Dual-fuel options for bakery ovens hand plants huge advantages, supplier argues

Being able to switch between gas and electricity to heat ovens can have a major impact on the high cost of energy, says European Process Plant (EPP).

The UK supplier contends that, for today’s high volume bakeries, oven technology now plays as crucial a role as dough development and ingredient selection. Bakeries need heating systems that deliver quality, efficiency and - more than ever – control, says managing director Steve Merritt.

He explains how dual fuel and hybrid heating technologies from Danish partner Senius are helping bakeries navigate the UK’s energy challenges while maintaining the precision and consistency essential for modern production.

With gas costs losing their long standing stability and the gap between gas and electricity prices shifting unpredictably, this volatility has left bakeries struggling to choose between gas or electric ovens when neither option could be relied upon.

Traditionally, specifying a single fuel oven was standard practice, says Merritt, but in today’s market it has become a significant financial risk. Bakeries now need the flexibility to adapt, not commit to a single energy source.

One of the major advantages of Senius technology, says EPP, is its ability to retrofit hybrid capability into many existing ovens, including non Senius impingement models. This can give bakeries a practical and cost-effective pathway to lower emissions and improved energy flexibility.

By adding electric zones, modernising controls and upgrading key components, bakeries can significantly reduce their environmental impact and extend the life of their assets without the expense of replacing entire lines, the UK supplier adds.

A hybrid approach can also support moves towards net-zero targets, offering the ideal balance between performance and carbon reduction. Electric zones can be added where they deliver the greatest environmental benefit, EPP points out, while gas can be retained where it enhances product quality. This enables bakeries to electrify at their own pace rather than forcing an all or nothing investment.

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www.eppltd.co.uk