When it comes to caring for convection ovens, there are not many tasks required. Service life depends on usage, but these units last 6 to 10 years on average.
Fans on the back of these ovens should be kept clean and free of grease and dust since these cool internal electrical components and keep wiring from hardening from oven heat.
On a daily basis, use soap and water to clean oven interiors and exteriors. Take care of stainless-steel exteriors with commercial-grade stainless cleaners that users spray on and wipe off. Use a commercial-grade oven cleaner and an enamel-safe cleaner when necessary to clean interiors.
Avoid abrasives like steel wool because they can scratch the metal, causing pitting and subsequently rust. In addition, spraying water from a hose saturates wiring, interrupting operation.
Use a glass cleaner or soap and water to keep glass doors on ovens clean.
Operators should make sure the unit has between 4 and 6 inches of space between the motor and the wall. Also, they should be aware of where the oven controls are, although most are typically on the right-hand side. So as not to impact the convection oven’s controls, adjacent equipment that generates a lot of heat, such as fryers, griddles and ranges, will need a separation barrier, such as a heat shield or cooling stand.
Product cooking differently in the oven, quality issues or inaccurate cooking times are signs the oven needs servicing.
When foil is used to cover food, it can get sucked into and wrapped up in the convection fan, which will cause problems. The oven will make noise if this happens, and typically operators can pull the foil out themselves.
For the most part, with newer units, very little calibration is necessary. Once a year, operators should have the unit checked by a service technician. This ensures the blower motor and intake fan are operating properly.
Signs of a breakdown include the convection motor or fan failing, and the biggest cause is improper fan cleaning and overheating as well as the age and extensive use of the oven.
If an oven is between 6 to 10 years old and repair bills have become costly, it’s most likely time for a replacement.
