A commercial oven is a mainstay in any restaurant. However, there are many different types to choose from. The following are 5 factors to consider when choosing an oven for your restaurant.
1. Power source
The power source that you currently have in your kitchen will largely drive the commercial oven that you ultimately purchase. Usually, the choice ultimately comes down to electric or gas.
Chances are electricity will be available in your kitchen and therefore the tendency is usually to choose this option. However, electricity prices are high and could greatly affect your ability to run a successful business. Advantages of a gas oven include they are more cost-efficient, more control over cooking temperatures, and less instances where you would have to repair or replace parts. However, if you do not have hookups for gas already, getting them installed can be costly.
2. Client traffic
When you own a restaurant, you want kitchen staff to be able to effectively cook meals for customers and serve them in a timely manner. Otherwise, customers will become impatient and frustrated with poor meals that are slow to arrive, causing them to go somewhere else in the future.
To ensure you can cook meals quickly, purchase an oven that can reach ideal temperatures quickly. Also consider an option that is big enough where enough food for multiple dishes can be cooked at once. That way, customers will not have to wait too long for their meals.
3. Type
When it comes to commercial ovens, there are many different types that offer different advantages. Being aware of the functionality you need to will allow you to get the oven that meets your needs perfectly.
Convection ovens are one of the most popular ones available and have been for years. These operate by circulating the hot air inside and are especially helpful when roasting or baking as the cook evenly and quickly. Conveyor items move food along a belt under holes that blow hot air. These ovens cook food quickly and are best suited with busier establishments. Combination ovens are a convection oven and steam oven all in one. These are becoming more popular because they can save a restaurant money and valuable floor space.
4. Size
If you have a larger kitchen, you may have enough space to accommodate all the equipment you need. However, if yours is a small one, you may need to be concerned about space when you go to purchase a commercial oven.
For larger kitchens, convection or conveyor ovens can be purchased. This is because a separate stove for boiling can be accommodated because the floor space is available. For smaller kitchens, a combination oven is highly recommended.
Purchasing one will allow you to have a unit that can do everything you need to without resorting to having separate pieces of equipment. Whichever option you go with, measure the available space you have and match it to the specifications of the unit. That way you can confirm it will fit in the area you will be putting it in.
5. Cleaning
Cleaning a commercial oven can be extensive task and you do not want the service you provide to suffer when this task needs to be completed. You also want an oven that you can clean easily enough to be in compliance with health and safety codes, laws, and regulations.
Before settling on a type of commercial oven you are considering. Look into how to clean and maintain it. You want an oven that is easy to clean so the task can be completed and not cause significant downtime. It is also recommended that you look at how easy they are to fix and find replacement parts for. A broken oven can result in you having to close down your establishment until it is repaired, resulting in significant profit losses. Therefore, you need to confirm that it can be repaired and in a timely manner if/when necessary.
