Commercial Speed Ovens: Are They Worth It for Your Cafe?

What Is a Speed Oven?

A speed oven combines several heat sources inside one compact cavity to both cook food through and crisp the outside at the same time. Most models use:

• Microwave energy to heat the food right through.
• Convection air to cook and brown the outside of the food.
• Impingement air that hits the surface at a high speed to crisp it up.

Some models also add infrared to do the browning and crisping instead. You may see it called a commercial high speed oven or a rapid cook oven, but they’re all talking about the same equipment.

How Much Faster Is It?

Every speed oven manufacturer makes their own claims about how fast their appliances can have you serving food. For example, Merrychef says their Eikon E1S cooks up to 10 to 12 times faster than a conventional oven.

While fast is good, being consistent is better. Every menu item can be programmed into the oven, locking in a specific time and setting, so staff only need to press one icon. This means:

• Being able to get the same result from a first-day casual as your most experienced cook.
• Orders come out the same on a quiet Tuesday as they do on a busy Saturday.
• Less training of your staff.
• Fewer orders being sent back burnt or undercooked.

Do Speed Ovens Need a Rangehood?

Most speed ovens in AGC’s range are designed to run ventless. This means they have a built-in catalytic converter to break down grease and smoke inside the oven itself, so you just need the ventless oven, no rangehood required.

There is a catch though. Some cafés will still need a rangehood depending on their local council and building certifier, so you’ll need to check with them before relying on a ventless option.

Power Supply: 15 Amp, 20 Amp or Three Phase

Imagine spending all that time picking out a commercial high speed oven that works with your kitchen, you go to plug it in and it doesn’t turn on. It may not be the oven itself, but rather your power supply. Always double check what supply you have at the bench before picking a model as it can change which one is more suitable for your setup.

Some larger models may actually need you to have three phase power.

Before you order:

• Check the outlets and circuits already at the bench for their power supply.
• Bring in an electrician early if you’re planning an upgrade as new circuits can take time to install.

The Merrychef range comes in both 15 and 20 amp models, so there’s usually one that suits the supply you already have.

What Can You Cook in a Speed Oven?

Speed ovens are pretty much made for cooking café-style foods. They especially suit menus with:

• Toasties and paninis
• Pastries
• Pizzas
• Reheated bowls
• Proteins cooked to order

Bulk roasting or baking large batches may need another type of appliance. For these, you’ll want a combi oven or a convection oven, depending on how much you need to be cooking or baking.

Size, Footprint and Capacity

You want a speed oven that’s going to be able to keep up with your rushes as much as your average mornings. There are three types you’ll mainly be picking between, each suitable for different serves.

TurboChef makes both batch and conveyor models, so it can be a good place to start when you’re comparing options.

Is a Speed Oven Worth It for Your Venue?

There’s no way of getting around the upfront cost of a speed oven. They cost more than a sandwich press or a benchtop oven, but can do more, so weigh that against what it can save you in time. Remember, it also lets all of your staff cook to the same standard.

Shop Commercial Speed Ovens at AGC Equipment

Browse AGC Equipment’s range of commercial high speed ovens, including compact and conveyor models from Merrychef and TurboChef. Need further help deciding? Contact our friendly AGC team today.