RATIONAL combi oven at centre of daily cooking infographic with AM/PM time-based kitchen tasks around.

Step 1

  • Tap an icon to preselect either a food group (poultry, seafood, meat, side dishes, egg dishes, baked goods) or a cooking appliance (pan, pot, grill, oven). The Finishing® process is another available option.

Step 2

  • Select the exact preparation method using cooking paths like “pan-fry poultry" (e.g., for chicken cordon bleu) or “side dishes” (e.g., for rice).
    Optional: Adjust parameters, such as browning level, time, or core temperature, to fit individual preferences.

Step 3

  • Start the cooking process. The cooking system will then notify the user whenever action needs to be taken or once the food is ready to unload.
Mechanism of action
combi oven/iCombi Pro Combines steam and hot air
Convection oven Only uses hot air
Use of steam
combi oven/iCombi Pro
Convection oven
Use of hot air
combi oven/iCombi Pro
Convection oven
Combination of steam and hot air
combi oven/iCombi Pro
Convection oven
Precise temperature and humidity control
combi oven/iCombi Pro High
Convection oven Limited
Suitability for delicate foods (e.g., seafood, desserts)
combi oven/iCombi Pro Highly suitable
Convection oven Less suitable
Suitability for bread and pastries
combi oven/iCombi Pro Optimal thanks to steam feature
Convection oven Limited by lack of steam
Regeneration of food
combi oven/iCombi Pro Gentle and efficient
Convection oven Limited; may dry out food
Energy efficiency
combi oven/iCombi Pro High
Convection oven Medium
Ease of cleaning
combi oven/iCombi Pro Automatic cleaning
Convection oven Requires manual cleaning
Procurement cost
combi oven/iCombi Pro Higher than convection oven
Convection oven Lower than combi oven
Flexibility
combi oven/iCombi Pro Highly flexible, suitable for a variety of dishes
Convection oven Limited
Suitability for large quantities of food
combi oven/iCombi Pro
Convection oven
Practical uses in small kitchens
combi oven/iCombi Pro
Convection oven
Advanced applications (e.g., sous-vide, smoking)
combi oven/iCombi Pro ✔ (suitable)
Convection oven ✖ (not suitable)
Glass doors (so user can see cooking process)
combi oven/iCombi Pro
Convection oven Sometimes

Conventional convection ovens only work with dry hot air, while steamers only deliver moist heat. The combi oven goes one key step further by combining the two technologies – and thus replacing conventional cooking systems entirely. Its ability to coordinate heat and steam precisely allows it to adapt to any food and any culinary need – while delivering uniformly high-quality results. As such, there are no applications for which convection ovens are more suitable than combi ovens.

A combi oven is a professional oven that combines hot air and steam in variable proportions to cook food gently, evenly, and efficiently. Modern models like the RATIONAL iCombi Pro allow precise temperature, humidity, and cooking time regulation, so users can get consistently excellent results on a wide variety of dishes.

Thanks to their flexibility in cooking method applications, Combi ovens can cook almost any food perfectly, from meat and seafood to vegetables and baked goods. A single cooking system can handle steaming, convection cooking, grilling, roasting, and even baking.

Combi ovens let users combine multiple cooking methods: Steaming to preserve nutrients, convection for crisp browning, grilling functions for appetizing grill marks, and gentle regeneration of previously prepared food. Juicy roasts, tender fish filets, crunchy vegetables, fluffy cakes – the possibilities are nearly endless.

combi ovens combines steam and hot air within an insulated cooking cabinet. In the RATIONAL iCombi Pro, sensors continuously measure temperature, humidity, and cooking progress. This intelligent regulation creates optimal conditions for each dish in order to ensure uniformly excellent results.

Yes, with a combi oven like the iCombi Pro, you can prepare several dishes simultaneously using one cooking method, whether grilling, steaming, or cooking. These ovens use a controlled combination of heat and steam to ensure that different foods can be cooked at the same time without flavor transfer.

Select the desired cooking programs and place the food on the appropriate level. You can also cook in an energy- or time-optimized manner. This ensures that all dishes are ready at the same time.

Combi ovens are generally available as both electric and gas-powered models. The ideal choice depends on the individual kitchen's needs. The RATIONAL iCombi Pro is available with either electrical or gas connections.

Conventional ovens mainly work with dry heat, whereas combi ovens can introduce steam into the cooking cabinet as well. This enables precise regulation of both humidity and temperature. The result: juicier food, shorter cooking times, reduced cooking losses, and more consistent quality. The RATIONAL iCombi Pro makes the most of all of these benefits.

Combi oven purchases pay off in the medium term, as they optimize kitchen processes, save energy, and deliver consistently high food quality. The RATIONAL iCombi Pro offers intelligent programs that monitor cooking progress and thus reduce staffing requirements. It also helps optimize the kitchen's cost of goods, which significantly increases profitability.

Combi ovens like the RATIONAL iCombi Pro simplify work processes, ensure consistent quality, reduce cooking times, save energy, and optimize resource usage. This results in more effective kitchen processes, less strain on staff, and happier customers.

Whether a combi oven requires a separate recirculating hood depends on local regulations and spatial conditions. The iCombi Pro has optional exhaust air systems to divert steam and odors properly.

Factors like capacity, energy efficiency, ease of use, maintenance, and customer service should all be considered when choosing a combi oven for a restaurant. The iCombi Pro from market leader RATIONAL offers intelligent regulation, exceptional reliability, comprehensive recipe support, and robust customer service – which means genuine added value for every restaurant.

High throughput, robust construction, and efficient processes are essential in commercial production food service. A combi oven like the iCombi Pro from market leader RATIONAL offers large production capacities, flexible cooking programs, easy cleaning, and user-friendly controls – perfect for canteens, hospitals, or schools.

The combi oven from market leader RATIONAL, the iCombi Pro, has automatic cleaning systems. Based on how much cleaning it requires, it selects one of several fully automatic cleaning programs that use special cleaning agents and rinse aids. This minimizes the manual effort required.

The service life of a combi oven depends on how often it is used, cleaned, and maintained. High-quality cooking systems like the RATIONAL iCombi Pro are designed for long-term professional use; with proper handling and regular maintenance, they can continue working reliably for many years to come.

Combi oven energy needs vary depending on the model type, size, and features. Power consumption typically ranges from about 6 kW for the smallest model to 20 kW for a table-top unit. The RATIONAL iCombi Pro is available in different sizes and performance levels to fit any kitchen's individual needs.

Convection ovens or fan-assisted ovens primarily work with hot air (convection), whereas combi ovens also offer a steam function. Combi ovens combine the benefits of both methods; this combination of humidity and hot air allows greater flexibility, better cooking results, and more efficient kitchen processes – especially in cooking systems like the RATIONAL iCombi Pro.

iCombi Pro