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Chef Louella Villa
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11.21.23

The Ultimate Holiday Helper: Vulcan VCH16 Cook & Hold

Cooking with a Vulcan VCH16 Cook & Hold Oven can revolutionize your kitchen experience, offering a convenient and efficient way to prepare a wide range of dishes in large batches – including your holiday turkeys. Here's a guide on how to make the most of your Vulcan VCH16 this holiday season. 

Understanding The Vulcan Cook and Hold 

First, it's essential to understand what a cook and hold oven is. Unlike a conventional oven, a cook and hold oven cooks food at a precise temperature and then automatically switches to a holding mode to keep the food at a desired temperature. During this hold period, enzymes present in the protein break down allowing for a more tender turkey.  The Vulcan VCH16 can be programmed to two cook temperatures, capable of reaching 400 degrees Fahrenheit, and a programmable hold temperature.  

Benefits of the Vulcan VCH16  

1. Reduced Labor Cost: With time and temp automation kitchen staff does not need to come in early to put in products or stay late to remove from oven. And holding banquet foods in a Vulcan Cook & Hold Oven reduces that last minute party prep to almost nothing. 

2. Consistent Cooking: With increased moisture retention and increased tenderization you can cut your percentage of shrinkage from 25-30% down to 5-10%, leading to increased profits.  

3. Energy Efficient: It costs significantly less to run a Vulcan Cook & Hold Oven than a conventional oven. And in most areas, no exhaust hood is needed.

Tips for Cooking Turkey in the Vulcan VCH16

1. Cooking Rack: Each unit is supplied with a specially designed cooking rack. Arrange turkeys in alternating orientation on supplied cooking racks to promote proper air circulation for even browning and consistently perfect results. 

2. Inverted Sheet Tray: When loading the oven, an additional 18” x 26” sheet tray, in an inverted position, should be placed directly above the turkeys. This creates the necessary air flow pattern to produce golden brown and delicious results. 

3. Easy Clean Up: When loading your turkeys on the cooking rack line your sheet tray with foil, or spray with a quality vegetable oil. 

4. Programming: Try this programming for the perfect turkey this season. With fan on set “Cook Temp 1” to 375 degrees Fahrenheit for 20 minutes for that golden brown exterior, then set “Cook Temp 2” to 250 degrees Fahrenheit for 4 hours, and "hold" to 170 degrees Fahrenheit for up to 5 hours.  

A cook and hold oven can be a valuable addition to your kitchen, let the Vulcan VCH16 be your ultimate helper this holiday season.

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