Open and solid options
ELITE oven ranges come in a choice of five widths (24, 36, 48, 60 and 72 inches) with prices from £1875 for basic 4 open burner models to £4770 for a 12 burner unit on top of twin convection ovens. It is also possible to specify solid tops or griddles in place of open burners and, on larger units (48 inch plus)open burners and griddles can be incorporated side-by-side. The Elite series also includes "sizzle and chill" combinations of 6 open burners over a refrigerated base providing on-the-spot drawer storage.
www.imperialrange.co.uk
Imperial Catering Equipment
University catering departments are generally associated with institutional cooking appliances but Oxford University's prestigious New College (which despite its name, actually originated in 1379) now has a Molteni heavy duty bespoke suite. According to catering manager Brian Cole, the choice arose because of the constant demands made on the kitchen; the daily catering needs of 140 staff and 450 students are supplemented by regular functions for up to 250. "Some evenings we have to provide up to five different menus and out of term we can be even busier," Cole says. The previous cooking suite was, he says, literally cracking under the pressure and Cole decided that a heavy duty suite rather than a simple replacement would be a more cost-effective long-term solution. Materials used on the Molteni are much thicker than those used on other equipment considered, he says.
www.foodservice.electrolux.com
Electrolux
Workhorse in the kitchen
Once only known for light duty stand-alone appliances, Lincat has continued to expand its options in a modular ranges with nine different models now available. Options include the Silverlink 600 SLR 4 and 6 burner ranges - priced at £1777 and £1921 - and the ever-widening Opus 700 series to which four new models have been added in the past year: the all-electric OE7008 with 6 x 2.6 kW square hotplates, the OG7005 gas solid top range and two new OD series dual fuel models with 4 and 6 burner tops over electric fan assisted ovens. Prices for Opus 700 oven ranges start at £1700.Lincat can also supply the LMR9 6 burner gas range, which is priced at £1,650 and designed to bridge the gap between the light/medium duty Silverlink 600 6 burner range and the Opus 700.
Solid tops for graduated heat
The Wolf from Hobart series of oven ranges now includes models with heavy cast French graduated hot tops. Three concentric ring burners, each with individual pilot ignition, provide graduated heat over the solid top surface. The 40,000 BTU oven measures 625 x 625 x 318mm with porcelain base, four rack positions and a thermostat adjustable from 250F to 500F. Access is via a counterbalanced door with heavy duty hinges.
* Eyre Brothers restaurant in London's Shoreditch seeks a theatrical dining experience in preparing its Spanish and Portuguese menu. Key equipment in the partially open plan kitchen includes three Wolf Commander ranges with open burners. Joint proprietor David Eyre says that energy-efficiency and easy cleaning were important factors in the choice of range.
www.hobartmfg.co.uk
Wolf from Hobart
Ranges: points worth considering
* Mixed energy oven-hob permutations can suit applications where the speed and flexibility of gas is wanted on the hob but an electric oven is favoured for warming and baking.n when siting, allow for adequate work surface space close to the range.n solid tops, whether electric or gas, are less controllable than open burners and also take a long time to heat up and cool down, which makes them heavy energy users.n ranges on legs which lift the unit 6 inches clear of the floor, or on castors, mean fewer dirt traps and hygiene problems than designs which sit directly on the floor.
Flexible range
Enabling back-bar cooking ranges to be assembled in a wide choice of configurations, the Moffat Cook-X range of 400mm deep countertop equipment includes fryers, griddles, bains-maries, boiling tops and pasta boilers, all in a choice of single and double widths.Products feature a satin finish stainless steel exterior and can be used individually or combined into a island suites holding up to 10 units, or wall-mounted suites holding up to five units. Fryers from £187; bains narie units from £200; griddles from £190.
www.falkirk.net/moffat
E & R Moffat
No 333BOXHEAD:
Lincat adds ventilation
Lincat has acquired Britannia Kitchen Ventilation. It will operate as a stand-alone subsidiary under its own name from its own premises in Southam, Warwickshire with the current management team staying with the business. Lincat describes the acquisition as a response to the growth of environmental and safety legislation and its effect on kitchen operation. Britannia says it is about to unveil a new UV filtration system.
www.lincat.co.uk
Lincat Catering Equipment