Steam Cooker Parts & Accessories

Common Questions About Steam Cooker Parts

When would cooking equipment require a steam generator?

Steam used in cooking equipment should be clean because it comes in direct contact with food, so it shouldn't have impurities or be contaminated with chemicals. Some equipment – such as jacketed steam kettles – comes with a self-contained steam source, while some have built-in boilers, as is the case for some commercial steamers. If your unit doesn't have a steam source already integrated into it, it will require a connection to a boiler or generator.

Steam generators are used instead of a boiler when the application doesn't require that pressure be built from an external steam source. Unlike boilers that produce heated steam at elevated pressure, these units generate atmospheric pressure. With a single steam generator, you can heat multiple pieces of cooking equipment. Because of this versatility, this steam cooker part can be used in most areas of the foodservice industry.

Why do I need a steamer water filter?

If you're using steam cooking equipment, you'll likely need this steam cooker accessory to ensure no scale is in the incoming water, extending the life of equipment. With a filter in your steamer, your unit is less likely to clog or have heating element failure.

Steamer water filters are made of manifold assemblies that have a removable, replaceable cartridge. In a manifold assembly, additional, more complex assemblies are attached to the water supply. When selecting a filter, you should consider the size of your steamer, how often it is used, and how the water conditions are in your area.

What steam equipment accessories are available?

Some steam kettles come with covers, especially large stationary floor models. If yours does not, you'll want to consider adding this steam equipment part to your unit so that your kettle will hold heat inside the cooking cavity. Without heat escaping, the unit saves energy, reduces cooking times, and prevents outside ambient air from getting too hot. Covers for steam kettles can have a lift-off design or hinges. When the cover is hinged on a large kettle, it is typically spring assisted to help staff remove it and set it in place.

Draw-off valves are a popular steam equipment accessory for kettles because they enable you to drain liquid when removing the contents and cleaning the unit. Emptying stocks and broths before solid food makes it easier to tilt the kettle and enables you to store or serve them separately from the solid product. Strainers for these valves prevent debris from entering the draw-off tube, eliminating the potential for clogging.

Because water-fill faucets provide a ready supply of water to your kettle, they are common steam equipment parts. Steam-jacketed kettles don't need water to generate steam because it is already enclosed inside the unit, but water flow comes in handy for certain recipes and kettle cleaning. You can choose a single-pantry faucet for either hot or cold water or a double-pantry faucet for both hot and cold water. A lot of steam-jacketed kettles come with faucet mounting brackets, but if yours doesn't, they can be purchased separately.