As the name suggests, conveyor oven is equipped with a large conveyor belt that passes food through a heated chamber. Since conveyor ovens can be operated at variable speeds and temperature, it is best suited for quick-service restaurants that need to heat high volumes of food quickly and evenly.
While it can be used to cook a variety of food, it is commonly used for pizzas. Such ovens are a great space-saving solution for any food service establishment. They can be powered by either gas or electric, and can be categorized into three types.
Forced air conveyor ovens
This is the most common technology applied to conveyor ovens. The burners in the oven will heat up the air and the fans will blow out the hot air which will circulate to heat up the food. As a result, the rapid heat transfer will speed up the cooking process and this gives the cooked product a nice texture.
Not to mention that it can reduce bake times by 20% to 25% when compared to non-forced air ovens.
Radiant conveyor ovens
For these type of ovens, the heating elements are located above and below the conveyor belts. This allows for the air inside the oven as well as the interior walls to be heated, thus creating radiant heat.
The utilization of radiant heat transfer makes it excellent for broiling, melting, grilling or toasting.
Infrared ovens
Similar to a radiant conveyor oven, infrared oven also transmits heat from the heaters that are placed above and below the conveyor belts. However, ceramic elements are used to trigger the air molecules, thereby creating friction and heat that can penetrate the food products easily. This gives rise to a faster cooking time inside and outside.
Additionally, there are other features to be considered when choosing a conveyor oven. You should check on the conveyor belt width. Wider conveyor belts are ideal for users to cook a variety of food. On the other hand, dual belt conveyor oven allows you to cook two different dishes at the same time, making your cooking chores easier and quicker.
Lastly, the right control style will definitely make preparing your favourite meals a breeze. Always opt for a system that enables you to customize or pre-program, be it a digital or manual control. If you are considering a conventional oven, do keep the above guidelines in mind.
