Microwaves play a pivotal role in foodservice operations thanks to their speed with cooking and their compact size. The smallest of kitchens can usually fit a microwave, or even two if they're stacked on top of each other. Microwaves expedite cooking processes, they help to save energy, and they're easy to use. You can get the most out of your microwave purchase if you learn more about how usage and wattage play an important role. We've created this guide to help you understand the important features and find the right microwave for your commercial kitchen.
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Microwaves are often taken for granted but they can be a powerful tool with many uses in a commercial kitchen. Check out some of the advantages of using a commercial microwave:
- Safe Defrosting: Defrosting in a microwave is one of the approved methods for thawing meats or other TCS foods. This means that using a commercial microwave can help you thaw frozen foods quickly and safely, reducing the risk of bacterial growth and ensuring that your dishes are prepared in compliance with food safety regulations.
- No Ventilation Hood Required: Unlike traditional cooking equipment that may require a ventilation hood for smoke and steam removal, commercial microwaves do not need a ventilation hood. This can save you time and money on installation costs and maintenance, making commercial microwaves a convenient and cost-effective option for your foodservice operation.
- Efficient Cooking and Reheating: Commercial microwaves are designed to provide fast and consistent cooking results, allowing you to prepare and serve food quickly to meet the demands of your customers. Whether you need to reheat dishes, cook vegetables, or defrost ingredients, a commercial microwave can help you achieve the desired results in a fraction of the time compared to conventional cooking methods.
- Multiple Cooking Options: With programmable settings and multiple power levels, commercial microwaves offer versatility in cooking a wide range of dishes. From heating up soups and sauces to cooking delicate desserts, a commercial microwave can handle various food items with precision and efficiency, making it a versatile addition to any foodservice kitchen.
- Energy-Efficient Operation: Commercial microwaves are designed to be energy-efficient, consuming less power compared to traditional cooking equipment. This can help you reduce your energy costs and minimize your environmental impact while still maintaining high cooking performance and output.
What Is Microwave Wattage?
Microwave wattage refers to the power output of the microwave, which determines how quickly and efficiently it can cook food. High-wattage microwaves, typically ranging from 2000 to 3000 watts, are ideal for busy commercial kitchens where speed and efficiency are crucial. On the other hand, low-wattage microwaves, usually below 1000 watts, are more suitable for light-duty use or smaller food service operations. While they may take longer to heat food compared to high-wattage models, they are still effective for basic heating and reheating tasks.
Selecting the appropriate type of microwave can help improve efficiency in the kitchen, enhance food quality, and ensure smooth operations during busy service hours. By knowing the differences between light-duty, medium-duty, and heavy-duty microwaves, operators can make an informed decision that aligns with their business goals and customer demands.
1. Light-Duty Microwaves
A light-duty microwave is typically designed for businesses that use a microwave for heating or cooking purposes around 50 times or fewer per day. These microwaves usually have a power rating of around 1000 watts, making them efficient for light use.
The best applications for a light-duty microwave include quick reheating of pre-cooked foods, cooking frozen meals, and light tasks. Restaurants that need to warm up side dishes, cafes that offer quick grab-and-go options, or break rooms in offices are just a few examples of where a light-duty microwave can be a valuable addition.
- Wattage: 1000 and below
- Best Applications: Break rooms, snack shops, concession stands, hotel rooms, convenience stores
- Best Uses: Reheating, warming, light cooking
2. Medium-Duty Microwaves
A medium-duty microwave typically operates within the range of 1200 to 2000 watts, making it suitable for a variety of heating and cooking tasks. These microwaves are designed to handle moderate use, making them ideal for establishments that require frequent but not continuous microwave usage.
In a kitchen or back-of-the-house setting, medium-duty microwaves can streamline food preparation processes, saving time and labor costs. With the ability to be used up to 150 times per day, these microwaves are a valuable addition to any commercial kitchen looking to boost productivity and maintain quality standards.
- Wattage: 1200 to 2000
- Best Applications: Restaurants, cafes, delis
- Best Uses: Reheating, defrosting, melting, baking, steaming, cooking, holding
3. Heavy-Duty Microwaves
A heavy-duty microwave is a powerful appliance typically ranging from 2000 to 3000+ watts, designed to handle the high demands of a busy commercial kitchen. These microwaves are built to withstand frequent use and can handle larger volumes of food compared to light- and medium-duty units.
Restaurants, cafeterias, catering services, buffets, and other high-volume foodservice establishments can all benefit from the power and durability of a heavy-duty microwave. The best uses for a heavy-duty microwave include rapidly heating pre-cooked meals, defrosting frozen foods, cooking or re-heating large quantities of food, and quickly preparing ingredients for recipes. With their high wattage and advanced features, heavy-duty microwaves can significantly streamline your kitchen operations, saving you time and effort during busy service hours.
- Wattage: 2000 to 3000+
- Best Applications: High-volume restaurants, cafeterias, caterers, buffets, quick-service
- Best Uses: High-volume cooking, speedy reheating, continuous use, defrosting dense frozen foods
Another crucial aspect to take into account is the physical dimensions of a microwave. The interior space should be large enough to fit your dishes and food items. Typically, as the wattage of a microwave goes up, so does its size. Nevertheless, you can still come across models with interior cavities ranging from 0.6 to 1.5 cubic feet, even in light-duty versions.
An important rule of thumb to remember is that your microwave should have at least 2" of clearance on all sides to ensure proper ventilation, which will reduce the need for maintenance and extend the unit's service life.
We'll break down microwave interior sizes by cubic feet:
- 0.3 to 0.8 cubic feet: These compact microwaves accommodate 1/4 to 1/6 food pans and fit small plates, bowls, ramekins, mugs, and measuring cups.
- 0.9 to 1.0 cubic feet: Our medium-sized microwaves accommodate 1/3 to 1/2 food pans and fit medium-sized plates, microwavable containers, and bowls.
- 1.2 to 1.6 cubic feet: Larger microwaves accommodate full-size food pans and fit most standard plates, dishes, and pans.
Look for these important features while you're shopping for your commercial microwave:
- Push Button Controls: Commercial microwaves equipped with push button controls offer the ability to set specific cooking times, programs, or settings.
- Dial Controls: Microwaves with dial controls provide a simple and intuitive way to adjust cooking times and power levels. While push button controls are more common, a dial control can be useful because it can be set with one quick motion of the hand.
- Programmable: Programmable commercial microwaves allow you to save frequently used cooking programs for easy access. This feature is particularly useful in busy foodservice establishments where consistent cooking results are essential. By programming specific cooking settings, you can streamline operations and improve efficiency.
- Digital Display: A digital display on a commercial microwave provides clear visibility of cooking settings, time remaining, and other important information. This feature enhances user experience by making it easy to monitor and adjust cooking parameters, ensuring accurate and consistent results.
- Stackable: Some commercial microwaves are designed to be stackable, which is ideal for establishments with limited counter space. Stackable microwaves allow you to maximize space efficiency in your kitchen while still having access to multiple units for increased cooking capacity.
For the most consistent results with your commercial microwave, follow these tips:
- Use Microwave Safe Materials: To avoid damage to the microwave and prevent a fire hazard, always use microwave-safe containers when heating or cooking food. Avoid containers with metallic accents or foil linings, as they can cause sparks and damage the unit. Never use metal pans, utensils, or tinfoil in the microwave unless you have a special hybrid unit that explicitly states it is compatible with metals.
- Rotate and Stir Food: To promote even cooking, rotate and stir food halfway through the heating process. Flip large items over to distribute heat evenly and prevent hot spots.
- Cover Foods: Covering food with a microwave-safe lid or vented plastic wrap helps retain moisture and heat, leading to faster and more even heating. It also prevents splatters, keeping the interior of the microwave clean.
- Avoid Overheating: Overheating food in a commercial microwave can lead to uneven cooking, burnt spots, or even damage to the unit. Follow recommended cooking times and power levels for different types of food to achieve the best results.
- Regular Cleaning: Cleaning your commercial microwave regularly is essential for maintaining hygiene and preventing the buildup of food residue. Use a mild detergent and warm water to wipe down the interior and exterior of the unit, and pay special attention to the door seal and vents.
- Perform Regular Maintenance: Schedule regular maintenance checks for your commercial microwave to ensure that all components are functioning correctly. This can help identify any issues early on and prevent costly repairs or downtime.
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Commercial Microwave Reviews
Whether you run a small concession stand or a large scale restaurant, our commercial microwave comparisons will help you make the right decision. Different sizes and strengths allow our selection to fit into any kitchen. Light duty models are great for break rooms and less frequent use while our heavy duty selections can fit up to two full size pans! No matter your needs, by comparing our commercial microwave reviews, you will be able to select the best option for your business.
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