If you’re looking to give your commercial kitchen an edge over your competitors, it’s always a good idea to opt for the most advanced kitchen appliances. What you’re looking for is speed, durability and quality.
When many Australian commercial kitchen owners set up their kitchens, their goal is to find commercial kitchen supplies that make meal prep both easy and efficient. That said, the top item on most must-buy lists is a combination oven.
What is a Combi Oven?
For the most part, commercial combi ovens are versatile in that they combine the functions of a convection oven, grill, steamer and often a smoker. These types of ovens enable chefs to handle several cooking tasks that range from roasting meat and veggies to baking bread. And you only need one appliance to have all these options!
Here’s a basic break-down of what you can expect from the average combination oven:
- Steam function: The steam function enables you to do gentle cooking tasks. This is excellent for preparing delicate items such as fish, vegetables and custards. It works by regulating the moisture and humidity in the oven, keeping the food moist.
- Convection function: Traditional cooking methods that involve circulating hot air evenly throughout the oven cavity to expedite the cooking process can easily be performed with this function. This type of cooking provides the browning and often crispy textures required by some dishes.
Standout Benefits That Will Convince You Why Your Kitchen Needs a Combi Oven
Not sure if a combination appliance is what you need? Our chefs and kitchen experts have compiled a few impressive benefits of investing in a combi oven.
1. Versatility
The most impressive aspect of a combi oven is its versatility. You’ll be performing multiple cooking functions in one appliance! This means chefs, cooks and kitchen staff can prepare a large variety of dishes even if you don’t have space for many different pieces of equipment. Not only does this save space and time in the kitchen but also allows for a considerably more efficient cooking process.
2. Space Saving
Many restaurants and commercial kitchens are often very crowded. In addition to all the appliances that need to fit in the kitchen, there are also chefs, cooks and assistants busy at various workstations. The last thing you need is another huge appliance taking up half of your available floor space.
Fortunately, combi ovens don’t require a huge amount of space. Additionally, the fact that they can perform multiple functions means there’s no need to try and fit a separate convection oven, steamer and conventional oven in an already busy kitchen.
3. Healthier Cooking
Combi ovens make it easier to prepare healthier meal options in your kitchen. With a steam function, creating low-fat cooking just got possible! This is a wonderful way to attract health-conscious customers to your restaurant.
Furthermore, gentle-cooking processes help preserve flavours and nutrients in delicate foods such as vegetables. This means you’ll be presenting a plate of veggies that’s bright and flavourful. Say goodbye to dull-looking and bland-tasting veggies as side dishes!
4. Cost-Effective
As a multi-functional appliance, business owners can save a considerable amount of money in a few different areas. Here’s how:
- One oven: The most obvious saving method is that a combi oven eliminates the need to purchase separate ovens, steams and grills. Several modern models also come with ventless options, so there’s no need to spend money adding additional ventilation.
- Labor savings: When you have three or four different ovens or cookers, you will have more appliances to clean and maintain. Having one oven, means it’s one unit to clean and maintain, saving time and money.
- Simplified cooking process: Since combi ovens simplify many cooking processes, there’s no need to search for highly skilled chefs and cooks to prepare quality meals. Rather, you can easily appoint junior staff which saves you money on salaries, and help them start successful careers.
- Efficient cooking: With efficient cooking processes, there’s no need for extensive cooking times. With less electricity or gas being used, you’ll reduce the costs of your energy bill.
5. Consistency
Quality combi ovens provide consistency. They make it easy to control temperature and humidity levels, so chefs and cooks can ensure that dishes are cooked to perfection every time. This will go a long way toward ensuring customer satisfaction every time.
6. Easy Cleaning
Lastly, some combi ovens boast an automatic cleaning function which means the oven cleans itself while you’re busy with something else! If you have a busy kitchen all day long, it may be a good idea to opt for one of these models to simplify your workflows.
Final Thought
It’s clear that a combi oven will make an incredibly valuable addition to your commercial kitchen set-up. Top benefits such as versatility, cost-effectiveness, as well as space-saving design are just a few reasons why you should invest in one or even two. Give yourself the peace of mind that your meal prep just got a whole lot easier!