Perfect for pizzas, sandwiches, and virtually everything else, our selection of conveyor ovens is a space-saving solution for any food service establishment. Check out our great lines from Lincoln!
Pizza conveyor ovens can be used to cook many different types of pizza. Often operators find that conveyor ovens improve throughput to meet high demand for pizza, making them some of the best commercial pizza ovens for many businesses!
Though one of these units is frequently just called a conveyor pizza oven, and the pizza segment has of course benefited from the advantages of conveyor ovens to a greater degree than any other food service segment, conveyor ovens may be used to cook much more than just pizzas. They are perfect for hot sandwiches and subs, roasting vegetables, cooking chicken tenders, and nearly anything else that you would normally cook in a convection oven or snack oven!
No matter what you are cooking, a new conveyor or impinger oven can increase throughput and optimize efficiency. About the only qualification for cooking with a conveyor oven is that the food must be able to fit into the conveyor opening. While openings vary in size, they are typically about 3-4" high.
Impinger ovens have a gas burner or electric element in the back of the oven that heats the air. Then a fan blows the hot air above and below the food so that the hot air strikes the food product at a high velocity. So impinger ovens blow away the cold air that naturally surrounds a cold food product, bringing the heated air in direct contact with the food product.
Using an impinger oven results in rapid heat transfer, even baking, and excellent texture. Forced air impingement technology is the most widely used because impinger ovens can reduce bake times by 20% to 25% compared to non-forced air ovens.
A traditional radiant oven uses heating elements located above and below the conveyor belts. These elements heat the air inside the oven as well as the interior walls, creating radiant heat to cook the food in the manner of conventional ovens. The air is not circulated in the same way as with convection or impingement.
Similarly, infrared ovens also uses heating elements above and below the conveyor belts. However the elements are typically ceramic, used so that the heat actually penetrates organic material causing the molecules to move. This creates friction and energy that turns into heat. Overall, this cooks food more quickly both inside and out. Looking for more information about types of heat transfer? Our article explains the relationship between heat transfer and cooking.
You'll want to think about all the features of the oven when you make your choice. The control style, oven conveyor system, and whether or not the oven can be stacked are important details when buying your new conveyor belt oven. Depending on whether you are opening a new pizza shop or upgrading your restaurant kitchen to operate more efficiently, different features may be more important to you.
Choice depends on the food you'll be cooking and your volume
Split belts allow you to simultaneously cook different items
Choose from simple dial controls or intuitive touchscreens
Some models can be stacked to double or triple cooking capacity without expanding the footprint
Most impinger ovens and conveyor ovens will require placement under a hood. Don't have hood space to spare? If you don't have space available under your hood, or your kitchen is in a non-traditional location where ventilation isn't available, some models are also available in a ventless option.
Ventless conveyor ovens use filters or catalytic converters to collect the grease produced by cooking, without the need for outside venting. Keep in mind that not all jurisdictions allow these units to be used without a hood - you'll want to check your local safety codes before making a purchase. Also note that ventless ovens may be more expensive.
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