Commercial Steamers

Increase speed and efficiency with a compact commercial steamer.

Commercial steamers are a fantastic solution for commercial kitchens that want to speed up cooking and recovery times. Many foods can be cooked using steam-based techniques. A widespread myth is that steaming is only a suitable cooking option for vegetables. Commercial steaming equipment allows you to cook food without changing its texture while also preserving as many nutrients and moisture as possible.

Restaurant steamers known as convection units heat water directly to produce steam, which is then circulated by fans to transmit heat straight into your food. Compared to conventional gas and electric ovens, this method is quicker. Typical cooking methods that involve convection steamers include steaming, poaching, thawing, and par-cooking. Using a convection steamer will help you avoid mistakes and food waste because it is practically impossible to overcook food in one. With less chance of food shrinkage and burning, cooking may be done faster and at lower temperatures thanks to this gentler heat transfer.

Commercial steam cookers produce hot, humid air, which enables vegetables, eggs, poultry, and other foods to cook quickly without losing flavor or color. Steam contains more heat energy than regular hot air and produces a higher quality food product. Burkett has countertop steamers that are space-efficient, while providing similar performance to full size steam kettles.

Sizing

Countertop steamers are ideal for kitchens with limited space or those that are just introducing steamed food to their menu. These compact models may not be able to produce as high capacities as steam kettles or tilting skillets, but they can do everything else the larger models can. They also don’t require much space at all to install and operate.

Whichever type you decide upon, be sure to also check the overall dimensions and pan capacity. The exterior dimensions will let you know how much countertop space the machine will actually take up which can be an especially important consideration in tight kitchens where the steamer will need to compete for space with other pieces of equipment. Some models can be stacked to increase your steaming capacity, and these can be as tall as 45 inches.

Pan Capacity

The pan capacity will indicate how many full-size steam table pans (2.5" deep) the unit will accommodate, giving you a good idea of how much food you can cook at one time. Typically, three-pan steamers are best for small establishments with fewer than 50 seats, or those that are new to steaming food and don’t have very many menu items that need to be steamed. Steamers that can hold five pans or more give you more production but are still only intended for restaurants with fewer than 100 seats.

Steam Generator

When deciding which model of countertop steamer is best for your establishment, be sure to consider how it generates steam and whether you would prefer a connectionless model or one with a direct water line. A connectionless countertop steamer is ideal for businesses who wish to keep their equipment transportable or do not want to run a separate water line.

• Boiler-based / Steam generator: Boiler-based steamers generate steam that is distributed throughout the cooking cabinet using a pressurized vessel.
• Boilerless / Connectionless: Boilerless steamers either have a spritzer that sprays water onto a hot metal surface, where it rapidly converts to steam, or they use an open reservoir of boiling water to steam cook the food. In comparison to connected steamer models, connectionless models typically use a lot less water, however they demand more work from operators to refill the water supply.

Frequently Asked Questions About Commercial Steamers

Why should you cook with steam?

Steam offers superior heating distribution that cooks quickly and preserves the flavor of foods. When combined with steam heating is distributed evenly throughout the baking compartment and foods are ready faster. Using a steamer can greatly increase efficiency in preparing steamed vegetables or other items.

Should you buy a gas steamer or an electric steamer?

Commercial steamers can generate steam using either gas or electric burners that heat up the water reservoir or boiler. Gas steamers have a gas inlet point that requires special piping and attachments to connect it to the supply line. Check the diameter of the hookup and make sure it is compatible. For electric steamers, you will want to consider the actual voltages that are available to see if you have to run a special line or if it can be connected into a regular outlet.

Do you need a hood system?

Yes, however there are countertop models that do not officially require a hood, but it is still recommended. Each product listing will specify whether ventilation is required or not.

Since these commercial steamers produce steam, it’s important to make sure they are located under a Type II hood. Type II hoods are often called condensate hoods, as they are used mainly above non-grease using equipment. Condensate hoods are used to remove heat and odors as well as to collect and drain condensation in the air. These types of hoods often lack a grease filter, so they shouldn’t be used interchangeably with Type I hoods.

What size commercial steamer do you need?

Steamers are available in various sizes and deck configurations. Countertop units can be a convenient and space saving solution for easily steaming items quickly. Steamers also come in double deck design. With dual decks, you can steam larger amounts and different batches of items quickly for higher volume operations. For higher production, check out steam kettles or tilting skillets.

What size pans fit in a commercial steamer?

Unless otherwise stated, pan capacities for these commercial steamers are counted using standard full size 12” x 20” x 2.5” steamtable pans.

Check out our huge collection of commercial cookware to be sure you have the right pans.

Additional Burkett Resources

To complete your equipment portfolio, check out Burkett's business-type pages:

• Cafeteria Equipment & Supplies
• Catering Equipment & Supplies