If someone were to ask what is one of the most important pieces of equipment for the correctional kitchen, it’s unlikely that the microwave would make the list. But microwave ovens are one of the most frequently utilized pieces of commercial kitchen equipment to get utilized in a busy kitchen. And in corrections, they are also regularly used in commissary. Because it’s not considered essential, and often not even important, we have found many facilities have opted for a residential microwave instead of a commercial microwave. Keep in mind, we usually hear about this because a facility has blown through several microwaves in too short a period of time and are looking for something that will last more than 3 to 6 months. If you’re on the fence about investing in a commercial microwave, here are six good reasons to take the leap.
1. Commercial microwaves meet health inspection requirements. Using a residential microwave oven in an institutional setting can cause an issue with a health inspection. There is also the possibility that if an injury occurs when staff or inmates are using a residential microwave instead of a commercial microwave, it may invalidate any insurance benefit.
2. Commercial microwaves are safer than residential. Commercial microwaves cook food more evenly than residential machines and if you are using the microwave for any cooking in your facility, this would reduce the potential for food-borne illness from unevenly cooked foods. Additionally, a commercial microwave is more rigorously tested for safety than residential equipment. In particular, it is tested for utilization over extended periods of time.
3. Commercial microwaves is built more durably. Because commercial microwaves are built to be utilized at a higher frequency than a residential machine, they are designed to be higher quality and to withstand much heavier use. Commercial microwaves have cooling fans, transformers, control panels, heavy-duty power cords, and commercial relays. These machines are designed to operate on a daily basis and for extended periods of time. Medium-duty commercial microwaves are built to be used 50 times a day or more.
4. Commercial microwaves have more power. In order to heat a lot of food quickly, you need a microwave that has enough power for the task. Commercial microwaves start at 1000 watts, where this is usually reserved for only the top end of residential models.
5. Commercial microwaves are designed with programming in mind. In an institutional or commercial setting, there are usually a wide variety of staff that use the microwave, so programming is important to create consistency between users. Additionally, having a microwave preprogrammed for frequently prepared items is much faster than having each staff member learn by trail and error.
6. Commercial microwaves are easier to service. One of the realities of technology is that it can sometimes break, and when a piece of equipment is utilized as frequently as 200 or more times a day, like heavy-duty commercial microwaves in a busy institutional kitchen, this can happen. When it does happen, it’s important that it can get serviced as quickly as possible and this is simpler when the item is designed for repair. Most commercial microwaves will have a wiring diagram and be easier for service and repair when they breakdown. If you need to repair a residential microwave, you’re better off simply replacing it with a new machine. This gets costly over time and can disrupt the flow in your kitchen should you be out of a machine for a while.
