Types of shawarma machines
The shawarma machine is the most important piece of equipment in any shawarma business. Equipped with a vertical cooking grill and heating elements, it slowly cooks and browns meat evenly from all sides. The shawarma machine is usually a large vertical skewer. Raw marinated meat is carefully stacked on this skewer, often with layers of vegetables or other food items. The entire assembly is then placed in a rotating grill, which is usually encased in a temperature-controlled glass display. This grill roasts the meat from the outside in as it rotates.
The rotating grill works like an oven, roasting the meat vertically. Heat is usually supplied by an electric coil or gas flame. The meat turns golden brown as it cooks and gives off an appetizing aroma. The shawarma machine has side heaters that can brown other types of meat, such as chicken and fish. Apart from grilling meat, the shawarma machine also warms and toasts flatbreads like pita and tortillas. These are usually placed on the grill, right beside the meat, so that it can absorb the tasty juices.
The shawarma machine is more than just a grilling machine. Most modern machines have temperature control options that let operators set exact meat-cooking temperatures. High-tech shawarma combinations may even come with timers and alarm notifications when certain cooking times have been achieved. Some shawarma machines have rotisserie functions similar to rotary ovens that are not vertical. All these features make it easier to cook shawarma and other grilled meat dishes precisely and uniformly every time.
Basically, there are three main types of shawarma machines:
- Mid east style gas shawarma rotisserie grill
- oytical electric shawarma grill machine
- eal shawarma grill machine
The gas shawarma machine is the most popular kind used in the Middle East. It has side burners that can brown both meat and vegetables. As the name clearly states, the electric shawarma grill machine will use electricity as a power source to rotate and cook the meat. Some variants have side grills with exact temperature regulation. The real shawarma grill machine is a combination of grills and griddles. Some parts of the grill are flat and smooth to cook vegetables and other food items.
Specification & Maintenance of Shawarma Machines
Maintenance
- Daily Cleaning: Clean the exterior and cooking area of the machine with warm soapy water. Use a soft brush or cloth to avoid scratching surfaces. Make sure the grill is cool when starting cleaning. After that, rinse thoroughly and make sure there are no soapy residues left on the machine. Daily cleaning of food residues from the grill is essential for preventing cross-contamination, bacterial infection, and foodborne illnesses.
- Deep Cleaning: Perform a deep cleaning of the Shawarma machine once a week or once every two months, depending on the usage frequency. This cleaning process involves removing all the detachable parts of the machine, soaking them in warm soapy water, and brushing them with a brush to reach every corner and residue.
- Pay Attention to the Rotating Skewers: Rotating skewers are mostly used in electric shawarma machines. They have intricate details that can be hard to reach. Hiring a professional to clean such intricate parts is better. Because of the potential damage cleaning can cause, DIY cleaning is not recommended.
- Keeping the Machines Away from Hazards: This maintenance tip is for all types of shawarma machines. To increase the machine's longevity and keep it in proper working condition, it must be kept away from moisture, dust, and heat. Shawarma machines are primarily made of metal, which is prone to rusting when exposed to moisture.
- Chemical Treatments: If the machine has any hard rusts that cannot be removed, it is better to seek the help of professionals instead of trying to get rid of them with chemical treatments. Although chemical treatments may be helpful, they are more harmful than helpful, and chemical residues can be harmful to customers.
Specifications
Before buying the shawarma machine, knowing what specifications one is looking for is essential. Below are some tips to help one know the specifications they require before purchasing:
- Capacity and Size: The capacity and size of the shawarma machine will impact its cooking power. Determine the production volume required for the application. Think about how much space there is in the kitchen or serving area. Consider whether the machine needs to accommodate larger cuts of meat or cook multiple batches at once to meet demand during peak hours.
- Power Source: Evaluating the advantages and disadvantages of each power source considering the specific requirements and limitations of the installation area is essential. There should not be any safety issues when using the selected fuel type. There should also be adequate supply and accessibility for the chosen power source.
- Rotating System: The smoothness and stability of meat rotation will affect cooking performance and presentation. The durability and maintenance requirements of the rotating system components, such as bearings and driveshafts, are also essential. Whether the rotating system is clog-free and easy to clean after use is something important to consider.
- Grill Type: Evaluate the material and construction quality of the grill to ensure durability and heat retention. One may also need to consider the size and spacing of the grill bars to accommodate different types and cuts of meat. The grill type should be able to cook meat evenly and provide desirable marks and flavors.
- Safety Features: Safety standards and regulations need to be complied with to ensure legal and safe operation. The user manual and guidelines for handling and operating safety features should be consulted.
Uses of Shawarma Machines
The primary uses of the shawarma machine, also known as the shawarma grill, are to cook and grill shawarma, wrap the meat efficiently, and serve the deliciously cooked dishes. The following is a description of the uses of the shawarma machine in greater detail:
- Empowerment: The main purpose of the shawarma machine is to grill and roast shawarma. It is constructed to carry the meat on its skewer, which is turned around, for cooking the meat in a uniform manner. Different types of shawarma machines cook shawarmas differently. Some examples are electrical, gas, and charcoal-operated machines for roasting shawarmas. In addition to embracing several varieties of meat, some shawarma machines have various grilling sections for food items, such as vegetables and pita bread, used as a side with the main dish. This feature makes the machine quite practical and versatile.
- Conversion: A proper shawarma machine not only cooks but also converts the meat into a palatable feast. The meat is twisted and sliced in thin, long sections by a trained person with a sharp knife; these are then grilled with vegetables and rounds of bread for an appetizing dish. Shawarma can be made from various types of meat, including chicken, beef, turkey, lamb, or pork. Every culture has its own combination of food items and spices to flavor and prepare the shawarma, its most favorite dish.
- Serving: After cooking the meat and grilling the bread, the final use of the shawarma machine is to serve the cooked and grilled items neatly wrapped and roasted. The meat is served together with salad and special sauce, which is exotic and flavorful. Chicago-style beef shawarmas, blended with Middle Eastern spices, are sold wrapped in foil paper. Aside from the shawarma in the center, people love to have sides, such as French fries or fattoush salad, which is a Lebanese salad made with fresh vegetables and toasted Arabic bread.
Shawarmas can be made and served using an electric, gas, charcoal, or air-powered shawarma machine. In addition to shawarmas, similar machines can also grill other food items, such as kebabs, steaks, and gyros. Therefore, the above uses of machines for cooking and grilling food items are more practical.
How to choose a machine à shawarma
If one is looking for a commercial shawarma machine for sale that will draw customers and make the venture profitable, both devices are great choices. Some features to consider when choosing a vending machine for customers are:
- Meat capacity: Customers often want to serve large crowds and expect bigger meat capacities to help them achieve that. A shawarma machine with a 20–30 kilo meat capacity is ideal for most customers looking to serve a large crowd in a day. Rotating food racks can also help increase meat capacity.
- Propane compatibility: Customers want a versatile machine that can use different heat sources. Therefore, it is important to ensure that the vending machine is compatible with various heat sources, such as propane and natural gas. Not all customers will have access to electricity but will want to enjoy the benefits of vending shawarmas.
- Skewers: Customers' machines require skewers that can hold different sizes of meat. Longer and bigger skewers help customers hold larger pieces of meat. Also, some machines have multiple slots that can hold more than one skewer at a time. Up to 5-6 skewers can be used in a vending machine.
- Durable materials: Customers want a durable investment. Therefore, they often look for sturdy stainless steel material that will not rust, tarnish, or get damaged during frequent use and cleaning.
- Simple construction: Complicated machines take up extra time to learn. Employees may have to work in shifts to keep the vending service flowing. It is better to buy a machine with a simple construction so that only a few training hours will be needed to prepare the shawarma.
Q & A
Q: Can a home consumer use a commercial shawarma machine?
A: In most cases, a home consumer cannot use a commercial shawarma machine. Commercial machines are compatible with commercial power supplies. Using one could cause a power shortage. Furthermore, commercial machines are typically too big for home use.
Q: How much space does a shawarma machine need?
A: This depends on the size of the machine. Small machines need about 5 square feet. Large machines need about 10 to 20 square feet.
Q: What are the trends in shawarma machines?
A: The trend is moving toward automated machines that can cook, slice, and serve shawarma with minimal human intervention. Compact and multifunctional machines are also gaining popularity due to space constraints in many food service establishments.
Q: Can buyers get custom shawarma machines?
A: Many manufacturers now offer custom machines. They can customize the size, shape, features, and branding of the machines to meet the buyer's specific requirements.