The power of a commercial steamer is in its ability to easily cook meals without using oil, so it is healthier. Steam cooking uses heat energy to transform liquid water into steam. This prevents food from over-drying, which retains the nutrients lost from the cooking methods, and it eliminates the need for far or oil in cooking methods.

Normally, food service owners use steamers to cook seafood, vegetables, rice, and potatoes because it typically provides quick production and helps food retain color, nutrients, and moisture.

You can choose from different models like countertops and floors, which depend on the application and volume. In case it malfunctions, you can contact commercial steamer repair. In the meantime, here are tips on how to choose the right one.

Size

Choosing between several sizes and models of steamers should depend on how much food you want to cook within the cavity. Aside from that, you would have to consider the spacious accommodations that are allotted for your steamer, since one model can consume a footprint in your kitchen while another one can just sit comfortably on a shelving unit.

Power Source

There are two kinds of steamers used in commercial kitchens. One is the gas type and the other one is electric. A gas-powered steamer will heat food easier and faster. The electric steamer can easily be installed anywhere as long as there is a water hookup and electric. The choice between the two is entirely up to you and what your business needs.

Types of Steamers

Countertop – Countertop pressure steamers can be powered with electricity or gas, or you can connect them directly to a steamer source because they can be manually filled and drained.

Floor pressure steamer – These work when you connect them to a direct steam source or boiler. Both the floor and countertop steamers can reach a temperature of up to 250 degrees F and they are ideal for cooking large batches of starchy foods quickly like potatoes.

Boilerless Steamer – These steamers are able to generate steam on their own, and it nullifies the need for another steam generator. Boilerless steamers do not have an enclosed boiler but it utilizes an open water reservoir at the unit’s bottom or a spritzer that splashes cold water around the unit’s inside creating steam. The result is a “wetter” steam but it does not have the benefits of easy cleanup. Keep in mind that your food will not cook and it might not be as crisp as other units.

Convection Steamer

Another kind of steamer is the convection one. This is more straightforward to use instead of a pressure steamer, and it is hard to overcook food items. It cooks at a temperature of 212 degrees F without pressure. The convection steamer is used more because it is cheaper compared to the pressure cooker.

The steam circulates in the convection steamer which causes the food to cook evenly and quickly. Convection steamers function for several reasons: thawing, steaming, poaching, reheating, and par-cooking. You can cook different foods simultaneously without having to transfer different aromas.

Flash Steamers

These are also called tortilla steamers for among the most popular functions. It is small but powerful and can warm more than just tortillas. While small portions are better when it comes to flash steamers, they can be used for rejuvenating bread, preparing vegetables, and cooking meats. Since a flash steamer requires some counter space, this kind of steamer is excellent for small menus, snack shops, or bars.

You can call commercial kitchen appliance repair Northern VA in case your steamer needs to be fixed.