MKN Electric Boiling Kettle 10029366 – Optima 850

490 litres of capacity on a 2000 x 850 mm Optima 850 body defines this boiling kettle as a bulk-production unit, not a back-up pan. With an electrical power rating of 50.8 kW and a quoted heat-up time of 53 min, it is sized for large-volume soups, sauces and boiling duties where a single batch feeds a significant part of the vessel.

On board, a kettle of this size often becomes the thermal core of a main galley. The 2000 x 850 x 700 mm overall dimensions need to be allowed for in plan and in relation to clearances for cleaning and service, because once installed and piped the unit is effectively fixed. At 325 kg net weight and 370 kg gross, foundations and deck structure must be checked against the load, and any decision to weld or flange to a plinth has to consider both stability and hygiene clearances under and behind the body. The ability to connect this kettle directly to the mains water supply reduces manual filling and hose handling, which matters in a moving galley where ergonomics and spill control are safety items as much as convenience.

The kettle is constructed throughout in stainless steel 1.4301 (AISI 304). That ties in with the Optima 850 line’s continuous working surface, here given as 1690 x 665 x 465 mm, so handling pans and utensils around the kettle happens on a common stainless plane. The quoted 490 litres of capacity demand predictable heating, and this is delivered via a VAPRO heating system with a separate steam generator. The generator is heated by cylindrical stainless steel elements and transfers energy to the kettle indirectly via steam in the jacket, so the food product is not in contact with heating elements. Intelligent heating control manages power input so the jacket is driven effectively without overshooting, which becomes significant with this volume when moving between gentle simmering and a stronger boil.

Heat-up time of 53 min is a planning figure as much as a technical one. On a ship’s galley schedule, that duration dictates when a batch must be started to be ready for service, and intelligent heating combined with the VAPRO generator gives the chef repeatability rather than guesswork. The unit is also prepared for connection to an energy optimisation system, allowing the electrical load of the 50.8 kW kettle to be integrated into the ship’s overall power management. The specified 400 V supply should be checked against the vessel’s distribution so the feed can be taken from an appropriate section of the switchboard.

Build and control

• Stainless steel 1.4301 (AISI 304) throughout
• Self-supporting closed construction
• Can be connected to the mains water supply
• Ergonomic knob control
• Energy-efficient VAPRO heating system with separate steam generator
• Generator heated by cylindrical stainless steel elements
• Intelligent heating control
• Prepared for connection to an energy optimisation system
• Large drain valve with strainer
• Double-walled hinged lid with swivel joint and condensate drip strip

This 490-litre, 50.8 kW kettle is the right choice where production is centralised and batches are large and repeated, for example in a main galley or commissary feeding multiple outlets. It is the wrong unit for a small crew galley or for operations that rarely run full volumes, because it occupies a 2000 x 850 mm footprint and ties up 400 V, 50.8 kW of electrical capacity that a smaller kettle would release for other equipment. Ordered under MKN Optima 850 product number 10029366.