Blog#27: Suzuchū (涼厨®): What is it and how Does it Help Create a Cooler, More Efficient Kitchen?

カテゴリ

English column 

タグ

english 

Dear readers,

Hope you’ve been enjoying October so far! 🍂🎃🌰

As the festive season approaches, one can imagine how busy restaurants and commercial kitchens get. More people dine out to celebrate the holidays, while staff taking time off may add to the operational challenges.

Now, imagine this.

It’s Halloween night. Your restaurant is fully booked. Some staff have already gone on holiday. Orders are coming in faster than your staff can prepare them.

You’re in the middle of a busy dinner service when one of your cooking appliances suddenly malfunctions due to overheating. The kitchen becomes unbearably hot as multiple appliances and open flames release heat into the surrounding environment. Amid the chaos, a staff member accidentally burns themselves by touching a cooking equipment in use.

Sounds like a kitchen nightmare, doesn’t it?

Fortunately, there are ways to reduce these risks.

In Japan, Suzuchū (涼厨®) is a registered trademark of Osaka Gas associated with commercial gas kitchen equipment designed to reduce radiant heat and direct exhaust heat toward the ventilation hood, helping keep kitchens cooler. The term Suzuchū (涼厨®) literally translates to “cool kitchen.”

To qualify for Suzuchū (涼厨®) recognition, equipment must pass an inspection by the Japan Gas Appliances Inspection Association (JIA) to ensure that it meets the specified requirements.

So, what are the requirements? The equipment must maintain safe surface temperatures during operation: below 50°C for knobs/handles, 65°C for front panels, and 75°C for the sides and back. To reduce heat released into the kitchen, it must incorporate insulated structures to minimize radiant heat and feature specialized designs that direct exhaust heat upward or toward the ventilation hood.

But what are the benefits of using Suzuchū (涼厨®) equipment?

• Improved staff comfort: Less radiant heat creates a cooler working environment.
• Reduced burn risks: Cooler exterior surfaces help minimize accidental burns.
• Potential energy and cost savings: Less heat in the kitchen may reduce air-conditioning demand and costs.
• Easier cleaning: Cooler surfaces help prevent spills and grease from baking onto the equipment.

Now that you know what Suzuchū (涼厨®) is, how can you identify Suzuchū (涼厨®) equipment from Japan?

In the image below, look for the mark featuring the Japanese character 「涼」!



Any equipment with the mark above is a qualified product that has been inspected and approved by JIA.

Let’s take a closer look at the two pieces of equipment shown in the first image. Both are Hattori Kogyo products recognized under Suzuchū (涼厨®): the LG-000, Hattori Kogyo’s premium deck rice cooker, and the HTK, an award-winning gas tilting kettle.

What earned the HTK model its Suzuchū (涼厨®) recognition? Designed for high-volume commercial kitchens, the HTK reduces radiant heat while maintaining efficient cooking performance. Its energy-saving design also helps cut gas costs and CO₂ emissions by more than 40%.

In 2020, the HTK received the Japan Gas Association Technology Award, recognizing its contribution to energy efficiency and demonstrating how commercial kitchen equipment can support a more comfortable working environment.

Hattori Kogyo’s best-selling LG-000 is a premium deck rice cooker designed for efficient high-volume cooking and consistent results. Featuring low-radiant-heat technology, its exterior remains cool to the touch during operation, while exhaust heat is directed upward toward the ventilation hood instead of spreading throughout the kitchen. This helps create a more comfortable working environment for kitchen staff while supporting efficient cooking operations. The LG-000 is CE and UL-certified, making it a reliable choice for professional kitchens.

A cooler kitchen, happier staff, better cooking! Now that you know about Suzuchū (涼厨®), looking to create a more comfortable and efficient kitchen? Explore Hattori Kogyo’s Suzuchū (涼厨®) equipment and discover the difference for yourself!