Introduction
5011.03.23
1-2
Food Service Technology Center
The Groen Vortex steamer is the product of continued dedication from Groen
to make quality connectionless steamers. The Vortex shares many of the same
features with its sibling, the HyPerSteam, including a powerful squirrel cage
fan that provides the advantages of forced convection steaming, a compart-
ment with a mirror finish for easy cleaning and durability, and a deep four
gallon reservoir.
The glossary in Appendix A is provided so that the reader has a quick ref-
erence to the terms used in this report.
The objective of this report is to examine the operation and performance of
the Groen, Model VRC-6E steamer, under the controlled conditions of the
ASTM Standard Test Method. The scope of this testing is as follows:
1. Verify that the appliance is operating at the manufacturer’s rated
energy input.
2. Determine the time and energy required to preheat the steamer
to an operating condition.
3. Characterize the idle energy use of the steamer while maintain-
ing a ready-to-cook state.
4. Determine the cooking-energy efficiency under four scenarios:
heavy-load frozen green peas (6 pans), light-load frozen green
peas (single-pan), heavy-load red potatoes (6 pans) and light-
load red potatoes (single-pan).
5. Determine the production capacity, cooking energy rate and
cook time for each loading scenario.
The Groen Vortex, Model VRC-6E is a 6-pan capacity, single compartment,
electric, connectionless steamer (Figure 1-1). The steamer is powered by a
12.0-kW heating element placed beneath the cooking compartment’s water
reservoir. Steam is generated within the cooking compartment without a
separate boiler. Water is added and drained manually at the beginning and end
of the day. The cooking chamber accommodates six standard full-size, 2½-
Objectives
Appliance
Description