Since its invention in 1945, the microwave has remained a staple appliance in both home and commercial kitchens. With the ability to quickly cook and raise the temperature of a food product, microwaves assist in optimizing both efficiency and food safety.
These days, the marketplace is crowded by combi-technology and smart kitchen gadgets, making it easy to overlook the humble microwave. However, a long-lasting, quality microwave has an essential role in any commercial kitchen.
“The microwave has never received the respect it deserves,” said Steve Stohrer, President of the Midea Brand at Empire Marketing Group. “But it provides a service like no other.”
As the largest appliance and microwave manufacturer in the world, Midea is consistently revolutionizing the field of commercial kitchen appliances, with microwaves currently at the center of their business.
Midea grew as an OEM company and spent many of its formative years building ovens for well-known brands.
In 2017, when Empire Equipment became Midea’s North American master distributor, Stohrer teamed up with Ken Megarr, Midea’s R&D Culinary Applications Chef and Product Manager to launch a new line of commercial microwaves.
The veteran duo, who previously worked together in the Panasonic microwave division for over than 25 years, have collaborated with Midea and introduced a brand which is designed and built on the valuable insights gained from a combined 60 years of expertise in the field.
Key features with unique product design, an unrivaled distribution model, and unmatched warranty support clearly distinguish themselves in the category.
Due to their impressive lineup, Midea has managed to build a large testimonial list, featuring many well-known restaurant chains, major vending accounts and high-volume food service equipment dealers.
“Since our launch, our name and products have quickly gained recognition, establishing us as a dominant force in the category within a short span of time” Stohrer said.
TD Marketing, who represents and distributes Midea in the major metro area of New York and Philadelphia, has assisted in the continued growth of the Midea brand.
Currently, the line consists of 10 commercial microwave models of varying sizes, ranging from 1000-Watt to 2100-Watt machines. The diverse offering has models for all applications whether your operation is quick serve, casual dining, fast casual or vending.
Additionally, Midea’s products follow its Green Strategy, which was unveiled in 2021. Under the Green Strategy are various sustainability goals, including a target of achieving carbon neutrality by 2060, and six core pillars, including green design, green procurement, and green manufacturing.
Besides Midea’s varied and sustainable microwave line, the company also offers a lower cost High-Speed Oven that uses dual impingement and an Inverter controlled microwave with an 8-inch touch screen that operates like a cell phone screen.
This combination of impingement and microwave allows for quick cooking times of sandwiches, pizza, chicken, and more.
To complete their line are the induction cooktops and an induction Wok. Each Midea product is stainless steel and offers a one-of-a-kind warranty support function.
Stohrer explained that the warranty is designed so that the operator is not without a microwave for more than two days, making it a cost-effective purchase. The exchange warranty covers all 1000-Watt ovens and induction models.
“If we get notified by 3:00 p.m. ET of a microwave that is down, an exchange oven will ship under warranty that day from the nearest warehouse to the customer,” Stohrer continued.
Midea’s warranty underlines the company’s care for its customers, and this is also reflected in its availability.
The Empire Group of companies has 10 warehouse locations across the United States, and they can ship products anywhere in the lower 48 states within 1-3 business days. Additionally, their warehouses have over $4 million dollars in inventory and prioritize keeping stock on all items.
Stohrer and Megarr’s passion for and belief in the microwave’s capabilities is evident through their product offerings. As they look towards the future, they plan to expand beyond microwaves, potentially releasing products like toasters, immersion blenders, and even refrigerators.
“Our goal is not to be known as a commercial microwave oven company but rather a complete food service company.” Stohrer said. Midea’s product line has clearly established itself as a brand that creates 24/7 solutions for restaurants, foodservice professionals and the dealers that support them to achieve their success.
GREEN FACTS ABOUT MICROWAVE COOKING with Chef Ken Megarr
Microwave ovens are often overlooked as the greenest pieces of equipment in the kitchen because they have become so commonplace.
- Microwave ovens feature Instant-on and instant-off feature that reduces energy consumption because they eliminate pre-heating and don’t produce any residual heat.
- Unlike so many pieces of both hot and cold equipment in a kitchen, when a microwave is not in use, it utilizes/wastes NO energy.
- Remember covering the food you microwave is a USDA requirement!
- So don’t forget the basics of microwave cooking like always covering the food so it STEAMS and locks in flavor and nutrients by making the cooking more even.
- A Cornell University study documents the nutritional benefits of steaming vs other cooking methods.
- Don’t forget to keep the inside of your Midea Commercial Microwave clean so that flavors pop and you minimize energy consumption and lock in nutrients!
Our Midea team is here to help with any questions. For more information, visit Empire Microwaves website.
