Microwave Cavity Liners - Saves Time and Money

When you’re working in a busy kitchen you know that cleaning up at the end of the shift is always going to be long and laborious, just plain hard work.
So anything that can make the clean down a bit easier, and home time a bit closer, is always useful.

As jobs go, cleaning the inside of the microwave is probably one of the most annoying; for one, waste products can splatter onto every surface inside, and the interior roof and sides of the microwave can be hard to reach with a scrubber; and two, after using the microwave many times during service, the dirt is likely to be welded on from repetitive heating, so proves nearly impossible to completely remove.

This is where cavity liners for microwaves are extremely useful. A cavity liner is a protective shield that you fit into the interior of your microwave that absorbs the inevitable spillages and splats of food that come when you’re too busy to cover everything you cook.

It protects the microwave from the build up of grease and dirt, and can prevent the damage and cracks that are caused by inadequate cleaning.

There are many cavity liners available to suit any microwave in your professional kitchen; and for the most popular, Panasonic Commercial Microwaves and Sharp Commercial Microwaves, there are cavity liners available for several of their most popular models.

For Panasonic the different sized cavity liners are available for their NE1456, NE1856 and NE1846 models; and for Sharp Commercial Microwaves, cavity liners can be purchased for the following models:

R22AT
R22AMM
R24AT
R23AM

Cavity liners are easily fitted and removed when they need to be cleaned, which can be easily done with hot soapy water. They save money, keeping your commercial microwave in top condition, and time, at the end of the shift, when all you really want to do is go home and put your feet up.

Product Focus - Gram Upright Refrigerators

In any kitchen, there are a couple of pieces of equipment you're pretty much guaranteed to find, and both are to do with temperature: there'll be something to heat or cook food, whether that's a cooker, and oven, a fryer or whatever; and there'll be something designed to keep food cool, the most common being a fridge.

When it comes to refrigerators, the classic design is, of course, the upright fridge, found both in commercial and residential kitchens. There's a clear reason why upright refrigerators are so popular: they combine the maximum capacity with the minimum footprint. As well as those basic features, Gram upright refrigerators offer a wealth of extra benefits.

This long list of benefits includes ultra-durable construction, and a range of features to increase reliability, ease of use and improved performance. So, for example, you will find easily removable door seals (for easier cleaning), a handle that runs the entire height of the door, and an improved air flow system which shuts off when the door is open, to minimise the loss of cold air from the fridge. All models also come with bright LED lights

These features, and more, add up to make Gram upright refrigerators some of the best fridges available on the market. The following models are available:

Gram K400LU
Gram K400RU
Gram KG400LU (display fridge, inc. glass door)
Gram KG400RU (display fridge, inc. glass door)
Gram K425LSH
Gram K425RSH
Gram KG425LSH (display fridge, inc. glass door)
Gram M425CXH (fresh meat fridge)
Gram K610
Gram K625LSH
Gram K625RSH
Gram KG625LSH (display fridge, inc. glass door)
Gram M625CXH (fresh meat fridge)

As you can see, if you need a fridge with the maximum storage capacity with the lowest footprint (and a low carbon footprint), then you need a Gram upright refrigerator.

Product Focus - Gram Refrigerated Counters

If one were to look for one piece of equipment that would be the hub of a chef's kitchen, it would have to be a refrigerated counter. This is the chef's prime workstation, and as such, it plays a role beyond simply storing food, becoming the central hub for everything from food preparation to preparation and serving of food.

Choosing the right refrigerated counter is therefore vitally important, because it doesn't just help with producing high quality food; it also helps to give a better working environment, which in turn leads to increased job satisfaction for your staff. That, of course, feeds back into their performance, helping to be more productive and produce higher quality food.

As you can see, its therefore incredibly important to get the right workspace for your kitchen, and nothing does the job better than Gram refrigerated counters. Every model in the range combines a beautiful and hygienic stainless steel finish, with features such as worktop with a built-in splashback, all of which goes towards creating the most hygienic, rewarding working environment for your kitchen staff.

Gram Refrigerated Counters

The first range of models in this class are the three Gram refrigerated counters, which have a temperature range of +2/+12°C. Three models are available, based on capacity: the Gram K1407CSH, a 2-door model for smaller kitchens; the Gram K1807CSH, a 3-door model, for mid-range applications; and the Gram K2207CSH, a 4-door model, for larger, busier kitchens. All feature the exceptional build quality and reliability you would expect from top manufacturer Gram.

Gram Freezer Counters

As well as refrigerated counters, Gram also offer a range of counters designed to go to much lower temperatures, of -25/-5°C. These Gram freezer counters are again offered in three sizes: the 2-door Gram F1407CSH; the larger, 3-door Gram F1807CSH; and the top-end, 4-door Gram F2207CSH.

Whether you need a refrigerated counter, or a dedicated freezer counter, there is a Gram counter that will be perfect for your needs.

Product Focus - Gram Blast Chillers

One of the concepts that makes catering a lot easier (as it allows you to separate the preparation and cooking of food from the actual serving of it) is blast chilling, whereby cooked food is rapidly chilled from +70°, down to +3°C, in less than 90 minutes. That 90 minutes time factor is crucial, as it gets the food down to a temperature too low for bacteria to flourish, before they have a chance to actually grow.

Gram blast chillers are the solution that let you utilise this cook-chill cycle to your benefit.

Essentially, the way this process works is that you cook food before it's needed, and then you use the rapid cooling action of the Gram blast chiller to blast chill the food down to a temperature where it can be safely stored, without bacterial growth. Hence, you can get food to your customers quicker, as it's already been cooked, and all you need to do is heat it up. Because it's been rapidly cooled in the Gram blast chiller, you can simply produce high quality food in a fraction of the time, as the time-intensive parts of the process (the actual cooking) has already been done.

Currently we offer two sizes of Gram blast chiller:

Gram KPS20

The Gram KPS20 series represents the smallest blast chillers made by Gram, and each model comes with an 18kg capacity. However, there are different variants of the KPS20 available; the CH model is the standard blast chiller, whilst the SH model is blast chiller/freezer, capable of blast freezing food down to -3°C. Both versions of the Gram KPS20 are also available as a table-top version, with top mounted controls, denoted by the T suffix on the model number.

Gram KPS40

The Gram KPS40 range doubles the capacity of the KPS20 series, with a chilling/storage capacity of 36kg. Again, the KPS40 comes in both CH and SH models, with the KPS40SH again being a blast chiller/freezer.

The KPS40 series of blast chillers also has an extra benefit in the form of a 3 point probe, which measures the temperature of the food at the core and surface, as well as the air flow just above the surface of the food, allowing you to fully automate the blast chilling sequence, based on the actual temperature of the food, with the Gram KPS40 range.

Product Focus - Panasonic Commercial Microwave Ovens

Panasonic, to the world in general, is a name that signifies a whole, diverse range of home electronics, from televisions to laptops, and beyond. However, they also offer a range of top-end catering solutions, and today, we're going to take a look at the range of Panasonic commercial microwave ovens on offer.

Panasonic microwaves come in a range of options, to suit any kitchen, but one thing is common across the entire range; you have a choice between full touch controls, with a myriad preset settings, or easy to use dial controls, giving you complete manual control over any food you're preparing.

All models also feature stainless steel construction, making them easier to maintain and keep clean.

Panasonic Compact microwave ovens

First, there's the Compact range, typified by the Panasonic NE1456, the NE1846 and the NE1856. With a medium range power output, these microwave ovens are designed with the smaller kitchen in mind. Hence, they're built to have a smaller footprint, whilst still providing the exceptional cooking ability you would expect from Panasonic's commercial microwave ovens.

Panasonic Light/Medium Duty microwave ovens

Next up is the Light/Medium Duty series, available in the shape of the Panasonic NE1027 and NE1037. These two commercial microwave ovens represent Panasonic's best solution for kitchens working to a tighter budget, where high usage isn't a factor. However, despite being a lower price, they still have the stainless steel shell of their higher-end equivalents, and as such, offer an exceptional blend of power and value.

Panasonic Gastronorm microwave ovens

Finally, we come to Panasonic's highest spec range of microwave ovens, the Gastronorm series. As the name suggests, these are designed to Gastronorm size specifications, and with a higher capacity, the Gastronorm range offers the perfect solution for high-end use, in busy kitchens, where fast preparation of food is a must.

In addition to this, the two highest models in the series (the Panasonic NE2180 and NE3280) offer a Sonic Steamer function. As such, you can also use the microwave to directly steam food, and no extra water is required, as the microwave oven itself converts the water in the food into steam, allowing you access to a self-steaming system, which is done directly in the oven, without the need for a traditional cooking range.

Panasonic microwave ovens come in a range of different options, and they really do make one for every possible kitchen scenario. No matter what type of kitchen you run, whether it's a small cafe, right up to the Paris Hilton, there is a Panasonic commercial microwave oven which will fit your needs.

Product Focus - Sharp Commercial Microwave Ovens

The name Sharp is known round the world, and they're famous for producing electronic devices ranging from TVs to calculators. However, Sharp also produce a range of commercial microwave ovens, with a selection of features which make them stand out in the marketplace.

There are Sharp commercial microwave ovens available which will suit all budgets, but one thing that is common across the entire product range is that they're built out of rust-resistant stainless steel, which makes cleaning and general maintenance of the oven a lot easier.

Let's take a look at the models on offer.

SHARP R21AT COMMERCIAL MICROWAVE

The baseline Sharp R21AT sets the tone for the features you can expect across the product range. Simple touch controls give you access to 20 presets with 11 different power settings, up to maximum output of 1000W. The Sharp R21AT also features Express Defrost, which will defrost food in less time, letting you serve more customers in the same timescale.

SHARP R22AT COMMERCIAL MICROWAVE

The Sharp R22AT takes the format of the previous model, and builds upon it, taking the power output to 1500W, and including twin stirrers, to stir the food as it's heated, to ensure even cooking.

SHARP R23AM COMMERCIAL MICROWAVE

Next up is one of Sharp's two highest-spec commercial microwave ovens. Whereas the previous models have used touch controls and preset settings, the Sharp R23AM uses manual controls, to give a completely different feel to using the microwave oven. However, even with the manual controls, the Sharp R23AM still offers the same high power cooking, providing you with a 1900W power output.

SHARP R24AT COMMERCIAL MICROWAVE

The other top-end microwave oven on offer is the Sharp R24AT, which goes back to the touch controls of the previous models, but increases the power output to 1900W, similar to the R23AM. The Sharp R24AT is the perfect solution in busy kitchens.

Product Focus - Hoshizaki Ice Cube Makers

In Hoshizaki's own words, they focus on 'the art of ice making', and their range of ice makers embody this principle very effectively. They have turned the process of producing something as innocuous as ice cubes into an art-form in itself. Hoshizaki cube ice makers have a unique claim to fame, in that they can produce ice cubes which stay solid for a long time, and frequently outlast the drink they're served in.

That's an important fact, as it means your customers get a drink which the cubes will keep cooler for longer, and as they melt more slowly, the drink won't be made up predominantly of melted, watery cubes by the time they reach the bottom.

In simple terms, the Hoshizaki series of cube ice makers achieve this by using water sprayed into the freezing cells at a higher density, thus leading to harder, perfectly clear ice cubes. Not only does that make them a lot more visually appealing for your customers, but it means that they melt much more slowly, as well.

That extra density, leading to harder ice cubes, is what makes it possible for cubes made with a Hoshizaki ice maker to actually outlast the drink they're in. With a completely self-contained cell, and a dedicated ice-making cycle, that ensures each batch of ice cubes is made only using fresh water, and a foam-injected polyurethane bin to prevent ice cubes melting before they get used, Hoshizaki cube ice makers have cornered the market.

But the best news for anyone wanting to buy one is that there are several versions available, to fit the needs of any pub, club, bar or venue, no matter what capacity those venues might have.

HOSHIZAKI IM21CLE ICE MAKER

The Hoshizaki IM21CLE is their lowest capacity cube ice maker, and it perfect for any venues that need ice, but don't need massive amounts of it. For low volume needs (it can produce 22kg of cubes in 24 hours), the Hoshizaki IM21CLE is the perfect, low-cost solution

HOSHIZAKI IM30CLE ICE MAKER

Moving up a level, there's the Hoshizaki IM30CLE, which has the same ice making technology, but ups the capacity to 28kg. So, if your venue is too big for the IM21CLE, but not big enough to warrant getting one of the higher capacity machines, the Hoshizaki IM30CLE is the ice maker to go for.

HOSHIZAKI IM45LE ICE MAKER

Moving up to the next level, you find the Hoshizaki IM45LE, which ups the output capacity to 45kg per 24 hours, and includes a larger, 18kg bin.

HOSHIZAKI IM65LE ICE MAKER

Stepping up another level, there's the Hoshizaki IM65LE, with a 65kg output capacity and a 26kg bin.

HOSHIZAKI IM100LE ICE MAKER

Now we get to the two top-end models, with the Hoshizaki IM100LE offering a 95kg and a 50kg bin. For very large, very busy venues or pubs, this Hoshizaki IM100LE is the minimum spec model you should consider.

HOSHIZAKI IM130ME ICE MAKER

Finally, we have the Hoshizaki IM130ME, the largest capacity cube ice maker we currently offer. This keeps the 50kg bin of the previous model, but increases the output capacity to 130kg in a 24 hour period, making it a serious ice machine, for serious applications.

All Hoshizaki Ice Makers come with a full 2 year parts and labour warranty, and if you need a machine to produce ice cubes, the only name you need to remember is Hoshizaki.