I'm looking at a current remodel job and the purchase of a full sized electric commercial convection oven. Of these two brands-a moffat- or bakers pride-which would be considered better. I'm looking for "better" as far as quality,low to no maintenance , durability...I'm not familiar with either name. I'd really appreciate feed back from anyone who's worked with either brand. Thanks so much.

By Foodpump (Foodpump) on Saturday, March 05, 2005 - 04:43 pm: Edit

I'm familiar with Baker's Pride, and while the electric model may be low to zero maintenence, the moving parts are the problem. That means doors. Last time I looked on their website, Baker's pride had a two year warranty on everything. Blodgett, on the other hand, has a two year warranty on everything but the doors, the doors have a ten year warranty. Performance wise gas models are alot better, but do need maintenence, but they won't spike your power bill, and take a shorter time to heat up.

Go to the respective websites, and check out others, Blodgett, South Bend, Duke, Hobart, Garland, check out their warranties, talk to food equipment repairmen and get their opinion. When you've made your decision check the website again for the area representitve, or the dealer who specializes in that particular manufacturer. Never, ever, let a sales rep tell you: "Brand X? Yeah, sure we can get it in for you". If that particular dealer doesn't sell brand X he'll have to get it from another dealer, and you will pay for another mark-up. Never, ever, believe the "List price", even from the Manufacturer's catalouge, because this price has the sales mark-up, and frieght costs taken into consideration.
Above all, have fun making this purchase. Make the food equipment sales guys work for you, because your ignorence is their bliss.

By Tortesrus (Tortesrus) on Saturday, March 05, 2005 - 10:52 pm: Edit

Thanks Foodpump for the information. I have the option too of going with a used Blodgett gas oven- I may look into that one a little further.
(I guess I'd better do my homework and research a bit )

By Foodpump (Foodpump) on Sunday, March 06, 2005 - 05:01 pm: Edit

The fun part is the research, comparing brands, seeing what options are available, what kind of warranties are given. In the eyes of food equip.dealers all cooks are schmucks, owners are tightwads, and foreign operators are just asking to be fleeced. Let them get into their 5 minute speech on why you should buy this particular brand, then pick out his mistakes, ommisions, or outright lies, correct him, and watch his face change. The steam goes out, and the guy will actually show a little respect.
When I was shopping for my convection oven I corrected the sales guy on the B.T.U. output, the warrantty on the door, and that 5, not 3 chrome plated racks come with the oven. It was fun. When I tendered for a particular brand of high-temp dishwasher, and one sales guy quoted me the list price with 4 dishracks(included with the machine) at an extra cost, I faxed back his quote to the owner of the shop, and asked him if this was normal procedure with all customers. The sales guy was damn near tears when he called me, apologized, but from the sound of his voice he'd rather have me shot and drowned.

Make the right choice and have fun.