From convection ovens that give even bake to deck ovens perfect for pizzas, the options can make your head spin. And let’s be honest, these commercial baking ovens don’t come cheap. That’s why we’ve put together this guide to help you navigate the world of commercial ovens.
We’ll break down the different types, what to look for in features, and help you make the right choice with the inside scoop we’ve got.
Table of Contents
Types of commercial baking ovens
Key features to look for in commercial baking ovens
Innovations in commercial baking ovens
Summary
Types of commercial baking ovens
Here are the most reliable commercial baking ovens worth considering:
Convection ovens
These are jack-of-all-trades in the commercial oven space. With hot air swirling around like a culinary tornado, convection ovens cook everything evenly and fast. From fluffy cakes to juicy roasts, they handle it all. They’re a hit in kitchens that need to juggle a menu as varied as a food critic’s palate.
Deck ovens
For restaurants that are all about that perfect pizza or artisanal bread, deck ovens are a dependable option. With separate cooking surfaces, you can control them individually; it’s like having multiple ovens in one.
Rotary rack ovens
Rotary rack ovens are for those restaurants that need to feed hundreds of customers during that really busy lunch rush. Picture a Ferris wheel of food, spinning through heat zones for that perfect, even bake. These are the heavy lifters in big bakeries where consistency tops the checklist.
Conveyor ovens
Conveyor ovens are like an assembly line for perfectly cooked food. Pizzas and sandwiches, you name it—they go raw on one end and come out golden on the other. For kitchens where every second counts, these ovens are worth their weight in gold.
Key features to look for in commercial baking ovens
This should be your checklist when search for some reliable commercial baking oven:
Temperature control
Temperature control is the conductor of your baking orchestra, and it has to hit all the right notes, from a gentle simmer to a blazing roast. Modern ovens come with fancy digital dials that let you fine-tune the heat like a pro. But for an old-school chef, there are still analog controls built like tanks that are easy to use.
Energy efficiency
Energy-efficient ovens keep your bills down. Look for ovens that heat up faster and have fancy features like standby modes. It’s not just about being eco-friendly; it also has to do with keeping the overheads low.
Size and capacity
An oven should fit the kitchen like a glove and handle the target output without a fuss. Too small, and you’ll be baking in shifts. Too big, and you’re heating air for no reason, so it’s worth finding the right balance. There are those that come with adjustable racks—it’s like having a shape-shifting oven that adapts to whatever you’re cooking up.
Ease of cleaning
Let’s be real—cleaning isn’t fun, especially for a super-busy chef. But a clean oven is a happy oven. Look for smooth surfaces that wipe down easier than a freshly waxed car. Removable parts and a self-cleaning function are also handy features worth looking at.
Durability
In a busy kitchen, stainless steel, heavy-duty doors, and hinges that could probably survive a zombie apocalypse are some of the pointers to have in mind. A durable commercial oven should be able to take a beating and keep on heating.
Safety features
Safety isn’t just a buzzword—it keeps the kitchen running smoothly and the staff in one piece. Look for ovens with fail-safes like automatic shut-offs and cool-touch exteriors. You want an oven that’s smarter than the average bear when it comes to preventing accidents. And make sure it ticks all the boxes for health and safety regulations.
Innovations in commercial baking ovens
Smart ovens
Smart commercial kitchen ovens connect to Wi-Fi, letting you control and monitor everything from your phone so you don’t have to keep hovering around. They come with programmable cycles and AI maintenance alerts to ensure consistent baking and prevent breakdowns. Plus, they connect to your kitchen software, saving energy and streamlining operations.
Energy-saving technology
Cutting energy costs doesn’t mean sacrificing quality. Commercial ovens now have better insulation, heat recovery systems, and rapid preheating to use less energy overall. Sustainable baking just got easier with variable speed fans and airflow designs that ensure even baking without wasting power.
Advanced control systems
Touchscreens on commercial ovens allow the chef to easily access programs, monitor baking, and even train new staff. Sensors and automation adjust temperature and humidity for perfect results, and multi-zone baking allows for the handling of different foods at once.
Summary
Picking the perfect commercial oven isn’t just about looks. Consider these key features: temperature control for consistent baking, energy efficiency to save on costs, size, and capacity depending on the workload, easy cleaning to save time, durability to last, and safety features to keep everyone happy. Smart ovens, energy-saving features, and advanced controls can help scale the baking process.
