Small Industrial Oven
A small industrial oven is often the only thing that a small deli or restaurant needs. A larger oven can take up much needed real estate in a small kitchen and only a percentage of the oven will actually get used. When a smaller oven is used, it works to its full potential and ends up reducing electric bills because it doesn't heat up the entire facility.
Features of a Small Industrial Oven
Many assume that just because an industrial oven is small, it lacks features that the large ones do. This cannot be farther from the truth. In fact, some small industrial ovens actually have more features than the larger ones.
- Timers - Circulating Air - Fans - Easy to Read - Adjustable shelves - Internal temperature gagesA small industrial oven can take up a small area of the counter or sit on the floor and be the same size as a home model. The difference is that an industrial oven is made for more use than that of a home model. Just because it's small doesn't mean that it's not as powerful!
Sub shops that purchase in their bread but like to offer fresh baked cookies and toasted sandwiches to their customers can benefit significantly from a small industrial oven. Some of these will fit right on top of a counter so that they are out of the way. The greatest thing about the smaller ovens is that they bake the product without baking everything (and everyone) around the oven.
Some of the smaller ovens are often better insulated than the larger ones because the manufacturers know that a company buying a smaller oven has less space. When you try to place a large industrial oven in a small space, there's not enough room to let the oven breathe and it ends up being a heat source along with a place for baking.
Models for a Small Industrial Oven
There are various small industrial ovens in the marketplace.
- Conventional
- Convection
- Conveyor
- Microwave
Anything that is repeatedly used throughout the day should be an industrial version. A conveyor oven can be made on a smaller scale for pizza shops, delis and restaurants looking to branch out. Microwaves that are used over and over should be considered industrial, too, because they'll hold up better against steady use.
There are plenty of sizes and designs to choose from with a small industrial oven. Even if you have the space, but don't need a large oven, the smaller ones may be the better way to go.
Where to Find a Small Industrial Oven
Small industrial ovens are much easier to obtain. These can be found online, in restaurant supply stores and via catalogs for food service equipment (check out Edward Don and Hubert to start).
The problems with getting some of the larger ovens are eliminated with a small industrial oven. Shipping and installation can be a huge addition when tackling an oven. Small ovens can weigh around a hundred pounds or less, so the shipping doesn't have to break the bank. They will often go regular UPS or FedEx as opposed to freight so there's a cost savings.