Saj Oven
For generations, SAJ bread has been prepared manually on a curved heated surface, making the SAJ oven one of the most recognizable and traditional baking methods in Lebanon. EXTRA FOUR continues to manufacture this classic oven today, preserving the traditional baking principle while improving its construction for professional and commercial use.
The oven is powered by gas and equipped with three separate burner lanes, each independently adjustable and regulated. This allows the baker to control heat distribution across different areas of the curved cooking surface and adapt the oven according to the dough, baking rhythm, and preferred bread characteristics.
The cooking surface is manufactured from 3 mm thick black steel, providing the thermal mass required to retain heat and maintain a more stable baking temperature during repeated production. The external body is finished with stainless-steel covers, providing a more hygienic, durable, and professional construction suitable for bakeries, restaurants, catering operations, and traditional bread production.
Traditional SAJ Baking with Controlled Heat
The oven heats the curved black-steel SAJ plate directly from underneath using three gas burner sections. As the plate reaches the required temperature, the extremely thin dough sheet is placed manually over the curved surface, where the direct heat rapidly bakes the bread.
The three independently controlled burner lanes allow the operator to balance the temperature across the cooking surface. This is particularly important in manual SAJ baking, where the baker may require more or less heat in specific areas depending on dough thickness, production speed, and the desired final color and texture.
The thick steel baking surface stores and redistributes thermal energy between consecutive baking cycles. This helps reduce sudden temperature variations and provides a more homogeneous cooking surface, supporting the characteristic thin structure, light crispness, flexibility, and traditional appearance associated with authentic Lebanese SAJ bread.
Role in the Production Process
The SAJ oven represents the final baking stage in a predominantly manual or semi-manual production process. After dough mixing, dividing, resting, and manual stretching or sheeting, the thin dough piece is transferred directly onto the heated curved surface and baked within a short cycle before being removed by the operator.
Its simple and flexible production method makes it especially suitable for bakeries, restaurants, hotels, live cooking stations, catering operations, and businesses that want to preserve the visual and artisanal character of traditional SAJ preparation. Multiple ovens can also be operated together to increase production while maintaining the same manual baking method.
Key Operational Features
Multiple Cooking Diameters
Available with cooking surfaces from approximately 500 to 800 mm in diameter, allowing the oven to be selected according to bread size, workspace, and production requirements.
3 mm Black-Steel Cooking Surface
The heavy 3 mm thick curved steel plate provides strong heat retention and more stable thermal distribution for consistent baking during repeated cycles.
Three Independent Gas Burner Lanes
Three separately adjustable burner sections allow the operator to regulate heat across different zones of the cooking surface for improved control.
Individually Regulated Flame Control
Each burner lane can be adjusted independently, helping the baker fine-tune the temperature according to product thickness, baking speed, and desired color.
Stainless-Steel External Covers
The oven body is enclosed with durable stainless-steel panels, providing a hygienic professional finish and improved resistance to the demands of commercial bakery environments.
Authentic Manual Baking Design
Preserves the traditional Lebanese SAJ baking method while incorporating stronger construction, better gas control, and professional manufacturing standards for reliable daily operation.
Suitable Bakery Applications
This machine is suited to bakery environments that require dependable performance and integration with industrial production workflows.
Production Lines Using This Machine
This machine can be connected to bakery setups where this production stage is required.
Request More Information About This Machine
Tell us about your product type, requirements, and preferred machine configuration. Our team can help you identify the right setup for your bakery operation.
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