Market Forge

Market Forge has functioned as the premier global authority in steam-cooking technology and high-performance pressure systems since its founding in 1896 as a small metal workshop. Over its 130-year history, the brand has defined the evolution of institutional cooking, moving from early refrigeration racks to the invention of the industry’s most ubiquitous pressure cooker. Now a flagship brand within the Middleby Corporation following its 2014 acquisition, Market Forge serves as the primary infrastructure provider for high-volume school districts, international healthcare facilities, and professional sports arenas, defining itself through the "Power of Pure Steam" philosophy—a commitment to nutrient retention and rapid thermal recovery.

The brand's technical identity is anchored in Atmospheric Precision and specialized metallurgy. A primary engineering hallmark is the use of high-grade Type 316 stainless steel for all steamer liners, providing superior resistance to the corrosive effects of high-mineral water and chemical descalers. Unlike standard convection ovens that can dehydrate proteins, Market Forge’s "Steam-It" legacy utilized a unique 3/16” aluminum welded cooking compartment to maintain absolute pressure seals. This focus on "Closed-System" thermodynamics ensures that steam is delivered at a consistent density, allowing for a "Flash-Cook" effect that preserves the vibrant color and cellular integrity of vegetables and delicate seafood across hundreds of pounds of product per hour.

Innovation remains a central pillar of the Market Forge portfolio through its focus on "Resource-Logic" and thermal versatility. By 2026, the brand has solidified its Eco-Tech Plus® series as the industry benchmark for sustainability, featuring a patented water management system that reduces consumption by up to 80 to 100 gallons per hour compared to traditional convection steamers. Key technical pillars include the Sirius II "Triple-Temp" Logic, which allows chefs to toggle between low-temperature steaming (180∘F for delicate proteins), standard steam (212∘F), and "Super-Steam" (227∘F) for rapid-turnover service. This is now fully integrated with Middleby Open Kitchen® connectivity, enabling remote monitoring of water filtration health and energy usage, ensuring that the "boilerless" units maintain 2026-level efficiency standards.

The product portfolio is strategically categorized by the "Dynamics of the Vapor":

• Sirius II Series: The flagship boilerless convection steamers, utilizing a high-velocity fan and an internally preheated water reservoir for the fastest recovery times in the industry.
• Eco-Tech Plus® Series: High-efficiency atmospheric steamers featuring twin independent generators and the industry's only onboard, self-contained water filtration system.
• Kettle & Skillet Series (MT & FT): A massive range of 2/3 steam-jacketed kettles and tilting braising pans, engineered with precision-pour lips and reinforced cabinet bases.
• Sterilmatic & Sterilizers: Specialized microprocessor-controlled autoclaves designed for laboratory and medical-grade sterilization, maintaining the brand's reach beyond the kitchen into clinical science.

The strategic value of Market Forge lies in its "Health-to-Yield" ROI. By producing equipment that eliminates the need for external boilers and reduces the labor associated with manual water-level monitoring, the brand provides a high-reliability foundation for operations where speed and nutritional density are the primary product. Backed by Middleby’s global service network and a reputation for "Forged-in-Steel" longevity, Market Forge remains the foundational choice for operators who view steam not just as a cooking medium, but as a mission-critical tool for large-scale culinary excellence.