Pub chain steams ahead

The Tom Cobleigh chain of family pubs is evaluating Sonic Steamer microwave ovens from Panasonic as a way of cooking vegetables for its quirkily promoted "Mighty Nice Food" menu in around half the time of conventional steamers. Other benefits expected by the chain include space-saving and freedom from the need to install water and drain services.

Sonic Steamers work by "steaming food from the inside" ie, generating steam from water contained in the food itself. The speed derives from high-output magnetrons and rotating wave guides. The ovens are also said to retain food colour, texture and nutritional value with minimal drying out. The ovens require a 30 amp power supply and have four power levels operable via the dial control timer.

The Tom Cobleigh chain already uses 80 NEC-1253 combination microwave ovens.

Panasonic