Every bakery’s heart and soul is its oven. Whatever your bakery specialises in, you need reliable ovens to meet the demands of your customers.
Buying the right commercial oven is important for every bakery. Because there are different kinds of ovens, it is important to choose the one that gives the best value for your money.
Scroll down this buying guide to know how you can choose the perfect oven for your bakery.
1- Know the Different Types of Oven
You should know about the different kinds of ovens available in the market. Each oven has a unique function that caters to a specific purpose. Some of the types are:
- Standard ovens
- Convection ovens
- Deck ovens
- Conveyor ovens
- Steam ovens
- Cook-and-Hold ovens
- High-speed ovens
Research each type of oven carefully to know which one you need. For example, some ovens do not function similarly to standard ovens, while some can only do a specific function, like steaming.
2- Consider the Utilities You Have
- Gas: Gas ovens are cheaper to use since gas is more affordable. The choice of gas is also important. For example: if you’re thinking of buying a propane gas oven, remember that propane is better but more expensive than natural gas.
- Electric: Electric ovens are easy to use. Just plug the oven in, and you’re all set to bake. Electric ovens are known for their consistent heating power. In addition, they are easy to clean because they don’t use a gas connection that gets dirty and clogged with debris. However, it takes longer for them to heat than gas ovens.
3- Look for the Right Size
Other factors won’t matter when your oven doesn’t fit in the space where you planned to put it. Before purchasing a commercial oven, accurately measure the space intended for it.
Size is also relative to the amount of baked goods you plan to produce. Therefore, your chosen oven should keep up with the demands of your bakery.
4- Think of the Type of Food You Will Bake
If your bakery produces artisan bread, cheesecakes, and specialty pastries, it would be best to invest in a deck oven. A deck oven keeps the goods heated and fresh once you bring them out.
Meanwhile, convection ovens are more versatile. But there may be delicate items that may collapse if baked in a convection oven.
Convection ovens are better suited for bread, cakes, and certain types of pastries.
5- Decide on the Importance of Cooking Speed
Some food items can take too long to bake, leading to unsatisfied customers. In addition, it’s difficult to know whether to serve the goods fresh or have them ready once ordered.
Convection ovens have quick cooking time that can deliver quality baked bread. However, it would be best to have another oven since specialty pastries do not work well with convection ovens.
6- Think About Ease of Use
Running a bakery is stressful enough as it is. So when you buy an oven, make sure it can work with minimal supervision and allows you to multitask around the kitchen.
It would be best to consider how easy an oven is to clean. Generally, electric ovens are easier to clean than gas ovens as there are no gas pipes that will clog from grease.
Summing Up
It’s only normal that you only want what’s best for your bakery. That’s why you should be meticulous when it comes to choosing an oven to buy.
An oven is an investment. So, make sure to use the list above to help you make your purchase.
