Commercial Ovens Guide

Combi ovens are a type of equipment that combines the functions of a steamer and a convection oven in one unit. Different types of combi ovens allow for cooking with steam, hot air, or a combination of both, providing chefs with the flexibility to prepare a wide range of dishes efficiently.

• Can steam, bake, roast, grill, and even smoke food
• Cooks food faster than traditional ovens while using less energy
• Offers precise temperature and humidity control

Where Should a Commercial Combi Oven Be Located?

When considering the placement of a commercial combi oven in a kitchen, it is essential to choose a location that ensures easy access for kitchen staff while optimizing workflow. Ideally, the oven should be positioned near other cooking equipment to streamline the cooking process and reduce the need for excessive movement between stations.

Commercial Combi Oven Requirements

These ovens need adequate ventilation to release steam and heat generated during the cooking process. Additionally, they require a dedicated water connection for the steam function and a power source that meets the oven's electrical requirements. Proper maintenance, including regular cleaning and descaling, is crucial to ensure the longevity and performance of a commercial combi oven.

High-speed ovens, also known as rapid-cook ovens, combine multiple heat transfer methods like powerful convection, microwave, and radiant heat technologies to cook food quickly and evenly. Commercial high-speed ovens are ideal for busy kitchens that require fast cooking times without sacrificing quality.

• Rapidly cooks food
• Provides even cooking and heat retention
• Great for busy kitchens and quick-service restaurants

Where Should a Commercial High-Speed Oven Be Located?

When considering where to place a commercial rapid-cook oven in your kitchen, it is essential to prioritize accessibility and workflow to effectively capitalize on the ovens' ability to cook food quickly. These ovens should be located in a central area where kitchen staff can easily access them, reducing the time to prepare and cook menu items even further. Placing the oven in a convenient location can also help streamline the cooking process and improve overall kitchen efficiency.

Commercial High-Speed Oven Oven Requirements

These ovens typically require a dedicated power source, so it is essential to have the necessary electrical connections in place before installation. Additionally, proper ventilation is crucial to prevent overheating and maintain a safe working environment. 

Cook and hold ovens are designed to cook food at precise temperatures and then hold it at a safe serving temperature until it is ready to be served. They are ideal for busy commercial kitchens, catering operations, and buffet-style restaurants where food needs to be cooked in advance and kept warm for extended periods. These ovens are commonly used for slow-cooking meats, roasting vegetables, and holding cooked dishes such as soups, stews, and sauces.

• Can keep food at serving temperatures after cooking
• Helps comply with food temperature safety standards
• Provides the flexibility to prepare and hold multiple types of food

Where Should a Commercial Cook and Hold Oven Be Located?

To enhance efficiency in food preparation, consider locating the commercial cook and hold oven near food preparation areas. This will facilitate a smooth transition from holding to plating, allowing for quick and convenient assembly of dishes. The location of your commercial cook and hold oven should be planned within the overall kitchen layout to streamline workflow and minimize unnecessary movement of staff. Ideally, place the oven in a covenient area that is easily accessible to kitchen staff but does not obstruct the flow of other kitchen activities.

Commercial Cook and Hold Oven Requirements

Before installation, consult the manufacturer's specifications to determine the specific voltage and phase requirements of your type of cook and hold oven. Confirm your kitchen's electrical system can accommodate the oven's power needs to prevent electrical issues and ensure consistent performance.

Check that the oven fits comfortably and allows for proper airflow around the unit. Install a ventilation system that meets local building codes and manufacturer recommendations to prevent the buildup of harmful fumes and ensure optimal air quality in the kitchen.

Conveyor ovens are commercial cooking appliances designed for efficiency and consistency in high-volume kitchens. These ovens feature a conveyor belt that moves food through a heated chamber, cooking it evenly with radiant or forced-air heat. The conveyor belt ensures uniform cooking, making these ovens ideal for repetitive tasks such as baking pizzas, toasting bread, or reheating pre-cooked items.

• Handles large quantities of food at once
• Produces a high volume of food in a short amount of time
• Conveyor belt helps eliminate cooking hot spots

Where Should a Commercial Conveyor Oven Be Located?

Position conveyor ovens in line with the assembly or preparation area to streamline operations. For example, in a pizzeria, the oven should be situated near the pizza prep station and within reach of the serving area. Adequate clearance around the unit ensures safety and ease of access for cleaning and maintenance. Additionally, consider placing the oven in a ventilated zone to manage heat output and maintain comfort in the kitchen.

Commercial Conveyor Oven Requirements

Conveyor ovens have a belt system that requires clear space at both the entry (load) and exit (unload) points. Operators need unhindered access to these areas to load raw food items and remove cooked items efficiently. In tight spaces, this aspect can affect workflow and safety, so extra planning is necessary. 

Conveyor ovens output food continuously, which means space for a cooling or staging area near the oven exit is often required. This prevents workflow bottlenecks and ensures the food can be safely handled or transferred to serving areas.

A type of conveyor oven, impinger ovens use a high-velocity airflow system to evenly distribute heat and cook food quickly. This technology allows for faster cooking times compared to traditional ovens, making them ideal for high-volume establishments.

Like other conveyor ovens, the key feature of impinger ovens is their conveyor belt system, which moves the food through the cooking chamber at a consistent speed. This ensures that each item receives the same amount of heat exposure, resulting in uniform cooking throughout the batch. Impinger ovens are versatile and can be used to bake a variety of items, including pizzas, sandwiches, and pastries.

• Compact design makes them ideal for establishments with limited space
• High-velocity air jets significantly speed up cooking times

Where Should a Commercial Impinger Oven Be Located?

When deciding where to place your impinger oven, confirm there is enough clearance around the oven to prevent fire hazards and allow for maintenance and cleaning. Additionally, consider factors such as floor stability and weight-bearing capacity to prevent accidents or damage to the equipment. Electric commercial impinger ovens require a significant amount of power to operate efficiently, so you need to make sure there is easy access to the necessary electrical outlets and that the electrical infrastructure can support the oven's power requirements.

Impinger Oven vs Conveyor Oven

Impinger ovens use high-velocity air jets to project heat onto food, significantly speeding up cooking times. The focused airflow ensures even cooking and a crispy finish, making them ideal for establishments that have small menus and prioritize speed, such as pizzerias or fast-food outlets. 

Standard conveyor ovens rely on consistent radiant heat to cook food as it travels through the chamber. They are simpler and better suited for handling a wide selection of menu items but may not achieve the same crispiness or speed as an impinger oven.

Multi-cook ovens are advanced commercial cooking appliances designed to prepare multiple dishes simultaneously at different temperatures, times, and cooking methods within the same unit. These ovens often feature separate cooking chambers or zones that operate independently, allowing chefs to bake, roast, grill, or steam various menu items without flavor transfer. Multi-cook ovens are ideal for high-volume kitchens, fast-casual restaurants, and establishments that require versatility and efficiency in limited spaces.

• Saves space by combining multiple cooking functions into one unit
• Streamlines the cooking process and reduces overall cooking times
• Performs a variety of cooking functions, including baking, roasting, grilling, and steaming

Where Should a Commercial Multi-Cook Oven Be Located?

The placement of a multi-cook oven should prioritize workflow and accessibility. Ideally, it should be positioned near prep stations and other primary cooking equipment to streamline operations. In a quick-service restaurant, place multi-cook ovens near assembly lines to minimize movement, while in larger kitchens they can be situated close to other high-use equipment, such as fryers or grills to centralize cooking operations.

Commercial Multi-Cook Oven Requirements

Multi-cook ovens typically have higher electrical demands due to their advanced features and multiple independent zones. This may require dedicated electrical circuits to ensure the kitchen's electrical system can provide consistent power.

Many multi-cook ovens feature smart controls, programmable cooking cycles, and connectivity for remote monitoring or diagnostics. Some units benefit from network connections for software updates or easier centralized monitoring.

Microwave ovens are equipment that uses electromagnetic waves to rapidly heat or cook food. Unlike conventional ovens, microwaves work by causing water molecules in food to vibrate, generating heat from within. Commercial microwave ovens are designed for high-volume and heavy-duty use, offering faster cooking times and durability compared to residential models. They are commonly used for reheating, defrosting, and cooking pre-prepared items, making them essential in quick-service restaurants, cafes, and institutional kitchens.

• Known for their rapid cooking and heating capabilities
• Typically compact in size, making them ideal for kitchens with limited space
• Cost-effective and budget-friendly

Where Should a Commercial Microwave Oven Be Located?

A microwave oven should be placed near prep stations where reheating, defrosting, or quick cooking occurs frequently. Situate the microwave within arm’s reach of high-traffic areas like sandwich or salad assembly lines to minimize movement and speed up service. To ensure optimal performance, avoid placing the microwave directly next to other ovens, grills, or fryers, which may interfere with its operation due to heat or grease. Additionally, avoid placing the microwave near sensitive electronic equipment or devices that may be disrupted by electromagnetic interference. 

Commercial Microwave Oven Requirements

Microwave ovens use electromagnetic waves for cooking, which necessitates regular inspection to ensure the microwave door seals are intact and free from damage and leaks. Commercial microwaves must also meet strict food safety standards that may not apply to residential models, such as requiring NSF Certification. 

Indoor smoker ovens are specialized cooking appliances designed to infuse food with rich, smoky flavors while cooking it to perfection. These ovens are equipped with smoke-generating mechanisms that use wood chips, pellets, or other smoking mediums, allowing chefs to prepare smoked meats, seafood, vegetables, and even cheeses indoors.

Unlike traditional outdoor smokers, indoor smoker ovens are designed for enclosed environments, featuring controlled temperature settings and ventilation systems to manage smoke and heat safely. They are ideal for restaurants, barbecue joints, and catering kitchens that want to offer authentic smoked dishes year-round.

• Achieves authentic smoky flavor without the need for an outdoor smoker
• Adjustable temperature and smoke levels for precise cooking results
• Can also be used for baking, roasting, and other cooking methods

Where Should a Commercial Indoor Smoker Oven Be Located?

To minimize safety hazards, place the oven in a low-traffic area of the kitchen, as opening the smoker may release heat or residual smoke. Indoor smoker ovens must be installed near or under an appropriate hood system to handle smoke exhaust effectively, ensuring compliance with local codes. 

Commercial Indoor Smoker Oven Requirements

A commercial-grade hood system is typically required to manage smoke and odors produced during operation. Ensure the hood complies with local fire and air quality regulations. You will also need the proper ductwork with grease traps or filters to minimize fire hazards from smoke and grease-laden vapors.