Cooking Equipment

Because the majority of high-speed ovens are utilized in areas visible to customers, it’s important to keep up the appearance of this equipment. Along with keeping the exterior and interior clean, proper maintenance procedures should be followed, which will prevent service issues and minimize downtime.

When it comes to steamers, start with proper installation by qualified professionals who follow manufacturer recommendations. Not following the manufacturer recommendations can result in problems due to undersized drain lines and steam escaping and damaging equipment components.

High-speed or rapid-cook ovens refer to any oven that uses two or more heat transfer methods to reduce cooking time by more than 50 percent. This equipment may combine microwave technology with convection, impingement or radiant heating. Although units in this category don’t always include a microwave component, the majority utilize this technology for rapid heating along with another source for browning.

Consultant Orlando Espinosa, principal at Orlando Espinosa & Associates LLC, Glen Mills, Pa., offers a few factors to weigh when purchasing a steamer.

The convection oven is the workhorse of many commercial kitchens.

Although griddles are a basic piece of equipment, failure to regularly clean and maintain these units will compromise their performance and service life. For both electrical and gas types, proper installation plays a key role in mitigating grease buildup, which is a fire hazard and will compromise a griddle’s service life.