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Gas Ovens

Gas ovens, or gas-fired ovens, are pieces of machinery essential in countless industrial processes, so much so that it’s almost difficult to think of a manufacturing process that doesn’t include the use of one.

However, this equipment sometimes requires specialized knowledge.

Don’t worry; if you’re looking to understand gas ovens, you’re in the right place. 

In this article, you’ll find all the essential info you need to know about gas ovens; what a gas oven is, what it’s used for, as well as what types of gas ovens there are, and what to consider when buying one for your business. 

Let’s get started. 

What is a Gas-Fired Oven? 

As its name suggests, a gas-fired oven is an industrial oven that uses gas to build heat and reach a controlled temperature needed for manufacturing. 

They’re an instrumental part of any manufacturing process that requires a consistent temperature level throughout production. 

For instance, if you’re switching materials and taking them in and out of an oven, the cold air will disrupt the temperature levels inside the oven chamber. Gas-fired ovens can quickly restore the temperature level so that the quality of your product does not suffer. 

Gas-fired ovens can achieve a temperature of 1000°F, with some models reaching as much as 1400°F. 

It’s worth mentioning that since gas-fired ovens rely on propane or natural gas to build heat, they have significantly fewer running costs than electric ovens. Gas produces heat quicker than electricity and is a cheaper power source overall.

This makes gas-fired ovens the preferred choice of manufacturers that want cost-efficient production

The frame sizes and manufacturing designs of gas-fired ovens vary based on their specific application. However, they are designed to remain cold on the outside during operations and conserve heat on the inside. 

Let’s talk about different types of gas ovens. 

Types of Industrial Gas Ovens 

As with all industrial machinery and equipment, there are different types of gas ovens. These are the 3 essential types you should know.

Batch Ovens

Batch ovens are industrial ovens characterized by their sizable sealed chamber (sometimes called the cabinet). 

They’re called batch ovens because they’re typically used for batch production, where materials are loaded on a tray and swapped for new ones once thermal processing is complete. 

When most people think about batch ovens, they imagine large, walk-in ovens in an industrial complex. However, the size of batch ovens varies heavily on their specific application. 

Conveyor Ovens

Conveyor ovens use the conveyor track to move materials from one section of the oven to another. Manufacturers can adjust the conveyor track’s speed to fit the specific needs of the manufacturing process. 

A conveyor oven is made from structural steel, with an insulated interior to increase the oven’s energy efficiency, so there’s no heat expenditure during operations. 

It’s common to see conveyor ovens at mass-production facilities since they excel at heat treating lots of materials in a short amount of time. 

Vertical Ovens

Vertical ovens are space-efficient. When a facility has limited floor space for operations, the managers choose vertical ovens to save on ground space because such ovens are built upwards. 

They are ideal for manufacturing flat materials that can be arranged vertically instead of horizontally. For example, if you want to deliver heat treatment to plates or panels, it’s more effective to place them vertically and treat both sides simultaneously.

The major limitation of vertical ovens is that they can’t fit bulky or wide materials because of their thin design. However, they’re a vital solution to production facilities with limited spacing. 

What Are Gas Ovens Used For? 

Manufacturers use gas ovens for a wide range of industrial applications because of their cost-effectiveness and thermal-processing capabilities. 

Gas ovens serve to heat different materials as part of the manufacturing process, as well as to remove the excess moisture from parts or products. Unlike industrial furnaces, gas ovens are used to apply less extreme heat, under 1000°F. 

Similarly, manufacturers use gas ovens to preheat molds for casting different machinery parts. This allows materials to reach the melting point sooner, reducing production cycle times. 

It’s common to see gas-fired curing ovens in facilities that cure microelectronic parts. Delicate microelectronic parts are cured according to the MIL-STD-883 standard, with temperatures ranging up to 662°F. 

For example, manufacturers use gas ovens to cure wire enamels on copper windings in the automotive industry. This process keeps the windings from short-circuiting on electronics. 

Other common uses for gas ovens include baking, burn-in testing, and drying various materials across different industrial processes, from the pharmaceutical industry to manufacturing. 

What Are Gas Ovens Made Of? 

Various gas ovens types have different components. 

However, these are the parts you can typically expect to see in a gas-fired oven: 

Gas burners. Gas burners are tubes placed inside the oven to direct and burn gas. They distribute heat across the oven chamber and provide consistent heating within the chamber during the manufacturing process. 

Insulation materials. Insulation between oven walls is essential because it increases the oven’s energy efficiency and eliminates heat expenditure to provide higher energy efficiency. By lowering the loss of heat, it decreases the amount of gas needed to reheat the oven. 

Oven safety valve. Modern ovens have safety valves to prevent gas from flowing to the burner if there’s no electricity to burn the gas. The valve won’t release the gas until the ignition is assured. That way, flammable gas won’t accumulate in the oven and possibly explode. 

Thermostat. A thermostat will measure the temperature level inside the gas-fired oven and ensure that the oven operates at a desired temperature. 

Igniter. An Igniter is an essential component that lights the gas-fired oven. Industrial ovens use electricity to power the igniter. The energy costs of igniters are negligible. 

What Kind of Fuel Do Gas Ovens Use? 

Industrial gas-fired ovens use two different fuel types to perform their functions: natural gas and propane. 

Natural gas is the preferred fuel for industrial gas-fired ovens. Its significant advantage is that it’s an affordable source of energy. 

According to data compiled by CenterPoint Energy, natural gas is 2 to 3 times cheaper than electrical power sources.

Since industrial facilities have growing energy demands, natural gas is the ideal affordable solution to power up industrial ovens. 

On the other hand, some industrial ovens rely on propane gas. There are two distinct differences between propane-gas ovens and those that rely on natural gas. 

First, propane ovens have to be attached to a propane tank that secures a constant gas supply. 

Second, propane doesn’t burn as efficiently as natural gas, so it takes more fuel to generate and maintain a consistent temperature level. For that reason, propane is less frequently used by modern gas ovens. 

Next, we’ll discuss the things you need to consider when buying a gas oven. 

Considerations When Buying a Gas Oven 

Purchasing a gas oven for your business is rarely straightforward. Yes, you can purchase a solution off the shelf, but sometimes you need to order a gas oven made specifically for your needs. Since every business or facility is unique, consider what road is best to take. 

Overall, when looking to purchase gas ovens for your business, here are 3 things you need to consider. 

Maintenance

Sophisticated equipment such as gas ovens has maintenance needs you’ll have to take into consideration. 

Gas-fired ovens require you to run maintenance operations twice a year, ideally in spring and autumn. Maintenance professionals maintain the ovens by examining and cleaning the oven parts that are most likely to malfunction first. 

For example, it’s common for air filters to get clogged up during daily operations, so they have to be cleaned or replaced. 

If you want your gas oven to reach a 30-year lifespan, plan on doing maintenance operations without delays. These also include safety checks on all critical components that deteriorate. 

Costs

The costs of industrial gas ovens vary from different manufacturers. When discussing costs, there are several aspects to consider. 

If you want to understand your energy costs, ask about the burner technology used by the gas oven. 

According to the Metal Treating Institute, natural gas ovens can save $40000 per year at a yearly operating time of 6000 hours with effective burner technology. 

Installation costs represent the second key factor. Based on your facility’s geographic location and accessibility, installing a gas oven might be more expensive. After all, it needs infrastructure to maintain a steady supply of natural gas. 

So before opting for a gas-fired oven, consider this point. 

Safety Compliance

As a professional, you’re responsible for meeting all the safety requirements of your facility. 

Gas-fired ovens fall into the Class A category under NFPA 86 standard. This means that manufacturers must include safety features in their gas ovens to prevent explosions and other hazards. 

As you consider buying a gas oven, you must make sure that the manufacturer follows the NFPA guidelines. 

Additionally, working with ovens that involve flammable fuels will involve safety training for your employees. 

You might have to invest in additional funds to ensure your facility can follow through with all the safety protocols. It can mean hiring a workplace safety professional and buying other protective equipment. 

Conclusion 

Hopefully, now you have a better understanding of gas-fired ovens and their effectiveness across industries. 

While buying a new industrial gas oven is a hefty investment, it’s well worth it. 

Carefully consider everything you’ve learned today and think about the ways your company can benefit from a quality new piece of equipment. 


Contact BUNTY LLC Today

Bunty LLC can manufacture different types of industrial ovens. For further information about our gas ovens and other capabilities, contact us directly via the convenient website form or request a quote here. We welcome your inquiries.

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From a contract manufacturing firm, BuntyLLC evolved into a full service custom machined, forged and cast metal parts fabrication enterprise. We supply global solutions from our headquarters in Greenville, South Carolina.

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