Innovations in Food Equipment Technology
Technological advancements are rapidly reshaping commercial kitchens – and they’re not slowing down. Food preparation equipment is getting faster, better, and more efficient than ever, all without sacrificing the quality of the food being sent out. As a leading distributor in Australia’s foodservice equipment industry, we’ve seen a handful of technological trends emerging in the commercial kitchen space recently that are going to change the way we approach quick-service food preparation.
1. Smart Ovens
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Smart ovens have completely revolutionised the way staff prepare food. Ovens like the Pratica Chef Express come equipped with advanced features such as programmable cooking cycles and transferable programs via USB and don’t require an extraction canopy or side clearance. With recipe storage and independent control of airspeed, temperature, and microwave, smart ovens like these don’t even require the constant supervision of a trained professional – they can be operated easily by any staff member at the push of a button. Best of all, the programmable cooking cycles mean you get a consistent cook every time, regardless of who is operating the oven. |
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2. IoT-Enabled Equipment
| The Internet of Things (IoT) is making its way into commercial kitchens, which is when you have various pieces of equipment connected to a central network, enabling them to send and receive data. In kitchen equipment, IoT means your appliances can communicate with each other, share data, and even give updates or alerts to staff. |  |
As an example, QualityFry’s ventless iQ635 fryer features an intelligent display that’s connected to the internet and can be controlled via an app. Users can customise cooking times and then leave the fryer to do its job automatically. This speeds up service, reduces the risk of human error, and makes life easier for single-operator locations.
3. Energy-Efficient Solutions
More and more foodservice businesses are looking for ways to minimise their energy consumption. It’s not hard to understand why either – cutting down on energy consumption isn’t just good for the environment, it also saves your business money. Equipment like the Henny Penny F5 Fryer is a great example of energy-efficient kitchen equipment. These fryers recover temperature very quickly and hold the ENERGY STAR® mark with over 85% energy efficiency. As more companies look to hit their sustainability targets, the kitchen is a good place to start with cutting back by investing in equipment like this.
4. Advanced Heating Technologies
Heating technology is also seeing significant advancements. Modern heated holding solutions are equipped with smart sensors that monitor temperature, ensuring food stays at safe temperatures at all times. Some units, like the Henny Penny Heated Holding Cabinet, even feature quality control countdown times, which alert staff when food is no longer safe to sell. Innovations like this help cut back on food waste, but they can also help mitigate a potential OH&S risk of food not being held at the right temperature.
We fully believe that the future of the foodservice industry lies in embracing these technological innovations, and the ones that are yet to come. These technologies are transforming kitchens by reducing labour costs and energy consumption, enhancing consistency, and mitigating the risk of human error. In our opinion, without starting to incorporate these more advanced kitchen technologies into your commercial kitchen, you risk falling behind your competitors.
Speak to a member of the J.L.Lennard team today to learn more about the technologically advanced kitchen equipment we have on hand that could transform your kitchen and your business.
15th August 2024
