Product Spotlight: Let’s Count the Benefits KI Recipients Bring

Aniai

Alpha Cloud

Aniai’s “patty quality assistant” adds cloud-based AI intelligence—via cameras and vision sensors—to the maker’s robotic clamshell griddle (the Alpha Grill, a 2023 KI recipient) to ensure patties stack up to a restaurant’s specified standards.

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Apex Order Pickup Solutions

OrderHQ Exterior Smart Food Locker

One of several food lockers offered by the maker, this unit unlocks secure, through-the-wall food pickup to keep off-premise orders flowing conveniently and efficiently. An air circulation system maintains ambient locker temperatures.

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Atosa

Auto Seasoning and Auto Packaging Station

Atosa doubles down on its 2023 KI for a robotic fry line with this add-on: an automated dump station that can season and portion fries. The station holds up to three fried products across two dumping areas, with a heat lamp over the secondary area.

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Blodgett

ImVection IMV-4E oven

A motorized “shuffling jet plate” lets this ventless, four-chamber unit cook by convection or impingement—with up to 175°F variations from one chamber level to the next—to create a variety of menu items.

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Broaster Co.

E-Series 24G high-volume pressure fryer

This 75,000 Btu/hour gas fryer is up to 35% more gas-and-energy-efficient than Broaster’s prior models and loaded with labor-saving features. It can cook up to 64 pieces of bone-in chicken through programmable, five-stage cooking, and go from pressure to open frying mid-cycle.

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Ecolab

Nexa Concentrates 2.0 hand hygiene system

Cost-saving cleanliness comes in the form of this system’s refillable cartridges, which are compatible with Ecolab’s Nexa dispensers. Employees can top off the dispensers at their leisure, adding workflow predictability, while the design also reduces product and plastic waste, freight costs and more, as compared to standard cartridges.

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Ecolab

Rapid multisurface disinfectant cleaner

Versatile in its application and abilities, this solution can clean glass surfaces, tables, mirrors and fixtures, plus tackle assorted viruses (SARS-CoV-2, norovirus, the common cold, RSV, and Influenza A and B) in 30 seconds or less.

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Evo America

Evo EVent open canopy hood

With five-stage filtration, this UL-approved hood unlocks ventless operation of multiple pieces of high-volume electric equipment, enabling ventless protein cooking. A touch screen shows real-time filter and system status, and, post-cooking, antimicrobial LED lighting prevents mold and mildew.

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Franke Coffee Systems

Mytico Due fully automatic coffee machine

This two-step coffee machine can make up to 300 cups of java or tea (across two modules), with customizable brew temperatures, milk steaming wands and up to four grinders adding product versatility. Automatic cleaning adds ease of use.

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Henkelman

Aura vacuum packaging system

On this countertop unit, the tap of a touch screen activates preset cycles for packaging products—from cheese and liquid to various types of meat—in under a minute; a red meat function, for example, uses short injections of air to prevent air bubbles and extend shelf life.

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Hobart

CL rack conveyor dishmachine

Not only can this high-temperature unit clean 202 racks per hour with 0.45 gal. water per rack, but it also cleans itself, with an automated deliming process running through the booster heater and eliminating manual chemical handling.

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Kwick Cool

Tri-Temp Kold Pak pizza prep tabletop

This prep table has a retarder for dough, four drawers for meat and cheese, and a pan chiller—with each zone’s temperature being adjustable. One compressor and one digital controller power the unit. An interior sensing probe mimics food temperature vs. air temp for added accuracy.

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Lab2Fab

PizzaBot automated pizza-making system

From distributing pepperoni, cheese and sauce in a concentric circle (and to a chain’s specification), to cooking the pizza in a ventless conveyor oven, this robotic unit replaces labor and amplifies throughput. Depending on the number of ovens, the unit can make as many as 70 pizzas/hour with a prepped queue.

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Newton CFV

Discrete constant flow valve

An alternative to conventional ceramic-based flow control valves on beverage dispensers, this plug-and-play option keeps syrup ratios and more in check for better-tasting carbonated soft drinks, less waste and more.

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Pentair

Everpure EZ-RO reverse osmosis system

With up to 50% water recovery—double that of standard RO membranes, notes the maker—and a variety of sizing and mounting options, this modular system can fit into the water-treatment equation for both coffee and steam applications.

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Pitco Frialator

TorQ fryer

Smart technology drives the cleaning and operation of this fryer, with features like a pivoting filter arm simplifying and quickening filter changes. Further, forced convection ensures efficient heating and cooking as well as reduced recovery times.

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RATIONAL

iCareSystem AutoDose combi cleaning system

Able to take the guesswork out of chemical dosing and cleaning schedules alike, this system stores and dispenses solid cleaner and solid deliming cartridges within compatible iCombi Pro tabletop models.

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T&S Brass and Bronze Works

Y-Valve spray valve

This 1.15 gpm stainless spray valve—featured on EverSteel standard and low-profile pre-rinse units—cleans efficiently and has a lifetime warranty. An integration of the spray face and bumper as one piece sets it apart from other designs for fewer replaceable parts.

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TechMagic Inc.

I-Robo cooking robot

From dispensing and heating oil in the rotating fry pan, to cooking and tossing proteins and vegetables, dispensing sauce and even washing the pan, this stir-fry robot saves labor and makes up to 30 meals an hour. A touch screen guides staff and enables recipe customization.

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True Mfg.

True Ice machine

This cuber series comes in 20% below Energy Star standards, plus features eco-friendly R-290 refrigerant. A sealed evaporator design prevents mold and other microbial contamination.

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Unox

Cheftop-X combi with digital ID

Chef-specific, AI-driven cooking programs, hands-free voice controls, an optical sensor and more simplify and specify how this combi cooks. AI-informed consumption tips assist users in reducing energy and water use.

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Varimixer

ERGO series mixer

The touch screen of this automated planetary mixer (100- and 150-quart models are available) allows recipe programming, shows usage history and aids in machine diagnostics. A stainless frame and attachments are easy to clean, and the unit can withstand a hosedown.

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Waring

XPress multipurpose cooktop

Employees can prepare delicate crepes in just 30 seconds with this two-sided, 13 1/2-inch aluminum surface, which also can warm or cook quesadillas, tortillas, omelets, pancakes and even pizza dough. An electronic touchpad lets users set the temperature from 125°F-425°F.

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Wild Goose Filling

Cervizi draft beer system

Technology from Wild Goose Filling’s canning systems reduces beer foam for up to 98% keg yield, compared to 75% on standard draft systems, plus a quicker pour time (up to 4 3/10 oz. per second vs. 2 oz. on traditional taps).

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Wunder-Bar

M5 bargun

Faster and more ergonomic, the M5 post-mix beverage dispenser pours 2 1/2 oz. per second, a 67% improvement over its predecessor. The unit incorporates technology from sister company Newton CFV that eliminates the need for re-Brixing, among other advantages.

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