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Before workflow automation became a must-have for any business, employees were spending hours on repetitive and time-sucking tasks. With the introduction of workplace automation software like Zapier, organizations are now able to automate processes like tracking leads or filling out data so their employees can focus on areas of the business that matter most. As a leader in the workflow automation space, Zapier helps organizations build custom solutions to automate countless tasks across any business. With the average Zapier user saving ten hours of work a week, it’s no wonder it’s one of the go-to automation platforms for so many companies. However, like all tools, Zapier might not be the perfect fit for you or your business. Whether you’re looking for something more cost-effective, or simply want to try out a range of other features, we’ve rounded up some of the best Zapier alternatives. Top Zapier alternatives Unito Workato Tray.io Make Dock Health IFTTT Outfunnel Easyflow Jitterbit SnapLogic Boomi Appy Pie Unito: best overall Zapier alternative You had to know this was coming. Unito is the best Zapier alternative for people who need workflows that go deeper than simple one-way automation. Zapier — and most of the tools on this list — stick to trigger-action automations to optimize your workflows. While that’s great in some situations, it can’t really cover all your needs. Say, for instance, you’re looking to connect your contact management platform (like HubSpot or Salesforce) with your project management tool of choice. With a tool like Zapier, you can easily create a contact in one tool whenever a task is created in your PM tool. But after that? Unless you’re willing to spend hours building countless automations, it’s almost impossible to build a lasting relationship between these work items. With Unito, commitment is the default. Here’s why Unito is one of the best Zapier alternatives on the market: True 2-way sync: Unito uses 2-way syncing to keep each work item automatically updated as you work on them. While Zapier is a robust automation platform, allowing you to automate complex business processes with the right mix of technical skills, it can’t imitate Unito’s true 2-way sync. That’s because Unito’s technology creates 2-way relationships between tools and work items, updating everything as you work. Setting this up takes significantly less time than trying to imitate it with Zapier. Less maintenance: Zapier and many of its alternatives allow you to handle complex automation tasks, but they require a lot of maintenance. When something goes wrong, someone will have to spend hours troubleshooting these issues. Since Unito flows are easier to set up, they don’t need constant maintenance. Automated field mappings: Field mappings allow users to get data from a specific place in one tool (e.g. a due date or a task description) to another tool. In most integration platforms, you have to map these manually, which takes up valuable time. Unito can map these for you automatically in most cases. Robust rules: Unito’s rules allow for complete control over which work items get synced between tools, where they’re synced to, and what happens when Unito creates new synced items. Deeper integrations: Many Zapier alternatives only support a few fields and simple actions. Unito’s flows are much deeper, supporting most fields in all tools it integrates, including custom fields. Biggest advantages Unito flows can be set up quickly and simply, standing apart from the majority of Zapier competitors. Most Unito users don’t have advanced technical skills and set up their first flow in 12 minutes or less. Unito integrations are enterprise-grade (including advanced security features) without the associated deployment times. Unito’s integrations support all sorts of tools, from project management platforms to spreadsheets and DevOps tools. Whether you’re bringing marketers and developers together or automating reporting, Unito has an integration for you. Want to see how Unito compares to Zapier and its alternatives? Here are our full breakdowns: Unito vs. Zapier Unito vs. Tray.io Unito vs. IFTTT Unito vs. Exalate Unito vs. Workato Biggest drawback With over 40 integrations, Unito doesn’t have as many as some other options on this list. The library is constantly growing, but you might not find the integration you need right away. Customer rating G2: 4.5/5 Capterra: 4.5/5 Workato: best Zapier alternative for huge workflows Workato is a no-code enterprise-level business process automation tool that’s best for larger businesses looking for a solution to more involved problems and workflows. It works using what it calls “Recipes” (similar to Zapier’s “Zaps”). These recipes are basically the instructions that rely on triggers and determine what actions take place. For example, you could create a recipe that states you automatically will receive a Slack message and notification when there’s a new lead in Salesforce (the trigger). You can build your own custom recipes, or choose from Workato’s existing community library. These community-built recipes are organized by the apps and programs being used, making it easy to find new ways to automate complex workflows you might not have considered before. Each recipe can have multiple steps, meaning you can create quite sophisticated automations. Used for everything from an HR team’s new employee onboarding to the IT help desk, Workato is a powerful tool for all areas of a business. Biggest drawbacks The biggest drawback to Workato is probably the price tag. As it is meant for enterprise-level companies, it isn’t exactly a cheap tool and doesn’t offer a free trial for those wanting to test it out. Pricing Workato does not list the cost of their plans on their site (either a business plan or a product plan), but encourages those interested to contact them for a customized quote. When searching online, a base price of $10,000 per year can be found, but your best bet is contacting them for a direct quote. Not sure if Workato’s the right Zapier alternative for you, but think it’s closer to what you need? Check out our full list of Workato alternatives. Customer rating G2: 4.7/5 Capterra: 4.7/5 Tray.io: best Zapier alternative for ease of use With a drag-and-drop editor, Tray.io offers an intuitive interface for task automation. Using the power of APIs (Tray.io is a low-code rather than no-code platform), it’s great for larger companies who want to make their cloud-based programs work better together. With Tray.io, you can integrate with the hundreds of prebuilt connectors available, as well any tool that has API documentation. Using a trigger-based approach with recipes (much like Workato’s), you can make your everyday workflow much more efficient. Trusted by companies such as Udemy, Cisco, and Eventbrite, Tray.io’s platform can be customized in hundreds of ways to find what works best for your unique business. Biggest drawbacks Some users have said it can be difficult to manage and share content across multiple accounts and credentials with Tray.io, which can cause issues with workflows. In addition to that, Tray.io can be tricky for non-developers or those with a limited understanding of automation and cloud-based systems to navigate. That said, many users praise Tray.io’s support team as exceptional. Tray.io is also not the most affordable program out there, so pricing can be restrictive for smaller businesses. Pricing Tray.io provides a free 14-day trial for anyone interested in getting to know their platform. Their paid plans start at $1,000 per month (billed annually) for their Professional Plan. Their Team Plan is $2,000 per month, which includes unlimited shared workspaces, single sign-on, and log streaming. Their premium Company Plan requires custom pricing and includes everything from the Professional and Team Plans, plus advanced on-premise connectivity, HIPAA compliance, and multi-region support. Customer rating G2: 4.5/5 Capterra: 4.9/5 Make: best Zapier alternative for technical options Make (formerly known as Integromat) is another great no-code option for automating repetitive tasks. The tool’s visual interface lets you build anything from simple automations for routine tasks to advanced workflows — all from one platform. Make offers a drag-and-drop interface that lets you not only create custom workflows with triggers and more than 1100 app integrations, but makes it easy to share across your organization. These shared workspaces can help break down the silos many workers find themselves in, while encouraging more collaboration between different departments. Users can choose from a wide variety of pre-made workflow templates, or create new ones of their own. Trusted by organizations such as Meta, Spotify, and Adidas, Make aims to go beyond linear and non-intuitive automation platforms. Plus, more technically-skilled users can use a number of APIs through HTTP and JSON to customize their Make workflows even further. Biggest drawbacks Using Make can be tricky for first-time users, sometimes requiring a longer onboarding timeline than other Zapier alternatives. That said, users have expressed that this slight learning curve is more than worth it once they’ve seen how much time they can save with the tool. Need to know a bit more before you make your choice? Check out our full comparison of Zapier. Pricing Make’s pricing starts at $0, making it a great free Zapier alternative for those just starting out. This free plan lets you design, build, and automate with Make’s visual drag-and-drop interface, plus 1,000 operations per month. In addition to their free plan, Make offers three paid plans ranging from $9 per month to $29 per month. Customer rating G2: 4.7/5 Capterra: 4.8/5 Dock Health: Best HIPAA-compliant Zapier alternative Dock Health is both a task management and automation platform, specifically designed with healthcare in mind. That’s because this field has some of the strictest security and compliance requirements of any industry, including HIPAA, which charges healthcare providers with protecting patient information. That means doctors, administrative staff, and clinics can’t just use any software tool out there. And since Zapier isn’t HIPAA-compliant, they need an alternative like Dock Health. The user-friendly interface means even less technical users can set up these automations. Biggest drawback As task-management software with built-in automation features — rather than a dedicated automation solution — Dock Health has fewer integrations than Zapier. It can also be a bit clunkier, and there’s definitely a learning curve, but it’s the best platform to ensure you stay compliant with the necessary legal requirements. Pricing Dock Health doesn’t have a free plan, but it does have a free trial. It offers two plans: Basic: This plan will set you back $20 per user, per month. It’ll give you access to Docker’s HIPAA-compliant platform, unlimited task lists, and calendar views. But it won’t give you access to automation. For that, you need the next plan up. Premium: For $30 per user per month, you’ll get access to Docker’s automation, custom task elements and lists. You can also get access to Docker’s API for a custom price, allowing you to customize the platform to your own specific needs. Customer rating G2: 3.8/5 Capterra: 4.3/5 IFTTT: best Zapier alternative for mobile Trusted by companies such as Google, Slack, and Github, IFTTT (short for If This Then That) is the (self-proclaimed) leading no-code automation tool for mobile devices. Not only can IFTTT help automate your digital life and work-related functions, but it’s compatible with your smart home devices such as the Amazon Alexa, GE Appliances, digital temperature controls, iRobot vacuums and mops, automatic blinds, and more. IFTTT uses what they call “Applets” (“automations that connect two or more services to create a new experience”) and triggers, actions, and queries (the building blocks of the Applets). Every service, device, or app available through IFTTT has their own list of possible triggers and actions, all of which you can see when browsing the Explore or Services pages. For example, if you were interested in seeing how you could automate your Gmail experience, you’d find the Gmail integration page. Here, you could see the available services and other apps you can connect your Gmail to, and see available Applets (such as “Send an email to Gmail with the details when you add a new contact”). If there’s a service you want to automate but you can’t find it yet in IFTTT’s library, you can use a Webhook. This lets you use simple web requests to integrate with apps and services not on IFTTT so you can truly customize your automations. Biggest drawbacks While IFTTT offers a wider range of apps you can connect and integrate, Zapier does offer more enterprise and business apps. Something else to keep in mind is that although IFTTT has high security protocols and standards, not all of the apps and services you connect to will always have the same privacy policies and terms. Pricing IFTTT offers a free plan that includes five Applets and free mobile app access, making it a solid free Zapier alternative for startups or solo business owners looking to automate some of their processes. IFTTT’s paid plans range from $6.40 CAD per month to $13 CAD per month, making it a super affordable option even for those seeking more complex functionalities. Want a deeper comparison before making your choice? Check out our full breakdown here. Customer rating G2: 4.6/5 Capterra: 4.6/5 Outfunnel: best Zapier alternative for sales and marketing Outfunnel is a Zapier alternative specifically made for sales and marketing teams. This tool connects and fully syncs with Pipedrive, Copper, Airtable, Salesforce, and HubSpot CRM to help you automate and supercharge your marketing and sales workflows. In addition to these full integrations, Outfunnel can connect your CRM with marketing tools like Mailchimp, ActiveCampaign, HubSpot Marketing Hub, Facebook Lead Ads, and Wix Forms. If there’s an integration you’d like but don’t see on their website, Outfunnel takes requests and confirms they’re working on a number of new integrations for the future. With Outfunnel, you can record all marketing data and engagements (email opens, unsubscribes, clicks, etc.), calculate lead scores, analyze the behaviors of your leads with a web tracking feature, and send automated email drip campaigns in accordance with your CRM. Biggest drawbacks Outfunnel definitely has fewer integration options when compared with other Zapier alternatives. That said, the integrations they do offer are seamless and comprehensive, meaning that if you use one of their five fully-supported integrations, chances are you’ll find Outfunnel to be extremely beneficial to your business. If you’re needing something more complex, Outfunnel might not be the tool for you. Pricing One of the best things about Outfunnel is their pricing. After a 14-day trial, you can choose from plans ranging in price from $6 per month to $49 a month. If you’re looking for an enterprise-level plan, you’ll need to get in touch with their team for custom pricing. Customer rating G2: 4.4/5 Capterra: 4.9/5 Easyflow: best Zapier alternative for efficiency Easyflow is an automation and information visualization tool that lets you connect apps, analyze data, and create smart automated workflows — all from one screen. Easyflow works using what they call “connectors,” which are the apps and tools used in your workflow. They offer more than 1000 pre-built connectors (Asana, Google Suite, Mailchimp, HubSpot, Youtube, to name a few) so you can easily sync the tools you use every day, without any coding or technical experience. While other Zapier alternatives have limits to the number of steps your automations can have, Easyflow lets you combine any number of connectors to create advanced workflows. These workflows can include loops, variables, and functions (like what you’d use in Excel) for a truly custom process. In addition to these processes, Easyflow gives you the tools you need to actually analyze and monitor your automated workflows so you can continually optimize for maximum efficiency. Biggest drawbacks Users share that there is definitely a bit of a learning curve when first getting acquainted with Easyflow, but that their support team went above and beyond to help and clear up any questions immediately. Pricing Easyflow offers plans ranging in price from $9 per month to $459 per month. They also offer an enterprise-level offering that requires custom pricing. Customer rating G2: 4.5/5 Capterra: 4.8/5 Jitterbit Jitterbit is an integration and workflow automation platform aimed at enterprise-sized businesses. If you’ve got an IT team — or can spring for third-party assistance — this might be the Zapier alternative for you. With Jitterbit, you have access to four main products, all with enterprise-level automation: Jitterbit iPaaS: Get a single platform that lets you build integrations with a simple drag-and-drop interface. API Manager: A single place to manage the APIs for all tools you need to integrate throughout your workflows. App Builder: Allow your IT teams to build apps that serve specific business functions organization-wide. EDI: For organizations that manage a significant amount of transactions, this platform can automate and standardize them. Biggest drawbacks Compared to Zapier, Jitterbit is a much more difficult platform to deploy. It’s made for enterprise-sized organizations (and budgets), meaning you likely won’t be building integrations with it yourself unless you have a technical background. Pricing Since Jitterbit is an enterprise solution, you won’t find pricing information on their website. You’ll need to get a quote from their sales team. Customer rating G2: 4.6/5 Capterra: 4.4/5 SnapLogic SnapLogic bills itself as a generative integration solution, and it’s among Zapier alternatives aimed at enterprise-sized organizations. Generative integration uses Generative AI and large language models to automate and optimize integration pipelines, streamlining the creation and deployment of new integrations. If you’ve ever wanted to combine the next-great-leap-forward aspect of AI with your integration solution, then SnapLogic might be the right Zapier alternative for you. Biggest drawbacks Some users have noted that SnapLogic has a limited number of integrations available when compared with some other Zapier alternatives. Pricing You won’t find any pricing information on SnapLogic’s website. You’ll have to reach out to their sales team for a quote. Customer rating G2: 4.3/5 Capterra: 4.5/5 Boomi While the workflow automation market is crowded with newer companies, Boomi is one of the long-standing heavy hitters. With nearly two decades in the industry, it’s no wonder Gartner recently named it a leader in the iPaaS market. As a Zapier alternative, Boomi offers some of the most advanced integrations on the market for all sorts of tools, from Salesforce to ServiceNow and Amazon Web Services to NetSuite. Boomi is used by organizations like LinkedIn, American Express, and Dropbox. Biggest drawbacks While Boomi does over a drag-and-drop interface for less technical users, it has serious limitations and custom scripting is usually required to integrate tools. Pricing You can choose between four pricing options for Boomi: Professional, Pro Plus, Enterprise, and Enterprise Plus. You won’t get an exact price for these plans unless you get in touch with their sales team. Boomi does offer a free trial, however. Customer rating G2: 4.4/5 Capterra: 4.4/5 Appy Pie Part app-builder, part integration platform, Appy Pie is a user-friendly alternative to Zapier with no-code, drag-and-drop builders. This tool lets you build apps, launch websites, design creative assets, and automate tasks across tools. Appy Pie uses the same trigger-and-action structure as Zapier, making it a simple alternative to switch to if you have any experience with this sort of methodology. The platform offers over 300 integrations with tools like Jira, ServiceNow, Zendesk, Freshdesk, WhatsApp, and HubSpot. Biggest drawbacks Some users have noted that features that are pretty standard with other Zapier alternatives, like backups and activity tracking, are missing from Appy Pie. Pricing Appy Pie offers four pricing plans: Standard: Supports 15,000 tasks a month and 40 AI agents, with automations running every five minutes. Professional: Supports 50,000 tasks a month, unlimited AI agents, and two-minute automations. Business: Supports 150,000 tasks a month, unlimited AI agents, and one-minute automations. Enterprise: A custom plan with customized integration, inventory management, and more. Customer rating G2: 4.7/5 Capterra: 4.6/5 Don’t get Zapped With the surge of Zapier alternatives and workflow automation tools out there, it can be tough knowing what the best option is for your business. By providing a range of tools for different budgets and business needs, we hope we’ve helped narrow down your choices and made things a little bit clearer. View the full article

Four best practices. By Frank Stitely The Relentless CPA Go PRO for members-only access to more Frank Stitely. View the full article

Four best practices. By Frank Stitely The Relentless CPA Go PRO for members-only access to more Frank Stitely. View the full article

Well, here we go again. With TikTok’s future in the United States still uncertain, parts of Congress are already moving toward banning DeepSeek, a Chinese ChatGPT competitor that quickly usurped ChatGPT on the App Store last week. A new bill introduced by Republican Senator Josh Hawley of Missouri would “prohibit United States persons from advancing artificial intelligence capabilities within the People’s Republic of China.” In other words, it would effectively ban DeepSeek, despite not mentioning the AI chatbot by name. Under the bill, anyone convicted of “the import from or export to China of artificial intelligence technology” could be sentenced with up to 20 years in prison, plus an up-to-$1 million fine for individuals and an up-to-$10 million fine for businesses. Are you likely to be punished for using DeepSeek as a private citizen? Well, the bill does leave room open for it, so practice caution if it does become law. More realistically, much like with piracy laws, this is probably aimed at distributors and developers, so if it goes through, expect to see DeepSeek and other Chinese AI leave the App Store. The bill is also likely so broadly worded as a result of DeepSeek’s open-source nature, as it’s currently easy for developers to simply download its models and incorporate them into their apps. The legislation would seek to curb such a practice, although it would also put future international collaboration, even the reading of Chinese research papers about AI, in jeopardy. In a statement, Senator Hawley said “Every dollar and gig of data that flows into Chinese AI are dollars and data that will ultimately be used against the United States.” Senator Hawley isn’t the first to express concern about DeepSeek. The AI has already been banned for use in the Navy due to “potential security and ethical concerns,” as well as on Texan government devices. OpenAI also toldTthe Financial Times that it has evidence that DeepSeek might have been built on the back of OpenAI models, which while a common practice in AI development, goes against OpenAI’s terms of service once the resulting models are distributed. There’s also already been a high profile data leak, and DeepSeek’s terms of use involve agreeing to having your keystrokes collected. At the same time, the strict language of the law does have experts worried about the future of AI development and oversight, as it could kneecap collaboration and AI transparency. The Electronic Frontier Foundation’s Director of AI and Access-to-Knowledge Legal Projects, Kit Walsh, told 404 Media that “The bill threatens the development and publishing of AI advancements in the United States…the government has argued that merely publishing information on the internet counts as an export, and interpreting this law in such a way would further solidify the dominance of proprietary AI over open or academic research.” In other words, American tech companies would be incentivized to be even more insular about how their AI works, which could affect far more than Chinese competitors. View the full article

You should be a team. But what kind are you? By Martin Bissett Passport to Partnership Go PRO for members-only access to more Martin Bissett. View the full article

You should be a team. But what kind are you? By Martin Bissett Passport to Partnership Go PRO for members-only access to more Martin Bissett. View the full article

Great optimization tools can identify missing topics and keywords, suggest and refine headers and titles, generate meta-data, and show tons of useful information about your competitors’ articles. If you aren’t using an optimization tool, you probably should. I work at…Read more ›View the full article

Screenshots are a core pillar of the smartphone experience. When you come across something you simply must share with friends, family, or followers, taking a screenshot is often the fastest way to do so. But if you recently bought a brand-new Android phone, and especially if you’re coming from an iPhone, you might have no idea how to take screenshots. Unlike iPhones, which are all made by Apple, Android phones come from many different manufacturers. You might be trying to figure out how to take a screenshot on your Google Pixel, Samsung Galaxy, OnePlus, Nokia, or Motorola. All are running Android, but each deals with Android in its own unique way. Luckily, screenshot shortcuts have largely been standardized, and the tips below should work on most moderns Android devices. If these general tips don’t help, or you want to dive deeper, look up the manual for your specific phone to see all the ways you can take screenshots on it. How to take a general screenshot on AndroidFirst, try this: Press and release the Power and Volume down buttons at the same time. If it worked, you’ll see an onscreen flash, and your screenshot minimized as a thumbnail. This gesture should work on most modern Android devices, including those from Google, Samsung, and OnePlus. It’s the evolution of the traditional shortcut where you’d hold down the Home button (remember that?) and the Volume down button. Credit: Jake Peterson The exact timing of these button presses may vary per phone, so experiment with your device. The Pixel I have available, for example, takes a screenshot when you quickly press and release these buttons together, but you may need to hold the buttons together for a second or more for it to work. Another shortcut that works on some versions of Android is to hold down the Power button until you see expanded options appear. If your phone and Android version supports it, you should see a “Screenshot” option here. How to take a screenshot with voice controlIf you’re a voice control person, your phone’s digital assistant will likely take a screenshot if you ask it to. For example, say “Hey Google, take a screenshot,” and the assistant will follow suit. You can also pull up your assistant with a keypress—like long-pressing your Power button—and ask that way. How to take a gesture screenshot on AndroidDepending on your phone, you may have the option to take a screenshot using a gesture. On Pixel, for example, this option appears when you pull up from the bottom of the display as if you were switching apps. When you do, you should see a Screenshot option appear on the bottom of the screen for the app you’re hovering over. You can also do this with three button controllers by pressing the Overview (square) button. You can also use a feature called Quick Tap to take screenshots. Quick Tap assigns a function on your phone to activate after you double-tap the back of your device. To set this up, head to Settings > System > Gestures > Quick Tap, then enable the toggle next to Use Quick Tap. Take screenshot should be the default option, but if not, select it. Going forward, you can use the index finger on your hand that's holding the phone to quickly double-tap the back of your device. When done correctly, this will trigger a screenshot. On Galaxy phones, you can head to Settings > Advanced features > Motions and gestures, then enable Palm swipe to capture. Going forward, you can swipe your palm across the display to take a screenshot. How to take a screenshot with your Galaxy's S PenIf you have a Galaxy phone with an S Pen, you can use your stylus to take a screenshot. To do so, take out the S Pen, tap the Air command menu icon, and then tap Screen write to take a screenshot. Note: With the Galaxy S25 Ultra, Samsung removed Bluetooth functionality with the S Pen, which means Air command features (like screenshots) won't work. How to take a scrolling screenshot on AndroidA scrolling screenshot (or full page screenshot) takes a picture of the entire page you’re visiting, rather than just the portion that appears onscreen. They’re great for saving longer pages, like news articles. If you know how to take a screenshot, you almost know how to take a scrolling screenshot. Start by taking a screenshot as you normally would, then choose the scrolling capture button that appears next to the screenshot thumbnail. On Pixel, that's Capture more; on Galaxy, it's Scroll Capture, and on OnePlus, it's Scroll. Here's how things continue, at least on Pixel: Android will open a new window, showing the entire page in one long image. The original screenshot appears in a crop window: You can resize it to take a screenshot of any section of the page, or, most usefully, drag the bottom of the crop window all the way down to take a screenshot of the full page. Other smartphones may handle the particulars a bit differently, but the general function should be the same. Credit: Jake Peterson How to screen record on AndroidIf you're looking to record your phone's display, none of the above will help. Instead, you'll want to use Quick Settings. To start, swipe down from the top of the screen, then tap Screen record. Choose whether you want to record A single app or your Entire screen, then choose whether to record audio (and its source). If you've chosen Entire screen, choose whether to Show touches on screen or not (helpful if using the screen recording to show someone how to do something). Then, hit Start recording. Your phone will count down from three, then start recording. To stop recording, swipe down from the top of the screen, then hit Stop. If you don't have the option, swipe down from the top of your display, then tap the pencil icon. Here, find Screen record, then tap and drag it to the position where you want it. Where do screenshots go on Android?When you take a screenshot on your Android phone, they'll end up in your photos app. For example, I use Google Photos on my Pixel, so to retrieve my screenshots, I open Photos, choose Collections, then choose Screenshots. If you need to take screenshots on your other devices, check out our guides below: All the Ways to Take Screenshots on Windows How to Take a Screenshot on a Mac How to Take a Screenshot on a Chromebook View the full article

When starting a restaurant or renovating your kitchen, a commercial broiler is essential in today’s modern culinary environment. These powerful appliances significantly influence the flavor and presentation of your signature dishes. Their main purpose is to cook food at high temperatures from above, creating a delicious sear or crust. Due to its importance, it is crucial to comprehend the benefits of a high-quality broiler. Definition and primary function Commercial broilers, commonly found in restaurants, operate differently than your typical home oven broiler. While both aim to apply high heat, the commercial version does so more efficiently and over larger food volumes. A commercial broiler’s primary function is to cook or finish dishes with direct, intense heat from above. This technique imparts a distinct texture and flavor, making it a favorite for certain dishes. For instance, many chefs prefer it for achieving that perfectly crispy skin on a roast chicken. Using a commercial broiler goes beyond simply heating food; it is a true art form. This appliance is engineered to deliver a steady, consistent level of heat, which guarantees even cooking. It is particularly beneficial for recipes that require a finishing touch of high heat, such as caramelizing the sugar on a crème brûlée or achieving that perfect char on a steak. Benefits of investing in a quality broiler Investing in a top-notch commercial broiler can yield benefits beyond just cooking food. Firstly, a high-quality broiler ensures even heat distribution, resulting in consistently well-cooked dishes. This consistency can be the difference between a one-time visitor and a loyal customer. Moreover, quality broilers are designed to last, making them cost-effective in the long run. Quality also ties into safety. A well-made broiler reduces the risks of malfunctions or accidents, ensuring a safer kitchen environment. And let’s not forget the energy efficiency factor: modern commercial broilers often come designed to consume less power, making them both eco-friendly and pocket-friendly. In the world of commercial cooking, where margins matter, investing in quality equipment like a broiler is a wise choice. Buying the Right Commercial Broiler Selecting the appropriate commercial broiler is an important decision for small businesses in the culinary industry, such as restaurants, cafés, or catering services. A commercial broiler serves as both a cooking appliance and a key element in the kitchen’s efficiency and the quality of the food prepared. These broilers need to be reliable, capable of withstanding frequent use, and suitable for the specific culinary demands of the business. Here’s our criteria list for evaluating commercial broilers: Heating Efficiency and Temperature Control (Rating: 9/10) Rapid heating capabilities and consistent temperature maintenance. Adjustable controls for different cooking requirements. Size and Capacity (Rating: 8/10) Appropriate size to fit kitchen space and meet food output needs. Sufficient cooking area for simultaneous preparation of multiple items. Ease of Use and Cleaning (Rating: 8/10) User-friendly operation for staff. Simple cleaning process to maintain hygiene standards. Build Quality and Durability (Rating: 9/10) Sturdy construction is suitable for commercial kitchen environments. High-quality materials for long-term use. Type of Broiler (Rating: 7/10) Selection between types (e.g., infrared, ceramic, charbroiler) based on cooking style. Energy Efficiency (Rating: 7/10) Energy consumption considerations for cost-effective operation. Safety Features (Rating: 8/10) Safety mechanisms to prevent accidents and ensure safe operation. Brand Reputation and Warranty (Rating: 7/10) Trusted brands with positive reviews. Warranty and service terms for reliability assurance. Price and Value for Money (Rating: 6/10) Balance between cost and features. Good investment considering performance and longevity. Our approach in selecting commercial broilers focuses on these factors to ensure that the options we recommend meet the practical needs of small business kitchens, contributing effectively to their culinary operations. Remta Makina Professional Salamander The Remta Makina Professional Salamander is the perfect example of how precise cooking can be. The new standard for high-quality cooking tools is this commercial countertop salamander grill. This salamander was made with great care and attention to detail, so it will always give your food the perfect sear. Key Features: Brand: Remta Makina Product Dimensions: 18.9″D x 30.71″W x 22.83″H Color: Silver Fuel Type: Gas Finish Type: Powder Coated Material: High-grade stainless steel Special Feature: Equal heat distribution ensures perfect grilling and a quick cooking time without any smell or smoke. Remta Makina Professional Salamander Buy on Amazon Wolf Range C36IRB Salamander Broiler The Wolf Range C36IRB Salamander Broiler is a professional-grade salamander broiler that aims to provide accurate cooking with each use. With efficiency and longevity that can’t be beaten, the Wolf C36IRB guarantees consistent performance even in tough commercial settings, so you can always grill perfectly. Key Features: Heated by Natural Gas: Ensures consistent and efficient heating. Durable Stainless Steel Construction: Designed to resist bends and scuffs, ensuring longevity. Dual Heat Controls: Allows simultaneous cooking of 2 products. 2 Ceramic Infrared Burners: Provides efficient and even heating. Adjustable Chrome-plated Grid: 6 position adjustments using a cool-touch knob. Integrated Spillage Pan: Collects overflow, simplifying the cleaning process. Overall Dimensions: 36 in. W x 19 in. D x 19½ in. H. Wolf Range C36IRB Salamander Broiler Buy on Amazon IKON 36′ Countertop Gas Salamander Broiler Professional cooks around the globe utilize the IKON 36′ Countertop Gas Salamander Broiler. IKON provides more than just efficiency; it symbolizes power and prestige. By merging unparalleled quality with exceptional value, IKON elevates the ordinary, transforming empty spaces into culinary hubs. Allow your chef to take pride in a tool that enhances their cooking abilities. Key Features: Gas Options: Offered in Natural Gas (NG) or Liquid Propane (LP), along with a conversion kit for added flexibility. Construction: Robust, heavy stainless steel ensures durability and longevity. Infra-red Burner: Powerful 35,000 BTU for effective broiling. Temperature Control: Manual gas control ranging from 300°F to 750°F. Positioning: 3-level broiling positions to suit different needs. Connectivity: 3/4” rear gas connection with an inclusive regulator. Added Conveniences: This includes a full-width broiler pan, an adjustable spring-balanced rack with a comfortable ball grip handle, and compatibility with IKON 36 and 60-inch ranges. IKON 36′ Countertop Gas Salamander Broiler Buy on Amazon Adcraft CHM-1200W Electric Cheesemelter Adcraft’s stainless steel cheese melter isn’t just another kitchen tool—it’s the perfect partner for cooking art. It makes melting cheese fast and easy. Its compact and well-thought-out design guarantees perfect results every time, especially for kitchens with limited room, whether you’re melting cheese or toasting nachos. Key Features: Design & Material: Crafted in a sleek silver shade with a robust stainless steel construction. Compact Size: Designed thoughtfully for kitchens with limited space. Heating Efficiency: Equipped with a metal sheath heating element ensuring quick and perfect warming. Power Specifications: Operates on 120 volts, with a power consumption of 1200 watts. Heat Control: Infinite switch for precise heat adjustments. Additional Features: Comes with an insulated body to retain heat effectively. Package Inclusions: The set includes the cheese melter as the primary component, designed for electric power sources. Adcraft CHM-1200W Electric Cheesemelter Buy on Amazon Axis Equipment Gas Vertical Broiler This modern vertical broiler was made by MVP Group, and it is both durable and efficient. Whether you’re making mouth-watering gyro sandwiches or other tasty treats, the quality of its build and the way it works promise nothing less than perfection. Made of 304 stainless steel, it doesn’t rust and can handle high temperatures, so you can be sure your cooking will be nothing less than amazing. Key Features: Material & Durability: Crafted from 304 stainless steel for optimal corrosion resistance and ability to endure high temperatures. Versatility: Specially designed for broiling meats, ideal for making gyro sandwiches and other delicacies. Heating Capacity: Features four infrared burners that together provide a total heating capacity of 44,382 BTU. Gas Options: Comes with orifices for both propane and natural gas. Size & Capacity: Measures 18″ x 22″ x 45″, with a 30″ spit; can handle up to 176 lb. of meat. Control: Individual temperature adjustments for each burner via knob controls. Safety Features: Includes thermo-elements that cut off the gas flow if the flame is extinguished. Axis Equipment Gas Vertical Broiler Buy on Amazon Moffat Stainless Steel Electric Half Size 2 Deck Oven Moffat’s top-of-the-line electric oven will change the way you bake forever. Moffat is known for making high-quality products that are also stylish, efficient, and durable. This oven is made to fit perfectly into any business. It heats evenly, can be used for many different things, and is easy to use. Key Features: Brand Excellence: Moffat is a name synonymous with quality and precision. Material & Finish: Crafted from robust stainless steel and glass, ensuring longevity and elegance. High Wattage: A powerful oven with 2.9 KW wattage ensures efficient and quick baking. Control: Convenient knob controls for precise temperature and time settings. Capacity: Designed to accommodate (4) 1/2 size sheets or hotel pans. Versatility: Features thermalization and roasting functions, enabling a wide range of culinary tasks. Added Components: Comes with a sheet pan and a stacking kit with casters for added mobility. Moffat Stainless Steel Electric Half Size 2 Deck Oven Buy on Amazon IKON 60″ 6 Burner and 24″ Radiant Broiler Commercial Gas Range The one thing that will change everything in your industrial kitchen. This gas range is made for heavy-duty cooking jobs because it can bake, fry, boil, grill, and do a lot more. Its flexible design, strong burners, and sturdy construction make it an essential part of any professional kitchen. Key Features: High Efficiency: Six 30,000 BTU top burners and two 30,000 BTU ovens. Radiant Broiling: A 24″ radiant broiler to enhance your grilling needs. Durable Construction: Features stainless steel front, back riser, and a lift-off shelf. Versatility: Riser with a removable shelf and a full pull-out crumb tray. Oven Specialties: 3 position oven rack settings with two racks included per oven. Quality Finish: Oven interior elements, including the door and sides, are porcelain coated. Complete Package: Comes with a gas conversion kit ensuring adaptability based on your needs. IKON 60″ 6 Burner and 24″ Radiant Broiler Commercial Gas Range Buy on Amazon Remta Makina Commercial 3 Burner Vertical Broiler A remarkable cooking appliance designed for those who appreciate the culinary arts. This commercial broiler is essential for professionals and is constructed from high-quality stainless steel to ensure optimal performance. Whether you are operating a bustling restaurant or catering for an event, this vertical broiler will enable you to cook with precision, speed, and authentic flavor. Key Features: Brand Excellence: Manufactured by the renowned Remta Makina. Compact Design: Measures 22.05″D x 16.93″W x 41.34″H, fitting seamlessly into various spaces. Portability Perks: Special portable feature ensuring ease of movement and setup. Elegant Finish: Boasts a sleek silver color, elevating the look of any kitchen setup. Fuel Flexibility: Uses Propane Gas (LPG) for effective cooking. Authentic Cooking Experience: Manual spinning by hand, allowing chefs to engage directly with the cooking process. Comprehensive Set: Comes with a serving tray, sheesh, and a meat plate, ensuring you’re equipped for every culinary endeavor. Remta Makina Commercial 3 Burner Vertical Broiler Buy on Amazon Types of Commercial Broilers Different culinary needs necessitate varied broiling equipment. While the end goal is the same – deliciously broiled dishes – the journey varies. The market offers an array of commercial broilers, each with its own set of advantages and suited for distinct purposes. Radiant vs. infrared Radiant broilers employ metal plates to distribute heat, creating a uniform and consistent cooking surface. They are frequently favored for their heat retention capabilities, ensuring reliable results over longer cooking durations. In contrast, infrared broilers use infrared technology to provide fast, high-intensity heat directly to the food. This approach is highly efficient, significantly reducing cooking time and achieving a quick sear. Infrared broiling is an innovation in the culinary scene. By using electromagnetic radiation, these broilers can deliver intense heat in a short amount of time. While radiant broilers might be the traditional choice, the speed and efficiency of infrared technology are hard to match, especially in fast-paced kitchen environments. Salamander broilers and their significance Salamander broilers are a type of overhead broiler, perfect for finishing touches. They excel at tasks like browning the top of a lasagna or melting cheese over a dish. Their design allows for easy access, making them especially handy for busy kitchens. A salamander broiler’s precision is its hallmark: it can apply the perfect amount of heat without overcooking the dish beneath. Restaurants, especially those that prioritize presentation, cherish salamander broilers. Their ability to provide a final touch – like the golden brown on a meringue pie – is invaluable. Furthermore, with adjustable heights, chefs have more control, ensuring that dishes get just the right amount of heat. Differences between charbroilers and griddle broilers Charbroilers and griddle broilers, while similar in function, serve different purposes in a kitchen. Charbroilers typically use grates, exposing food directly to the heat source, perfect for dishes like burgers or steaks that benefit from grill marks and a smoky flavor. Griddle broilers, conversely, offer a flat surface, making them ideal for foods like pancakes or sandwiches. Understanding the nuances between these two can elevate your culinary game. While charbroilers impart that classic grilled texture and taste, griddle broilers give an even, consistent heat, ensuring dishes are cooked uniformly. Depending on your restaurant’s menu, one might be more suitable than the other, but having both can truly diversify your offerings. FAQs What is a commercial broiler? A commercial broiler is a type of oven that uses high heat from above to cook food. It’s especially popular in restaurants for dishes that require a charred or caramelized finish. How does a commercial broiler differ from a regular oven? Unlike conventional ovens that cook from below or all sides, a commercial broiler primarily cooks from above. This direct heat method results in faster cooking times and a distinct texture on the food’s surface. Are there different types of commercial broilers? Yes, there are various types, including infrared broilers and salamander broilers. Each type has its unique features and benefits tailored to specific cooking needs. How do I maintain and clean a commercial broiler? Regular maintenance includes wiping down after use, checking for food particles, and ensuring that gas lines or electrical connections are intact. Periodic deep cleaning and professional check-ups are also recommended. Can commercial broilers be used for all types of dishes? While they are versatile, commercial broilers are best for dishes needing a crisp top layer or a charred finish. It might not be suitable for dishes that require even slow cooking. Is there a notable difference in taste when using a commercial broiler? Employing a commercial broiler can create a caramelized or charred finish that enhances the flavor profile of specific dishes, imparting a unique taste. Are commercial broilers energy-efficient? The efficiency varies by model and type. However, because they cook food faster, they might be more energy efficient than traditional ovens for specific dishes. YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE: Commercial Food Warmer Commercial Steam Table Office Microwave Commercial Microwave Image: Amazon This article, "Commercial Broiler: Prime Picks for Your Restaurant" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

When starting a restaurant or renovating your kitchen, a commercial broiler is essential in today’s modern culinary environment. These powerful appliances significantly influence the flavor and presentation of your signature dishes. Their main purpose is to cook food at high temperatures from above, creating a delicious sear or crust. Due to its importance, it is crucial to comprehend the benefits of a high-quality broiler. Definition and primary function Commercial broilers, commonly found in restaurants, operate differently than your typical home oven broiler. While both aim to apply high heat, the commercial version does so more efficiently and over larger food volumes. A commercial broiler’s primary function is to cook or finish dishes with direct, intense heat from above. This technique imparts a distinct texture and flavor, making it a favorite for certain dishes. For instance, many chefs prefer it for achieving that perfectly crispy skin on a roast chicken. Using a commercial broiler goes beyond simply heating food; it is a true art form. This appliance is engineered to deliver a steady, consistent level of heat, which guarantees even cooking. It is particularly beneficial for recipes that require a finishing touch of high heat, such as caramelizing the sugar on a crème brûlée or achieving that perfect char on a steak. Benefits of investing in a quality broiler Investing in a top-notch commercial broiler can yield benefits beyond just cooking food. Firstly, a high-quality broiler ensures even heat distribution, resulting in consistently well-cooked dishes. This consistency can be the difference between a one-time visitor and a loyal customer. Moreover, quality broilers are designed to last, making them cost-effective in the long run. Quality also ties into safety. A well-made broiler reduces the risks of malfunctions or accidents, ensuring a safer kitchen environment. And let’s not forget the energy efficiency factor: modern commercial broilers often come designed to consume less power, making them both eco-friendly and pocket-friendly. In the world of commercial cooking, where margins matter, investing in quality equipment like a broiler is a wise choice. Buying the Right Commercial Broiler Selecting the appropriate commercial broiler is an important decision for small businesses in the culinary industry, such as restaurants, cafés, or catering services. A commercial broiler serves as both a cooking appliance and a key element in the kitchen’s efficiency and the quality of the food prepared. These broilers need to be reliable, capable of withstanding frequent use, and suitable for the specific culinary demands of the business. Here’s our criteria list for evaluating commercial broilers: Heating Efficiency and Temperature Control (Rating: 9/10) Rapid heating capabilities and consistent temperature maintenance. Adjustable controls for different cooking requirements. Size and Capacity (Rating: 8/10) Appropriate size to fit kitchen space and meet food output needs. Sufficient cooking area for simultaneous preparation of multiple items. Ease of Use and Cleaning (Rating: 8/10) User-friendly operation for staff. Simple cleaning process to maintain hygiene standards. Build Quality and Durability (Rating: 9/10) Sturdy construction is suitable for commercial kitchen environments. High-quality materials for long-term use. Type of Broiler (Rating: 7/10) Selection between types (e.g., infrared, ceramic, charbroiler) based on cooking style. Energy Efficiency (Rating: 7/10) Energy consumption considerations for cost-effective operation. Safety Features (Rating: 8/10) Safety mechanisms to prevent accidents and ensure safe operation. Brand Reputation and Warranty (Rating: 7/10) Trusted brands with positive reviews. Warranty and service terms for reliability assurance. Price and Value for Money (Rating: 6/10) Balance between cost and features. Good investment considering performance and longevity. Our approach in selecting commercial broilers focuses on these factors to ensure that the options we recommend meet the practical needs of small business kitchens, contributing effectively to their culinary operations. Remta Makina Professional Salamander The Remta Makina Professional Salamander is the perfect example of how precise cooking can be. The new standard for high-quality cooking tools is this commercial countertop salamander grill. This salamander was made with great care and attention to detail, so it will always give your food the perfect sear. Key Features: Brand: Remta Makina Product Dimensions: 18.9″D x 30.71″W x 22.83″H Color: Silver Fuel Type: Gas Finish Type: Powder Coated Material: High-grade stainless steel Special Feature: Equal heat distribution ensures perfect grilling and a quick cooking time without any smell or smoke. Remta Makina Professional Salamander Buy on Amazon Wolf Range C36IRB Salamander Broiler The Wolf Range C36IRB Salamander Broiler is a professional-grade salamander broiler that aims to provide accurate cooking with each use. With efficiency and longevity that can’t be beaten, the Wolf C36IRB guarantees consistent performance even in tough commercial settings, so you can always grill perfectly. Key Features: Heated by Natural Gas: Ensures consistent and efficient heating. Durable Stainless Steel Construction: Designed to resist bends and scuffs, ensuring longevity. Dual Heat Controls: Allows simultaneous cooking of 2 products. 2 Ceramic Infrared Burners: Provides efficient and even heating. Adjustable Chrome-plated Grid: 6 position adjustments using a cool-touch knob. Integrated Spillage Pan: Collects overflow, simplifying the cleaning process. Overall Dimensions: 36 in. W x 19 in. D x 19½ in. H. Wolf Range C36IRB Salamander Broiler Buy on Amazon IKON 36′ Countertop Gas Salamander Broiler Professional cooks around the globe utilize the IKON 36′ Countertop Gas Salamander Broiler. IKON provides more than just efficiency; it symbolizes power and prestige. By merging unparalleled quality with exceptional value, IKON elevates the ordinary, transforming empty spaces into culinary hubs. Allow your chef to take pride in a tool that enhances their cooking abilities. Key Features: Gas Options: Offered in Natural Gas (NG) or Liquid Propane (LP), along with a conversion kit for added flexibility. Construction: Robust, heavy stainless steel ensures durability and longevity. Infra-red Burner: Powerful 35,000 BTU for effective broiling. Temperature Control: Manual gas control ranging from 300°F to 750°F. Positioning: 3-level broiling positions to suit different needs. Connectivity: 3/4” rear gas connection with an inclusive regulator. Added Conveniences: This includes a full-width broiler pan, an adjustable spring-balanced rack with a comfortable ball grip handle, and compatibility with IKON 36 and 60-inch ranges. IKON 36′ Countertop Gas Salamander Broiler Buy on Amazon Adcraft CHM-1200W Electric Cheesemelter Adcraft’s stainless steel cheese melter isn’t just another kitchen tool—it’s the perfect partner for cooking art. It makes melting cheese fast and easy. Its compact and well-thought-out design guarantees perfect results every time, especially for kitchens with limited room, whether you’re melting cheese or toasting nachos. Key Features: Design & Material: Crafted in a sleek silver shade with a robust stainless steel construction. Compact Size: Designed thoughtfully for kitchens with limited space. Heating Efficiency: Equipped with a metal sheath heating element ensuring quick and perfect warming. Power Specifications: Operates on 120 volts, with a power consumption of 1200 watts. Heat Control: Infinite switch for precise heat adjustments. Additional Features: Comes with an insulated body to retain heat effectively. Package Inclusions: The set includes the cheese melter as the primary component, designed for electric power sources. Adcraft CHM-1200W Electric Cheesemelter Buy on Amazon Axis Equipment Gas Vertical Broiler This modern vertical broiler was made by MVP Group, and it is both durable and efficient. Whether you’re making mouth-watering gyro sandwiches or other tasty treats, the quality of its build and the way it works promise nothing less than perfection. Made of 304 stainless steel, it doesn’t rust and can handle high temperatures, so you can be sure your cooking will be nothing less than amazing. Key Features: Material & Durability: Crafted from 304 stainless steel for optimal corrosion resistance and ability to endure high temperatures. Versatility: Specially designed for broiling meats, ideal for making gyro sandwiches and other delicacies. Heating Capacity: Features four infrared burners that together provide a total heating capacity of 44,382 BTU. Gas Options: Comes with orifices for both propane and natural gas. Size & Capacity: Measures 18″ x 22″ x 45″, with a 30″ spit; can handle up to 176 lb. of meat. Control: Individual temperature adjustments for each burner via knob controls. Safety Features: Includes thermo-elements that cut off the gas flow if the flame is extinguished. Axis Equipment Gas Vertical Broiler Buy on Amazon Moffat Stainless Steel Electric Half Size 2 Deck Oven Moffat’s top-of-the-line electric oven will change the way you bake forever. Moffat is known for making high-quality products that are also stylish, efficient, and durable. This oven is made to fit perfectly into any business. It heats evenly, can be used for many different things, and is easy to use. Key Features: Brand Excellence: Moffat is a name synonymous with quality and precision. Material & Finish: Crafted from robust stainless steel and glass, ensuring longevity and elegance. High Wattage: A powerful oven with 2.9 KW wattage ensures efficient and quick baking. Control: Convenient knob controls for precise temperature and time settings. Capacity: Designed to accommodate (4) 1/2 size sheets or hotel pans. Versatility: Features thermalization and roasting functions, enabling a wide range of culinary tasks. Added Components: Comes with a sheet pan and a stacking kit with casters for added mobility. Moffat Stainless Steel Electric Half Size 2 Deck Oven Buy on Amazon IKON 60″ 6 Burner and 24″ Radiant Broiler Commercial Gas Range The one thing that will change everything in your industrial kitchen. This gas range is made for heavy-duty cooking jobs because it can bake, fry, boil, grill, and do a lot more. Its flexible design, strong burners, and sturdy construction make it an essential part of any professional kitchen. Key Features: High Efficiency: Six 30,000 BTU top burners and two 30,000 BTU ovens. Radiant Broiling: A 24″ radiant broiler to enhance your grilling needs. Durable Construction: Features stainless steel front, back riser, and a lift-off shelf. Versatility: Riser with a removable shelf and a full pull-out crumb tray. Oven Specialties: 3 position oven rack settings with two racks included per oven. Quality Finish: Oven interior elements, including the door and sides, are porcelain coated. Complete Package: Comes with a gas conversion kit ensuring adaptability based on your needs. IKON 60″ 6 Burner and 24″ Radiant Broiler Commercial Gas Range Buy on Amazon Remta Makina Commercial 3 Burner Vertical Broiler A remarkable cooking appliance designed for those who appreciate the culinary arts. This commercial broiler is essential for professionals and is constructed from high-quality stainless steel to ensure optimal performance. Whether you are operating a bustling restaurant or catering for an event, this vertical broiler will enable you to cook with precision, speed, and authentic flavor. Key Features: Brand Excellence: Manufactured by the renowned Remta Makina. Compact Design: Measures 22.05″D x 16.93″W x 41.34″H, fitting seamlessly into various spaces. Portability Perks: Special portable feature ensuring ease of movement and setup. Elegant Finish: Boasts a sleek silver color, elevating the look of any kitchen setup. Fuel Flexibility: Uses Propane Gas (LPG) for effective cooking. Authentic Cooking Experience: Manual spinning by hand, allowing chefs to engage directly with the cooking process. Comprehensive Set: Comes with a serving tray, sheesh, and a meat plate, ensuring you’re equipped for every culinary endeavor. Remta Makina Commercial 3 Burner Vertical Broiler Buy on Amazon Types of Commercial Broilers Different culinary needs necessitate varied broiling equipment. While the end goal is the same – deliciously broiled dishes – the journey varies. The market offers an array of commercial broilers, each with its own set of advantages and suited for distinct purposes. Radiant vs. infrared Radiant broilers employ metal plates to distribute heat, creating a uniform and consistent cooking surface. They are frequently favored for their heat retention capabilities, ensuring reliable results over longer cooking durations. In contrast, infrared broilers use infrared technology to provide fast, high-intensity heat directly to the food. This approach is highly efficient, significantly reducing cooking time and achieving a quick sear. Infrared broiling is an innovation in the culinary scene. By using electromagnetic radiation, these broilers can deliver intense heat in a short amount of time. While radiant broilers might be the traditional choice, the speed and efficiency of infrared technology are hard to match, especially in fast-paced kitchen environments. Salamander broilers and their significance Salamander broilers are a type of overhead broiler, perfect for finishing touches. They excel at tasks like browning the top of a lasagna or melting cheese over a dish. Their design allows for easy access, making them especially handy for busy kitchens. A salamander broiler’s precision is its hallmark: it can apply the perfect amount of heat without overcooking the dish beneath. Restaurants, especially those that prioritize presentation, cherish salamander broilers. Their ability to provide a final touch – like the golden brown on a meringue pie – is invaluable. Furthermore, with adjustable heights, chefs have more control, ensuring that dishes get just the right amount of heat. Differences between charbroilers and griddle broilers Charbroilers and griddle broilers, while similar in function, serve different purposes in a kitchen. Charbroilers typically use grates, exposing food directly to the heat source, perfect for dishes like burgers or steaks that benefit from grill marks and a smoky flavor. Griddle broilers, conversely, offer a flat surface, making them ideal for foods like pancakes or sandwiches. Understanding the nuances between these two can elevate your culinary game. While charbroilers impart that classic grilled texture and taste, griddle broilers give an even, consistent heat, ensuring dishes are cooked uniformly. Depending on your restaurant’s menu, one might be more suitable than the other, but having both can truly diversify your offerings. FAQs What is a commercial broiler? A commercial broiler is a type of oven that uses high heat from above to cook food. It’s especially popular in restaurants for dishes that require a charred or caramelized finish. How does a commercial broiler differ from a regular oven? Unlike conventional ovens that cook from below or all sides, a commercial broiler primarily cooks from above. This direct heat method results in faster cooking times and a distinct texture on the food’s surface. Are there different types of commercial broilers? Yes, there are various types, including infrared broilers and salamander broilers. Each type has its unique features and benefits tailored to specific cooking needs. How do I maintain and clean a commercial broiler? Regular maintenance includes wiping down after use, checking for food particles, and ensuring that gas lines or electrical connections are intact. Periodic deep cleaning and professional check-ups are also recommended. Can commercial broilers be used for all types of dishes? While they are versatile, commercial broilers are best for dishes needing a crisp top layer or a charred finish. It might not be suitable for dishes that require even slow cooking. Is there a notable difference in taste when using a commercial broiler? Employing a commercial broiler can create a caramelized or charred finish that enhances the flavor profile of specific dishes, imparting a unique taste. Are commercial broilers energy-efficient? The efficiency varies by model and type. However, because they cook food faster, they might be more energy efficient than traditional ovens for specific dishes. YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE: Commercial Food Warmer Commercial Steam Table Office Microwave Commercial Microwave Image: Amazon This article, "Commercial Broiler: Prime Picks for Your Restaurant" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

PepsiCo said Tuesday that high prices and changing consumer tastes have weakened U.S. demand for its snacks and drinks but it’s confident it can turn that around in the coming year. The Purchase, New York-based company said its revenue fell slightly to $27.78 billion in the fourth quarter. That was short of Wall Street’s forecast of $27.89 billion, according to analysts polled by FactSet. U.S. demand flagged last year after two years of outsized, double-digit price increases. The average price of a 16-ounce bag of potato chips peaked at $6.68 in October 2023, according to government data. PepsiCo hit the brakes on prices, which rose 4% globally in 2024. The company focused on making its snacks more affordable, adding product promotions, more chips per bag and value packs. It also invested more heavily in its Chester’s and Santitas value brands, which saw strong revenue growth last year. In a conference call Tuesday, CEO Ramon Laguarta said those efforts are paying off and consumers have begun buying salty snacks again. Still, North American sales volumes for both Frito-Lay snacks and beverages fell 3% in the October-December period. PepsiCo is also closely watching a longer-term trend toward healthier snacking, Laguarta said. The company isn’t seeing much impact from the growing use of GLP-1 weight loss drugs like Wegovy, he said. But people are looking for smaller, portion-controlled snacks, healthier ingredients like whole grains and lower sodium and fat. “There’s a higher level of awareness in general of American consumers toward health and wellness,” he said. PepsiCo is well-positioned to meet that need with products like Pepsi Zero Sugar, SunChips and its Simply line of chips, which have no artificial colors or flavors, Laguarta said. And more healthy, “permissible” snacks are coming, he said. “We’re very confident that our North American business will accelerate this year,” Laguarta said. PepsiCo is also trying to amp up its away-from-home offerings, like its Doritos Locos Tacos collaboration with Taco Bell and its Tostitos Cantina food trucks. PepsiCo’s snack food and beverage volumes both climbed 1% globally in the fourth quarter, with strong growth in Africa and Asia. Net income rose 17% to $1.5 billion. Adjusted for one-time items, PepsiCo earned $1.96, or two cents better than analysts had forecast. PepsiCo expects organic revenue growth in the low single digits in 2025. Organic revenue is adjusted for foreign currency exchanges and the impact of product acquisitions or divestments. The company reported organic revenue growth of 2% in 2024. The company, which closed four U.S. bottling plants in October, also plans to continue a multi-year push to enhance productivity, including adding more automation in its plants and warehouses. PepsiCo shares fell 2% Tuesday. —Dee-Ann Durbin, AP Business Writer View the full article

Living in Los Angeles and paying $1,000 a month for rent seems like a fantasy for many cash-strapped tenants, or a rental figure from decades ago. But a new proposal from architecture and design firm Gensler and the Pew Charitable Trust underscores the idea that more affordable urban living can be found in old, vacant office buildings. The analysis, which was initiated and funded by Pew and nonprofit Arnold Ventures, looks at the potential of a new kind of building conversion in Houston and Los Angeles, two U.S cities where this type of conversion would currently be legal. The aim is to build a better version of single-room occupancy units, or SROs, that have private rooms, shared bathrooms, and partial kitchens. The low-cost, no-frills housing was prevalent during most of the 20th century as a kind of housing-of-last-resort. Once immensely common in cities, their reputation for seediness, deserved or not, led to zoning and policy shifts that made them functionally extinct. An estimated one million such units were closed in the ‘70s and ‘80s. Numerous studies have blamed their demise on the modern rise in homelessness. In recent years, as homelessness and affordability have become crises, there’s been a push to bring this concept back: since 2023, Oregon, Washington, and Hawaii have all passed laws to re-legalize them. Los Angeles floor plan. [Image: Gensler/The Pew Charitable Trusts] “The U.S. is only about 50 years removed from having very little homelessness,” said Alex Horowitz, project director of the housing policy initiatives at Pew Charitable Trust and coauthor of the report. “As recently as the mid-’70s, there was very little homelessness nationally, and most evidence points to SROs as the primary driver.” Gensler’s vision would ring the outer layer of an office floor with small, studio-style rooms with microwaves and fridges, roughly the size of a modest hotel room. The plans call for 190-square-foot units in L.A., and up to 227-square-foot units in Houston, about half the size of a typical studio apartment. The center of each floor would contain shared living rooms, kitchen, and bathrooms. These layouts would be designed with private keycard entry by floor, and what designers call a more concerted focus on safety, privacy, and security. Los Angeles unit sample [Image: Gensler/The Pew Charitable Trusts] It offers a compelling blueprint for expanding the housing stock in a nation where office vacancy is above 20% in most cities—29% in LA and 32% in Houston—and homelessness nationwide just reached a record 770,000 people. Such conversions make sense for dozens of buildings, 88 in downtown Houston and 42 in L.A.’s central business district, according to the report. These upgrades can also be done with relatively little subsidized public funding, and could create low-cost units renting for roughly half the median rent in both cities: $700 in Houston and $1,000 in Los Angeles. The microunits could be built for $240,000 each in L.A., less than half what it costs to build a typical studio apartment. There’s currently a post-pandemic boom in office-to-residential conversations nationwide; new RentCafe research found 70,700 residential units will be created in 2025 alone by transforming offices left partially vacant and undervalued by remote work. Gensler has helped spearhead this push by developing an algorithm that can quickly figure out which offices made good conversion candidates. Houston floor plan [Image: Gensler/The Pew Charitable Trusts] That’s a huge jump in activity, since developers completed just 23,100 in 2022. But despite the boom, these conversions still represent a fraction of the units needed to bridge the housing shortage, and such conversions still remain expensive, complicated, and financially infeasible for many offices. Gensler’s new research found that this SRO-style conversion opens up new opportunities. Traditional office-to-residential conversions, which create individual units with their own kitchens and bathrooms, require extensive plumbing and infrastructure work. This new proposal concentrates new plumbing and piping in the middle of each floor. In addition, standard conversions mean long, stretched out apartments with few windows and natural light. The SRO option contains big windows in each of the small studios (although no natural light in the shared spaces). Research conducted by Gensler and Pew last fall found this type of layout cuts conversion construction costs by up to 35%. Locating the right building, which the authors did using CoStar data, was a challenge, since it needed the right-size floor area and infrastructure, but just a single conversion could add 800-plus units; buildings of 20-plus floors can fit up to 60 units on each level. “Depending on the estimates you look at, just a few percentage points of the office stock could work for traditional office-to-residential conversions,” said Gensler principal and economist Wes Le Blanc. “But there’s a much larger percentage of highly vacant office stock that works in this case, and makes those unlivable floor plates in play in a way they weren’t before.” Horowitz sees this type of housing filling a key gap in the market, giving single, working class renters, such as students, seniors, and immigrants, an option that won’t leave them cost-burdened. Approximately 40% of U.S. renter households consist of a single person, and these units could be perfect for people making $40,000 to $50,000 a year. This housing strategy also offers ancillary benefits for cities. In downtown Los Angeles, for example, an area boasting 280,000 jobs, just 1% to 2% of residents who live downtown also work there. Providing more housing opportunities in that neighborhood could help lessen long commutes. No developer has yet signed on to build such a project. Horowitz said he’s been getting positive responses from real estate groups, and Gensler and Pew presented these proposals to city officials in L.A. and Houston on January 31. They believe they can build momentum for conversions, and cheaper housing, soon. View the full article

In today’s fast-paced, tech-driven world, commanding attention during meetings or presentations is an increasingly complex challenge. Attendees are often preoccupied with emails, notifications, or social media, turning valuable discussions into background noise. To overcome the issue, presenters must intentionally foster engagement that goes beyond just delivering information. The importance of engagement Engagement is the bridge between delivering information and fostering collaboration. When people feel actively involved in a conversation or presentation, they are more likely to pay attention, retain information, and contribute meaningfully. Think about meetings where you’ve been fully invested. What made those moments different? Often, it comes down to feeling connected to the material and the speaker. Engagement is built upon four key ingredients that must play together to bring about the collaborative benefits mentioned above: ● Focus your message ● Relevance ● Empathy ● Be present So, how can we combine these ingredients and infuse engagement into our organizations and teams? The answer lies in fostering interactions that are low stakes, yet purposeful. In other words, play. Purposeful play: A key to engagement One of the most effective ways to break down barriers and foster meaningful, engaged communication is through purposeful play. Playfulness in professional environments might seem counterintuitive, but it can unlock creativity, encourage participation, and lower defenses. When people feel at ease, they are more open to new ideas and solutions, creating an atmosphere of trust and collaboration. Below, we delineate each of the four engagement building blocks and provide a playful activity that helps build the skill. Focus your message Start with clarity. Boiling down complex ideas into digestible key points helps to sustain audience focus. An effective exercise for sharpening your messaging is to condense a pitch or concept into shorter versions repeatedly. Activity: Long Story Short Begin with a one-minute explanation of a project or challenge. Then, condense that explanation to 30 seconds, 15 seconds, and finally a single sentence. This practice not only sharpens clarity but also highlights the essence of your message. Tailor communication for relevance Connecting with your audience involves understanding their needs and perspectives. Personalizing messages to resonate with different stakeholders fosters interest and investment. Activity: Sell a BLANK to a BLANK This playful exercise involves creating pitches for random products to random personas. For example, try selling a plunger to a police officer or a piano to a circus clown. This encourages empathy and creativity, helping you frame messages in a way that resonates with diverse audiences. Build empathy through storytelling Stories humanize communication. Sharing personal anecdotes or inviting participants to share theirs deepens connections and builds mutual understanding. Activity: Memory Lanes Using a random word as a prompt, participants share true, short stories inspired by the word. Each story connects to a new prompt word drawn from the previous narrative, fostering relatability and camaraderie. Be present in the moment Presence is about fully engaging with your surroundings and audience. Practicing mindfulness and tuning into the physical space and its details can ground you and enhance your delivery. Activity: I Love My Spot Explore your surroundings, identify three elements you appreciate, and articulate why you value them. This practice helps center your focus and reinforces your connection to the environment, preparing you to connect with your audience authentically. Harnessing engagement True engagement requires collaboration born out of connection with and comfort around others. Play can catalyze this connection and comfort. By prioritizing concision, relevance, empathy, and attentiveness, you can create interactions that resonate. These are not stand-alone techniques; they are interconnected tools that work together to enhance engagement. When these methods are integrated into communication practices, people will focus and pay attention. Even mundane exchanges are transformed into opportunities for significant impact. Whether you’re leading a team meeting, delivering a keynote, or facilitating a brainstorming session, small adjustments in how you engage can lead to major gains in understanding, remembering, and enjoying. Play is a powerful unlock for engaging communication. View the full article

A grassroots effort to track price gouging has emerged in the form of a Google Sheet that’s now circulating on social media. Community members have reported Zillow listings of rental properties with substantial price increases –upwards of thousands of dollars – just as 150,000 California residents found themselves displaced. View the full article

Troubled utility tells court hearing for emergency loan that restructuring costs could top £200mnView the full article

Desmond will be succeeding Pierre Naudé in leading the bank technology provider. View the full article

The idea of eating a pile of onions seems absolutely absurd—until you caramelize them and make them into soup. Suddenly, and your entire family is talking about an onion dinner with great reverence. You might think it’s the cheesy raft of bread floating on top that wins hearts, but students of umami know to credit the sweet, hearty, caramelized flavor from a mountain of slowly cooked sliced onions. Caramelizing onions is an annoying business, which is why I’d like to present you with a version that doesn’t demand helicopter babysitting. If you’ve ever successfully caramelized onions before, you know it takes at least 45 minutes to do it properly. In order to get silky-soft, deeply browned strands of onion in your average pot, you’ve got to cook them over low heat and stir them frequently to prevent burning. Knowing that you’re already signing up for a bit of a process regardless, why not make the technique less precarious with the mighty Dutch oven? French onion soup was made for the Dutch ovenThis method does take plenty of time to cook, but the weighty material of a Dutch oven allows for evenly distributed heat, allowing you to cook the onions slowly, without the dreaded hot spots that threaten scorched alliums. This method essentially braises them in their own buttery onion broth until they're extremely soft. The lid keeps the moisture in, so the flavors can fully blossom and the onions won't start browning too fast. Eight to 10 cups of sliced onions will cook down to less than half of this volume. Credit: Allie Chanthorn Reinmann Dutch ovens have the added benefit of being enamel glazed. When fond (the bits of food that stick to the bottom of the pot and brown) occurs in a regular pot, you have to scrape it up pretty quickly so it doesn’t scorch. The glass finish of a Dutch oven doesn’t seem to burn fond as quickly, and the slick surface easily releases it whenever you get around to stirring. With this low-maintenance method, you can basically chill for the first 45 minutes. You'll then face roughly 15 minutes of intermittent action in the middle, before letting the soup simmer away for another 20 minutes. (All the while, you’ll be enjoying the most intoxicating aroma of caramelized onions and butter.) Caramelized onions before adding any beef broth. Credit: Allie Chanthorn Reinmann This soup is broth-y but full of soft, velvety onions, and rich in umami. Plus a slab of cheesy bread never hurt anyone. (Though they seem like small additions, I must insist on the herbs—they elevate the dish, and once you let them simmer for 15 minutes you’ll smell the difference.) Low and Slow French Onion Soup RecipeIngredients: 4 tablespoons unsalted butter 8 to 10 cups sliced onions (use a variety or one type) 1 teaspoon salt A splash of sherry vinegar (about a tablespoon or so) A splash of dry red wine (about a tablespoon or so) 3 ½ cups of beef broth 6 sprigs of thyme 2 small bay leaves Slices of stale hearty bread for topping Semi-firm cheese for topping 1. Melt the butter in a Dutch oven over medium-low heat. Add the onions and salt, and give it all a thorough toss. Cover the pot with its lid and let it simmer and cook the onions for about 15 minutes. 2. Remove the lid and stir the onions. They should be very soft and they’ll have released a lot of water. If it’s bubbling viciously, reduce the heat for a steady simmer. Let them continue to cook, uncovered, for another 30 to 45 minutes, but come around and give them a stir every 10 minutes or so to check on things. The buttery onion water will reduce during this time. 3. At the end of this cooking time you’ll notice a few brown bits develop and the onions will become more golden. This is when you need to be more present. Continue cooking the onions, but scrape and stir them every three to five minutes. They’ll begin to darken. Do this until you’re happy with the color of your onions. If they ever become too dry, you can add a splash of water to help deglaze the fond on the bottom of the pot. 3. Stir in the sherry vinegar and wine, then add the broth and herbs. Let this simmer together for 20 minutes on low heat. You can cover the pot, but crack the lid. 4. Meanwhile, top the bread slices with cheese. (Classically a gruyère is used but you can use Swiss, pecorino, provolone, or anything with a little bite.) Broil the sliced bread to melt the cheese. 5. Remove the herbs from the soup. If you have extra stale bread, chop it up and drop some into the bottom of each soup bowl. Spoon the soup into the bowls and shave some cheese over it. Then top each serving with a slab of cheesy bread. View the full article

This post was written by Alison Green and published on Ask a Manager. A reader writes: I (a woman in my early 30s) work in a traditionally male environment, although there are a decent amount of women working there too. Recently my work has started focusing more on menopause support/awareness — there’s a menopause support group, “recognizing signs and symptoms” posters in the women’s toilets, etc. I think that’s great. My manager has been making comments about menopause that really, really bother me. Things like, “Well, I better write that down because as a woman of a certain age, if I don’t I’ll forget it” or “I must have forgotten to do that — it comes with the menopause,” and so on. She makes these comments in meetings with men and women present, and just in public around the office. I feel like she’s basically saying that she’s less able to do her job because she’s a woman. It gives license to men who hear it to make similar comments/assumptions about other women of her age group (who won’t all be experiencing the same issues she is), and I feel like I have to work harder to prove myself, too. I think that sort of comment should stay in the support group, and not be brought up so publicly. If it’s impacting her work, she might need to talk to her manager about it, but there’s no need to make the comments in meetings when she could just write whatever it is down and say nothing. Younger women in my workplace don’t blame their issues on their periods, they deal with it and move on. I’m not asking if I should say anything to her about this, I have absolutely no intention of doing so. I’m just wondering if I’m off the mark? I’ve obviously not experienced menopause, but I can imagine that it’s frustrating to suddenly struggle with something that you used to be fine with, and wanting to explain why. I wouldn’t normally think someone needed to keep a health issue secret at work unless they wanted to, but it’s the broadness of what she’s saying — “all menopausal women/women my age” — that bothers me so much. But then at the same time, I have male colleagues who’ve made similar “all men of my age” comments about being forgetful, and it’s not bothered me at all or made me look at other men as less able to do their jobs. So is it really fair of me to be holding her to a different standard because she’s a woman? You’re more bothered by your boss’s comments than by the men’s comments because hers come against a backdrop of women already being discriminated against at work and having to work harder to be taken seriously, as well as a long history of women being dismissed as overly controlled by their bodies. That changes the way it lands. It’s also true that age discrimination is a thing, and your male coworkers’ comments about themselves are landing against that backdrop … but I suspect that isn’t hitting you in the same way because, as a group, men have some built-in societal protections that women lack. It’s also true that people should be able to talk about what they’re experiencing, and in theory it’s a good thing for people to feel comfortable talking about challenges associated with health or aging or all sorts of other things. But realistically, we aren’t there yet; there is still stigma and bias associated with lots of health conditions (from ADHD to mental health and on and on) that often makes it safer not to share them at work. And it certainly doesn’t feel like we’re in a cultural moment where that’s about to get better. Part of the problem, too, is that your boss is talking about her experience with menopause as a universal experience for all women of a certain age. It’s like if you were both parenting young children and she kept writing off her forgetfulness as “I must have forgotten to do that — it comes with being a mom.” You’d rightly not appreciate how that reflected on fellow moms, who already face bias in the work world. So, no, I don’t think you’re off the mark in feeling uncomfortable with your boss’s comments. But I also think that’s very much about the culture we live in: it’s not that she’s doing something inherently wrong; it’s that we live in a sexist culture where women have to worry about this. View the full article

Education, technology, and software development websites have gotten a referral traffic boost from ChatGPT search – and ChatGPT sent more traffic to more than 30,000 unique domains by November. That’s according to new Semrush (disclosure: Search Engine Land is owned by Semrush) analysis of 80 million lines of global clickstream data from the second half of 2024. Search behavior changes. ChatGPT answered about 54% of queries with search turned off, with the remaining 46% of queries using search. The average ChatGPT prompt length was 23 words, with a high of 2,712 words. The average ChatGPT search length was much lower – just 4.2 words, with a high of 301 words. Search intent shift. In search, keywords have an intent – navigational, informational, commercial and transactional (though there are additional types of search intent). However, only 30% of ChatGPT prompts fell into any of these categories, the analysis found. That means 70% of the prompts are unique and rarely or never seen in classic search engines (e.g., Google, Microsoft Bing). ChatGPT vs. Google and Microsoft Bing. The types of sites getting more referral traffic from ChatGPT than Google include: OpenAI-related domains, tech, and AI-focused platforms. The types of sites getting more referral traffic from ChatGPT than Microsoft Bing include: Academic publishers and research, and education and technical resources. ChatGPT vs. Google users. Google had 6.5 billion unique worldwide visitors compared to ChatGPT’s 566 million in December. Semrush also compared audience demographics and found: ChatGPT users are younger and more male. ChatGPT wins with students; Google wins with full-time workers, homemakers and retirees. What Semrush is saying. According to the report’s author, Brenna Kelly: “For marketers and content creators, this data reveals an emerging reality: success in this new landscape requires a shift from traditional SEO metrics toward content that actively supports learning, problem-solving, and creative tasks. Why we care. SEO continues to evolve quickly. How people search and find answers is evolving. Making sure your brand’s content can be understood and cited by LLMs will only become more critical heading forward. Dig deeper. What is generative engine optimization (GEO)? The research. Investigating ChatGPT Search: Insights from 80 Million Clickstream Records View the full article

An inconsistent US is an unreliable partner — it’s that simpleView the full article

Art gallery, science exhibition and 21st century funhouse, Paradox Museum Miami takes guests on a tour through optical illusions and other enigmas geared for the age of Instagram. The 11,000 square-foot (1,000 square-meter) museum, housed in Miami’s trendy Wynwood arts and entertainment district, features more than 70 exhibits that challenge the imagination, executive director Samantha Impellizeri said. “It ebbs and flows between periods of highly tactile and interactive exhibit pieces and fully immersive photo opportunities where you yourself become the paradox and walk away with some really fun and unique social media content,” Impellizeri said. Paradox Museum has more than a dozen locations throughout North America, Europe and Asia. The Miami location, which opened in 2022, was the first in North America, followed by Las Vegas and New Jersey. “Each paradox is uniquely tied to its community,” Impellizeri said. “So as you walk throughout the experience, you’ll notice different themes and art installations that directly reflect not only Miami but the Wynwood community specifically.” Many of the exhibits at Paradox Museum harken back to old carnival funhouses, like the mirror maze, the spinning tunnel and the upside-down room. The difference is that Paradox Museum explains the math and science behind each illusion. “We’re a top field trip destination for pre-K all the way up through college students,” Impellizeri said. “We have a full curriculum of educational activities to do before, during and after the visit to expand upon that educational scope.” Like any museum, Paradox Museum plans to update its exhibits to keep visitors coming back. “We’re not going to be the same space in a year to three years from now,” Impellizeri said. “We’ll be engaging with new technology and layering additional discoveries on top of it.” Paradox Museum Miami introduced a new Zero Gravity Room this past fall. Guests step into a giant, slowly moving vertical wheel designed to look like the interior of a space station after placing their camera phones on a spinning mount. The spinning camera is synced to the spinning wheel, so the video appears to show the guests walking up the wall and ceiling, like something out of “2001: A Space Odyssey.” Paradox Museum is part of a large trend of immersive art experiences opening all over the world this past decade. Examples include a company called Meow Wolf with several locations in the western United States, as well as an immersive Van Gogh exhibit that has been touring North America, Europe and Asia since 2017. Superblue Miami opened in 2021, featuring interactive and experiential art. “Immersive experiences around the world are increasing in popularity and popping up more and more,” Impellizeri said. “And it’s exciting to see that this trend of interactive and immersive experiences taking off that allows guests to become part of the art, part of the installation itself.” Visitors generally take 60 to 90 minutes to make through way through Paradox Museum. Tickets normally cost $26 for adults and teens and $20 for children. Facundo Ildarraz, 17, and his family came to Miami from Argentina to catch a cruise and had a few days to check out the city. Ildarraz said his mom found Paradox Museum online, and it turned out to be a great chance to take fun photos with his family. “I’ve been laughing since I went inside,” Ildarraz said. “It’s really amazing.” Dennis Speigel, head of a consulting company called International Theme Park Services, Inc., said immersive experiences are a natural progression of location-based entertainment, like go-cart tracks, laser tag, paint ball, indoor skydiving, escape rooms and trampoline parks. They are smaller scale attractions that take visitors a few hours to go through, rather than an all-day activity like visiting an amusement park. “It’s a lot of little things that we’ve had in the industry for years, heightened by our new technology, like augmented reality and virtual reality, to make the experience new and something people haven’t seen,” Speigel said. “It’s kind of an evolution, everything that’s old is new again.” —David Fischer, Associated Press View the full article

Do you have a missing 401(k)? It’s more common than you might think. One U.S. Labor Department study suggests that people will have worked a dozen jobs by their mid-40s, with most of those barely lasting a few years. While you have a few options for handling an old 401(k), some strategies are better than others. The wisest path forward is typically to consolidate your old 401(k) into another qualified retirement plan. But what if you can't locate your old 401(k)? Did you forget which company was managing your retirement account? A new federal database should make it easier to track down. Use this new government databaseThis new tool been years in the making, as a part of 2022's SECURE 2.0 Act. According to the Department of Labor, the Retirement Savings Lost and Found Database "serves as a centralized location to find lost or forgotten benefits and get information on how to obtain those funds." Here’s how to use it: Use Login.gov to verify your identity: Create a Login.gov account and complete the identity verification process. Visit Login.gov/help and review the Login.gov verification process steps for more information. Enter your Social Security number: Re-enter it to verify and click “Search.” View your results: The website will display a list of retirement plans linked to your Social Security number and provides contact information for the plan administrators. Contact the plan administrators: They will verify your identity and help determine any retirement benefits you may be entitled to collect. On the flip side, if you don't want your retirement plans findable in this database, you can opt out by using this online form. Opting out prevents anyone from accessing any data linked to your name and Social Security number. Alternate methods to track down an old 401(k)If you don't find what you need through the database, there are other methods to find a rogue 401(k). Identify previous employers that offered 401(k) plansMake a list of all your past jobs, especially ones where you worked full-time for over a year. Large companies are very likely to have sponsored a 401(k). Contact the HR department of each previous employerCall or email the HR rep and ask them to confirm if you had an active 401(k) plan while working there. If so, ask them to provide the account and contact details. Search the National Registry of Unclaimed Retirement BenefitsThis database run by the U.S. Department of Labor lists workplaces that have lost contact with 401(k) holders. This should be your first stop search for your name and any previous employers. Try online 401(k) search toolsYou can also try any of these databases, like FreeErisa, to find lost accounts linked to your Social Security number. Look up old statements and paperworkDig through your email inbox and hard copy files for old enrollment paperwork, account statements, or tax documents showing 401(k) contributions. These often include account numbers and plan administrator contacts. Contact plan administrators directlyIf you find the name of the financial company that managed your old 401(k), get in touch to track down your account. Provide identifying details to access the account. Roll over the funds into a new accountOnce located, make arrangements to transfer the funds into a new IRA or your current employer's 401(k) to simplify management in the future. Finding your account was the hard part—from here it should be fairly easy to move your investments into the account of your choosing. Still, it’s worth talking to a financial advisor before moving your old 401(k) to make sure you understand any planning consequences that may arise. If you don’t have the option to rollover your old 401(k) into a new one, your next best choice is to let it be and let it continue to grow, rather than opting to cash out early and getting hit with a tax penalty. View the full article

Nintendo’s profits tumbled as sales of its Switch console lost momentum, prompting the Japanese video-game maker to lower its full-year forecasts. Kyoto-based Nintendo Co., which created the Super Mario franchise, reported Tuesday an April-December profit of 237 billion yen ($1.5 billion), down 42% from the same period the previous year. Nine-month sales dropped 31% to 956 billion yen ($6 billion), according to Nintendo, which did not break down quarterly results. The company now expects to rake in a 270-billion yen ($1.7 billion) profit for the fiscal year through March, down from the previous forecast for 300-billion yen ($1.9 billion). Sales of Nintendo machines for the nine-month period fell to 9.54 million units from 13.7 million last year. Nintendo now expects to sell 11 million Switch consoles for the full fiscal year, lower than its initial projection of 12.5 million. Game software sales in April-December declined to nearly 124 million from 164 million, although “Super Mario Party Jamboree,” remained popular, with 6.17 million units sold. The latest “Legend of Zelda” game software was also in demand, selling 3.4 million units globally after going on sale in September. Nintendo said, while demand has dwindled for the Switch, now in its eighth year after its debut, it was still being purchased by a significant number of people. The number of Switch players remains above 100 million, it said. Nintendo is banking on its successor, called Switch 2, which goes on sale later this year. Events where people can try it out are rolling out from April around the world. Nintendo also noted the opening of Super Nintendo World, an amusement facility, in May at Epic Universe in Orlando, Florida will help woo people to its content. Yuri Kageyama is on Threads: https://www.threads.net/@yurikageyama —Yuri Kageyama, AP Business Writer View the full article

Making a strong first impression on customers is essential for businesses aiming to differentiate themselves from the competition. Customized packaging solutions can assist businesses in reaching this objective. Consequently, it is no surprise that in recent years, the demand for custom packaging among small businesses has consistently increased. What is Custom Packaging? Unlike a one-size-fits-all packaging solution, custom packaging is uniquely tailored to a small business specific needs. The shape, size, materials, color, and style of the package are modified to reflect the business and to create a special buying experience. In addition to asking what custom packaging is, you should also ask what branding is in business because they go hand in hand in today’s eCommerce and shipping-centric business. How important is custom packaging? Growing competition means businesses have a harder time convincing prospects to buy from them. Custom packaging is an important tool to gain customer’s attention and elevate user experience. If done creatively, it can also help small business brands gain a sharp competitive edge. Custom Packaging for Small Businesses: Key Benefits With more businesses utilizing custom packaging to enhance their sales, is it time for you to consider this option as well? For small businesses, opting for custom retail packaging can create numerous opportunities. Let’s delve deeper into this topic. Excellent Customer Experience In many instances, the packaging of your product is the first glimpse customers get of your brand. With unique packaging, you can provide an excellent user experience from the get-go. If the many unboxing videos on social media are anything to go by, customers form an opinion and a bond with a business before they have even opened their package. This makes it useful to focus on customizing packaging to boost customer experience. And don’t forget to use the best shipping tape also, as this can improve the experience. Increased Brand Awareness with Customized Shipping Boxes A significant challenge for businesses today is standing out in a crowded market filled with similar products. Custom packaging can help overcome this obstacle by making a distinct impression. Custom packaging not only showcases the brand but also fosters a deeper connection with customers. Decreased Shipping Fees Choosing customized packaging makes good sense from a cost standpoint as well. By selecting this option, businesses can avoid using larger boxes they don’t need. This is a smart idea, especially because shipping companies charge for volume in addition to the weight of the package. So, make sure to look into the cheapest place to buy boxes to lower your overall cost. What Customizations Can Businesses Make to Their Packaging? Businesses have numerous avenues to explore when it comes to custom packaging. With options ranging from distinctive box designs to personalized sticker designs, the possibilities for customization are vast. Here are a few options to consider: Custom packaging options: There are numerous ways to customize boxes. You can adjust their shape, size, color, and material to align with your brand image. Customized stickers: A cost-effective way to customize packaging is to invest in tailor-made stickers. The advantage of customized stickers is they are water-resistant, which can be useful when shipping products. Customized rubber stamp: Another simple and inexpensive design option is to go for customized rubber stamps. The stamp can include the company logo or tagline to resonate with the customers. Customized packaging tape: Adhesive tapes help secure the boxes, but they can also be customized to reflect the brand. Customized bags: Customized bags can be helpful for businesses that produce sturdy products. How do I get Custom Packaging for my Product? Thanks to a host of business packaging solution providers, getting custom packaging for your business has become quite easy. There are many solution providers that specialize in customizing all elements of your packaging, including customized stickers, bags, and more. There are also some companies that let you design your packaging. They, in turn, take care of producing the elements for you. Let’s check out a few of them. Best Places to Order Custom Packaging: Brand the Inside and Outside of Your Product Boxes Packlane Packlane offers full customization and comes with a user-friendly 3D design tool. With Packlane, you will be able to choose from four types of custom boxes: mailer box, product box, shipping box, and econoflex shipping box. Another benefit of choosing this solution provider is they ship both in the U.S. and outside. UPrinting UPrinting is another option for end-to-end customized packaging solutions. They specialize in customizing a number of packaging elements such as stickers, labels, boxes, bags and pouches. UPrinting also has 24/7 customer service to address questions and concerns. Etsy Etsy offers a range of options for custom and handmade pieces for mailers and packages. Etsy is a good place to look for cost-effective options. Sticker Mule Sticker Mule specializes in custom stickers. Here, you can find a range of stickers, labels, and mailers. They offer free shipping and free online proofs all over the world. Pack Help Pack Help meets the needs of small businesses seeking affordable custom packaging solutions. They provide low minimum order quantities, quick turnaround times, and a user-friendly online editor. Paper Mart On Paper Mart, you can explore a variety of custom packaging options, including boxes, bags, mailers, and tape. Their easy-to-use online design studio allows you to create your own unique packaging. Plus, with same-day shipping, you can ensure timely delivery of your products. ShipBob ShipBob is a 3PL provider that combines its inventory management technology with nationwide in-house fulfillment. Unlike other solution providers, ShipBob doesn’t offer custom tapes and has size limitations on boxes. The Box Maker The Box Maker offers custom packaging solutions such as product labels and boxes tailored for small businesses. The company operates eight locations throughout Oregon, Washington, and Arkansas. Arka Arka offers custom-printed packaging for small businesses. Some of the products on offer include boxes, stickers, and tape. They have a simple process that involves choosing the products, dimensions, and quantity online. Businesses can offer their artwork to Arka and receive proof in just two days. Refine Packaging Refine Packaging provides free quotes, complimentary design assistance, low minimum order requirements, and outstanding customer service. The company also features live chat to provide immediate support for businesses. For large orders, Refine Packaging offers appealing discounts. The completed order is delivered within 8-10 business days. Packola Custom Boxes & Packaging: Design and Order Online | Packola Packola has a user-friendly interface that allows small businesses to design custom packaging in minutes. Its online design tool lets you create tailor-made mailer boxes, shipping boxes and product boxes. There are no minimum order quantities, and the site comes with live chat support. Brand in Color Customized Shipping Boxes for Everyone – brandINcolor Brand in Color offers mailer boxes, shipping boxes, and even pizza boxes for customization. The minimum order count is 25 boxes, and it offers fast shipping (3 days). The company provides examples of past work for inspiration. Custom Packaging Tips for Small Businesses Not all businesses are aware of how to start with custom packaging. Should they opt for a comprehensive set of customized solutions, or should they take a gradual approach with a few key elements, such as custom boxes and tailored packaging supplies? Here are some tips for small business owners considering this option: Focus on being functional: The packaging solution you choose should fit your purpose. That’s why it’s important to focus on being functional. For example, does the material of the box you’ve chosen adequately protect the product inside? It’s important to find the answer before making a business decision. Make it personal: The whole point of customized packaging is to help businesses add a personal touch to their branding. Think of ways to make the unboxing experience special for your customers. You can add a note or use packaging to offer discounts. Include samples: A simple way to make your packaging interesting and user-friendly is to add samples. This can be an effective promotional idea to please customers. Do your math: If you’re trying customized packaging for the first time, it’s important you do some calculations before deciding on one solution provider. Image: Depositphotos This article, "Brand Your Products with Custom Packaging" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article