas is not available, such as many food trucks, kiosks and leased spaces without a gas supply, as long as you have the right voltage. Capacity and the hood usually decide it before fuel cost does.
The models below are the ones we sell in our commercial rotisserie oven range, with figures from their product pages.
The rotisserie ovens we carry
- YSD-12E electric: 40 inches wide, 12 whole chickens per cycle, on a 220V supply.
- YSD-12G gas: about 40 inches wide, up to 12 chickens per load. Its page asks you to call to confirm the gas type, dimensions and certifications before ordering.
- Southwood RG4 gas: 4 motorized spits with independent switches, 16 to 20 chickens per load, about 50 minutes for a 3.5 lb bird, ceramic bricks, a drip drawer that can hold water for moisture, natural gas or propane. Check availability on the product page.
- Southwood RG7 gas: 7 motorized spits with independent motors, about 28 to 35 chickens per load, 170,100 BTU behind 27 ceramic bricks, natural gas or propane chosen at order, a 3/4 inch NPT gas connection, and 110V for the motors and lights. It stands 84 inches tall on casters, 48 inches long and 28 inches wide, and weighs 495 lbs.
Gas: when it makes sense
- Higher capacity. Every model above 12 birds in our range is gas.
- Radiant heat from burners behind ceramic bricks, which the Southwood pages describe on both models.
- Partial loads. The RG4 and RG7 run individual spits, so a slow afternoon does not need a full oven.
- You still need power. The RG7 needs a 110V outlet for its motors and lights.
- A hood. The RG7 page says it must sit under a hood that covers its full footprint, and the RG4 page says rotisseries must go under a hood. A licensed gas installer makes the connection.
Electric: when it makes sense
- No gas line in the building or the truck.
- Smaller volume, around 12 birds a cycle.
- A 220V circuit available. The YSD-12E runs on 220V, so a standard wall outlet will not do. Have an electrician confirm the circuit before delivery.
- Hood rules for electric cooking equipment vary by jurisdiction, so ask your building and fire departments before assuming you can skip one.
Side by side
- Capacity: electric 12 chickens; gas 12, 16 to 20, or 28 to 35.
- Utilities: electric needs 220V; gas needs a gas line plus, on the RG7, a 110V outlet.
- Footprint: the 12 bird models are about 40 inches wide; the RG7 is 48 inches long and 84 inches tall.
- Flexibility: the Southwood models run individual spits for partial loads.
- Installation: gas needs a licensed gas installer and a hood; electric needs an electrician for the 220V circuit.
How to size it
Work out how many birds you sell in your busiest two hours, then divide by how many loads you can run in that time. On the Southwood pages a 3.5 lb bird takes about 50 minutes under typical conditions, so a 2 hour peak gives you about two loads plus loading time. If you need 30 birds in that window, a 12 bird oven will not keep up and a 16 to 20 bird oven is tight. This is a planning method, not a guarantee; bird size and your recipe change the times.
Holding cooked chickens
The FDA Food Code requires hot food that needs temperature control to be held at 135 F or above. Plan where cooked birds go after the spit: a heated display case for grab-and-go, or heat lamps and strip warmers at the pass. Chickens not sold hot need to be cooled from 135 F to 70 F within 2 hours and to 41 F within 6 hours in total. Your local health department has the final say.
Mistakes to avoid
- Ordering a gas oven before confirming the hood can cover its full footprint.
- Ordering the YSD-12E without a 220V circuit.
- Forgetting the ceiling and doorway height for an 84 inch tall oven.
- Choosing natural gas when the building runs on propane, or the reverse.
- Planning cooking capacity but not hot holding space.
Frequently asked questions
Is a gas or electric rotisserie better for a food truck?
It depends on the truck’s utilities. A truck with propane and a hood can run gas; a truck with a generator and a 220V circuit can run the YSD-12E. Check your mobile vendor rules too.
How many chickens does a commercial rotisserie hold?
In our range: 12 for the YSD-12E and YSD-12G, 16 to 20 for the Southwood RG4, and about 28 to 35 for the Southwood RG7.
Does a gas rotisserie need electricity?
The Southwood RG7 does, 110V for its motors and lights. Check each product page.
Can I add humidity during cooking?
The Southwood RG4 and RG7 have a drip drawer that can hold water to add humidity.
For a full cooking line, see our commercial ovens.
Models in this guide at a glance
The models linked above are listed here with the main points from each product page, so you can compare them side by side before opening the full listings.
40-inch Gas Rotisserie Oven – 12 Chicken Capacity (YSD-12G) (model YSD-12G)
- Upgrade your kitchen’s poultry output with the YSD-12G, a robust 40-inch gas batch rotisserie oven designed to cook up to 12 chickens in one cycle.
- Built for commercial kitchens, food trucks, delis, and restaurants needing consistent, high-volume roasting without sacrificing flavor or presentation.
40″ Electric Rotisserie Oven 12-Chicken (YSD-12E) (model YSD-12E)
- Capable of roasting 12 whole chickens per cycle , this unit is perfect for delis, restaurants, mobile kitchens, and catering operations operating on 220V supply.
Southwood RG4 Commercial Gas Rotisserie Oven – 20 Chicken Capacity (NG/LP) (model RG4)
- Brand: Southwood
Before you order
- Measure the space and every doorway on the delivery path, and compare them with the dimensions on each product page.
- Check the spec sheet for power, gas or water requirements and match them to what your building has.
- Compare capacity with your busiest day rather than your average day.
- Read the warranty terms for the brand before you order.
Delivery, warranty and payment
- Delivery: delivery within the continental US is included in the price on the product page, and freight orders include liftgate service.
- Warranty: each product carries its manufacturer warranty. Terms by brand are on our warranty page.
- Financing: lease-to-own financing through Clicklease is offered on items of $500 and up. See how financing works.
- Quotes: buying for a business and need a written quote? Call +1-877-558-2253 or use our contact page.
Not sure which model fits?
Call +1-877-558-2253 with your space, power supply and daily volume, and we will help you narrow it down.