Connections and Power Hook Ups
When buying a steamer, you must decide which power source to use. Based upon the layout and setup of your kitchen, you can choose between gas, electric, direct steam or steam coil.
Once you’ve decided on your power hook-up, you have to decide between boiler and boilerless models.
If you do not have a direct steam hook up in your building, but you have a gas line, then gas is the way to go. In most places it is cheaper than electric. Be sure to buy a gas connector kit, located in FSW’s steam accessories section.
If your kitchen only has an electric hook up, electric models are a viable option. They work just as well as the other models, but electricity may be more expensive than gas in some areas.
If the building has direct steam, but the water is not certified for use on food, steam coil models are perfect. Direct steam from the building fills the steam coil creating energy that then heats clean water from a tap water line, which is a very inexpensive way to run a steamer. Since the direct steam from the building never touches the food, the water doesn’t have to be as clean.
If direct steam is available in your building and the water is certified as clean, then direct steam is an inexpensive method to cook food. Direct steam could be the least prevalent model in kitchens. Before buying this model, make sure that your water is clean and certified. If not, your warranty could be void.
Generally speaking, countertop steamers are connectionless. This means that they do not connect to water or drain lines. In order to produce steam, water must be manually poured into a reservoir and then drained after use. Despite their name “connectionless” they do require an electrical or gas hookup to run the heating elements.
Boiler vs. Boilerless Models
After picking a connection type, you must decide between boiler and boilerless. They each have their advantages and disadvantages. Based upon the needs of your kitchen, decide between a model with a boiler or one without.
Boiler
- Advantageous for high volume kitchens
- More difficult to clean, minerals build up over time
- Require more maintenance, not cleaning is main reason for failure
Boilerless
- Requires less maintenance the boiler models
- Not great for high volume kitchens
- Last longer than boiler models
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