Merrychef vs. TurboChef

High speed ovens are ventless appliances that use a combination of microwave, impingement, and occasionally infrared heat to rapidly cook food without compromising quality. Two leading commercial speed oven brands are Merrychef and TurboChef, both of which are known for durable builds and efficient operation.

Merrychef vs. TurboChef: Comparison Snapshot

Merrychef and TurboChef utilize optimized heating technology that cooks as much as 20 times faster than traditional methods.

About Merrychef

Merrychef was founded in 1950 under the name Max-Arc & Electrics. It brought several innovations in microwave heating and high-speed cooking, including the world's first convection microwave oven. Today, Merrychef solely creates high-speed ovens and supplies equipment for several global chains, like Subway. The brand has won multiple Kitchen Innovation awards for its modern high-speed ovens and is owned by Welbilt.

Merrychef Speed Oven Strengths:

• Large touchscreen and recipe storage
• Energy-efficient operation with quiet standby mode
• Numerous cooking accessories

About TurboChef

TurboChef began in 1991 and pioneered faster microwave-impingement ovens, later expanding into a packed lineup of multicook and impingement ovens to become one of the largest speed oven manufacturers in the world.

TurboChef Speed Oven Strengths:

• Wide product range
• Fast and powerful for demanding service
• Multi-tier models available

Key Differences Explained

Available Products

Merrychef offers two main speed oven lines: the original eikon™ series and the newer conneX® models. Both lines feature several speed ovens with varying sizes, power levels, and features. TurboChef, however, sells speed ovens and impingement cookers, including several conveyor models and a small countertop pizza cooker. Some TurboChef products come with two independently-controlled cavities that can be outfitted with multicook or impingement capabilities.

Performance and Reliability

Both Merrychef and TurboChef ovens provide superior operation in demanding settings. TurboChef models typically support a higher throughput because of their larger cavities and higher power ratings, while Merrychef is known for maintaining similar cooking speeds and excellent product quality with more economical power usage.

Design and Ease of Use

Merrychef offers large, icon-driven touchscreens and recipe memories to simplify operation, reduce training time, and increase consistency. Some models feature toolless air filters for easy service. TurboChef ovens also include simple touchscreen controls, programable recipes, and clear cooking cycle alerts. Some of TurboChef's colored and custom designs give it a leg up when pairing visually with front-of-house setups, but Merrychef's quiet standby mode helps reduce kitchen noise.

Maintenance and Durability

Merrychef and TurboChef both feature an internal stainless steel construction, with exteriors that may be stainless or powder-coated steel depending on the model. Always consult the user manual before cleaning your oven. In general, you'll want to let the oven cavity cool first, wash all parts with warm water, and dry, wiping down with specified spray cleaners. Never use caustic or abrasive cleaners on the ovens. Additionally, both brands use filtration and catalytic converters to manage grease and fumes; these components have filters that need changed periodically.

Price and Value

Both brands typically cost between $10,000 and $20,000, with TurboChef products tending to skew higher.

Which Speed Oven Brand Is Best For You?

Merrychef and TurboChef both support high-speed cooking, so the best choice for you depends on cooking volume, typical menu items, and required space. Merrychef is often best for C-stores, sandwich shops, and small QSRs, offering smaller footprints, fast heating, and quiet use. TurboChef's wider product line, advanced designs, and high-power models are better suited for high-volume applications, such as busy bars, fast food operations, and cafes.

Shop Merrychef and TurboChef Speed Ovens at KaTom

KaTom offers Merrychef and TurboChef ovens, stands, and accessories. Find the option you need based on capacity, size, and cooking style. For additional help with finding the right speed oven, contact KaTom today.