A commercial tandoor needs more than the clay oven itself.
Restaurants also need the right tools for placing naan on the clay wall, removing bread after cooking, holding meat and vegetables over the heat, and maintaining the tandoor over time.
Some of the most important commercial tandoor accessories include:
- Tandoor skewers
- Naan bread pads or gaddis
- Bread-removing skewers
- Replacement clay mix
- Lava rocks
- Baffle burner plates
- Thermocouples
- Safety valves
- Pilot assemblies
Some of these are everyday cooking tools, while others are replacement and maintenance parts that restaurants may want to keep available so a tandoor problem does not interrupt service.
Nishi Enterprise carries a complete selection of Tandoor Accessories and Parts for commercial tandoor kitchens.
This guide explains which commercial tandoor accessories you need, what each one does, which skewers work for different foods, and which replacement parts restaurants should know about.
What Accessories Does a Commercial Tandoor Need?
A basic restaurant tandoor station should have accessories for three main jobs:
- Cooking naan and other breads
- Cooking meat, seafood, paneer, and vegetables
- Maintaining and repairing the tandoor
A basic working setup may include:
- Several sizes of round and square skewers
- At least one naan bread pad
- Bread-removing tools
- Backup maintenance supplies
Busy restaurants may want multiples of their most frequently used accessories so staff are not waiting for one tool during service.
1. Tandoor Skewers
Skewers are among the most important tandoor accessories.
Unlike a conventional grill where food sits horizontally on a grate, many tandoor foods are placed on long skewers and suspended vertically inside the clay oven.
Skewers can be used for:
- Chicken tikka
- Tandoori chicken
- Seekh kebab
- Lamb
- Fish
- Shrimp
- Paneer
- Vegetables
Nishi Enterprise sells both Stainless Steel Round Tandoor Skewers and Stainless Steel Square Tandoor Kebab Skewers in multiple thicknesses for different tandoor applications.
Why Does Tandoor Skewer Thickness Matter?
Different foods require different levels of support.
A thin skewer may work well for:
- Fish
- Paneer
- Vegetables
- Small portions
while heavier proteins may require a thicker skewer that resists bending.
Choosing the correct thickness can make food:
- Easier to load
- Easier to handle
- More stable during cooking
- Less likely to slide or rotate
3mm Tandoor Skewers
Thin 3mm skewers are useful for delicate and lightweight foods.
Good applications include:
- Fish
- Shrimp
- Paneer
- Vegetables
Nishi's Stainless Steel Round Tandoor Skewers are available in a 3mm version designed for lighter ingredients.
4mm Tandoor Skewers
A 4mm skewer is a useful general-purpose option.
It can work for:
- Chicken pieces
- Smaller kebabs
- Vegetables
- Mixed tandoori appetizers
This size provides more strength than a 3mm skewer without becoming unnecessarily heavy for smaller portions.
6mm Tandoor Skewers
A 6mm skewer can provide additional strength for:
- Chicken tikka
- Chicken legs
- Larger kebabs
- Lamb
- Heavier portions
For many restaurants, 6mm skewers can become a useful everyday size.
8mm Tandoor Skewers
Eight-millimeter skewers are heavier-duty tools.
They can be useful for:
- Whole chicken
- Large meat portions
- Heavy kebabs
- Foods that require additional skewer rigidity
Nishi offers Round Stainless Steel Tandoor Skewers in thicknesses up to 8mm.
10mm Tandoor Skewers
Restaurants preparing particularly heavy foods may want an even more rigid skewer.
Nishi's Stainless Steel Square Tandoor Kebab Skewers are available in thicknesses up to 10mm.
The 10mm version is designed for heavy food items where maximum skewer strength is useful.
Round vs. Square Tandoor Skewers
Both shapes have a place in a commercial tandoor kitchen.
| Round Skewer | Square Skewer |
|---|---|
| Good general-purpose design | Provides additional resistance to food rotation |
| Useful for fish, paneer and chicken | Useful for kebabs and heavier foods |
| Available in several thicknesses | Available in several thicknesses |
| Easy to load | Helps keep food positioned on the skewer |
Why Use Square Tandoor Skewers?
One advantage of a square-profile skewer is that it can help reduce food rotation.
This can be particularly useful for:
- Kebabs
- Chicken
- Larger meat pieces
Nishi Enterprise's Stainless Steel Square Tandoor Kebab Skewers are available in 4mm, 6mm, 8mm, and 10mm thicknesses.
How Many Tandoor Skewers Does a Restaurant Need?
The answer depends on production volume.
A restaurant should have enough skewers to support:
- Food currently cooking
- Food waiting to enter the tandoor
- Skewers being cleaned
- Backup skewers for peak service
A busy Indian restaurant may need several skewers of multiple thicknesses rather than relying on one type for every food.
2. Naan Bread Pad or Tandoor Gaddi
If your restaurant makes naan, a bread pad is one of the most important accessories in the tandoor station.
The bread pad is also commonly called a:
- Gaddi
- Naan pad
- Naan pillow
The dough is stretched over the bread pad before the chef reaches into the mouth of the tandoor and presses the naan against the heated clay wall.
Nishi Enterprise sells a Cotton Bread Pad for Naan and Pita - Set of 2 for tandoor kitchens.
What Does a Tandoor Bread Pad Do?
A good bread pad helps the cook:
- Shape the naan
- Support the dough
- Reach inside the tandoor
- Press the dough evenly against the clay wall
The goal is to place the naan in one controlled motion so the dough adheres properly.
Why Is a Good Gaddi Important?
If naan is not placed evenly against the wall, it may:
- Cook unevenly
- Peel away too early
- Fall into the tandoor
- Develop inconsistent browning
A properly shaped bread pad provides a firm but cushioned surface for transferring the dough.
Why Should a Restaurant Have More Than One Bread Pad?
A high-volume kitchen should consider keeping a backup available.
That allows one gaddi to be:
- Cleaned
- Dried
- Cooled
- Replaced if damaged during service
Nishi's 2-Pack Cotton Tandoor Gaddi gives restaurants two bread pads for this reason.
When Should You Replace a Tandoor Bread Pad?
A bread pad is a working tool and may wear down with repeated restaurant use.
Consider replacement when it becomes:
- Compressed
- Burned
- Torn
- Difficult to use consistently
3. Bread-Removing Skewers
Putting naan into the tandoor is only half the process.
You also need a way to remove the finished bread from the clay wall.
Nishi Enterprise sells Bread Removing Skewers for Clay Tandoor Ovens designed specifically for naan and other tandoor breads.
What Is a Bread-Removing Skewer?
A bread-removing skewer is a long tandoor tool that allows the cook to reach down into the oven and release bread from the hot clay wall.
It is designed differently from a meat skewer because its job is not to hold food during cooking.
Its job is to:
- Release the naan
- Lift it from the wall
- Remove it without tearing the bread
Why Can't You Use a Regular Meat Skewer?
A regular meat skewer is designed to pierce food.
A bread-removing tool needs to get underneath the bread and separate it from the clay surface.
Using the correct accessory can make removal faster and reduce damaged naan during busy service.
Why Do Tandoor Chefs Often Use Two Bread Tools?
Depending on technique, one tool may help loosen the bread while another catches or supports it.
This can make it easier to remove naan cleanly without allowing it to fall into the bottom of the tandoor.
4. Clay Mix for Tandoor Repairs
A traditional tandoor depends on its clay cooking chamber.
Because the clay repeatedly goes through heating and cooling cycles, small cracks can develop over time.
Nishi Enterprise sells Premium Clay Mix for Shaan Tandoor Clay Oven Repair for patching cracks and maintaining the clay interior.
Why Does Tandoor Clay Crack?
Clay is repeatedly exposed to:
- Very high heat
- Cooling
- Expansion
- Contraction
Small cracks can therefore develop during normal use.
Restaurants should regularly inspect the interior clay surface so small maintenance issues can be addressed before they become larger.
What Does Tandoor Clay Mix Do?
Repair clay can be used to:
- Patch small cracks
- Fill damaged areas
- Maintain the inner clay chamber
The Shaan Tandoor Clay Repair Mix sold by Nishi is specifically intended for clay tandoor maintenance.
Should Restaurants Keep Tandoor Clay on Hand?
For restaurants that depend heavily on their tandoor, keeping maintenance supplies available can be useful.
If a crack appears before a busy weekend, waiting to order repair material could create unnecessary downtime.
Can You Put Clay Mix on a Hot Tandoor?
No.
The tandoor should be fully cooled before clay repair work is performed.
Restaurants should follow the product and manufacturer instructions carefully when carrying out any repair.
5. Lava Rocks for Tandoor Ovens
Gas tandoors may use lava rocks as part of the heating system.
Nishi Enterprise sells Lava Rocks for Tandoor Clay Ovens compatible with Shaan and Shahi tandoors.
What Do Lava Rocks Do in a Tandoor?
Lava rocks help absorb and distribute heat inside the tandoor.
They contribute to:
- Heat distribution
- Radiant cooking
- Temperature stability
They sit near the heat source and become part of the overall heating environment inside the clay oven.
Do Tandoor Lava Rocks Last Forever?
No component exposed continuously to commercial cooking conditions should automatically be assumed to last forever.
Restaurants should inspect their tandoor and replace worn or damaged components according to manufacturer recommendations.
If replacement is needed, Nishi offers Replacement Tandoor Lava Rocks for Shaan and Shahi units.
6. Baffle Burner Plate
The baffle plate is an important part of a gas tandoor's heating system.
Nishi Enterprise sells a Baffle Burner Plate for Shaan and Shahi Tandoor Clay Ovens.
What Does a Tandoor Baffle Plate Do?
The baffle plate helps manage how burner heat enters the cooking chamber.
It helps protect the clay interior from concentrated direct flame while supporting more even heat distribution.
This is important because the tandoor relies on the entire clay chamber becoming hot, rather than concentrating all the heat in one location.
Why Is the Baffle Plate Important?
A properly functioning tandoor depends on controlled heat distribution.
The baffle plate contributes to:
- Protecting the clay chamber
- Managing burner heat
- Supporting even temperatures
Is a Baffle Plate an Everyday Accessory?
No.
Unlike skewers or a bread pad, the baffle plate is more accurately considered a replacement or maintenance part.
It is still important for restaurant operators to know that replacement plates are available if the original component wears out or becomes damaged.
7. Tandoor Thermocouple
A thermocouple is part of the safety system in a gas tandoor.
Nishi Enterprise sells a Thermocouple for Shaan Tandoor Clay Ovens.
What Does a Tandoor Thermocouple Do?
The thermocouple works with the gas safety system.
It senses heat from the pilot flame and helps the gas system operate safely.
If a gas tandoor develops pilot or safety-system problems, the thermocouple may be one of the components that requires inspection.
Should a Restaurant Keep a Spare Thermocouple?
Restaurants that rely heavily on one tandoor may choose to keep critical replacement components available.
A failed part during dinner service can be much more disruptive than the relatively small amount of storage required for a spare component.
The Shaan Tandoor Thermocouple sold by Nishi is designed for Shaan gas tandoor models.
8. Tandoor Safety Valve
The gas safety valve is another critical component of a commercial gas tandoor.
Nishi Enterprise sells a Tandoor Safety Valve for Shaan Tandoor Clay Ovens.
What Does the Tandoor Safety Valve Do?
The safety valve is part of the gas control system.
It works together with components such as:
- The pilot
- Thermocouple
- Gas control
to help control the flow of gas to the tandoor.
Is the Safety Valve a DIY Replacement?
Gas equipment repairs should be handled according to manufacturer requirements and applicable codes.
If a restaurant suspects a gas valve or other safety component has failed, the tandoor should be inspected by a qualified professional rather than continuing to operate questionable equipment.
9. Tandoor Pilot Assembly
The pilot assembly is another important part of the gas burner system.
Nishi Enterprise sells a Tandoor Pilot Assembly for Shaan Tandoor Clay Ovens.
What Is Included in the Shaan Pilot Assembly?
The replacement assembly includes components associated with the pilot and ignition system.
It is designed as a replacement assembly for compatible Shaan tandoors.
Why Is the Pilot Assembly Important?
The pilot allows the burner system to ignite properly.
Problems with the:
- Pilot
- Ignition
- Thermocouple
- Gas safety system
can prevent a tandoor from operating properly.
Tandoor Accessories vs. Tandoor Replacement Parts
It helps to separate accessories into two categories.
Everyday Tandoor Cooking Accessories
- Tandoor skewers
- Naan bread pads
- Bread-removing skewers
Tandoor Maintenance and Replacement Parts
- Clay repair mix
- Lava rocks
- Baffle burner plates
- Thermocouples
- Safety valves
- Pilot assemblies
Nishi carries both categories in its Tandoor Accessories and Tandoor Parts collections.
What Accessories Do You Need for Making Naan?
For naan production, the most important tools are:
- Naan bread pad or gaddi
- Bread-removing skewers
The Cotton Tandoor Gaddi Set helps place the dough onto the clay wall.
The Bread Removing Skewers help take the cooked naan back off the wall.
Together, these form the basic bread-handling tool set for a commercial tandoor station.
What Accessories Do You Need for Chicken Tikka?
Chicken tikka requires a sturdy skewer that can support several pieces of chicken vertically.
A 4mm or 6mm option may work depending on:
- Piece size
- Weight
- Restaurant preference
Nishi's Round Stainless Steel Tandoor Skewers and Square Stainless Steel Tandoor Skewers both provide multiple thickness options.
What Accessories Do You Need for Seekh Kebab?
Seekh kebabs benefit from a skewer that helps prevent the ground meat mixture from rotating or slipping.
Square or wider-profile skewers can be especially useful for this application.
Restaurants can use Stainless Steel Square Tandoor Kebab Skewers in different thicknesses based on the size and weight of the kebab.
What Accessories Do You Need for Fish?
Fish usually requires a lighter touch.
Firm fish portions can work well on thinner round skewers.
The 3mm version of Nishi's Stainless Steel Round Tandoor Skewer is intended for foods such as:
- Fish
- Paneer
- Vegetables
This pairs naturally with restaurant dishes such as fish tikka and tandoori seafood.
What Accessories Do You Need for Paneer Tikka?
Paneer is relatively light but can break if handled aggressively.
A thinner round skewer can provide enough support without requiring the heavier construction used for whole chicken or large meat portions.
What Accessories Do You Need for Tandoori Chicken?
Larger chicken pieces require more support than paneer or vegetables.
Depending on the cut and weight, restaurants may choose:
- 6mm skewers
- 8mm skewers
- Thicker square skewers
For particularly heavy preparations, a more rigid skewer helps reduce bending when loading and removing food.
Should You Buy Stainless Steel or Iron Tandoor Skewers?
Both styles are used in commercial kitchens.
Stainless steel offers advantages such as:
- Corrosion resistance
- Easy cleaning
- Commercial durability
Iron skewers are also traditional and available in a wide range of configurations.
Nishi's Tandoor Accessories Collection includes both stainless steel and steel or iron skewer options.
What Tandoor Accessories Should a New Restaurant Buy?
A restaurant opening a new tandoor station should start with a mixture of cooking accessories rather than buying only one skewer size.
A practical starting inventory might include:
- Several thin skewers for paneer, fish and vegetables
- Several medium skewers for chicken tikka and kebabs
- Several heavy skewers for larger proteins
- Square skewers for seekh kebabs
- At least two naan bread pads
- Bread-removing skewers
- Clay repair material
The exact quantities should match the restaurant's menu and peak production.
What Tandoor Parts Should a Restaurant Keep as Spares?
High-volume tandoor operations may also want to consider keeping critical maintenance items available.
Potential spare parts include:
A spare part does not eliminate the need for proper professional repair, but having compatible parts available can reduce the time spent waiting for a replacement when something fails.
Which Accessories Come With a New Shaan Tandoor?
New Shaan commercial tandoors sold by Nishi Enterprise include several accessories and operating components with the oven.
These include items such as:
- Assorted BBQ skewers
- Bread and naan removal skewers
- Naan bread pad
- Maintenance clay
- Gas burner and safety system
Restaurants may still want additional accessories because a busy tandoor station can use many skewers at once.
You can browse the complete Shaan Tandoor Collection to compare commercial tandoor sizes.
Why Should Restaurants Keep Backup Tandoor Accessories?
A tandoor may be one of the most important pieces of equipment in an Indian restaurant.
If the restaurant depends on it for:
- Naan
- Chicken tikka
- Tandoori chicken
- Fish
- Paneer
- Kebabs
losing access to the tandoor can affect a large portion of the menu.
Backup accessories can help when:
- A skewer bends
- A gaddi wears out
- A bread tool is damaged
- A maintenance part needs replacement
How Should Tandoor Accessories Be Stored?
Skewers are unusually long compared with ordinary kitchen utensils.
They should be stored somewhere that keeps them:
- Organized
- Clean
- Accessible
- Out of busy walkways
Separate different thicknesses when possible so cooks can quickly select the correct skewer during service.
How Should Tandoor Skewers Be Cleaned?
Commercial skewers should be cleaned after use according to the restaurant's sanitation procedures.
Food residue and marinade can bake onto the metal during tandoor cooking, so regular cleaning is important.
Always follow applicable food-safety procedures and the manufacturer's care guidance for the specific skewer material.
How Often Should You Inspect Tandoor Accessories?
High-volume restaurants should inspect frequently used tools regularly.
Look for:
- Bent skewers
- Damaged points
- Worn bread pads
- Damaged bread-removal tools
- Clay cracking
- Wear on heating-system components
Replacing a worn tool before it fails during service is usually easier than reacting to a problem during the dinner rush.
Complete Commercial Tandoor Station Checklist
A restaurant building a tandoor station can use this checklist as a starting point:
- Commercial clay tandoor
- 3mm or 4mm skewers for lighter foods
- 6mm skewers for general tandoor cooking
- 8mm or heavier skewers for large proteins
- Square skewers for kebab applications
- Naan bread pads
- Bread-removing skewers
- Replacement clay mix
- Replacement lava rocks as needed
- Access to compatible replacement parts
Where Can You Buy Commercial Tandoor Accessories?
Nishi Enterprise carries Commercial Tandoor Accessories for restaurant, catering, and commercial clay tandoor kitchens.
Specific products include:
- Stainless Steel Round Tandoor Skewers
- Stainless Steel Square Tandoor Kebab Skewers
- Cotton Naan Bread Pad and Tandoor Gaddi Set
- Bread Removing Skewers
- Tandoor Lava Rocks
- Baffle Burner Plate
- Tandoor Clay Repair Mix
- Shaan Tandoor Thermocouple
- Shaan Tandoor Safety Valve
- Shaan Tandoor Pilot Assembly
Frequently Asked Questions About Tandoor Accessories
What accessories do you need for a commercial tandoor?
The basic accessories include tandoor skewers, a naan bread pad or gaddi, and bread-removing skewers. Restaurants should also know where to get maintenance items and replacement parts.
What is a tandoor gaddi?
A gaddi is a padded tool used to hold naan dough and press it onto the hot clay wall of a tandoor.
Where can I buy a tandoor gaddi?
Nishi Enterprise sells a Cotton Naan Bread Pad and Tandoor Gaddi Set for restaurant and tandoor use.
What tool is used to remove naan from a tandoor?
Long bread-removal tools are used to loosen and lift naan from the hot clay wall.
Nishi carries Bread Removing Skewers for Clay Tandoor Ovens.
What skewer is best for fish in a tandoor?
A thinner round skewer is useful for delicate foods. Nishi's 3mm Stainless Steel Round Tandoor Skewer is designed for foods such as fish, paneer and vegetables.
What skewer is best for chicken tikka?
A medium skewer such as a 4mm or 6mm model can work well depending on the size of the chicken portions.
What skewer is best for heavy meats?
Thicker 8mm or 10mm skewers provide greater rigidity for heavier cuts and large portions.
Are round or square tandoor skewers better?
Neither is universally better. Round skewers work well for many general applications, while square skewers can help reduce food rotation.
Why does a tandoor need lava rocks?
Lava rocks help absorb and distribute heat within the gas tandoor's cooking environment.
Where can I buy replacement tandoor lava rocks?
Nishi Enterprise sells Lava Rocks for Shaan and Shahi Tandoor Clay Ovens.
What is a tandoor baffle plate?
A baffle burner plate helps manage burner heat and protect the clay chamber from concentrated direct flame.
Where can I buy a tandoor baffle plate?
Nishi carries a Baffle Burner Plate for Shaan and Shahi Tandoors.
Can cracked tandoor clay be repaired?
Small cracks may be repaired using compatible tandoor clay repair material when appropriate. The oven must be fully cooled and repair instructions should be followed carefully.
Where can I buy tandoor repair clay?
Nishi sells Premium Clay Mix for Shaan Tandoor Repair.
What is a tandoor thermocouple?
A thermocouple is a component in the gas safety system that works with the pilot and gas control system.
Where can I buy a Shaan tandoor thermocouple?
Nishi sells a Thermocouple for Shaan Tandoor Clay Ovens.
Does Nishi sell replacement tandoor safety valves?
Yes. Nishi sells a Safety Valve for Shaan Tandoor Clay Ovens.
Does Nishi sell tandoor pilot assemblies?
Yes. Nishi carries a Replacement Pilot Assembly for Shaan Tandoor Clay Ovens.
Does Nishi Enterprise sell complete commercial tandoors?
Yes. Restaurants can browse Commercial Tandoor Ovens or compare the Shaan Tandoor Collection.
Final Thoughts: What Tandoor Accessories Do You Need?
A commercial tandoor is only one part of a complete tandoor station.
For everyday cooking, the most important accessories are:
- Tandoor skewers
- Naan bread pads
- Bread-removing skewers
Restaurants should use different skewer thicknesses for different foods.
Thin skewers work well for:
- Fish
- Paneer
- Vegetables
Medium and heavy skewers are better suited to:
- Chicken
- Kebabs
- Lamb
- Large proteins
A Tandoor Gaddi or Naan Bread Pad is essential for putting naan onto the clay wall, while Bread Removing Skewers are used to get the finished bread back out.
Restaurants should also understand the maintenance parts that keep the tandoor operating properly.
These can include:
Nishi Enterprise carries a full selection of Tandoor Accessories and Tandoor Replacement Parts for commercial restaurant kitchens.
The best tandoor setup is not simply an oven and one set of skewers. A restaurant should have the right bread tools, several skewer sizes, and access to replacement parts so the tandoor can handle everything from naan and paneer to fish, kebabs, and high-volume restaurant service.
