Hobart Ecomax HEPLG78A Lava Rock Gas Chargrill 700mm

The Hobart Ecomax HEPLG78A is a 700mm wide lava rock gas chargrill built for professional kitchen use. Lava rock cooking works by absorbing heat from the gas burners and radiating it evenly upward, producing the consistent high-surface temperatures and characteristic charred finish that chargrill cooking demands. The unit features two separate cast iron cooking grids — one dedicated to meat and one to fish — which gives kitchens a practical, built-in method of managing allergen separation during service without relying on improvised arrangements.

In a working kitchen environment, lava rock chargrills are valued for their ability to sustain cooking temperatures across a continuous service. The rock bed retains heat effectively, reducing the temperature drop that occurs when cold product is placed on the grill. Cast iron grids hold and distribute heat evenly across the cooking surface, helping to produce consistent results from the first cover to the last rather than only at the start of service.

From an operational standpoint, the dual-grid configuration offers several practical advantages:

• Dedicated meat and fish grids support cleaner allergen management during service
• Cast iron surfaces develop a natural seasoning over time, improving release and reducing sticking
• Lava rock beds are straightforward to replace when required, keeping maintenance uncomplicated
• Stainless steel construction throughout supports cleaning and withstands sustained heavy use
• 700mm footprint integrates cleanly into a standard cooking suite line

As a gas appliance, the unit requires a suitable gas supply connection and must be installed beneath an appropriate extraction canopy in line with current UK gas safety and ventilation regulations. At 98kg, positioning should be planned carefully and any future repositioning factored into the installation layout. Installation must be carried out by a Gas Safe registered engineer. There is no water connection required, and electrical involvement is limited to ignition, which keeps the installation relatively straightforward compared with combination or electric alternatives.

This chargrill is well suited to restaurants, pub kitchens, and hotel operations where chargrilled dishes appear regularly on the menu and service volumes justify a dedicated unit. The 700mm cooking width is a practical choice for mid-volume operations. Sites with higher throughput, or those running chargrill as a primary cooking method across extended service periods, may find a wider or higher-capacity unit better suited to demand. Equally, where chargrill use is occasional rather than central to the menu, a smaller unit may be more proportionate to the need.

If you are planning a cooking suite around this unit, or have questions about gas supply, ventilation, or how it sits alongside other equipment, our team is glad to talk it through before you make a decision.