The foodservice equipment industry has progressed leaps and bounds in the last 20 years. But it’s the Combi Oven that has been the true game changer.
C ombi ovens combine convection and steam cooking in a single unit. They can operate in convection mode, steam mode, or a combination of both. Combi Ovens are highly versatile, and are used for baking, roasting, steaming, poaching, and more. Technology has moved this category a long way in the last decade, allowing for network, WiFi and Bluetooth enabled devices to ensure recipes are followed consistently.

Combi Ovens can be intimidating at first. Conversely, they can also produce outstanding and consistent results. However, not all Combi Ovens are created equal. Manufacturers have developed a range of features in this category to allow operators the best of what they require in their kitchens.
While Rational has the largest marketshare in Canada, many other lines are well established internationally and for good reason. Lainox and their Naboo line have a free, cloud-based recipe system making downloading new recipes quick and seamless for multi-unit applications or to allow chefs to try new menu items without having to start from scratch. In addition, their touchscreen module is set up similar to today’s phones and tablets making it easier to use.
Unox, perhaps the largest Combi Oven brand in the world, has innovation at the forefront with their Intelligent Performance features. “Adaptive.Cooking™” will automatically set cooking parameters regardless of the amount in the cooking chamber while “CLIMALUX™” measures humidity to achieve the optimal results.
Alto-Shaam includes exclusive features such as boilerless design, which is standard on their Prodigi and CT Express Combi models, with up to 80% less water usage as well as Safevent™ that automatically vents heat and steam during the last 60 seconds of cooking to keep staff safe.
Garland’s brand ConvoTherm has both a manual dial option as well as the full programmable EasyTouch option with a fully automatic cleaning system and disappearing door
for more space and added safety in a busy kitchen.
While every Combi Oven on the market offers unique features and benefits, none are perfect for every application. Combi Ovens are a significant investment; if your menu only requires a steamer oven or a traditional oven, it is more cost-effective and practical to opt for those simpler, less expensive, and easier-to-maintain options.
As with all ovens, capacity is a key consideration. The Combi Oven will either accommodate half-size or full-size pans, and different ovens accommodate a different number of pans. Another feature touted in the market is whether the Combi Oven contains a boiler or is boilerless. Boilerless units are less expensive and require less maintenance. However, in a high demand busy kitchen, a Combi Oven with a boiler will produce more steam on demand and recover quicker a heavy steam application. Finally, for any piece of cooking equipment that utilizes a water supply, the cost of a water filter and/or softener should be factored in.
R.E.D. Approved Combi Ovens
All R.E.D. Equipment Dealers have a wide array of R.E.D. Approved manufacturers of Combi Ovens. Contact a Dealer to meet your needs.

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