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WHY YOUR COMMERCIAL KITCHEN NEEDS A PRESSURE FRYER AND HEATED HOLDING CABINET

If you’re serving a chicken-heavy menu featuring items like bone-in wings or juicy tenders, you’ll love having a pressure fryer and a heated holding cabinet in your kitchen. (And if you’re not serving chicken, we’ve got four reasons you should be!)

Combining a fryer and a full-size holding cabinet allows operators to implement batch cooking. This means the product is fried in large batches before the rush and served fresh out of a holding cabinet.

Together, pressure fryers and heated holding cabinets create an ideal ‘system’ for commercial kitchens, specifically fried chicken concepts. Here’s why:

#1: Fried Chicken Holds Well

Pressure fryers are arguably the best commercial fryers for fried chicken. Why? Pressure frying maintains the chicken’s moisture and flavor while sealing out excess cooking oil. Retaining that moisture helps maintain quality when the chicken is transferred to a holding cabinet.

Holding cabinets allow food life to be increased without sacrificing food quality. Fans that circulate hot moist air evenly throughout the cabinet help maintain safe temperatures and a quality product.

Premium holding cabinets with precise humidity control can keep chicken fresh and ready-to-serve for anywhere from 90 minutes to two hours.

#2: Less Staff in the Kitchen

With batch cooking, there are significantly less staff members needed in the kitchen. Today’s labor shortages make this is a huge win for operators.

Our own Corporate Executive Chef, Gregg Brickman, says that holding cabinets offer extensive relief for restaurants. “Henny Penny holding cabinets allow restaurants to serve consistent, quality items while also easing pressure on the kitchen. And, when you don’t have as many staff members in the kitchen due to staffing levels or pandemic restrictions, the cabinets can actually relieve as much pressure as adding another employee or sous chef.”

Read more about how kitchens can handle peak order volume without adding staff: click here.

#3: Increase Throughput Significantly

Batch cooking allows for increased throughput by prepping orders in advance, meaning no stress during peak order volumes.

Dedicate the hour before rush time to filling the holding cabinet. After that, simply manage the cabinet instead of the fryer. Establish a point that the cabinet should be refilled once a certain amount of product has been depleted. You’ll never run out of chicken this way, and your ticket times will be quicker than ever!

Increased throughput capabilities mean that kitchens can balance dine-in, carryout, and delivery orders with ease. With the increase in off-premise demand, many restaurants have struggled to keep up – some have had to restrict delivery hours on 3rd party apps or decline carryout orders altogether. Batch cooking can eliminate this issue!

When implementing batch cooking, it’s also important to consider your fryer’s total load capacity. Our Velocity Series is perfect for this application because it can cook an entire 8-head of chicken in just one load.

#4: Decrease Food Waste

A lot less food gets thrown away when you’re cooking in large batches and have a holding cabinet on hand. For high volume kitchens, batch cooking is a proven way to decrease food waste.

The concept of batch cooking isn’t new – in 2016, Foodservice Director Magazine published an article about how Franklin College was able to significantly reduce food waste in it’s dining halls. After implementing batch cooking, their food waste costs plummeted from over $250 a month to around $30.

Frying under pressure at lower temperatures also reduces wasted frying oil and helps extend its useful life. This added benefit of pressure frying is especially important given today’s inflated oil prices.

#5: Built to Work Together

As mentioned earlier, fried foods like chicken retain more moisture when cooked under pressure. A humidified holding cabinet is the perfect companion for a pressure fryer because it can keep the product moist and juicy for an extended period.

At Henny Penny, our pressure fryers and holding cabinets are built to work together as a system. When transferring product from our 8-head fryers to our holding cabinets, there is no re-racking required. Crew members simply slip a sheet pan under a lip on the fryer that allows for a seamless transition into the holding cabinet.

No re-racking means more consistent food quality, increased food safety, and a less time-consuming process for the back-of-house crew.

Our global network of exclusive distributors can work with you to develop set points for everything from your fryer’s cook cycle to your holding cabinet’s ideal temperature, humidity level, and maximum hold time. Click here to request more information from your local distributor.

The popularity, versatility, and profitability of chicken make it a no-brainer for any menu. Download this free ebook from our experts and start serving chicken like the pros.

Keep Reading

Check out our Fried Chicken Restaurant Equipment Guide to read more about the equipment you’ll need to start dishing out golden-fried goodness.

Better Water Means Better Business with the ScaleGard™ HP Reverse Osmosis System

ScaleGard_HP_System_PBetter Water Means Better Business with the ScaleGard™ HP Reverse Osmosis System

3M Purification Inc. is proud to present the newest innovation in water filtration technology, the 3M Water Filtration Products ScaleGard HP reverse osmosis system.

The ScaleGard™ HP incorporates a unique modular design that allows the system to grow with business needs. Simply add RO expansion heads to double or triple the RO water production.

The system also incorporates a “smart” diagnostic monitoring system that alerts the operator if the ScaleGard™ HP system requires maintenance. This feature also allows the operator to monitor system performance.

The new ScaleGard™ HP reverse osmosis system produces 750 to 938 gallons of Recipe Quality Water™ per day for a better tasting cup of coffee, espresso or cold beverage. Equipped with a precision blending valve, this wall-mountable system allows a store owner to dial in the desired level of dissolved-minerals for the perfect cup of coffee, espresso or cold beverage.

At the very heart of the ScaleGard™ HP system is its revolutionary Integrated Membrane Pre-Activated Carbon Technology (“I.M.P.A.C.T.”) media which is great for reduction of bacteria, cysts, and particulates. The “I.M.P.A.C.T.” media also includes chloramines and chlorine protection to help reduce equipment corrosion.

The ScaleGard™ HP also includes an industry proven heavy duty booster pump that allows it to work as specified regardless of incoming water pressure. The robust pump design significantly reduces pump maintenance costs and downtime as compared to standard diaphragm pump models.

 

SCOTSMAN ICE RECEIVES GOOD DESIGN™ AWARD

SCOTSMAN ICE RECEIVES GOOD DESIGN™ AWARD

VERNON HILLS, ILLINOIS (January 5, 2016) – Scotsman Ice Systems’ Meridian™ HID525 ice and water dispenser has received a 2015 GOOD DESIGN™ award,  the world’s most prestigious, recognized and oldest Design Awards program organized by the Chicago Athenaeum Museum of Architecture and Design. Designed with space, production and installation in mind, the Meridian unit offers premium reliability, time-saving serviceability and convenient cleaning innovations.
“Launched earlier this year, the Meridian product line incorporates the latest in ice- and water-dispensing technology in the smallest available operational footprint relative to capacity,” said Jeff Biel, director of product development for Scotsman. “The Meridian unit emphasizes our commitment to pairing quality design with reliability and efficiency – which was validated with this GOOD DESIGN award.”
HID525 w-Legs High Qual

The Meridian™ HID525 features durable stainless steel components, larger sink drain openings and enhanced, high-tech dispensing that helps prevent overflow. Additionally, AquaArmor with AgION® is molded directly into key components to help inhibit the growth of bacteria. Meridian™ models also feature Scotsman’s exclusive greaseless bearing design, a fully sealed configuration that eliminates the need for grease — saving valuable time and labor and ensuring a safer ice supply.

 

Ideal for any area where space is at a premium, Meridian™ HID525’s specially designed contoured side panels and external air filter offer maximum breathability with minimal clearance required. Additionally, the Meridian™ HID525 is up to 15 percent more efficient than the competition, providing the most energy savings possible.

 

The Meridian™ HID525 helps reduce maintenance time at every step. Scotsman’s convenient USB drive allows fast software updates without replacing the control board, and a unique removable front panel makes it easy to access and service all key internal components, saving valuable time. When service is needed, intuitive LED diagnostic lights reduce downtime, and the QR code provides quick access to unit-specific service manuals and warranty information.

 

With best-in-class technology powered by infrared sensors that intuitively sense start and duration, Meridian™ HID525 features an enlarged dispensing envelope and offset spouts to accommodate a variety of containers. All Meridian™ models produce the new H2Nugget ice form which is easier to dispense while still being the softest, most chewable ice on the market.

 

For more information on the Meridian product line, visit www.scotsman-ice.com/meridian.

 

About Scotsman Ice Systems

As one of the world’s largest manufacturers of ice systems, with more than 300 models of ice machines, storage bins, and ice and water dispensers, Scotsman is dedicated to developing today’s most innovative ice solutions. Committed to US manufacturing, Scotsman manufactures 99% of our equipment at our award-winning production facility in Fairfax, South Carolina. In 2013 and 2012, Scotsman earned the ENERGY STAR® Partner of the Year Award; and in 2011, Scotsman was the recipient of the ENERGY STAR Award for Excellence in Energy-Efficient Product Design. Now, Scotsman’s Prodigy Plus® technology takes energy and water consumption to the lowest levels ever, making a notable difference in the environment and your bottom line. For more information, visit www.scotsman-ice.com.

 

About the GOOD DESIGN™ Awards

GOOD DESIGN™ is the world’s most prestigious, recognized, and oldest Design Awards program organized annually by The Chicago Athenaeum Museum of Architecture and Design in cooperation with the European Centre for Architecture, Art, Design and Urban Studies. GOOD DESIGN covers new consumer products designed and manufactured in Europe, Asia, Africa and North and South America.

SCOTSMAN’S PRODIGY PLUS® AND MERIDIAN™ ICE MACHINES

SCOTSMAN’S PRODIGY PLUS® AND MERIDIAN™ ICE MACHINES
MEET DEMANDS OF CONVENIENCE STORE INDUSTRY

VERNON HILLS, ILLINOIS (October 12, 2015) – The 2015 NACS Show marks the premiere of Scotsman Ice Systems’ Prodigy Plus® and Meridian™ ice machines in the convenience store market. Released earlier this year, the Prodigy Plus line includes both cube and nugget models, which are ideally suited for the convenience store industry, and the Meridian units are designed for convenience store environments with a need for an efficient and reliable source for ice and water.

“When selecting ice machines, convenience store owners should look for machines that offer high levels of reliability and efficiency to help ensure that they can keep up with customer demand,” said Jeff Biel, director of product development for Scotsman. “Between the cost savings and reliable ice-making performance of our Prodigy Plus ice machines and the efficient, space-saving design of our Meridian ice and water dispensers, Scotsman meets the needs of a full range of convenience stores.”

Developed to help convenience store owners and franchisees do more, Prodigy Plus delivers significant cost savings, less downtime and more reliable ice-making performance. Furthermore, the Prodigy Plus cube and nugget ice machines enable owners and operators to meet a variety of ice form needs with a single manufacturer. Standard cube ice is ideal for carbonated beverages, ice dispensing and ice retailing. The nugget form, The Original Chewable Ice® invented by Scotsman more than 30 years ago, absorbs the flavor of the drink which keeps customers satisfied with their fountain beverage down to the last chewable bit of ice. For the operator, offering Nugget Ice can not only help draw customers to their store, but also can keep beverage costs down as Nugget Ice displaces more liquid than cubed ice, lowering syrup costs per cup.
With the introduction of Meridian™ from Scotsman, convenience store owners and operators also have a choice that incorporates the latest in ice- and water-dispensing technology. With the smallest available operational footprint relative to capacity, Meridian was developed with space, production and installation in mind and offers premium reliability, time-saving serviceability and convenient cleaning innovations.

Visit Scotsman at Booth #5657 at the 2015 NACS Show to see the Prodigy Plus and Meridian ice machines firsthand. For those not attending the show, the Scotsman Ice Machine Configurator can help determine the right ice machine for a specific convenience store operation.

About Scotsman Ice Systems

As one of the world’s largest manufacturers of ice systems, with more than 300 models of ice machines, storage bins, and ice and water dispensers, Scotsman is dedicated to developing today’s most innovative ice solutions. Committed to US manufacturing, Scotsman manufactures 99% of our equipment at our award-winning production facility in Fairfax, South Carolina. In 2013 and 2012, Scotsman earned the ENERGY STAR® Partner of the Year Award; and in 2011, Scotsman was the recipient of the ENERGY STAR Award for Excellence in Energy-Efficient Product Design. Now, Scotsman’s Prodigy Plus® technology takes energy and water consumption to the lowest levels ever, making a notable difference in the environment and your bottom line. For more information, visit www.Scotsman-Ice.com.

How Saving Oil Can Have a Major Impact on Profits

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SIX FIGURES. ONE STEP. How Saving Oil Can Have a Major Impact on Profits

You need to stay profitable. But there doesn’t seem to be an easy way to do so—with rising food costs, higher wages and evolving trends and demands, virtually any move you make can have an unintended consequence.

If you decide to decrease labor, for example, it would have a negative impact on the quality of service you provide to their customers. If you increase prices to stay even with the market, it could scare customers away — as discretionary income levels haven’t kept pace with the cost of activities like eating out.

The steps left for operators to take include those that will optimize their facility, equipment and processes. One particularly easy-to-control cost is frying oil. After food, it’s likely that oil ranks near the top of most operators’ lists of costs surrounding their frying operations.

Practicing proper oil management is a great start to realizing oil-related savings, but the biggest savings comes with reduced oil volume fryers like Henny Penny’s next-generation Evolution Elite with Smart Touch Filtration™, which uses 40% less oil in the frying vat.

For the average operation, that’s about $5,000 in annual oil costs saved. If your profit margin is 5%, that $5,000 savings has the same profit impact as increasing sales by $100,000, without the extra work!

Many operators may feel uncomfortable making a capital investment for such equipment, but it’s important to consider the ROI. For many establishments, the Evolution Elite will pay for itself in less than three years, then continue to deliver savings every year for the life of the fryer.

By investing in smart, oil-saving technology like the Evolution Elite with Smart Touch Filtration today, operators can realize greater profits for years to come — and it all starts with a few drops of oil.

Royal Range of California RIBT “Thermostatically Controlled Infrared Hooded Radiant Broiler”

Nothing in the kitchen uses more energy than the broiler. Generally broilers get turned on in the morning and stay on through the evening dinner crowd. To help minimize that huge energy cost Royal introduced the “Thermostatically Controlled Infrared Hooded Broiler.” To start with, the RIBT’s infrared burners provide intense heat yet use less gas than traditional burners. Consequently, the unit can produce more product during a given time period. In off-peak hours, a built-in thermostat can be set to maintain a designated temperature at the cooking surface and the hood can be closed to capture the existing heat. According to independent lab testing (via Fishnick.com / Food Service Technology Center) the unit produces 24% more food product while reducing energy 22.9%.

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