“If you don’t need it, switch it off. And keep it clean!” – Dave Clarke former joint chairman of the Catering for a sustainable Future Group (CSFG)
The Carbon Reduction Commitment (CRC) begins in April this year and marks a new chapter in the effort to make the catering industry much “greener”.
Catering equipment manufacturers everywhere are working on products to help reduce the carbon footprint, a few of which are mentioned below. Remember though, the solution isn’t always to simply buy new models. Saving energy can be as easy as keeping doors shut on ovens, fridges and other kitchen appliances. Regularly servicing your ranges, fryers or combination ovens is another way to help maintain energy efficiency.
- Falcon are unveiling a new induction range as an extension to boiling table launched in 2009. Falcon say the range with fan assisted oven fits within a 900mm footprint and offers 90% more efficiency “compared to no more than 60% with a gas burner”.
- Charvet has launched what it describes as “the gas alternative to induction”. When a pan is placed on an open burner, the microswitch is depressed and the gas lights immediately; as the pan is removed, the supply of gas stops. The company claims this can save caterers more than £1600 a year, meaning the machine pays for itself.
- Toasters are often left on because once switched off they can take a long time to regain temperature. Hatco are developing a power-saving version of it’s Toast-Qwik conveyor toaster which “switches the toaster automatically to ‘power save’ after 30 mins of inactivity.
Image by Tuxtable
