Commercial Food Services
Dishwashers | Food Steamers | Ice-Makers | Pre-Rinse Spray Valves (PRSVs)
With funding provided by the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California and East Bay Municipal Utility District, the FSTC conducted a field study to determine the water and energy use profiles of both boiler-based and boilerless (connectionless) food steamers. The steamers in multiple food service operations were measured for water and energy use. The study confirms that the relatively new connectionless technology yields very significant water use reductions in food service, due largely to the elimination of condensate-cooling water. The findings in this report are serving as a basis for large incentives directed at the food service industry with the goal to eliminate boiler-based steamers and replace them with the connectionless technology.
SPECIAL NOTE OF CAUTION TO WATER PROVIDERS: Some manufacturers have adopted terms like "boilerless" or "connectionless" as a marketing tool without regard for the water efficiency of the equipment. As such, not all food steamers currently labeled as "connectionless" or "boilerless" are, in fact, water-efficient. If your water agency or municipality is considering implementing an incentive program for steamers, be sure to consult with the Food Service Technology Center (David Zabrowski at: dzabrowski@fishnick.com OR 925-866-5614) before defining or "listing" the equipment to be included.
Download the complete FSTC field study report on steamers:
- Final Report: Water Savings Potential of Connectionless Food Steamers
The Metropolitan Water District (MWD), working with test results and other information from the FSTC, has established a list of connectionless steamers that qualify for its $485 per compartment rebate (through its "Save Water - Save A Buck" Program). Each of the steamers on this list are deemed water-efficient by virtue of the fact that their consumption rate does not exceed 2 gallons per hour:
- Food Steamer Rebate List - Metropolitan Water District
Most of the machines on the MWD list are also energy-efficient. As such, the energy utilities in California also offer rebates for their purchase. Check the FSTC's official listing of qualified energy-efficient steamers at http://www.fishnick.com/saveenergy/rebates/