A good commercial oven will be at the heart of your business, and whether you are roasting, baking or steaming, selecting the right one for your needs is vital. There are a lot of different choices out there, so it’s important to understand the strengths and weaknesses of each. Price should definitely not be your number one consideration, as over the long term having the wrong oven will cost you far more.
Oven range
The versatile workhorse of commercial ovens, ranges combine a large internal roasting area with either gas or electric rings, with some higher end models offering additional grilling options as well, meaning it’s a good all-rounder.
Convection oven
Fan assisted ovens are often a good economical choice, as they are smaller than ranges, and are able to cook food faster and at a lower temperature, meaning less wastage. Some need only a single plug for power, making them a great option for mobile outlets, and other places where space is limited.
Combi oven
The biggest, shiniest, most flexible ovens on the market, these gadgets can do the work of several other appliances, able to both roast and steam food (or a mix of both). It’s worth taking a look at all of the options out there, with a good selection found here https://www.247cateringsupplies.co.uk/catering-appliances/commercial-ovens-and-ranges/combination-ovens, as more advanced models are self-cleaning, and some can even be programmed to run complex cooking routines themselves.
Pizza oven
Also called a conveyor oven, these are mainly used for cooking, yes you guessed it, pizza, but their rolling belt means they are ideal for cooking thinner foods fast, and they are, unsurprisingly, often used in fast food outlets. More traditional pizzerias opt for stone or brick pizza ovens which date back to the Romans https://www.fornobravo.com/pompeii-oven/the-history-of-brick-ovens/, providing a crispier base, and a great look for front of house kitchens.
Charcoal oven
If you’re after old-fashioned authenticity (or face a lack of electricity), then a charcoal powered oven is perfect for delivering that genuine BBQ taste. They are also much faster than modern ovens, although more care needs to be taken to ensure food is fully cooked.
Steam oven
Popular in oriental cooking, steam ovens are a fast and healthy way of preparing rice, fish and vegetables, though remember they have no way of browning food.
