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Rethermalization is a very critical process in commercial and industrial kitchens because it ensures that food is ready for consumption while maintaining its edibility and freshness. Commercial kitchens have to cater to a huge number of customers and they have to serve edible and tasty meals within a very short period of time. If the location has a rethermalization unit, meals can be prepared ahead of time and then easily rethermalized without sacrificing food quality.

Brief insight on the rethermalization unit

When catering for a large group of people, restaurants and hotels have to cook food in advance so that they will not be pressed for time. Before the event or party starts, cooked food is placed inside a refrigerator to prevent spoiling. When it is time to serve the meals, refrigerated food is thermalized so that it is still able to be served to the customers or guests. The rethermalization unit is designed to match with any kitchen scenario. In most cases, the rethermalization unit is encased in stainless steel for durability and shelf life. The interior of the unit is also made from stainless steel to prevent corrosion that can contaminate food. Proper insulation is achieved through quality fiberglass that ensures that no heat is lost. The unit is fully equipped with a heating system that can rethermalize prepared food within a specified period of time. Once food has been rethermalized, heat automatically goes into a safe holding temperature until the food needs to be served.

Other methods of rethermalization

There are many other ways of reheating food and this includes the popular microwave oven. Microwave ovens have become ubiquitous equipment in most home kitchens because it is very effective in reheating small portions of food in just a few minutes. Larger microwave ovens are used in commercial kitchens to heat a large amount of specialized meals. Another option to rethermalize food is the hot water bath that brings food to the right temperature before it is served. The hot water bath however if only effective if small portions of food have to be rethermalized otherwise it is not the best option for commercial and industrial kitchens.

An option to the microwave oven is the convection oven that has the capability to reheat bulks of food. There are industrial ovens designed with a great deal of space to accommodate a tray line or a cafeteria food line. Another type of oven that can be used for rethermalization is the thermo-convection oven that can bring food to safe temperature before consumption. The thermo-convection oven differs from the convection oven where heat circulates at an even rate by using a fan because it only makes use of hot air.

Technology has developed modern equipment to make food preparation efficient and high effective. In the choice for the rethermalization unit, it is important to take into account the quality and edibility of food after it has undergone the heating process. In no way should heating compromise taste as well as the aesthetics of the prepared food particularly those cooked for large scale consumption.