- Eeny Meeny Miney Mo.Choosing the most efficient
commercial oven requires only some investigation and vigilance on your part.
Educate yourself on the "ins and outs" of oven design, such as insulation
and quality. Pay close attention to timers and thermostats, which can help
automate procedures and maximize your energy-saving efforts. Deciding which
type of oven is best suited for the task at hand can also significantly impact
your energy bill.
- Conventional ovens use radiant heat. This can
mean increased cook times and longer preheat times.
- Convection ovens, which use fan-forced heat to circulate
hot air around the food, help to reduce cooking times and lower your energy
bill. Convection ovens cook at 25ºF lower temperature and in 10% less time
than conventional ovens, according to one manufacturer. Also, convection
ovens are 23% more efficient than conventional ones, the U.S. Department
of Energy estimates.
- Microwave Ovens are a quick, efficient alternative to a
full-size oven and are unparalleled in their reheating ability. They require
no preheating time and only heat the food being cooked. Microwave ovens
save considerable energy in comparison to standard ovens, so use them whenever
possible.
- Be vigilant. Limit preheat times and turn down the
oven when not in use. Turning off an idle broiler just one hour a day can
save up to $400 annually. Keep in mind ovens consume substantial amounts of
energy, even when no food is cooking, due to losses through the walls and
leakage around the oven door opening. For that reason, it is important to
remember to turn your oven off or to a lower temperature when it is not in
use.
- Fill that oven! Schedule food preparation so that
your oven is cooking a full load whenever possible. Convection ovens can be
more fully loaded than conventional ovens because the amplified circulation
of heated air advances productivity. Also, plan roasting and baking to take
full-advantage of receding heat.
- Maintain, Maintain, Maintain. We at Jean's Restaurant
Supply cannot emphasize enough how important it is to perform routine maintenance
on your commercial restaurant equipment. Not only does this help to preserve
its value and protect your investment, it also helps your equipment to keep
performing at peak efficiency and this will increase your energy-savings.
In oven maintenance, the seals on your oven are the most important weapons
in your energy-saving arsenal. Make sure they are in good shape and fit snuggly
against the oven door to properly keep the heat in the oven and your money
in your pocket.
- Cleanliness is next to Energy Savings. A major part of
routine maintenance is cleaning. For your commercial oven, this includes the
removal of burned food deposits at once, before they have a chance to carbonize.
Help protect yourself from broken door hinges and cracks that allow heat to
escape by carefully cleaning all crumbs and encrusted food from around openings.
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