— By Nathan Willard —
Regular conveyor oven cleanings help extend their lifespan and significantly reduce fire risk.
Commercial conveyor ovens (also known as pizza ovens or pizza conveyor ovens) play an essential role in busy commercial kitchens as pieces of equipment that are used yearly to cook over 3 billion pizzas in the U.S. alone. However, while there are few things better than a cheesy slice of pizza, conveyor ovens — as well as your entire kitchen operations — have the ability to go up in flames when they aren’t cleaned frequently and thoroughly.
The U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) reported that, each year between 2011 and 2013, cooking equipment was the leading cause of restaurant fires, accounting for 63% of reported fires. In a subsequent study conducted by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), these alarmingly high numbers remained consistent between 2014 and 2018, signaling a steady trend and cause for concern among commercial kitchen owners and managers.
While there is no way to completely eliminate the risk of restaurant fires, restaurant managers can reduce the risk of cooking equipment fires by scheduling routine cleaning and maintenance services for core pieces of equipment such as conveyor ovens. Being proactive about pizza oven cleaning and maintenance will help ensure the oven operates at its full potential while significantly reducing potential health and safety risks associated with neglected conveyor ovens.
Why Routine Conveyor Oven Cleanings Are So Important
Regular and proactive pizza oven cleaning and maintenance will help keep the equipment operating at peak performance while significantly reducing potential safety risks associated with neglected conveyor ovens. This not only has a negative impact on pizza oven performance but can pose safety risks when the oven goes long periods of time without being cleaned.
Fortunately, restaurant managers can easily avoid the stress and high costs that come with neglected ovens by scheduling routine pizza oven cleaning and maintenance services. When performed by a skilled and reputable team, conveyor oven cleanings contribute to reduced safety risks and can help ensure the oven doesn’t break down unexpectedly.
Key Benefits of Regular Pizza Oven Cleanings
According to Daily Herd Management, pizza ranks as the second most popular fast food item in America, with a staggering 3 billion of the 5 billion pizzas sold annually coming from the U.S. Needless to say, there are countless benefits of scheduling regular conveyor oven cleanings as you meet this incredible demand locally, including:
• Safer Kitchen Environments: By scheduling routine pizza oven cleanings, restaurant managers can prevent dangerous and unsightly grease and carbon buildup in and around the conveyor oven. This not only reduces restaurant fire risk significantly, but also goes a long way in ensuring the restaurant kitchen looks clean and professional.
• Extended Pizza Oven Lifespan: Regular conveyor oven cleanings can also help lengthen the oven’s lifespan by minimizing premature wear and tear and unit breakdowns. Simply put, clean ovens operate more efficiently, whereas neglected ovens require more energy to function normally.
•Improved Oven Performance: Regularly cleaned conveyor ovens typically maintain more consistent cooking times and temperatures since grease and other buildup mess with airflow, temperature gauges, and other essential components needed for precise cooking.
• Reduced Unscheduled Downtime: Routine pizza oven cleanings also make it possible for professional teams to address potential issues early on, which in turn helps prevent major unit breakdowns and associated downtime and emergency repair costs.
What to Expect From Professional Conveyor Oven Cleaning Services
Although the main advantages of regular pizza oven cleanings are readily apparent, the actual cleaning process tends to be unfamiliar to many restaurant managers since these services are performed after closing. Here’s a glimpse into our proprietary process that provides an insider’s look at how ovens are cleaned thoroughly and efficiently during each service.
• Oven Disassembly: Before the oven can be cleaned, professional crews must first disassemble the oven. This involves removing components like windows, air fingers, insulated panels, racks and belts for easier access to the interior. Before cleaning, these teams will also break down and organize oven components.
• In-Depth Cleaning: Once the oven has been disassembled and its parts have been properly organized, the crew will remove grease and carbon buildup on the disassembled parts and in the interior baking chambers. This helps ensure that every single component is cleaned thoroughly during each service.
• Oven Reassembly: After the oven and its components have been cleaned, the team will reassemble and test the oven to ensure full functionality. Finally, true professionals will take the time to polish and detail exterior parts so the oven looks just as clean on the outside as it is on the inside.
Routine Pizza Oven Cleaning Services Deliver Enhanced Oven Performance and Peace of Mind
While it can be easy to get swept up in the hectic daily routines that come with managing a restaurant, scheduling regular conveyor oven cleaning and maintenance services is essential. In addition to helping ensure consistent kitchen operations by reducing the risk of oven component issues and breakdowns, regular cleanings play a crucial role in minimizing grease fire risk.
To ensure your oven gets a thorough cleaning every time, partner with a reliable and trusted conveyor oven cleaning company. A professional company will not only handle routine cleaning and maintenance but can also discover small issues early — before they escalate into costly problems.
Additionally, since these companies typically offer a comprehensive range of commercial kitchen maintenance services, partnering with a reliable service provider helps ensure critical equipment receives the proper care and attention. For instance, the NFPA requires that all pizza oven hoods be inspected every 6 months, these professional teams offer proactive scheduling to ensure such essential maintenance items aren’t neglected. As a result, restaurant managers can rest assured that their kitchen equipment is being serviced regularly and functioning properly.
— Nathan Willard is the brand president of HOODZ International, a leading authority in commercial kitchen exhaust cleaning and maintenance. Visit www.hoodzinternational.com.