Particularly since energy costs have risen so rapidly, saving money is the order of the day in the hospitality industry. Welbilt reveals the measures restaurateurs can take to reduce their electricity and gas bills in the short term - and which technologies can help.
The hospitality industry is one of the most energy-intensive sectors of the economy. The German Hotel and Restaurant Association (DEHOGA) has determined that approximately 12.6 kWh of energy is consumed per place setting. Electricity accounts for around 70% of this energy cost, with cooking accounting for around 40% of this. Small changes in behavior and modern technology can make an effective contribution to saving energy and thus money.
Raising employee awareness
Firstly, it is important to train employees and make them aware of the need to use electricity and gas sparingly so that they implement the measures consistently. This includes, for example, only switching on the oven, deep fryer and stove when they are really needed and only preheating them for as short a time as possible. Energy - and time! - is also saved if ingredients are produced in larger batches and then flash-frozen - while maintaining consistent quality. In addition, the doors of ovens, refrigerators and cold stores should always be opened only briefly and as infrequently as possible. This reduces the drop or rise in temperature and less moisture gets inside.
There is also potential on many menus to save money by serving dishes that consume less energy: Short-roasted, steamed or stewed items, for example, require shorter cooking times than braised or roasted dishes. Burgers, wraps, bowls and salads can also be prepared in a resource-saving way - and are also on trend. If it pays to use them despite the higher purchase prices, convenience products such as pre-cooked potatoes or sauces can also be an alternative to cooking yourself.
Multifunctional appliances reduce overall consumption
When purchasing new equipment, it is now also essential to consider the energy efficiency of the appliances. With this in mind, multifunctional appliances such as combi ovens are recommended, particularly as they take up less space, have a lower total connected load and cook cost-efficiently overnight. ConvoSense, the innovative assistance system for Convotherm combi ovens, supports operators with artificial intelligence and state-of-the-art sensor technology to prepare food automatically, economically, and in reliably high quantity - for maximum efficiency and maximum reliability of results. Keyword: Economy through conservation of resources! The Convotherm principle of "Intelligent Simplicity" guarantees the combination of intelligent technology and simplicity in all areas, so that the Convotherm combi ovens efficiently meet even complex requirements - which not only affects service, but also operating costs.
Up to 10% more efficient
In the new Convotherm maxx pro, for example, the Climate Management function, our closed system, Natural Smart Climate™, ensures the ideal cooking chamber climate for every product and thus perfect cooking and baking results. In addition, energy efficiency has been improved by up to 10% compared with the previous appliance. Press&Go, automatic cooking at the touch of a button, and the TrayView function for rolling mixed loadings let you know what's cooking in which tray and audibly and visually signals when food is ready - the maxx pro cooks your products and at the same time reduces your operating costs. The fully automatic multi-level and environmentally friendly cleaning system can also run sparingly overnight, as it is approved for unattended operation.
From catering to fine dining or quick service restaurants, ghost kitchens, bakeries or gas stations - one thing is certain: With their measurably lower energy consumption - via the certification standards of Energy Star, all members of the Convotherm family take into account the current requirements of the catering industry and help to save costs and resources.
