Roast, bake, grill, steam, deep-fry, low temperature cooking—all in a single cooking system. The intelligent iCombi Pro combi oven is simple and intuitive to use.
Cooking equipment for restaurants and commercial kitchens.
You don't need numerous appliances to equip a professional kitchen in the restaurant business. RATIONAL offers cooking systems that combine several conventional commercial kitchen appliances: For example, with the iCombi Pro combi oven and the iVario Pro multifunctional cooking system, you can handle up to 90% of conventional cooking applications. With ConnectedCooking digital kitchen management, you can make full use of your kitchen’s potential.
RATIONAL cooking systems for restaurants and commercial kitchens—intelligent solutions for the professional kitchen.
From restaurants and hotels to production food service and chain restaurants, powerful, intelligent professional kitchen equipment is at the heart of modern, efficient food production. The focus here is on consistent quality, maximum reliability, high efficiency and, last but not least, customization to meet the demands of today’s professional kitchens.
GemeinschaftsverpflegungToday, planning and equipping restaurant and commercial kitchens means looking beyond traditional equipment such as combi ovens, ovens, convection ovens, kettles, deep fryers and dishwashing systems, and instead consider kitchen processes as a whole. Connected devices and digital solutions can simplify processes and have an impact on resources such as energy and water. Smart processes can further optimize workflows and help reduce stress within the kitchen team, making it easier to retain skilled staff and attract new employees.
RATIONAL, the specialist in multifunctional cooking and steaming technology and market leader, offers you everything from a single source: Top quality, maximum reliability, intelligent appliances with built-in cooking expertise, modern kitchen management and comprehensive accessories for consistently high-quality cooking results. Specially designed for kitchen professionals who deliver their best every day and put a smile on their customers’ faces—because when the food tastes good, they are happy to come back again and again.
For more than 50 years, our goal has been to make cooking easier for our customers. We’re not just an equipment manufacturer—we’re an innovative solutions provider. Customer satisfaction is our first and foremost priority. With over 1.4 million units on the market, our cooking systems have become the standard in the gastronomy industry. Customers all over the world confirm that we're on the right track, and our high customer satisfaction scores motivate us to keep working on even better solutions.
The following RATIONAL solutions are key components in the professional kitchen:
iCombi Pro.
The intelligent, connected combi oven for the best food quality. Easy to use, reducing the risk of mistakes. Flexible for mixed loads and planning. Future-proof.
the iVario Pro.
Replaces tilting skillets, kettles and pressure cookers in production food service. Stove, pot, pan and deep fryer in restaurants. Fast and precise for the best cooking results. Multifunctional and intelligent, making it easy to use..
iHexagon.
Consistent food quality in less time. A combi oven that intelligently adapts steam, increased heating power and completely new microwave technology for consistently high food quality across all six levels. Ideal for stadiums, sports arenas, supermarkets, catering and much more.
ConnectedCooking.
RATIONAL‘s free networking platform. Benefit from the full potential of your RATIONAL cooking systems. Roll out cooking programs, update unit software, and record HACCP data. Make your kitchen operations smarter and your life easier. No matter where your cooking systems are.
Why choose RATIONAL for commercial kitchen equipment?
Our philosophy is: We make kitchens and chefs even more successful.
To achieve this, we develop products that simplify everyday kitchen operations and deliver measurable results—from small commercial kitchens to large-scale catering operations. From gas stations to supermarkets. From casual to fine-dining restaurants. Key quality factors include:
- Made in Germany and France: iCombi Pro and iVario Pro.
- Developed with a focus on using energy and resources efficiently. Specific benefits depend on use and operating conditions.
- Intelligent kitchen systems for consistent results and user-friendly operation.
- Personalized guidance and comprehensive service—before and after your purchase.
FAQs.
What are commercial kitchen appliances? What are commercial kitchen appliances made of?
Commercial kitchen appliances are devices used in professional kitchens in the foodservice industry, i.e., commercial kitchens. They differ from household appliances in that they are generally much more powerful and can prepare larger quantities of good-quality food quickly. Most commercial kitchen appliances are made of stainless steel; their high-quality construction and robust design are essential to ensuring a long service life and withstanding challenging kitchen operations.
Which commercial kitchen appliances do most kitchens need?
The equipment a professional foodservice kitchen needs mainly depends on the types of food it produces. Nowadays, however, combi ovens of various sizes are definitely standard in commercial kitchens. Most large production kitchens use free-standing floor units with up to 20 racks, while smaller combi ovens can often be found at service centers. Many kitchens also employ modern, usually intelligent multifunctional appliances that use contact heat. What the two types of appliances have in common is that they were both developed with a variety of cooking applications in mind, so users have the flexibility to prepare many different dishes in a small space. Of course, these appliance types are also very well suited for à la carte service or supermarket hot-food counters. Roasting, grilling, braising, steaming, and baking, all in a single appliance - that‘s what modern kitchen appliances offer. Modern technology can help optimize energy and water consumption, depending on use and operating conditions.
What supply connections do professional kitchens need?
Depending on the equipment they use, professional commercial kitchens may need any number of different supply connections. In addition to a normal power supply, modern kitchen technology often requires a high-voltage connection to keep high-performance appliances running. High-voltage current ensures quick preheating times and efficient heat transfer into food; it ensures consistent results even on large quantities. Note: A high connected load is by no means synonymous with high energy consumption, because maximum power is only drawn when necessary. The systems’ intelligent controls also support efficient resource use and consistent cooking results. Modern commercial kitchens also need water connections - not only for cooking, but also for modern rinsing and cleaning technology. Networking modern intelligent appliances makes working easier and more convenient while allowing users to keep an eye on all of their appliances at a glance, so network connections (or corresponding wireless connections) are highly recommended if a user wants to take full advantage of the appliances‘ complete range of features.
Are commercial foodservice kitchens digitized?
Although commercial kitchens are not necessarily considered digitization trailblazers, the digital revolution is happening here as well. Modern kitchen appliances are often equipped with intelligent assistants that can monitor the user‘s appliance fleet precisely or even control it. ConnectedCooking is one example in this regard: among other things, it lets users update unit software, distribute cooking programs to multiple units at different locations, or document HACCP data easily.
What do commercial foodservice kitchens need?
Commercial kitchen equipments depends on the range of dishes being prepared and the degree of preparation they involve. A kitchen primarily preparing convenience products will need different equipment than one where everything is produced fresh. Cooking processes are a consideration as well. Whether the kitchen uses a Cook & Hold or a Cook & Chill approach affects the kitchen design - and, of course, so does the availability of skilled staff. Here, again, modern, intelligent cooking and kitchen technology has become indispensable. The monitoring and support functions on intelligent cooking processes free up kitchen staff for other tasks. Appliances like the iCombi Pro combi-oven and the iVario Pro multifunctional unit notify the user when the require loading or unloading, or when other activities (stirring, adding liquid) are necessary. These multifunctional appliances also save valuable space, since they can replace a convection oven, a kettle, or even a stove partially or completely.
Ventilation equipment and a recirculating hood should also be selected to match the cooking technology in question. However, many kitchens overinvest in them as a result of outdated standards. Modern cooking systems like RATIONAL‘s are regulated such that, despite their exceptional cooking speed, they only draw exactly as much heating power as they need at any given moment.
Obviously, kitchen planning has to include not only equipment for heating food, but also modern, sustainable dishwashing technology. The same goes for basic equipment such as refrigeration technology. As with cooking appliances, professional cleaning and refrigeration equipment needs to be well-made, modern, and resource-efficient.
Ensuring smooth, efficient kitchen operations requires careful planning tailored to that kitchen‘s processes, including a layout and equipment concept designed with its specific food concept in mind. Proper kitchen planning makes efficient use of space and keeps pathways short whenever possible.
In other words, essential commercial kitchen equipment includes commercial foodservice appliances, refrigeration and dishwashing technology, stainless steel furnishings and kitchen utensils. The heart and soul of any professional kitchen are the oven and the stove, so it‘s even more important that these be high-performance, high-quality, high-efficiency appliances (e.g., the iCombi Pro).
How does RATIONAL keep my data and networks secure?
Our network-capable iCombi Pro, iCombi Classic, iVario Pro, and iHexagon units meet the requirements of Article 3.3 of the Radio Equipment Directive (RED), which will be binding throughout the EU from August 1, 2025 onward.
The security mechanisms we have implemented ensure:
- Protection of network infrastructure (RED 3.3 d)
- Protection of personal data (RED 3.3 e)
- Fraud protection (RED 3.3 f)
Cybersecurity has been validated according to EN 18031-1.
Is my iCombi Pro, iCombi Classic, iVario Pro or iHexagon equipped with state-of-the-art security measures?
From August 1, 2025 onward, all new devices will include the new software version and thus meet the requirements of Article 3.3 of the RED Directive.
For existing devices, we provide new security functions free of charge via software update:
- Units that are networked using the digital kitchen management system ConnectedCooking will receive the update automatically.
- Alternatively, the update can also be downloaded manually from our website: Software-updatefssoftwareSITESTORE_LEAF. It can then be transferred to the iCombi Pro, iCombi Classic, iHexagon or iVario Pro using a USB stick.
Are RATIONAL‘s iCombi Pro, iCombi Classic, iVario Pro and Hexagon units RED compliant, and is IT security validated in accordance with EN 18031?
Yes, the RATIONAL iCombi Pro, iCombi Classic, iVario Pro and iHexagon units meet the requirements of the Radio Equipment Directive (RED) Article 3.3. Cybersecurity has been validated according to EN 18031-1.
Can third-party cleaning agents be used?
RATIONAL develops and qualifies cleaning and care products specifically for our combi ovens, taking into account their cleaning processes as well as their physical, chemical and technical properties. The qualification process is rigorous and comprehensive, meeting our customers’ high standards for hygiene and service life. RATIONAL has not qualified alternative cleaning and care products and therefore cannot confirm their hygiene and descaling performance, compatibility or impact on service life.
Why should you use RATIONAL cleaning agents?
RATIONAL care products are precisely tailored to the needs of RATIONAL cooking systems and designed to meet high standards of cleanliness, hygiene and equipment protection. RATIONAL cleaning products are designed for high cleaning performance and are highly concentrated for economical use. This supports hygiene requirements, operational safety and equipment value retention when used and maintained correctly.
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