Commercial Convection Ovens: Cook More Food, Faster
Commercial convection ovens are essential equipment in any food service establishment. They find their place in various settings, from restaurants and bakeries to hotels and hospitals, where the demand for perfectly baked, broiled, or roasted food is constant and substantial.
A commercial convection oven ensures a steady output of well-cooked food. In contrast to traditional ovens, convection ovens distribute heat evenly, ensuring your food cooks uniformly without needing constant monitoring or adjustment.
In commercial kitchens, a regular oven likely isn't enough to cook large volumes of food. Opting for convection cooking ensures you can quickly prepare large quantities of food, so your kitchen never runs out.
Eleven36 offers a range of commercial ovens alongside our other high-quality kitchen solutions. We understand the critical role of perfectly cooked food in the culinary world, and we're committed to helping you meet your needs with reliable, efficient equipment. The right equipment in restaurant kitchens can differentiate between success and failure.
Culinary Adventures Begin with Eleven36's Convection Ovens
Eleven36 offers a diverse range of commercial convection ovens from trusted brands such as American Range, Blodgett, Vollrath, and Waring. We take pride in helping business owners - whether food trucks, convenience stores, restaurants, or bakeries - get what they need to be successful in their endeavors.
Unraveling the Ideal Convection Oven: Matching Your Culinary Needs
So, what kind of convection oven does your commercial kitchen need? Between electric and gas convection ovens, countertop ovens, and freestanding units, there's a lot to consider. Here are some pros and cons of the most common types of commercial convection ovens available to help you make the right choice for your kitchen equipment needs.
Electric Convection Ovens
An electric convection oven uses electricity as its power source and has a fan to distribute heat evenly around the food. This results in faster, more efficient cooking.
Pros of an Electric Convection Oven:
- Even Cooking: The fan circulates hot air throughout the oven, ensuring even cooking and eliminating hot spots.
- Faster Cooking Times: Food cooks about 25% faster than in a conventional oven because of the circulating hot air.
- Better Browning: Convection ovens offer better browning and crisping, ideal for roasting and baking.
- Energy Efficiency: Reduced cooking times mean they consume less energy.
Cons of an Electric Convection Oven:
- Cost: Electric convection ovens are generally more expensive than traditional ovens.
- Adjustment Time: You may need to adjust times for convection cooking, which can require some trial and error.
- Size: They tend to be larger than traditional ovens, requiring more kitchen space.
- Electricity Dependence: If there's a power outage, you won't be able to use the oven.
Gas Convection Ovens
A gas convection oven uses natural gas or propane as its power source. Other than that, it offers the same benefits as the electric equivalent.
If you do not already have access to a gas line for installation, you'll need to pay to have one installed, making it more expensive than an electric option.
Freestanding Convection Oven
A freestanding convection oven, or a floor model convection oven, is a large appliance that sits on the floor rather than on a countertop.
Pros of a Freestanding Convection Oven:
- Capacity: Freestanding convection ovens typically have a larger capacity than countertop models, allowing you to cook more food at once.
- Versatility: These ovens can handle everything from baking to roasting, making them versatile additions to any kitchen.
- Efficiency: The circulating hot air ensures faster and more even cooking, saving time and energy.
- Durability: These models are often built for commercial use, making them highly durable and long-lasting.
Cons of a Standing Convection Oven:
- Space Requirements: Freestanding convection ovens require more floor space due to their size, which may not be suitable for smaller kitchens.
- Cost: These ovens are generally more expensive due to their size and features.
- Installation: Installation can be more complex and require professional help, adding to the overall cost.
- Energy Consumption: While they are more efficient, their larger size can lead to higher energy consumption than smaller models.
Commercial Countertop Convection Ovens
A countertop convection oven is a compact, portable oven that sits on your kitchen counter.
Pros of a Countertop Convection Oven:
- Space-Saving: If you have a small kitchen area, a countertop option is ideal.
- Portability: They are easy to move, making them great for both home use and travel.
- Efficiency: The circulating hot air ensures faster and more even cooking, saving time and energy.
- Versatility: Despite their smaller size, they can handle various cooking tasks.
Cons of a Countertop Convection Oven:
- Limited Capacity: Due to their compact size, they may not be suitable for large meals.
- Heat Distribution: While they do cook evenly, the heat distribution may be less consistent than in larger models.
- Durability: They may be less durable than full-sized models, especially cheaper ones.
- Energy Consumption: Despite their efficiency, they can still consume significant energy, particularly if used frequently.
Essential Features to Weigh Before Choosing
Before choosing your oven, consider its features and functionality because they will affect the efficiency of your cooking process. Here are some of the most important features to consider when choosing a commercial convection oven.
Electric vs. Gas
Electric models are generally easier to install, as they only need an electrical outlet. They also often have more precise temperature controls. On the other hand, gas models can heat up faster and provide moist heat, which can be ideal for certain types of cooking. However, they require a gas line for installation.
Size and Capacity
A countertop convection oven may be sufficient for small kitchens or occasional baking and roasting. A freestanding convection oven with a larger capacity is more suitable for larger operations.
You can purchase a full size convection oven, but half size convection ovens are also available. Check the available space in your kitchen to determine if you need bakery depth or standard depth.
Temperature Range and Accuracy
Different recipes require different cooking temperatures. Therefore, choosing a convection oven with a wide temperature range and accurate temperature controls is important. Most models have a temperature range of around 150-500 degrees Fahrenheit. Some high-end models may offer more precise control over the cooking temperature with programmable controls.
Gas convection ovens provide faster heating and cooking time, ideal for fast food restaurants or grab-and-go service. However, gas convection ovens can be less accurate than electric. An electric convection oven is slower to heat up, extending the cooking time – but you have more control over the oven's accuracy. This type of commercial convection oven is ideal for sit-down restaurants or bakeries producing larger food quantities.
Durability and Reliability
Choose a model made from high-quality materials like stainless steel. Also, consider the manufacturer's reputation and check customer reviews for insights into the oven’s reliability. It may be worth investing in a more expensive model if it means greater durability and fewer repairs.
Get the Best Convection Oven from Eleven36
At Eleven36, we've carefully selected our brands for their quality, ensuring you have commercial equipment you can trust and depend on.
When choosing a convection oven for your commercial kitchen, restaurant, or bakery, consider your current and future needs. The size of your operation, food type, and volume needs all come into consideration when choosing the right commercial convection oven. Adding one to your space will improve kitchen operations, delivering evenly cooked and perfectly roasted dishes.
We're dedicated to meeting all your commercial kitchen and baking equipment requirements. With our products, you'll have freedom for a versatile menu and efficient operations that create a stellar experience for your customers so they keep coming back. Have questions or need more information about something we offer? Feel free to contact us today!