General Parts Group Provides Combi-Oven Installation Advice
By Michael Angello – Branch Manager, Tucson
So, you have just purchased an oven that can replace a bunch of equipment in your kitchen. In order to ensure this equipment lives up to its potential and the price tag, there are some things to plan out before you are ready to cook. These pointers are based on our years of experience with commercial kitchen combi-oven installations and will ensure that you as the end-user will understand how your equipment operates and how to maximize its ROI. By reading this, you will learn the benefits of a certified install and startup of your new equipment.
Four Stages of Installing a Combi-Oven in Your Commercial Kitchen
Stage 1 – Before the equipment is delivered there are a few things to consider. The first thing is a certified site survey, this is one of the most important decisions to consider. This survey will prep the area you wish to install your new device. Sometimes this survey is included in the purchase price and other times it will cost extra. The cost is usually negligible, typically you will pay around $300-$500 for this service. General Parts Group’s advice is, do not hesitate, buy it, this is reassurance that when the oven arrives there will be no surprises. The certified technician will be trained by the manufacturer you purchased your oven from and will know how it operates. The initial inspection will reveal if the spot in the kitchen you want to place the oven will even work, they will even check that it will fit through the doors! The technician will also ensure the water, gas, electricity, and drains will work with the unit. Without the survey, your installation company may not be able to complete your installation on time and there may also be significant unplanned costs.
Stage 2 – Once the site is prepped and your installation is scheduled there is something else to consider. All combi-ovens use water for their steam modes or to fill their boilers. Scale, the minerals leftover from boiling, will build up in the boiler every minute that the oven runs. This scale can cause severe headaches and large commercial kitchen repair bills. Scale issues are also not covered under your warranty. There is not a place on earth that has pure scale-free water unless you use RO water, but RO is no magic bullet. As RO can be too pure and the controls the oven use will not work correctly. Most manufacturers will recommend a water filter for their product. To protect your warranty agreement, YOU must have water filtration, or YOU will be liable and will have to pay for the cost of repairs. Educate yourself on what is available in the market and at the time your tech is doing the site survey ask them for advice. Remember, they have experience doing this and may have found some filter systems work better than others in your area. However, water filters are not the end all be all, you will still have to have the boiler in your unit inspected and cleaned on a regular basis. Water filters will slow the progression of scale build-up, but they will not stop it altogether.
Stage 3- The site survey is complete, the water filter is picked out, now you are ready for the installation of the combi-oven. When the day arrives, make sure the installers have a clear path in the kitchen and utilities are turned on and ready for use. Let’s talk about the installers for a quick minute. If your new combi-oven is offered with a certified installation, buy it, it’s a no brainer for a positive installation experience. The installers will be factory trained and certified by the manufacturer. They will know how the oven should run. If the manufacturers do not offer certified install talk to your equipment dealer and see who typically installs the ovens. Just like any investment, ask questions and make sure you are comfortable with who is installing the combi-oven, after all, they are a very significant investment! Once you know your installers and they arrive at your site ask all of the questions you have. When the installers are finished, they will show you around the oven and how it works. Ask even more questions, this is your time to see how it operates.
Stage 4 -Yes, your new combi-oven is now installed and ready to cook. Before you load it up and start cooking, make sure you have read all of the manuals and understand the cooking procedures. At this time, you should check that your recipes are loaded or that you know how to program them for yourself. We know this is boring but it is a necessary step to ensure you operate the oven correctly and make sure you don’t cause the first service call. Some manufacturers offer training classes on a proper operation where they will show you how to cook in your new oven. If they do not, you can contact the manufacturer and they can put you in touch with someone who has been using their combi-oven who might be able to give advice.
Congratulations, you are ready to cook like a pro, but one last parting note. Preventative maintenance may be something to consider. You have already invested heavily in your new cooking appliance why not look to the future by keeping it around for as long as possible. A good maintenance contract will protect your investment in the future. A small water leak in the oven can cause significant damage to the electrical component if caught early will minimize any damage. With this information, we hope you are more knowledgeable and have the tools to enjoy your new oven for many years to come. If you do have questions in the future, contact the manufacturer or the installers and they may be able to answer them without initiating a service call.
Get Commercial Kitchen Repair and Installation with General Parts Group
When the time comes that you do need a service call or general maintenance done on any of your foodservice equipment, you can find us online or call us at 888-498-1238. Our certified service technicians stand ready to help.