Manitowoc unveils Koolaire ice machine brand
The Koolaire brand and its modular ‘Kube’ ice machines is targeted at customers looking for a durable, low-cost ice machine with basic features.
It is available in three sizes – 55.9cm, 76.2cm and 121.9cm, with seven production ranges from 113kg to 612kg of ice per day.
USP
Koolaire ice machines are easy to use, clean and maintain. They feature a stainless steel- like finish with superior corrosion resistance, and are smudge and fingerprint-resistant, meaning they stay cleaner for longer.
Upgraded Microwaves for Panasonic
Panasonic revealed two new commercial microwaves at this year's Hotelympia. The two models, NE-1853 and NE-1843 will replace two existing models with upgraded features and functionality.
The NE-1853 has 15 power levels, offering more accuracy and flexibility in cooking, and comes with 30 programmes, including five-stage heating, meaning improved performance on ‘heat and stand’ recipes.
USP
The NE-1853 features a power-saving and maintenance-free LED light, which replaces an incandescent bulb on the previous model. It can be left off during cooking and be set to flash on and off when the programme is complete, a real benefit in a noisy kitchen. It also has a new ‘heat boost’ button to give recipes a final boost of 10 or 20 additional seconds with a single press (two for 20 seconds) to bring a dish up to temperature. An LCD display replaces the dated LED unit, which is easier to read in bright conditions, and the new models have dual emission (top and bottom) for even heating.
Digital temperature control by Navitas
Food safety management newcomer Navitas has launched a digital food probing system comprising the wireless Navitas Smartprobe for temperature probing food and the Navipod, which sits in the fridge, freezer or display cabinet. They automatically record and report temperatures hourly to the Navitas database. The Navitas Smartprobe also has snap-on snap-off probe needles for use in raw, ready to eat and Halal food. Using a Navitab, chefs and catering managers are then able to view their data on a simple client dashboard. It also offers businesses the ability to create HACCP (Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point) charts, enhance their supplier management systems and ensure their food safety training is compliant and up to date.
USP
The Navitas system takes manual recording, paperwork and human error out of the monitoring of food and fridge temperatures, saving them both time and money. As the system also records such data as food deliveries, times, temperatures and invoice numbers, any non-compliant deliveries are can be notified to the supplier immediately.
New energy-saving line for Victor Manufacturing
UK firm Victor Manufacturing has unveiled its new energy-efficient catering equipment. The auto-off energy saving switch is a timer switch fitted to heat lamps that can be set to automatically switch off after a desired amount of time. The new design general purpose bain-marie hot cupboard with gantry is bigger than the previous one, and has the option to include additional insulation for further energy-saving. The new design HOTKOLD serving trolley is a highly insulated, low energy usage piece of equipment with daily running costs of around 60 pence.
USP
Site tests have shown that a timer-fitted switch on heat lamps can save over 25% of the energy consumed by heat lamps.