Save Money with the Groundbreaking LWE Steamer

Now more than ever, today’s restaurants are looking to do more with less. Whether you’re aiming to save money, time, effort or all of the above, finding the right equipment can make a major difference. Enter Vulcan’s groundbreaking C24EA-LWE (Low Water Energy) Series Steamer. When we say this ingenious piece of kitchen equipment will save your restaurant money, we mean it: You can look forward to thousands of dollars in savings -- both upfront and over the lifespan of the unit.

Read on to learn more about Vulcan’s LWE Steamer, along with why it’s a must-have for any commercial kitchen looking to boost its bottom line.

Steam cooking offers a host of benefits to restaurants. For starters, the gentle heat produced by steaming prevents food from drying out while preserving its texture, color, flavor, and nutritional value. In other words, dishes cooked in a steamer don’t just taste better, they’re better for you, too -- especially when you factor in that the steaming method uses no oils or unwanted fats and often requires less added salt. The resulting menu items are light, healthy, and exactly what many calorie-counting diners are craving.

Steam cooking is fast, too, with cooking times in the neighborhood of 30 percent less than dry cooking methods. Plus, steaming allows for multiple foods to be cooked at the same time thanks to no flavor transfer. Even cleanup is easier due to less baked-in spillage.

But all steamers aren’t created equal, especially when it comes to water usage. Because while steam cooking has tremendous power, water usage can be high. But not with the LWE Steamer from Vulcan. In fact, this powerful single-compartment electric convection steamer is the first and only ENERGY STAR® certified electric à la carte counter steamer. Looking for a larger model for a higher output operation? We have you covered. The Vulcan LWE Steamer also comes in a larger floor model.

Available in three-, five-, six- or ten-pan capacities depending on the unique operational needs of your kitchen, the LWE Steamer is also equipped with a durable stainless-steel exterior and cooking compartment with coved interior corners for easy cleaning. If counter space is at a premium, an optional stand is available.

The C24EA-LWE Series Steamer uses an impressive 90 percent less water than other steamers: the 3 Pan Steamer uses 4.5 GPH while the 5 Pan Steamer uses 8.6 GPH. It also trims energy usage by 50 percent without sacrifice of power. Less water usage results in reduced scale buildup, meaning the unit requires less maintenance. Plus, operators will love the LWE Steamer’s decreased cleaning requirements, including the switch to once-a-year filter changes. It also uses just 21,900 kW of energy annually -- that’s a 50 percent reduction with no corresponding loss of power.

In addition to helping your restaurant save on utility costs, the LWE Series Steamer’s ENERGY STAR® certification means it meets the strict energy efficiency criteria established by the Environmental Protection Agency. As such, the purchase of an LWE Steamer may make your restaurant eligible for special incentives, including rebates of up to $3,200 at time of purchase.

Let’s take a closer look at the specific dollars and cents of one Illinois restaurant’s switch to the 15kW 5 Pan Vulcan LWE Steamer. The savings started immediately with a rebate between $950 and $1,500, and continued throughout the first year with $2,913 (50 percent) savings in energy costs and $899 (90 percent) savings in water costs. Factor in the use of just one water filter for an additional $500 in savings annually and this amounted to a first-year savings of $5,812 and $4,312 in savings each subsequent year. Over the LWE Steamer’s 10-year life span, the restaurant saved a staggering $44,600.

And you stand to save in less direct ways, as well, by improving diner satisfaction. While your customers may not be aware of all the benefits of steam cooking, they’ll appreciate the quality of the food and the increased speed at which it’s served up to them. They’ll also value your commitment to sustainability. According to one study, 87 percent of consumers have more positive images of organizations which support environmental issues, while 88 percent will be more loyal to these businesses, as well.

Commercial kitchen equipment isn’t just an expense; it’s also an investment in your restaurant’s food and future. In the case of the LWE Streamer, you can look forward to the win-win of maximizing power and minimizing waste -- all while saving tens of thousands of dollars. Wherever and whenever you cook with steam, Vulcan’s LWE Steamer offers tremendous value and remarkable results.