Commercial conveyor ovens are one of the most vital components of any professional kitchen. These ovens are designed to prepare a variety of meals, especially pizzas. In commercial settings, these machines work round the clock to ensure customers are served on time and the quality remains consistent. But commercial conveyor ovens can run into problem if not maintained with the help of commercial kitchen appliance repair services. Follow below to know how to keep your machine running without any problems.

Commercial Conveyor Oven Care Tips

Conveyor Belt

Conveyor belts in commercial conveyor ovens are a standout feature that separates it from other types of ovens. These belts allow the chefs to place multiple orders inside the oven at the same time, serving multiple customers by reducing the preparation time.

Since the food items are placed on the conveyor belt and the temperature inside the oven is extremely high, oil, dirt, dust, grime, and other food leftovers tend to stick to the belt causing it to malfunction with time. A good thing about conveyor belts is that they are easy to clean if you are willing to spend some time and effort.

Conveyor belts can be cleaned using a wire brush or long-handled brush to remove food residue and grease buildup. But, one thing you should keep in mind is that extremely rough brushes or cleaning techniques might damage the belt. So, it is better to consult the user manual and go with the cleaning tools and techniques recommended by the manufacturer.

Removable Parts

The removable parts such as the baffles and trays should be removed every day and thoroughly cleaned. The reason is that these parts will go through the same experience and might bring down the quality if any food leftovers are left or ignored.

All you need to do to clean the removable parts is grab a screwdriver or any other appliance and simply remove the parts. Use cleaning agents to break down the buildups and dry them thoroughly before placing them inside again.

Then again, never use acidic chemicals or anything other than recommended by the manufacturer. There is a high chance of acid being left inside, which can penetrate the food and cause serious health concerns.

Oven Interior

The oven interior is where the magic happens. The interior walls of the oven also accumulate a lot of oil, crumbs, and similar stuff. Most commercial business owners tend to ignore cleaning the interior as they believe the walls do not experience extreme buildups like belts, trays, and removable parts.

But, if you were to perform a close inspection, you would see that every inch of the oven interior has oil, grime, or food leftovers. This is why it is recommended to shut down the oven at the end of each working day and thoroughly clean the oven inside out.

This will also give the remaining water an ample amount of time to evaporate before you resume business the next day.

Heating Elements

The heating elements are the most important part of commercial conveyor ovens. These elements help prepare food items by producing extreme heat. Considering the temperatures they reach, oil, grime, and food leftovers tend to stick to them resulting in uneven heat distribution.

But, when it comes to cleaning the heating elements, you need to be extremely careful. If you have recently used the oven, shut it down and let the elements cool down. Follow the user manual to clean the heating elements along with the burners.

If the burners are clogged as well, the heat won’t be able to find its way out to the food items. So, if you notice the food coming out unevenly prepared, it means either the heating elements or the burners are clogged. If the oven doesn’t heat up even after cleaning, consult an expert as you may need heating element replacement.

Check For Damages

Part of maintaining your commercial conveyor oven entails performing a thorough inspection for cracks or damages. Since these machines are designed to reach extreme temperatures, you should perform frequent inspections to ensure everything is intact.

In many cases, commercial business owners come to find out about the issues when the conveyor oven stops working altogether. This could be a seriously frustrating issue for the business as the customers will either be served late or will have to leave.

This is why prevention is better than cure and you should keep an eye out for unusual signs. It is normal for conveyor ovens to experience some wear and tear but if you observe something serious, you should get it fixed immediately by calling in a commercial gas oven repair Fairfax professional.

Use The Right Chemicals And Tools

Using appropriate tools and cleaning techniques is vital to thoroughly cleaning and maintaining the lifespan of the unit. You might be tempted to go for cheaper products but commercial conveyor ovens are made of a combination of different materials.

This means if you were to use cheap products, they might do more damage than cleaning. The finish of the oven may also become a problem if you wish to sell it in the future and upgrade it. Plus, always read the user manual for such information and follow the details mentioned.

At the same time, do not use harsh or abrasive cleaning techniques as you might end up damaging sensitive parts. Wear protective equipment to cover the exposed body parts.

Invest In Professional Maintenance

Proper maintenance is important for keeping your commercial conveyor oven running without any complications. Most people tend to assume professional maintenance is just an expense as they can do it themselves or train their employees to do it for them.

But, the fact of the matter is that there are several areas inside the oven that are not reachable and also risky. In addition to that, commercial business owners or teams working in the kitchen are not used to keeping their eyes and ears out for unusual signs, sounds, and symptoms.

However, a professional will not only deep clean the unit but also identify any potential repairs and replacements and fix them on the spot. This helps your business run smoothly and without any unexpected complications.

This is a long-term investment you make to keep your oven in tip-top condition, allowing you to maintain your quality as well.

As a general rule of thumb, you should get your oven professionally maintained at least every month or so depending on the usage. If your business solely relies on it, the maintenance frequency will automatically be more than the other appliances.

Conclusion

Maintaining a commercial conveyor oven is not that difficult if you are vigilant with the maintenance practices. Ignorance does not solve issues but invites them. So, keep the tips mentioned above in mind the next time you perform maintenance on your machine so that your business can keep serious situations at bay. For scheduled oven maintenance and repairs, consult commercial oven repair Alexandria experts.