AccuTemp Named EFC 2005 Manufacturer of the Year

Fayetteville, Georgia – The Electric Foodservice Council (EFC) has announced that AccuTemp Products, Inc. of Fort Wayne, Indiana, has been named their 2005 Manufacturer of the Year. This prestigious award is given annually to an EFC Manufacturer Member that has demonstrated an outstanding commitment to the EFC and the electric foodservice industry. 

 

AccuTemp Products Inc. is a 14-year-old cooking and holding equipment manufacturer that was founded on the innovative use of steam and vacuum technology in delivering equipment-based cooking and holding solutions that meet critical customer needs; and promoting those solutions to all foodservice industry operator segments.

 

In the early 1990s, AccuTemp created the now burgeoning connectionless steamer product category with the introduction of their vacuum-capable Steam'N'Hold™. The creation of connectionless, boilerless steamers was a huge boon to foodservice operators frustrated by problematic steam equipment and those with limited access to a water supply or drain. The list of AccuTemp product development and industry firsts includes:

 

  • The first connectionless and boilerless steamer, eliminating the need for water and drain connections, frequent deliming, service problems and the expenses associated with poor water quality, water treatment and high water usage;

  • The first to incorporate a vacuum pump in a steamer, which reduces air pressure in the cooking compartment, allowing water to boil at temperatures as low as 150° F. (Cooking under a vacuum also eliminates insulating air, resulting in faster cook times and more even pan-to-pan results.)

  • The first tabletop six-pan, single compartment steamer with the pan capacity of traditional two compartment floor model convection steamers;

  • The first unit NSF listed as both a steamer and a holding cabinet;

  • The first steamer with automatic product hold, after the timed cook cycle; and

  • The first to provide a compartment temperature gauge, to ensure safe product holding.

 

In 2003 AccuTemp introduced their S3 three-pan Steam'N'Hold™, which incorporates the larger unit’s performance features, plus a unique instant vacuum-release door. This allows the operator to open the door at any time, even when cooking or holding product in the low temperature vacuum-operating mode. This smaller Steam'N'Hold™ is ideal for a la carte’ applications. To date AccuTemp has sold over 23,000 Steam'N'Hold™ units, more than all other connectionless steamer manufacturers combined.

 

AccuTemp has maintained category leadership with an aggressive program of continuous product improvements. They were the first steamer manufacturer to offer a choice of 6, 8 or 12-kW power input, to match available circuit power and the actual cooking speed needed by the operator. In 2005 they added 10-kW and 17-kW six pan models and now offer a total of five different power options. At the same time they overhauled their six-pan unit design to make it quieter, more water resistant and more dependable, with fewer component parts and fittings.

 

The new “Super-Duty” Steam'N'Hold™ is the world’s only six-pan, single compartment connectionless steamer available with 17-kW power input, delivering faster cook times and higher peak production capabilities, while still operating on a 208-volt 50 AMP circuit. The new 10-kW model has been designed to cook faster than competitive 12-kW models, while still operating on 30 AMP branch circuits. 

 

AccuTemp has also taken the lead in the use of independent third-party testing to prove their units deliver faster cook times, higher hourly production, lower idle energy rates, higher operating efficiencies and more uniform pan-to-pan heating. Virtually every AccuTemp Steam'N'Hold™ model has been tested by the Food Service Technology Center in San Ramon, California, where the test reports are available for review by steamer-buying professionals at www.fishnick.com. 

 

AccuTemp also supports the energy conservation efforts of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Like all their S3 three-pan and S6 six-pan Steam'N'Hold™ models, the 10-kW and 17-kW Super-Duty models have earned EPA ENERGY STARÒ status by meeting or exceeding energy efficiency criteria established for Commercial Steam Cookers. In fact AccuTemp has more models that have earned the ENERGY STAR than any other steamer manufacturer. You can see the complete list at: Commercial Steam Cookers : ENERGY STAR.

 

AccuTemp followed the introduction of their pioneering connectionless steamer with an equally creative and groundbreaking steam-heated griddle. Their Accu-steam GriddleÔ revolutionized the griddle market by using steam heat transfer to deliver extremely uniform cooking surface temperatures (± 3° F), near-instant heat recovery and accurate temperature control anywhere between 200- and 400-degrees F, without the need for thermostat recalibration.

 

Restaurant chains and their franchisees quickly embraced AccuTemp’s high output, uniform temperature, easy-to-clean steam griddle; quickly followed by institutional operators, including prisons and the U.S Military. In 2002, AccuTemp Products, Inc. was honored with the Foodservice Consultant Society International’s (FCSI) Award for Distinguished Development, for their product innovation and category-shaking equipment designs.

 

For more information of the 2005 EFC Manufacturer of the Year award, other “Awards of Excellence” or any of their programs, contact: Randy Hyatt of Duke Power Company and President of the Electric Foodservice Council, 180 Raymond Court, Fayetteville, GA 30214; call 877 461-3870; fax: 770 461-7799; or visit: www.foodservicecouncil.org.