Bagels are boomin’! Bagels are one of the most popular breakfast items purchased and we are starting to see some new and inventive ways to bake bagels. From traditional boiled bagels to Montreal-style deck oven bagels, bagels of all kinds are here to stay. When it comes to crafting the perfect bagel, having the right equipment is crucial for producing delicious bagels that your customers will love and come back for. There is not one set way to bake a bagel and factors including size of bakery, style of bagel, and more, may point you in a specific direction. In this blog, we will help guide you through the decision-making process and help you choose the right bagel oven for your bagel shop. 

Is the Bagel Oven Fuel Efficient?

This may not seem like an important factor in your bagel oven decision, but when your bagel shop can save hundreds of dollars a month on fuel costs, then it becomes an important factor. Whether you choose a rack oven, revolving oven, or deck oven, make sure that the oven is fuel-efficient. Empire offers fuel-efficient oven designs because we know how important it is for a successful bakery to operate efficiently. So before choosing the style of oven, make sure you are getting one that not only bakes well but saves your shop money. 

Most Popular Types of Bagel Ovens

As mentioned, there are a few ways you can bake a bagel and a handful of oven options that will do a great job of baking a quality bagel. Here are the three most popular bagel oven options for baking bagels.

  1. Revolving Ovens- These ovens feature a large-capacity baking chamber where trays rotate through the oven to ensure even heat distribution and consistent baking. These ovens feature a low-cost, low-maintenance burner system and are the most popular ovens for bagels due to their ability to bake a large number of bagels at once perfectly. 
  2. Rack Ovens - Rack ovens bring a few benefits to the table for bagel baking. Rack Ovens offer an integrated steam system that allows bagel shops to skip over the boiling process used in bagel production. This process yields a slightly different textured bagel but speeds up the production process. 
  3. Deck Ovens - Recently, deck oven bagels like the Montreal-style bagel have made a big splash in the bagel world. This breadier and more textured style bagel is becoming popular with consumers. Bagels baked on a deck oven receive steam and then form a beautiful outer crust as it sits on the oven's stone hearth. 

Oven Features to Look For

No matter what type of oven you choose, you need to make sure all of the key features needed for perfect bagel production are offered. Here are some of the main features your oven needs to have:

  1. Temperature Control - Precision temperature control is key when bagel the perfect bagel. Getting a good bagel with a textured crust and perfect internal bake requires an oven that can provide precise temperatures. 
  2. Steam Injection - If you are planning to skip the boiling process of your bagel production or want to provide that extra shine to your bagels, then your oven will need steam capabilities. All of the bagel ovens Empire offers have steam systems available. 
  3. Energy Efficiency - As prefaced earlier in the blog, energy efficiency is extremely important. All of the most successful bakeries have an energy-efficient oven that allows them to bake great bagels and spend less money, helping them turn a profit. 
  4. Capacity and Size - Make sure the oven you choose can accommodate the amount of bagels your shop will need to bake daily. Revolving ovens have large capacity chambers while Rack Ovens come in a variety of sizes to fit your needs. 
  5. Ease of Use & Maintenance - If your oven is complicated and gives you trouble more times than not, then no matter how great it bakes, it will cost you more time and money than it is worth. Make sure you get an oven that is easy to operate and maintain so that your time is better spent perfecting your bagels and expanding your menu!

Conclusion

The oven is the heart of every bagel shop. It is where the final product is perfectly crafted at the quality and consistency the customers know and love. So the bagel oven selection decision is an important one. Before making your final decision, use this blog as a guide and a checklist to ensure the type of oven is right for you and all of the important features are included. Also, keep in mind that energy efficiency will play a major role in the success of your bagel shop. Being able to bake beautiful bagels and save on fuel costs is a game-changer! If you’re ready to select your new bagel oven, explore our selection of premium bagel ovens designed for retail bagel shops. With the right tools, your bakery can master the art of bagel baking and keep customers coming back for more.