Steam Kettle
Commercial steam kettles enable restaurant operators to prepare massive quantities of their customers' favorite soups, chilis, and stews. Slow-cooked foods can't be whipped up at every order, so a commercial kettle is necessary to prepare a whole night's worth in one batch. More
Operators with external boilers can use kettles powered by direct steam, which have lower upfront costs but may require more maintenance.
Electric steam kettles are heated by a utility readily accessible in most kitchens and are available in several voltages, so you can find one to fit your kitchen.
Heated by natural gas or propane (LP), though some still require an electrical connection, these units offer higher BTU ratings and faster heat recovery.
Steam-jacketed Kettles: What You Need to Know
Steam kettles are heated by pressurized steam running between an inner and outer layer of metal – usually stainless steel – called a steam jacket. Steam jacket heating has some advantages over standard stovetop boilers because the steam jacket heats more evenly and penetrates the kettle over a larger total surface area than standard stove heating elements. With stove cooking, the only heat source is at the bottom of the pot, but with steam jacket cooking, the heat emanates continuously from either halfway or two-thirds of the way up the kettle. Steam-jacketed kettles can bring high-quality, high-volume cooking to any commercial kitchen.
Common Questions About Steam Kettles
What are tilt kettles used for?
Steam kettles are used to cook large quantities of liquid-based foods, including soups, stews, chilis, and more. They also can be used to cook rice, pasta, and sauces in high volumes. While very large steam kettles can be used in industrial food processing, most restaurants use them to prepare foods they use in bulk that take a long time to make. Steam kettles can prepare food faster than stock pots because the steam surrounds up to two thirds of the internal cooking pot, increasing the speed of heat transfer.
How do direct steam kettles work?
Direct steam kettles take steam from a steam generator rather than heating up their own water as self-contained steam kettles do. If you already have a method of producing steam, direct kettles are cheaper and easier to maintain than self-contained systems. Self-contained systems come filled with specially treated, distilled water that turns to steam without needing to be vented or replaced. Self-contained steam kettles usually require less maintenance. While direct kettles are simpler and cost less initially, they only work if you have a steam generator.
Should I get a manual or power steam kettle?
Some larger steam kettles come with a motorized tilting mechanism to decant the contents after cooking. A tilt kettle lets operators dispense soup into smaller vessels without wasting time scooping. Pouring from the kettle itself, whether into serving bowls or smaller tureens, means the product does not cool or congeal before it's served.