Unless you serve only sushi or microwaved food it is very likely that you are using a commercial oven for every dish in your restaurant. The ovens are the heart of your commercial kitchen but often are overlooked and are not maintained and repaired properly. Read on to learn all you need to know about commercial ovens as well their maintenance and repairs tips.
Are Commercial Ovens Worth Repairing?
The answer depends on your oven’s age and condition. If you've installed your commercial oven in less than 15 years you should always move in favour of repair rather than replacement.
The reason is simple. Most commercial oven issues can be solved easily and quickly, either on your own or with the help of a professional. The good news is that most of the time a broken commercial oven can be repaired within a few hours.
Repairing a commercial oven is often much cheaper than replacing it. When you decide to get your commercial kitchen appliances repaired rather than letting them go to landfills it’s better for our environment. Using your commercial oven for a longer time will make less carbon footprint than installing a new one.
Besides, installing a new oven is often a burdensome and time-consuming process and requires professional staff and tools. Sometimes you have to shut down your business for a day or two to install a new range or oven.
Still, if your commercial oven is out of repair or it is over 15 years old, you’d better buy a new one. If maintained properly, oven ranges should usually last for 10-15 years. When the useful lifespan of a commercial kitchen appliance is expired, replacing it with a new one seems more reasonable than getting it repaired again and again.
Is It Cheaper to Fix a Commercial Oven or Buy a New One?
Repairing a commercial oven always cost much less than installing a new one. Let’s have a closer look.
This may come to shock you, but unfortunately, you should invest a hefty budget to buy a brand-new commercial oven. According to online vendors, the price for that can run anywhere between $1100 to $20000, depending on oven type and features.
For example, combi ovens are the most advanced and powerful cooking appliances found in a commercial kitchen, and surely, among the most expensive ovens. A mid-range combi oven may cost $15000 or more. Add to that the cost of venting which is about $1500 per linear foot and you will need at least 10 linear feet for a single cooking unit.
On the other hand, fixing commercial oven issues typically doesn’t cost more than a few hundred dollars. In some circumstances, you can fix oven related problems by yourself without having to call a professional. Hence, unless your oven is too old or out of repair, getting your commercial fixed rather than buy a new one is a healthier option, both for your business and your peace of mind.
How Much Does it Cost to Service a Commercial Oven?
The service cost depends on factors such as the extent of damage, cost of spare parts, labour rate and where you live. Fortunately, the commercial oven repair cost is not so high. As a reference, the minimum national cost for commercial oven repair is $200 while its maximum is hanging about $300. So, it can be said that the service cost of a commercial oven is less than $300, which is only a fraction of the cost of a new oven.
As an example, in July 2021 we, at Commercial Kitchens Armiya, replaced a thermocouple 1500 mm for an Oven in Mount Evelyn for $205.
Who do you call when your commercial oven is broken?
Nothing is more annoying than getting into trouble with your commercial during a dinner rush. The first thing you should do is to check the oven for simple problems. For instance, make sure that the electricity cable is not broken.
If this didn’t solve the problem you should seek a professional commercial kitchen repair service. Look into the local business index or search on the Internet to find repair shops that are specialized in commercial oven repairs. They will send their qualified and insured technicians to fix your appliance as soon as possible. Some repair shops offer a full warranty repair. This ensures you that your commercial oven will be back up and running in a jiffy.
How many years does a commercial oven last?
The lifespan of a commercial oven depends on factors such as maintenance and proper repair solutions. If properly maintained, an electronic oven will last over 15 years while the service life of gas stovetops could be as long as 20 years.
Tips for Maintaining Your Commercial Oven
No matter if you’ve just invested in a brand-new commercial oven or if you’re looking to bring your current model back to life, without proper maintenance, the efficiency and lifespan of your commercial oven can be compromised. Here are some tips to help you keep your precious commercial oven in shape:
Always Read the Manual
The first things first. Before making any adjustments to your commercial oven always consult the manual. Read the manual thoroughly so that what are the parts of your oven, what’s its specifications and how to maintain and repair your appliance.
If you still have a question, you’d better consult your supplier before making any adjustments on your own. When contacting the supplier keeps the make, model or a serial number of your unit in touch. With this information, the supporting agent will be able to identify your device and help you circumference the issue.
Have a Cleaning Schedule
Regular cleaning not only can expand the lifespan of your commercial oven but also maintains the efficiency of the unit during the service life. By holding a cleaning calendar and assigning responsibilities per shift you can make sure that your kitchen appliance will remain in shape for years.
Daily cleaning is a must-have step in commercial oven maintenance and you should complement it with a monthly deep cleaning. This will cover all areas you might miss in daily cleaning. If there are areas that you are unsure how to clean consult the manual or contact the supplier.
Calibrate Buttons
Buttons are the most used (and abused) parts of the commercial oven. Over time buttons can lose their efficiency which affects the way your oven work. So, it’s recommended that you re-calibrate commercial oven buttons at least once a month.
Check Heat Inefficiencies
If you see a spike in heating cost or heat diffusion around your oven heat inefficiencies in your oven may be the guilty. It may be a result of poor maintenance or falsy settings. Seals or oven doors may be damaged or thermostats may be broken or your oven may need programmed again.
Clean Spoils and Boil-overs Immediately
Spills and spoils are unavoidable in commercial kitchens. While it may seem trivial, they have a significant impact performance of your cooling units. Spills and boil-overs not cleaned immediately carbonise and tarnish the performance of the commercial oven. Cleaning these messes as they occur help keep your commercial kitchen running in tip-top shape.
Since commercial ovens are top of mind for all restaurants, we decided to break down everything you’ll need to know about ovens in this post. Do you have a question not answered here? Send it to us and we will answer it as soon as possible.
