E-Switch is known for our anti-vandal switches. Their tamper-proof, splash-proof, and dust-proof features make them ideal for security devices and outdoor use. They are incredibly durable, but they also look sensational and are aesthetically pleasing switch solutions for outdoor kitchen equipment.
The COVID-19 pandemic fundamentally changed the way we eat, drink, and entertain ourselves. Prior to the pandemic, restaurants were already stressed by challenges surrounding employee compensation and tipping. Now labor shortages effect every business, especially the hospitality industry, which has forced many restaurants to cut back hours of operation.
The COVID-19 pandemic kept us all at home for years, and inflation resulting from that pandemic has contributed to a decline in dining out at restaurants. According to the National Restaurant Association, total eating and drinking place sales in October and November of 2022 were $1.6 billion lower than what was originally reported by the Census Bureau. While data indicates people are not dining out as much as they’d like, the reason for that isn’t necessarily higher menu prices.
Many people used the stay-at-home orders to improve the quality of their own cooking, resulting in a decreased demand for dining out that persists long after the pandemic ended. Outdoor cooking boomed during the pandemic, with the outdoor cooking industry enjoying year-over-year growth of 14 percent in 2021. According to the Hearth, Patio & Barbecue Association, 70 percent of U.S. households own at least one grill or smoker, which is the highest mark the industry has ever seen.
Patio kitchens are a great way to enjoy the summer months outdoors, and they also contribute to higher home values. Increased spending on outdoor entertainment spaces by baby boomers and millennials are expected to boost industry growth, as 68 percent of millennials and 78 percent of boomers are willing to pay more than $5,000 extra for an outdoor living space.
The global outdoor kitchen market is expected to grow at an annual rate of 8.3 percent through 2030, and E-Switch anti-vandal switches are ready to serve as premium push buttons in grills, smokers, and outdoor ranges. Most electromechanical switches featured on outdoor kitchen equipment are used to ignite burners, turn on exhaust fans on range hoods, or turn on halogen lights for cooking at night. But these switches are subjected to spilled liquids and blown dust even if you have a cover for your appliances or a roof over your outdoor kitchen. That’s why E-Switch anti-vandal switches serve as the perfect push buttons for patio kitchens.
SV Series Anti-vandal Switches
The SV4, SV7, and SV8 Series anti-vandal switches all operate in temperatures ranging from -20° to 70° Celsius and have electrical life expectancies of 200,000 cycles. They can handle the heat and the cold, so you can use your outdoor kitchen any time of year. They also have IP67 ratings for complete protection from dust and moisture, so spills nor wind-blown dust or snow will keep you from cooking outside. The SV Series is meant for three panel cutout sizes: 19mm (SV4), 22mm (SV7), and 25mm (SV8). All are available with ring or power symbol illumination in multiple LED colors, so you’ll know when you’ve left something running. They look great on all stainless steel appliances given their stainless steel body and actuator finishes, and they’re available with wire leads for easy installation.
PVA6 Series Anti-vandal Switch
The PVA6 Series anti-vandal switch also features IP67 protection from dust and moisture, a 200,000-cycle electrical life expectancy, and operates in temperatures ranging from -20° to 70° Celsius. It fits a panel cutout sized 16mm with a maximum depth of six to eight millimeters depending on whether you choose solder lug or wire lead termination. Ring or power symbol illumination is available in multiple LED colors, and two bi-color options are also available.
The PVA6 also features a rounded bezel in the black and clear anodized housings, making it a great choice for kitchen appliances of those colors. A stainless steel housing option is also available with flat and high flat bezel shapes, and like all our panel mount switches, it is available with wire leads.
The ULV Series UL Certified Anti-vandal Switches
The ULV Series offers long mechanical life expectancies up to one million cycles, UL Certification for three amps at 125 or 250 volts of alternating current, and IP67-rated dust and moisture protection. Like the SV Series, they are available for panel cutouts sized 19mm (ULV4), 22mm (ULV7), and 25mm (ULV8) with a maximum depth of 10mm.
Whether it’s a grill, smoker, or outdoor range, E-Switch anti-vandal switches are the perfect premium push buttons for outdoor kitchen appliances. All of them are available with wire leads for easy installation, too.