Continue to upgrade our current steamers to the new combi-ovens - 5 of 5 years

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Five years ago we recognized that the majority of our steamers (boiler-type) were reaching their life cycle expectancy. Therefore, within the next five year period, many would need to be replaced. The use of boiler-type steamers had outlived its efficiency; capacities were small, boilers were expensive to maintain, and they did not meet the annual inspection requirements. ??Initially, several solutions were discussed and piloted including the use of boiler-less steamers; however, with growing program needs to include more products requiring steaming for preparation, a larger capacity unit was required. In investigating and piloting various pieces of equipment it was determined the combi-ovens were very user friendly, had large cabinet capacities (capable of cooking 2 and a half times more product than steamers previously used), and were at a reasonable price point. Initial pilots indicated maintenance costs to be lower than the costs of maintaining the boiler-type steamers and equal to those associated with the boiler-less steamers.