What Is the Difference Between a Rack Oven & a Tray Oven?

Design

• A rack oven is designed to hold an entire rack of food to be baked. Racks of goods to be baked can simply be wheeled into the oven on the rack. A tray oven is a traditionally designed oven in which trays of goods are placed individually in the oven. Tray ovens range from simple home ovens that can accommodate two or three trays, to large industrial models that can accommodate dozens of trays.

Use

• Rack ovens are designed to be used with baked goods such as breads, cakes and cookies. Because of their high capacity, they are generally used only in an industrial setting, such as large bakeries or hotel kitchens. Tray ovens are used for baked goods as well as meats and other baked dishes. Tray ovens are found in industrial kitchens, small commercial kitchens and home kitchens used for preparing basic meals.

Convenience

• Both rack and tray ovens offer convenience in different ways. Rack ovens are convenient for baking large quantities of baked goods. Because the entire rack is simply rolled into the oven, it allows the oven to be loaded quickly without losing heat. Tray ovens offer the convenience of being able to produce smaller quantities because you can load individual trays it means it is easier to bake in small batches.

Cleaning

• Tray ovens can be cleaned by manually scrubbing them or using the automated cleaning feature, if it is available. Rack ovens are more difficult to clean because they need to be regularly scrubbed and must be disassembled at least once a year so the moving parts can be cleaned of any buildup. This must be done by someone who is experienced in kitchen appliance repairs.