New LEED Certifications for Foodservice Design

With a growing interest in the foodservice community about LEED, the U.S. Green Building Council established the third version of the LEED for Retail guidelines in 2009. The foodservice portion was dramatically updated through the work of the Richard Young and Food Service Technology Center in California. Along with other foodservice professionals, they developed a "prescriptive path" to selecting commercial cooking equipment and fixtures to meet and/or exceed LEED certifications. FSTC created a chart for designers to follow that shows just how efficient certain equipment needs to be. For example, all Energy Star products meet these standards but there may be others as well. Even if your building is not trying to achieve LEED certification, which is very involved, operators can use this chart as guideline for a "green" restaurant.

Foodservice Equipment and Supplies Magazine featured a story about the new LEED for Retail in April. The full article can be found here.

Griddles and Convection Ovens Now Energy Star Approved

It's been several months since my last blog post, but I've noticed an increase in traffic lately so I thought I'd post again.

A couple months ago, the EPA approved griddles and convection ovens for Energy Star certification. Only AccuTemp, and just recently, Vulcan have approved griddles. Both manufacturers partner with Boston Showcase Company. Several manufacturers, including Vermont-based Blodgett and Vulcan have approved convection ovens.

Boston Showcase Company is an Energy Star Service and Products Provider and always steers customers toward the most energy efficient commercial cooking equipment.

Manitowoc the "New" Enodis

Enodis, which includes Delfield, Garland, Jackson, Scotsman, Ice-O-Matic, Varimixer, Frymaster, Cleveland, Lincoln, and other companies, is now under the Manitowoc umbrella. BSC works closely with all of these manufacturers to provide the highest quality equipment and service. Here's a brief synopsis of each company.

Delfield: Known for their customization ability. Can create full chef's counters with built in hot and cold elements. Also make regular refrigeration items, such as pizza prep tables and reach-in refrigerators.

Garland: Carries a full line of heavy-duty cooking equipment, including ranges, charbroilers, griddles, convection ovens, and salamanders.

Cleveland Range: The experts in steam equipment. Their products include tilting kettles, steam jacketed kettles, direct steam kettles, in both electric and gas.

Jackson: One of the many leaders in warewashing, dishwashing, and other types of washing. Have a full line of flight type, undercounter, and door-type machines.

Varimixer: For all of your mixing needs. Unlike other mixing companies, they focus solely on mixers and carry a 150 quart capacity model.

Scotsman/Ice-O-Matic: Although the are two separate companies, they carry similar products. Both companies are leading the way in energy efficient, Energy Star rated products. Both carry cube, flake, and nugget style ice cubes.

Frymaster: Although not as popular a Pitco in New England, they are the leaders in frying equipment along with Pitco. They carry dozens of energy efficient, Energy Star rated products that save end user money on both energy costs and oil costs. They do an excellent job of putting several fryers together into a battery.

Lincoln Foodservice/ Lincoln Smallwares: There are two sides to Lincoln: equipment and smallwares. Equipment includes Merco Savory heat lamps as well as Impinger ovens anc conveyor toasters. The smallwares side features pot and pans mainly, many of which BSC stocks in our Newton location.

Picking the Right Range

With dozens of manufacturers out there, all of which make ten types of ranges, how do you know what's right for you? The following information will hopefully help you decide.

Heavy Duty vs. Restaurant

A heavy duty range is more expensive but is built to take a beating from pots and pans. This type of range also has larger gas valves and higher energy outputs for quicker cooking times. A heavy duty range can be part of a battery of equipment as well. This is recommended for foodservice operations with more than 150 seats, such as big restaurants, hotels, cafeterias, prisons, commissaries, and hospitals.

A restaurant range is less expensive and has lower costs to maintain. A restaurant range is viable as a free standing unit. It will hold up well in a smaller operation or if it is an infrequently used item. Some buyers use restaurant ranges because they are inexpensive and with proper care, can extend the life dramatically. This is recommended for small restaurants, churches, snack bars, and other operations that are less than 150 seats.

So now that you've learned more about these two types of ranges, you'll be more prepared to make your purchase. BSC carries some of the finest commercial brands including Vulcan, Wolf, Garland, Jade, Montague, and more.

Warehouse Sale

Boston Showcase Company will be having the first annual Warehouse Sale on May 9, from 9 AM to 1 PM. Refreshments will be available for the first few dozen visitors. We are selling everything from equipment to smallwares to tabletop. Our showroom will be open to view as well. We look forward to seeing you there!

Did you know?

Every few months I will discuss a particular product or product line that BSC carries that is not as well known as other products that we sell. While many people are familiar with BSC as an equipment, supplies, and tabletop dealer, we carry hundreds of other types of products as well.

Furniture: BSC carries a complete line of furniture, including tables, chairs, booths, and outdoor furniture (umbrellas, plastic chairs, etc.). We work with numerous manufacturers including Grand Rapids Chair, which is rapidly, no pun intended, becoming a a leader in the industry with its unique designs. BSC also works with American Tables and Seating, M. Deitz, MTS Seating, Maple Wood Furniture, and many other quality manufacturers. Let us help you for your next project.

Hand Dryers: BSC works closely with both Excel Dryer and World Dryer to bring customers the leading hands free dryers for their bathrooms. BSC has supplied dozens of Xlerator hand dryers from Excel in the last year. Xlerators are the most energy efficient hand dryers available and are the quickest to dry your hands. Xlerators all feature the same interior construction and are available in five finishes show below. (Stainless Steel, Graphite, White- Zinc Cover, White- Resin Cover, and Chrome)

Filtered Water is the "Green" Way to Hydrate

One of the many exciting "green" trends in our industry is filtered water, which eliminates the need for bottles. Plastic or glass bottles are not only costly, but are bad for the environment when not recycled properly. Everpure makes a product called Exubera, which is plumbed in and provides clean, cold drinking water. Harvard University has installed this system in more than a dozen dining facilities. Not only do you get better quality drinking water than in a bottle, the cost is drastically reduced to just 1 cent per gallon! The Exubera dispenses three types of filtered water, including ambient, chilled, and chilled carbonated. When served in an elegant pitcher, operators can charge close to the same amount for filtered water as bottled water. While the machine requires some maintenance and carbon-dioxide tanks, the profit margin is staggering. BSC is proud to carry the Exubera system, which will help reduce your carbon footprint and your operating costs.

Spring Sale at BSC

It's been a while since I've posted and I apologize for that.  This spring, BSC will be having the first annual Spring Sale, which will feature smallwares, including glassware, china, flatware, and kitchen supplies, as well as some pieces of equipment. The sale will take place at BSC in the front of our building, which is located at 66 Winchester St. in Newton.  All of the information is below.  Contact Andy for more information. 

Event: Spring Sale at BSC

Date and Time: May 9, 2009 beginning at 10 AM. 

Location: 66 Winchester St. Newton, MA 02461

What's For Sale?:  China, glassware, pots, pans, kitchen utensils, equipment, etc.

BSC Hires New Sales Coordinator

Jack Durgin, formerly of Restaurant Equipment Sales in Wilmington, DE, recently began working at Boston Showcase Company as Sales Coordinator.  Jack has more than a decade of experience in the foodservice equipment and supplies industry, specifically in dealerships, having worked at RES.  Jack will assist in several areas including purchasing, sales support, interfacing with manufacturers, and inside sales.  

Price Increases for 2009

While some manufacturers update prices throughout the year, most announce changes for the beginning of the year.  At Boston Showcase Company, we only raise prices when manufacturers have increases.  Some manufacturers' prices have not gone up in many categories due to the declining cost of fuel and metal.  Some manufacturers lowered prices in some categories as well.  For updated prices on items that you purchase, please contact BSC directly. 

Prices Updated for January 1, 2009

A.J. Antunes & Co.
Advance Tabco
Amana Commercial Products
Amco
American Metalcraft
American Panel 
ANETS
Arctic Air
Ascend
Bally 
Bar Maid
Belleco
Berkel
Best Value Textiles
Bizerba
Blodgett Combi
Blodgett Conveyor
Blodgett Oven
Blodgett Range
Blodgett Steam
Bloomfield Ind.
Bugambilia
Cambro
Canada Vollrath
Candle Lamp
Cardinal
Carter-Hoffmann
Cecilware
Chef Specialties
Connerton Company, Inc.
CookTek
Cooper Atkins
Cornelius
Crestware
Cuno
Curtron
Detecto
Dexter Russell 
Dispense-Rite
Diversified Ceramics
Doyon
Dutchess Bakers
Dynamic International
Edgecraft
Electrolux Dito
Electrolux Professional
EmberGlo
Everpure
Fagor Refrigeration
Follett Corporation
Forschner
Freestyle
Gemini
Giles
Glass Pro
Glastender 
Goldleaf Plastics
Groen
Grosfillex
Hamilton Beach
Hammerall

Harford Duracool

Homer Laughlin
Hussmann 
International Patterns
International Tableware
ISS

John Boos (Flyer)
Kelmax
Kelvinator/Electrolux
Kloppenberg Company
Kolpak
Lang Manufacturing
Lang Marine
LBC Bakery

Legion
LPI
Manitowoc
Market Forge
Mars Air Doors
Maywood Furniture
McCall
Meiko
Metalfrio
Midwest Folding
Mod-U-Serve
MVP Group
New Age
Oliver
Oreck Commercial
Prince Castle
Randell
Robot Coupe
Royalton Foodservice Equipment
Rubbermaid
Sage Sanitizing Systems
Salvajor
Servend
Server Products
Southbend
Spring USA
Stanton Trading
Star Mfg.
Steelite
Stoelting
Taylor Co.
TEC - Thermal Engineering
Texican Specialty Products
Thunder Group
Town Foodservice
Turbo Air 
Turbo Chef
Tuxton
Ultrafryer
Universal Stainless
Univex
Vertex
Walco Stainless
Waring
Waste King
Wells
Winco
Winston
Wittco
Zeroll
Zurn