Our Guide to Buying a Combination & Steamer Oven

This guide is everything you need to know about buying a commercial combi & steamer oven. If you have any further questions or need some more information then please don't hesitate to give us a call on 01293-775073 or visit us online or in store.

Combi Ovens

A combi steam oven combines the functionality of a convection oven and a steam oven. That is, it can produce dry heat, moist heat or a combination of the two at various temperature. at 100% relative humidity you will be able to cook at high heat without burning or excessively drying out food products. the true benefit of a combi oven is it controls the humidity inside its chamber, maintaining exactly the desired atmosphere, reducing shrinkage and weight loss while also improving cook time and results.

A Combi oven can HELP:

• Reduce shrinkage
• Save time and labour
• Eliminate flavour transfer (when multiple foods are cooked at the same time)
• Deliver consistent cooking results
• Create new dishes - sous vide without the hassle!
• Increased energy efficiency

Cooking Modes:

• Convection Mode - circulates dry heat, ideal for pastries and breads.
• Steam Mode - injects moisture into the cooking chamber, ideal for rice, vegetables and fish
• Combi Mode - mixture of dry and wet heat to maintain exact humidity levels, Allows greater control of the moisture of the food product.

Differences in Combi's

Method of steam generation:

• Boiler - heating system for cold water to bring it up to temperature. it allows greater control over the temperature. All Rational ovens will be fitted with this system only.
• Injection - Cheaper to purchase than using a boiler system as you don't get exact temperature control. Heating element is around the fan and the water drops onto this. 

Type of Control Panel

• Dial - manual operation. You will have to turn a dial control on the front of the machine to adjust the cooking program, time and humidity.
• Touch control - have interactive touch panel displays. Several brands will come pre-programmed already and allow for complete customisation onsite. 

Capacity

All models can be electric of gas and come in either 1/1 or 2/1 gastronorm capacity with varying number of shelf positions.

• 6 Grid
• 10 Grid
• 12 Grid
• 20 Grid

Key phrases

• Self clean - pre-programmed cleaning system.
• Core temperature probe - a temperature probe that can be inserted into the food to measure the temperature of the food.
• Grids - the number of shelf positions for that unit.

Brands we sell

• RATIONAL - have over 54% off the market share in the world for combi ovens. Two different models to choose the "combi master" or "5 Senses self cook centre". The combi master uses the turn dial where as the 5 senses machine has fully programmable touch controls and has built in self clean function.

• CONVOTHERM - like Rational the units are made in Germany. Again they offer 2 types of model "Easy dial" and "Easy Touch". The easy dial unit uses the more basic turn dial and the easy touch is there touch screen and programmable model. Neither machines have self clean function as standard. Convotherm are the only to do a combi oven that can run off a 13 amp plug.

• LINCAT - these models are made by Rational but re badged for Lincat. a good option for a faster delivery time as they do usually hold stock in the UK. Exactly the same specification as the Rational units.

• INNOX-MAX - our own unit. Generally we keep the 10 grid in stock in the UK. Option of 6  or 10 grid and also can be with turn dial control or 7" touch screen that is fully programmable.