A speed oven is a special oven that combines different cooking methods, such as microwave, convection or infrared, so that individual dishes can be cooked or regenerated in the shortest possible time. Sometimes it is also called a quick-bake oven. It is frequently used where snacks and simple dishes need to be served quickly. Ideal for to go or take-away applications such as petrol stations, food trucks, events, supermarkets or even bakeries to quickly cook products. Fast preparation time takes priority over the quality of the food. Another disadvantage is that you can usually only cook one dish at a time, and cannot cook larger quantities on different levels.

A high speed oven is another term for a speed oven and is used by some manufacturers as an alternative marketing term. Both terms describe a cooking appliance that uses advanced technology to heat, regenerate, reheat and defrost food fast. According to the manufacturer, baking, roasting and grilling is also quicker than in conventional convection ovens. Food quality is not usually the focus.

No, a quick-bake oven is not the same as a microwave oven. While a microwave oven uses only microwave technology, a quick-bake oven, often called a speed oven, combines different heat sources (such as convection (hot air), infrared and sometimes microwaves) to cook food not only very quickly, but also as evenly and crisply as possible. However, the food quality and flexibility of a quick-bake oven cannot be compared to the capabilities of a combi-steamer or the iHexagon. The latter creates a category of its own, offering high speed, high food quality, built-in cooking intelligence and high uniformity across all racks.

A quick-bake oven can replace a conventional oven in many cases, especially in smaller businesses, bakeries or snack bars. However, it depends on the intended applications: for very large quantities or very specific baking requirements, a conventional oven may still be the better option. But for many everyday uses, a quick-bake oven is a powerful alternative.

In the hospitality industry, microwaves are often used to complement combi-steamers, ovens, tilting pans or boilers and other professional kitchen equipment. It heats food quickly, but often produces uneven results with hot and cold spots in the food and a lack of browning. It is also not suitable for all food. The RATIONAL iHexagon combines the high speed of microwave technology with intelligent hot air technology and fresh steam to heat food evenly, improve its texture and create a perfect crust. With intelligent controls and built-in cooking intelligence, it is easy to use and optimises the use of the microwave to suit the load quantity and the food being cooked. All six levels can also be occupied, which is unique in the market. This makes it the ideal solution for petrol stations, snack bars, service stations, supermarkets, restaurants, hotels and foodservice outlets such as casual dining restaurants looking for a reliable, energy-efficient and high-quality alternative to conventional catering microwaves. It can also be used for mass production in industry catering and for quick replenishment of buffets, service or hot food counters.

A professional speed oven combines microwaves with hot air to cook food faster than in a conventional oven. Sometimes it also works with infrared. However, many speed ovens fall short when it comes to even heating, consistency and quality of food preparation, humidity control and energy efficiency. The speed oven is designed and built to cook only one dish at a time. This is why you often find several small speed ovens next to each other, but this takes up more space. The RATIONAL iHexagon goes one step further by automatically using the ideal combination of hot air, steam and microwave technology. It is the only one to do so on several levels. Of course, you can only cook one dish in it, or a large number of dishes in a full load. Whenever you need it. This provides a high degree of flexibility. This saves time, ensures better cooking results and can be used flexibly for a variety of foods - from breakfast to ready meals at peak times - avoiding long queues at the food counter, or at food service.

While microwaves and speed ovens are limited in the way they can heat food due to their limited technology and design, the RATIONAL iHexagon offers precise control of temperature, humidity and air circulation. The result is faster cooking times, improved texture and reduced energy usage. The iHexagon delivers outstanding food quality, thanks in no small part to the fresh steam generator. The hygienic fresh steam ensures that food does not dry out and, unlike cooking systems with injectors, there is no build-up on the food. This is particularly important in the hospitality industry to ensure consistent quality and optimise processes. The flexibility of the iHexagon makes it suitable for à la carte service such as traditional restaurants, as well as canteens, sports stadiums, snack bars, petrol stations and foodservice operations where a large number of dishes need to be produced in a very short time.

The iHexagon is ideal for food that needs to be cooked quickly and evenly without compromising the quality. It is perfect for crispy baked goods, golden brown sandwiches, perfectly cooked meat dishes and gently prepared vegetables. Unlike a conventional microwave, which can often dry out food or heat it unevenly, and a speed oven, which offers limited adaptability, the iHexagon provides an optimal and intelligent combination of speed, quality and efficiency. This makes it the ideal choice for foodservice businesses looking for a reliable, high-performance alternative, especially when speed is of the essence.