Commercial kitchen appliances are appliances used in professional kitchens in the catering industry, i.e. large and commercial kitchens. They differ from domestic appliances in that they are generally much more powerful and can therefore prepare large quantities of food quickly and to a high standard. They are usually made of stainless steel and impress with their robust construction and excellent quality, which are necessary for demanding kitchen operations and a long service life.

The kitchen appliances used in a professional catering kitchen will largely depend on what their functions are and what food they can produce. However, combi steamers in various sizes are now standard in every commercial kitchen. In large production kitchens, these are usually free-standing appliances with up to 20 racks. However, smaller combi steamers are also often found in kitchens of all sizes. Multifunctional appliances such as the iVario that work with contact heat are also commonly found in modern kitchens. What both appliance groups have in common is that they are designed for different cooking applications. This allows a wide variety of dishes to be produced flexibly in a small space. Of course, these types of appliances are also ideal for à la carte restaurants and supermarkets. What's more, modern technology in commercial kitchens also saves energy and water, making kitchens much more sustainable.

A professional commercial kitchen requires a wide variety of connections, depending on its equipment. In addition to the normal power supply, kitchens often require high-voltage currents to operate high-performance appliances. This ensures fast heating times and high heat transfer to the food, guaranteeing consistent results even in larger quantities. It should be noted that high connected load does not necessarily mean high energy consumption. Intelligent appliances ensure optimised use of resources and the best food quality. A modern commercial kitchen also needs water connections, both for cooking and for dishwashing and cleaning technology. Intelligent appliances can also be easily networked, not only to keep track of all appliances at a glance, but also to make work easier and more convenient. Network connections or appropriate WiFi connections in the kitchen are therefore highly recommended if you want to use all the features of the appliances.

Even though commercial kitchens are not necessarily considered pioneers in digitalisation, modern kitchen appliances are often equipped with smart assistants that enable precise monitoring or even control of the appliance fleet. ConnectedCooking is one example of how this can be used to update appliance software, distribute cooking programmes to multiple appliances in different locations or easily document HACCP data.

The equipment in a commercial kitchen depends on the menu and preparation methods. Kitchens using more convenience products need different equipment than those producing everything fresh. Cooking methods - such as cook & hold or cook & chill - and the availability of skilled staff also influence kitchen design. This is where intelligent kitchen technology becomes indispensable. Appliances like the iCombi Pro combi steamer and iVario Pro multifunction unit alert staff when to load, unload, stir, or pour, saving time and space while reducing the need for multiple separate appliances.

Extractor hoods and ventilation systems should match the cooking technology. Modern systems, such as those from RATIONAL, deliver only the heat needed, often allowing for smaller fans and lower investment costs while eliminating the need for additional appliances.

Efficient kitchen planning also requires modern, sustainable dishwashing and refrigeration technology. Layout, space-saving design, and short distances are crucial to smooth operation.

A well-equipped catering kitchen includes commercial cooking technology, refrigeration, dishwashing units, stainless steel furniture, and essential utensils. At its heart, ovens and hob, like the iCombi Pro, should be powerful, high-quality, and energy-efficient.

Our network-compatible iCombi Pro, iCombi Classic, iVario Pro and iHexagon cooking systems meet the requirements of Article 3.3 of the Radio Equipment Directive (RED), which will be binding throughout the EU from 1 August 2025.

Thanks to our implemented security mechanisms, we can guarantee:

• Protection of network infrastructure (RED 3.3 d)
• Protection of personal data (RED 3.3 e)
• Protection from fraud (RED 3.3 f)

Cybersecurity has been validated according to EN 18031-1.

From 1 August 2025, all new cooking systems will come equipped with the latest software version as standard, thus meeting the requirements of Article 3.3 of the RED Directive.

We will provide new security functions for existing cooking systems free of charge via a software update.

• Units that are networked with the ConnectedCooking digital kitchen management system will receive the update automatically.
• Alternatively, the update can be downloaded manually from our website. Software update . This can then be transferred to the iCombi Pro, iCombi Classic, iHexagon or iVario Pro via a USB flash drive.

Yes, the RATIONAL units iCombi Pro, iCombi Classic, iVario Pro and iHexagon meet the requirements of the Radio Equipment Directive (RED) Article 3.3. Cybersecurity has been validated according to EN 18031-1.

RATIONAL develops and qualifies cleaning and care products that are specifically tailored to customized cleaning processes as well as to the physical, chemical, and technical properties of our combi steamers. This qualification process is lengthy and complex and meets the highest customer requirements in terms of hygiene and the longevity of the appliances.

Against this background, alternative cleaning and care products have not been qualified by RATIONAL. Therefore, RATIONAL cannot confirm their effectiveness with regard to hygiene and descaling performance, nor their compatibility or impact on the long-term durability of the appliances.

RATIONAL care products are precisely matched to the requirements of RATIONAL appliances and meet the highest quality standards in cleanliness, hygiene, shine, and health protection.

The cleaning and care products developed by RATIONAL deliver consistently high cleaning performance, are highly concentrated, and therefore particularly economical. This ensures maximum hygiene, high operational reliability, and the best possible protection of your investment throughout the entire service life of the appliance.