Commercial pasta cookers

A commercial pasta cooker is a specialised piece of kitchen equipment designed to cook pasta quickly and efficiently. Here's a general overview of how it works (process can vary between different models):

1. Water heating: The pasta cooker contains a tank or reservoir for holding water. It’s equipped with heating elements that rapidly heat the water to a predetermined temperature suitable for cooking pasta.
2. Water circulation: Once the water reaches the desired temperature, a pump or circulation system is activated to keep the water moving. This helps maintain an even temperature throughout the cooking process and prevents the pasta from sticking together.
3. Pasta insertion: The pasta is typically added to special baskets or inserts, which are then placed into the cooker. These inserts generally have handles or mechanisms that allow them to be easily lowered into and raised out of the water.
4. Cooking time: The pasta cooker features a built-in timer or electronic controls that allow the operator to set the desired cooking time. The timer ensures the pasta is cooked for the appropriate duration, preventing overcooking or undercooking.
5. Automatic draining: Once the cooking time is complete, the pasta cooker automatically drains the water from the cooking chamber. This can be done through a gravity drainage system or with the assistance of a motorised drain mechanism.
6. Pasta retrieval: After draining, the operator raises the pasta inserts out of the cooker before transferring the cooked pasta to serving dishes or storage containers.

There are four main types of commercial pasta cookers, namely:

Countertop pasta cookers: Designed to sit on a countertop, these compact pasta cookers are suitable for smaller kitchens or establishments with limited space. Most of them are electric.

Floorstanding pasta cookers: These units feature a larger cooking capacity and some have multiple cooking chambers, allowing for simultaneous cooking of different types of pasta. They’re commonly used in high-volume commercial kitchens or restaurants with extensive pasta menus. Most of them are gas-fired.

Drop-in pasta cookers: These are specialised cooking units designed to be integrated or ‘dropped in’ to a countertop or custom-built station.

Manual stovetop pots: These pots are used by establishments that don’t have a big pasta menu. Water is brought to the boil in a stockpot or similar vessel and the pasta is inserted and removed using a separate blanching/strainer basket.

Here’s a comparison of commercial gas pasta cookers and commercial electric pasta cookers:

Heat source: Gas pasta cookers use natural gas or liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) burners to heat the cooking vessel while electric gas cookers rely on heating elements.

Temperature control: Gas and electric pasta cookers offer precise temperature control, however the temperature adjustments of gas cookers take effect more rapidly.

Energy-efficiency: Gas cookers are generally more energy-efficient than electric cookers. They heat up quickly, allowing for faster cooking times, and tend to have lower operating costs.

Ease of installation: Electric cookers are typically easier to install since they only require a power outlet. Because they don't require gas connections or ventilation systems, they’re suitable for a wider range of kitchen setups.

Safety: Electric cookers eliminate the risk of gas leaks or combustion hazards associated with gas cookers. They have safety features like automatic shut-off and overheat protection, providing an added level of safety.

The below provides a general guide to the different sizes of commercial pasta boilers:

Small

• 300-350mm wide
• 5-20L water capacity
• 1-2 pasta baskets

Medium

• 380-480mm wide
• 20-40L water capacity
• 2-4 pasta baskets

Large

• 580-700mm wide
• 40-60L water capacity
• 4-6 pasta baskets

Extra-large

• 780-1,000mm wide
• 60L+ water capacity
• 6+ pasta baskets

As well as the type and capacity of the commercial pasta cooker, there are several features you may wish to consider, including:

Water tap: An integrated tap provides a convenient water source for filling and cleaning, eliminating the need to rely on external water sources and improving efficiency.

Water auto-fill: Aided by sensors, this system automatically refills the cooking chamber as needed, ensuring a constant water supply and saving you from having to manually add water.

Editable menu: Some advanced pasta cookers offer an editable menu whereby you can program and save different cooking settings for various types of pasta.

Forced boiling design: A jet at the bottom of the pot generates a stream of water to disperse the pasta and prevent it sticking together, eliminating the need for the operator to stir the pasta.

Timer: A built-in timer allows you to set precise cooking durations, ensuring consistent and accurate results. This feature is particularly useful in busy commercial kitchens.

Overflow protection drain: Prevents water from overflowing during the cooking process, helping maintain a safe and clean working environment. It also drains any excess starch that foams up.

Automatic lifting: This mechanism lifts the baskets of cooked pasta out of the boiling water, making it easier to drain and transfer the pasta to serving dishes.

Front drainage area: Pasta cookers without basket-hanging plates usually have a drainage area at the front of the cooker on which to drain and rest the cooked pasta.

Built-in filtration system: A built-in filtration system helps to remove excess starch and debris from the water, maintaining the quality of the cooking water.

A single-cup rack is a part of a commercial pasta boiler designed to hold individual portions of pasta within the cooking chamber.

It consists of individual compartments or cups, each sized to hold a single serving of pasta.

These cups are often cylindrical or square in shape and have perforations or holes to allow water to circulate freely around the pasta during cooking.

Various types of pasta, such as spaghetti, penne, or fettuccine, can be cooked in the separate cups without the pasta sticking together.

The individual portions facilitate efficient plating or transferring of the cooked pasta to serving dishes or containers.

Some commercial pasta boilers come with racks as standard, while others may offer them as optional accessories that can be sourced separately.