Microwaves: Casual Dining November 2016

Microwaves Feature
Casual Dining - November 2016

Please attribute any comments to Ray Hall, Managing Director, R H Hall

What are the latest features appearing on microwaves that better their use in Commercial Kitchens?

Today’s microwave ovens are sophisticated, yet easy to use and produce excellent cooking results in a fraction of the time it takes to cook foods conventionally and their versatility is under estimated. There is a great diversity of dishes that can be prepared quickly and easily from fresh ingredients. Not only that, but more nutrients are retained in microwave cooked food than by any other cooking method. In fact, correctly cooked vegetables contain 85% of their original vitamin content, when boiled they often contain none!

Meat and pastry products are often better cooked conventionally then re-heated in a microwave oven, but with the versatile combination microwave ovens available, these types of foods can be cooked with microwave technology with excellent results. It is likely that most caterers have a need for reheat, defrost and cooking tasks and in this case, it is recommended that both a combination microwave oven and a microwave oven be both purchased. A combination microwave oven will not replace the need for microwave oven and vice versa. These two types of oven work extremely well in tandem together. For example, whilst reheating /cooking pastry products using the combination model the ordinary microwave is available for all your straightforward reheat/defrost requirements. The features available today allow a choice of manual and programmable models and some even allow the chef to enter the detailed names of individual dishes and daily/weekly specials (as with the Maestrowave Combi Chef 7, which uses state of the art Menu Creator 2.0 software). As the name suggests, the Combi Chef 7 is able to operate in a variety and combination of modes making it the most flexible, efficient and easy to use oven yet! If the chef wants to bake, roast, grill, steam, defrost, regenerate, microwave, boil or simply keep food warm this is the oven that can do it all. There is a video showing all the features and benefits of the versatile Combi Chef 7 – visit www.rhhall.com to view.

Name 3 benefits of using a microwave in a commercial kitchen?

1)      Speed of reheating and cooking

2)      Versatility and ease of use

3)      Energy efficiency

Can you provide a case study in the casual dining sector for microwaves?

Any part of this case study used must not be altered.

Marston’s is one of the country’s top pub businesses – a leading brewer of premium cask and bottled ales from its 5 Breweries, it also boasts a national estate of over 1,600 pubs. For many of their customers good value pub food is what they value above all else and the team at Marston’s have worked on a menu that is both traditional yet innovative to satisfy as many tastes as possible. Key to delivering these menus is a consistent quality in the dishes and the Sharp R24AT plays a vital role in achieving this. Andy Kershaw, Group Facilities Manager for Marston’s PLC, tells us more. “We have been  sing the Sharp microwaves for quite a long time now as they are very reliable and their durability is second to none. They are an excellent workhorse, through which we can accommodate large volumes and the pre-programmable settings mean we can achieve the high standard of consistency we want across all of our outlets. We edit and update our menus at certain points in the year and with the Sharp’s operational ease we have the ability to adapt our dishes to emerging customer trends. There are 1,000’s of Sharp microwaves across our estate, with up to 10 units in some sites. Andy continues, “A big percentage of our sales are food based and we need to know we can rely on our equipment and with Sharp we know we can. And if for any reason we need them, we have good access to spare parts, plus a great service and warranty back–up through RH Hall dealer, Albany Catering Equipment. Our programme of installing Sharp  microwaves continues to roll-out across our estate and we are pleased to have just signed a further three year contract with RH Hall to deliver this”. Bob Billingham of Albany Catering Equipment backs up Sharp’s reliability, having worked with this equipment across the Marston’s estate for a long time. His technical knowledge is extensive in this area and he comments “I really like the Sharp units because they are so robust and work well under the heavy workload that Marston’s Pubs are used to. They are very easy to work with maintenance wise and if we ever need them, spare parts are readily available so we can get sites up and running again without extensive delays”. RH Hall has been working with Marston’s for over 10 years now on the provision of the Sharp professional microwaves. We in turn have been working with our own distributors – Francis Catering and Yorkshire Catering Equipment for the installations and fit out; and with Albany Catering Equipment for the service and warranty back-up. We have now signed a further contract with Marston’s to continue the partnership for another three years, which we are very proud of.

Do you have any facts and statistics for microwaves in the casual dining sector?

Not specific numbers, but the use of microwaves in the sector are expanding and will continue to do so. We are seeing multiple units being used extensively on sites – up to 12+ units in some cases – in fact microwaves are appearing at the top of most specifiers’ lists. We have seen double digit growth year on year and this has been sustained for the last 5 years.

Do you have any high res lifestyle images of microwaves?

Yes – and attached!

For more information, please visit:

www.rhhall.com

www.microwaveassociation.org.uk

www.maestrowave.com

Press Information Contact: Emma Smith, Marketing Assistant -  emma.smith@rhhall.com - 01296 663400

R H Hall, Hallco House, Beacon Court, Pitstone Green Business Park, Pitstone, Beds, LU7 9GY

T: 01296 663400 F: 01296 663401 E: sales@rhhall.com W: www.rhhall.com

The Caterer 2017 Equipment Guide - Microwaves

The Caterer 2017 Equipment Guide - Microwave Masters 

Please attribute any quotes from this information to Ray Hall, Managing Director, R H Hall

R H Hall have been dominating the microwave market for almost 40 years, building an extensive knowledge of this trusted kitchen essential. R H Hall are the UK’s largest, most knowledgeable and innovative microwave supplier and stock only models from leading commercial brands – such as Sharp, the UK’s no. 1 and Maestrowave – having been sole UK distributors for both since 1992!

Microwaves are an essential part of any commercial kitchen and the latest technology means today’s machines are sophisticated and easy to use – producing excellent results in a fraction of the time it takes conventional cooking methods. The versatility of microwaves is often hugely underestimated. From simple, efficient microwave only, to fully automated meal solutions, R H Hall offer the latest and most versatile products.

Recently added to the range is the Maestrowave MW10, a 1000W machine aimed at smaller operators looking for microwave speed with a reliable reputation. The unique microwave distribution and cavity ensure perfect cooking every time, backed up by an unprecedented 3 Year Warranty on the Magnetron – the heart of the machine. For larger operators, or those requiring more than just speed, the Maestrowave range also includes high speed combination microwaves such as the award winning Combi Chef 7. Packed with features including Menu Creator 2.0™ software, this oven can produce outstanding results at the touch of a button. A video showing the features & benefits of this innovative product is available at www.rhhall.com

In addition, the range of market leading Sharp microwaves is available exclusively from R H Hall and their nationwide dealer network – offering machines from 1000 Watts up to extra heavy duty and high power 1900 Watts, catering for all foodservice applications. Designed with total flexibility and versatility in mind, all machines have in-built features to help save time and energy.

Innovation is at the forefront of R H Hall and today’s demanding market – the Maestrowave iWave® system is a prime example of this innovation. Using the latest microwave technology, the system provides a unique, fully encrypted, bar coded meal solution which is suitable for a number of applications including hospital ward service, retail vending outlets and more. The product is a world first, and available exclusively through R H Hall.

R H Hall can also provide much more than just the microwave solution – working with many of the UK’s leading foodservice operators to produce bespoke solutions, offering optimum results. Our Food Solutions team work with food suppliers at our state of the art development kitchens and access our 15,000 sq. ft. fabrications division  to produce bespoke branded microwave housing units, increasing customer visibility and ease of use.

R H Hall offer the Total Foodservice Solution!

R H Hall operate through a national network of approved dealers, along with our dedicated National Account and Food Solutions divisions, ensuring we always have the right person on hand to deal with any enquiry! So for all your Microwave oven and foodservice equipment needs you only need one number – 01296 663400! You can also email us sales@rhhall.com or visit our websites www.rhhall.com & www.maestrowave.com

Press Information Contact: Emma Smith, Marketing Assistant -  emma.smith@rhhall.com - 01296 663400

R H Hall, Hallco House, Beacon Court, Pitstone Green Business Park, Pitstone, Beds, LU7 9GY

T: 01296 663400 F: 01296 663401 E: sales@rhhall.com W: www.rhhall.com

Microwaves & Light Equipment: Care Home Catering Winter 2016

Microwaves & Light Equipment
Care Home Catering - Winter 2016

Please attributes any quotes to Kris Brearley, Sales Director, R H Hall

What features on the latest generation of microwave ovens are going to be the most important/of greatest value in the Care Home kitchen?

When looking to invest in new microwaves, Care Home Caterers should look at models with variable power, as this will allow more dense food products to be reheated/cooked at slower speeds, allowing for the conduction of heat to work through to the middle to avoid an overcooked outside and raw centre! The use of variable power works in the same way as your hob and gives you the exact control you need to create speed yet a quality cooked/reheat result. A further feature to look for is stage cooking. This allows an operator to program a series of different defrost, cook or reheat tasks, allowing a complete process to be carried out at the press of a button. For example, it is possible to defrost, then cook and keep warm ready for serve up all in one go. Most leading brand models now have this function as standard.

In addition, energy efficiency is a top requirement for many users and is fast becoming a definite key feature. Machines that can produce optimum results whilst keeping energy usage low will meet the needs of many new or refurbished kitchens.

There will always be a place in every kitchen for a basic microwave, but future developments are likely to focus on automation, particularly for multi-sited operations. Menu consistency is key and machines which offer easy menu programming will become more and more appealing. The revolutionary iWave® Foodservice Solution uses microwave technology to provide a fully automated, ‘straight to plate’ system. With barcode scanners replacing traditional touchpad or manual controls, the iWave® offers a ‘fool-proof’ solution for care homes and many other applications. We can work with various food companies to fully test and develop a bespoke menu for any site. With e-reporting options available, stock and budget control can be also managed easily.

How should the Care Home Caterer select the right microwave?

To choose the right kind of microwave, consumers should look at their menu offering and decide what tasks the microwave oven should undertake. If the microwave is to be used mainly for simple reheating and defrosting of foods then a straight-forward commercial microwave will suffice. However, if you wish to reheat and cook food products then a combination microwave oven is well advised. Items such as pastry will become soggy if reheated in an ordinary microwave whereas using a combination microwave the crisp, golden brown and conventional finished result will be achieved in microwave time!

It is very important to choose the correct microwave oven wattage. You need to select an oven with sufficient power, but just as importantly, do not over specify. If too low, frustrations can be caused by delays, and if too high, it will be difficult for the user to judge the timing of small portions. Whilst it is common for caterers to choose speed (the higher the output the faster reheat times), it is also very important to understand that for some food products too much speed will destroy smaller portions of food or the delicate and sugary types of products.

Many cheaper imports are flooding into the UK and it can be tempting to go down this route, but unknowingly to many, a lot of this equipment doesn’t have any product conformity standards and the back-up of a full warranty. Go for a well-known brand - guaranteed quality doesn't cost you more!  Regardless of size or duty, sturdy manufacture is a ‘must’ and this is what you get by choosing a well-known brand - anything else won’t perform or last. Choose a leading brand with an established reputation for good quality, durability and reliability. These brands usually build in great operational features too, which should always be considered.

Microwaves today are split into 2 main categories – standard microwave only, which are perfect for reheating a wide range of foods – and combination microwaves, which offer huge versatility for cooking a wider range of products, with the speed of microwave cooking.

The market leading Sharp range of microwaves available through RH Hall offer heavy and extra heavy duty build quality with total control, flexibility and versatility –with in-built features to save time and energy. The best-selling range goes from 1000W to 1900W to cater for all foodservice applications and are available in both touchpad or manual control versions.

New for 2016 is the Maestrowave MW10 1000W Microwave, which offers a unique optimised microwave distribution system and cavity, to ensure perfect results every time. The MW10 offers amazing value for those on a tight budget, who still want to ensure they are buying a fully commercial product. This is backed up by a 3 year magnetron warranty, protecting the ‘heart’ of the machine.

The Maestrowave Combi Chef 7 is able to operate in a variety and combination of cook modes making it the most flexible, efficient and easy to use oven yet! It can bake, roast, grill, steam, defrost, regenerate, microwave, boil or simply keep food warm - this is the oven that can do it all. This high speed oven features Menu Creator 2.0™ software. Packed with features, the oven will produce the best results at the simple touch of a button – a total combination of 11 cooking modes can be used to achieve top quality results. Up to 99 menus can be pre-programmed to ensure consistency time after time.  But don’t be daunted, the Menu Creator 2.0™ is extremely easy to use; however, if required, full technical support is available from RH Hall. There is a web video available on line which demonstrates the benefits of combination Microwave ovens - visit www.rhhall.com and search for ‘CC7’.

What are the other items of light equipment that no Care Home kitchen should be without, and what should the Care Caterer consider when investing in new items of equipment such as blenders, mixers, food processors, panini grills etc?

In addition to a microwave, many sites will need a solution for stove top cooking such as frying, poaching or boiling. Induction is a fairly recent technology that combines cooking speed with safety and energy efficiency. The induction process works by ‘direct’ heating of a metal cooking vessel, as opposed to using ‘heat transfer’ which you have when burning gas on a traditional cooking stove. For nearly all models of induction cooktop, the cooking vessel must be made of a ferromagnetic metal or placed on an interface disk which enables non-induction cookware to be used on induction cooking surfaces. This direct heating creates an incredibly safe environment, with cooking surfaces being cool to touch when the pan is removed, and also ensures that the energy generated is used efficiently. All heat is passed through the pan and in turn, the food being cooked. Very little ambient heat is generated, helping to keep the kitchen cooler and ensuring all the heat ends up in the right place.

The Maestrowave MC30L4B Induction Hob offers an affordable and compact solution for those taking their first steps into induction cooking. With a single cooking zone and easy to use controls, this countertop unit provides an option for smaller sites or perhaps those just testing the compatibility of their menu with induction technology.

It really can be a mine field selecting the best equipment out of the hundreds of brands available and variations of equipment on the market. It really depends on the type of operation, the numbers to cater for and staffing levels – including whether a chef is employed or whether the home has more a basic catering kitchen/operation. The amount of space available in the home’s kitchen is also a factor to carefully consider. Ideally as much of the kit a caterer has should be used daily, although obviously it’s not always the case, but there’s no point in having lots of individual pieces of kit if they are going to sit on a shelf for the majority of the time! Each piece of kit has to earn its keep and no caterer can afford to have kit lying around under-utilised. Caterers should assess their real needs in line with current and future menu requirements and numbers to cater for too.

R H Hall are the Sole UK & Eire Distributors for the Sharp range of commercial microwave ovens, and Exclusive Worldwide Distributor for the Maestrowave range of Catering Equipment

For more information: www.rhhall.com www.maestrowave.com

Press Information Contact: Emma Smith, Marketing Assistant -  emma.smith@rhhall.com - 01296 663400

R H Hall, Hallco House, Beacon Court, Pitstone Green Business Park, Pitstone, Beds, LU7 9GY

T: 01296 663400 F: 01296 663401 E: sales@rhhall.com W: www.rhhall.com

Microwave Warranties: FEJ November 2016

SPECIAL REPORT: MICROWAVE WARRANTIES

FEJ NOVEMBER 2016

Please attributes any quotes to Ray Hall, Managing Director, R H Hall

How are warranties evolving in the commercial microwave market? Is the standard one year parts and labour warranty still acceptable today?

A one year parts and labour warranty should be the very minimum that any user should consider when purchasing a new machine. A 12 month warranty is to be expected with light to medium duty machines – although some leading manufacturers, such as Sharp and Maestrowave, are introducing warranty extensions of up to 3 years on parts such as the magnetron – the heart of the microwave! Most of the leading brands will also offer a 3 year parts and labour warranty on their heavy duty machines – with some stretching even further when certain pieces of additional equipment or maintenance techniques are used with the microwave. A good example of this is the Sharp range, which comes with a ‘Lifetime’ cavity warranty when purchased and used with the Microsave Cavity Protection System.

Is there any correlation between the length and conditions of a warranty and the quality of the appliance? ie if the length of the warranty is longer and there are fewer caveats, does that mean that the equipment is likely to be better?

Absolutely! Any repair work or parts supplied under warranty come at a cost to the manufacturer, so the length of warranty provided as standard will be indicative of the quality of the machine and its history of faults. If a machine is proven to be long lasting, with infrequent faults or breakdowns, then the manufacturer will almost always back this up with a good warranty offering.

Manufacturers in the past have been guilty of boasting about longer warranties, but when operators read the small print they often find that the warranty contains lots of exclusions. What should they be looking out for to determine whether a warranty is really as good as it sounds?

All warranties contain exclusions and users should ensure that they check the small print carefully to protect themselves from any unexpected costs. A good warranty should not exclude things for no reason and with most areas, regular maintenance and cleaning will ensure most of the exclusions don’t apply. It is important that the manufacturer provides clear instructions on these areas – both to the customer themselves and also to any dealers or re-sellers that may be involved. By educating the market on these areas, warranty exclusions should be kept to a minimum.

R H Hall are the Sole UK & Eire Distributor for the Sharp range of Commercial Microwaves and Exclusive Worldwide Distributor for the Maestrowave Combi Chef 7 and iWave® Automated Foodservice Solution.

For more information:

www.rhhall.com www.maestrowave.com

Press Information Contact: Emma Smith, Marketing Assistant -  emma.smith@rhhall.com - 01296 663400

R H Hall, Hallco House, Beacon Court, Pitstone Green Business Park, Pitstone, Beds, LU7 9GY

T: 01296 663400 F: 01296 663401 E: sales@rhhall.com W: www.rhhall.com

Wear It Pink 2016 - R H Hall Fundraising!

Wear It Pink 2016

On the Friday the 31st of October R H Hall raised money for wear it pink cancer research.

 

Overall we raised over £60 for Wear it Pink!

Press Information Contact: Emma Smith, Marketing Assistant -  emma.smith@rhhall.com - 01296 663400

R H Hall, Hallco House, Beacon Court, Pitstone Green Business Park, Pitstone, Beds, LU7 9GY

T: 01296 663400 F: 01296 663401 E: sales@rhhall.com W: www.rhhall.com

Kitchen Equipment: Pub & Bar - November 2016

KITCHEN EQUIPMENT FEATURE

PUB & BAR NOVEMBER 2016

Please attributes any quotes to Ray Hall, Managing Director, RH Hall

·     

What pieces of equipment are most important to operators and why?

Requirements can vary dependent on the size of kitchen and throughput of the operation – but as a minimum sites should consider an oven and microwave to ensure that all baking and reheating tasks are met. Add to this an induction hob for further instant heat and also consider complementary pieces such as Panini Grills, Rice Cookers and Soup Kettles – which can all be essential, depending on menu offering and of course space/budget restrictions.

Where space is particularly tight, microwaves can offer an affordable and versatile solution, allowing for a quick and easy food offering. Microwaves are able to reheat a vast range of foods at speed and will enhance any kitchen. The Sharp range start from medium duty 1000W machines at entry level, ranging up to Extra Heavy Duty 1900W models for high output users. A choice of manual or programmable controls provide a solution for all requirements.

Also worth considering is a combination microwave, which uses convection and grill functions to enhance the speed offering of a microwave. Capable of providing a ‘kitchen in a box’, the versatility of these machines allows caterers to do much more than reheat food – even pastry products can be cooked with great results. The Maestrowave Combi Chef 7 provides an 1150W microwave with 1800W grill and convection oven, which can be used in a variety of combinations to achieve the desired result. A video explaining the features and benefits of combination cooking and the Combi Chef 7 can be seen on our website – www.rhhall.com

What should operators look for in kitchen equipment? What can they bring to a kitchen environment?

Regardless of size or duty, sturdy manufacture is a ‘must’ and therefore you should choose a well-known brand - anything else won’t perform or last. Many cheaper imports are flooding into the UK and it can be tempting to go down this route, but unknowingly to many, a lot of this equipment doesn’t have any product conformity standards and the back-up of a full warranty. Choose a leading brand with an established reputation for good quality, durability and reliability. These brands usually build in great operational features too, which should always be considered.

Equipment that is multi-functional and versatile is ideal and where space is at a premium, units with a small footprint can help save valuable space – as can those that can stack, one on top of the other.

Look at the running costs of the equipment available, savings can be made by selecting an energy efficient item. 13 amp plug in options will be cheap to run and versatile. Induction Hobs also offer a very energy efficient option, as no heat is lost when cooking.

·      How can operators ensure that staff are using equipment to its full potential and treating it with respect?

Training on use and maintenance of equipment is key to ensure there are not any issues with the quality of food served, or any potentially costly faults with kitchen equipment. Equipment that is straight forward to use and maintain is the easiest option, reducing new staff training times and ensuring ease of operation for all members of the kitchen team. Products such as the Maestrowave Combi Chef 7, which includes MenuCreator 2.0™ software, can be pre-programmed with up to 99 menu settings, allowing unskilled operators to produce consistent and high quality results at the touch of a button. Induction hobs also provide a safe and easy method of cooking as do items such as Panini Contact grills, which are ideal for lunch time and early evening snack menus in many pubs. Any operator should ensure that they are fully away of all features of a machine to get the most out of it – for example, people are often unaware of the full range of products that can be cooked and/or reheated in a commercial microwave.

Versatility of the product chosen is also key, if tight on space or budget, the more you can get out of one product, the better! Products such as combination microwaves offer a range of features in one unit, increasing the menu options available without adding extra cost or space needs.

·How can operators ensure that their equipment enjoys long lifespans?

Always choose a leading brand with an established reputation for good quality and longevity. The warranty offering available is usually a good indication of the quality of product being purchased. Many manufacturers are now offering warranties of 3 years or longer on their equipment. 2 best selling microwaves, the Sharp R21AT and Maestrowave MW10 have both recently increased their standard 1 year Parts & Labour Warranty to include 3 year cover on the magnetron – the heart of the machine!

Regular cleaning and maintenance is essential to keep any kitchen equipment working at its best. Any faults that develop as a result of poor maintenance are often chargeable – and further costs to the business can be caused as a result of un-necessary down-time.

Our team of experts are able to provide manufacturer maintenance recommendations and advise on how to get the best out of your kitchen equipment. Our food solutions team are even able to offer full on-site training for larger operations, or sites that require multi-user training.

R H Hall are Exclusive UK & Eire Distributors for the Sharp range of Professional Microwaves and Maestrowave Catering Equipment.

For more details, please visit www.rhhall.com or www.maestrowave.com

FOR PRESS INFORMATION CONTACT:

Emma Smith

emma.smith@rhhall.com

01296 663400

R H Hall, Hallco House, Beacon Court, Pitstone Green Business Park, Pitstone, Beds, LU7 9GY

T: 01296 663400         F: 01296 663401         E: sales@rhhall.com  W: www.rhhall.com