Budgeting for an oven

Does your school canteen need to replace its weary oven? Or perhaps, you’ve never had one and you’re looking to expand your menu to include hot, healthy choices.

Ovens come in all shapes and sizes and selecting an appropriate model for you canteen is no small feat – and definitely not a cheap investment. We’ve compiled a few key points to think about when purchasing an oven:

• Check the power connection to the canteen: is it general 240V or 3-phase? If it is the latter, an electrician will need to install a specific connection to power the oven.

• Factor in the location of your power points and the future location of your oven in the canteen.

• Consider the weight of the oven and where it will be stored. Keep in mind that some laminate bench-tops are not strong enough to hold a bench-top oven.

• Be mindful of ventilation: does the size of the oven require a range hood or can it be placed next to a window or door to allow for adequate air circulation?

• Think trays: what size trays will fit in your desired oven? What size trays do you already have? Will you need to purchase new trays?

• Don’t forget to ask how much it costs to install the oven!

Remember:

When creating a budget for an oven, make sure you factor in additional costs like power connections, installation, trays and bench-tops that may also need replacing before submitting the total cost to the P&C or Principal for approval.

For further information, refer to DEC fact sheet: Considerations when installing an oven in your canteen.