Ranges fill a very broad category. They come in many different sizes and many different combinations of elements, all designed to give you the greatest flexibility in the smallest amount of space. In the restaurant ranges, we encourage casters and quick disconnect packages were applicable.
Medium or Heavy Duty range. Which is right for my operation?
Medium Duty Ranges are generally more versatile and come in various widths from 24" to 72", whereas Heavy Duty ranges are generally 36" wide. A lot more combinations can be built into the medium duty range.
Durability is the primary reason an operation would purchase a heavy duty range. In a hotel or high-volume operation, these units need to withstand the weight of heavy pots. Heavy Duty ranges also come with the option to boost energy input for quicker response and can be manifolded together to make a solid cooking battery. Because of these options, BigTray requires that you call us at 1-800-BIG-TRAY (1-800-244-8729) for help in specifying your heavy duty range.
The size of the operation and the menu being served are the most important factors in determining which range is best for you. For high schools, colleges, institutions, large-volume operations, and any menu that calls for heavy sautéing, we recommend a heavy duty. For smaller operations where sautéing is not heavy, a medium duty range is probably sufficient. It's worth noting that medium duty ranges can accommodate more variations of top configurations than heavy-duties can.
Top configurations. What's the best top configuration for me?
The answer will depend on your type of operation, specifically your menu, and the amount of available hood space. You can order a combination of most of these cooking surfaces on a single range. By utilizing your combination choices wisely, you can perform a large variety of functions in a relatively small footprint.
The two most popular types of tops are:
- Open-burner tops
Open burner tops (also "grate tops") offer direct flame contact. They're the most common and most flexible type of top.
- Griddle tops
Similar to hot tops, griddle tops are another type of steel plate that fit over a portion of the range and perform the same function as a freestanding griddle. When choosing a griddle top, we always recommend thermostatically controlled. Your griddle will be thicker and will result in more even cooking across the entire surface.
BigTray features ranges from Vulcan-Hart and Wolf Range.
Click here to view our Medium Duty ranges.
Buyer's Guide 
Ranges fill a very broad category. They come in many different sizes and many different combinations of elements, all designed to give you the greatest flexibility in the smallest amount of space. In the restaurant ranges, we encourage casters and quick disconnect packages were applicable.