The eight-armed octopus in the commercial kitchen - The advantages of a combi oven

If a combi oven were a superhero, its cape would be made of stainless steel, and its superpower would be to save chefs from stress, lack of time, and poor results. A combi oven is not just an oven; it is a versatile workhorse that can transform chaotic cooking scenarios into culinary masterpieces. But what makes it so special, and why should you upgrade to a digital premium combi oven (such as the UNOX combi ovens we have in our range)? We and our customers have gained a lot of experience with the many cooking techniques a high-end industrial oven offers, so let’s dive into it.

What is a combi oven and why do you need one?

Imagine being able to steam perfect vegetables, bake crispy bread, slow-roast a juicy culotte and even make a tuxedo – all in the same machine. Sounds like pure magic, doesn’t it? That’s what a combi oven can do. The combi ovens in the premium segment, such as Rational, Hounø and UNOX, are like a Swiss army knife for chefs – they can do a little bit of everything and do it all well.

A cheap combi oven or convection oven can heat and bake, and that's fine. But a digital combi oven like UNOX's CHEFTOP takes it to a whole new level. It offers precision, flexibility and control that no other oven can match. Let's look at some examples.

Examples from everyday life in a commercial kitchen

1. Steamed vegetables: You need to prepare vegetables for a banquet of 200 people. You can set the combi oven to steam function and make perfectly tender vegetables in no time. The steam function in a CHEFTOP is next level because its temperature and steam distribution are ultra-precise.

2. The perfect pulled pork – without a sous-vide bath Long-term cooking can be a time-consuming and imprecise process, but with UNOX's stage-cooking you can start with intense heat to create a nice crust and then let the dish simmer at a low temperature. The result? Tender and juicy meat that falls apart – without all the hassle.

3. Crispy, crispy French fries – without the deep fryer French fries in a combi oven? Yes, you heard that right! UNOX's advanced air circulation system makes it possible to make crispy potatoes with minimal oil in just 5 minutes. That means less fat, less cleaning and still lots of flavor.

4. Velvety-soft soufflés – without the worry If you’ve ever made a soufflé, you know it can feel like balancing on a knife edge. But with UNOX’s humidity control, there’s no guesswork. You can set precise parameters so your soufflés rise perfectly every time.

Why is a premium digital combi oven the right choice?

The digital combi oven offers advanced features that make it an investment that quickly pays for itself:

1. Precision and consistency UNOX Cheftop has an intuitive touchscreen where you can save recipes. Imagine being able to press a button and get the same perfect result every time – no matter who is in the kitchen. Many combi ovens can do this, but in our experience, UNOX has by far the most intuitive control system on the market.

2. Self-cleaning magic After a long day, the last thing you want to do is scrub a dirty oven. The combi oven's self-cleaning system uses a system that makes cleaning quick, efficient and safe. Compared to slightly cheaper combi ovens, UNOX, among others, has a washing system that tells you which washing program is needed and all you have to do is press the display. The soap is in a container under the oven.

3. Cloud connectivity With UNOX Data Driven Cooking you can monitor energy consumption, recipes and maintenance from your smartphone. It's like having a digital kitchen assistant that never sleeps.

4. Sustainability and efficiency UNOX's innovative steam and air circulation systems reduce energy consumption by approximately 20% while ensuring perfect results. In fact, UNOX is the brand with the most Energy Star certificates in the world. It's good for both the planet and your budget.

UNOX vs. other ovens

Although Rational, Lainox, Hounø and MKN are well-known names, UNOX has an edge that makes it an obvious choice for chefs. UNOX produces 97% of their components in-house, ensuring consistent quality. In addition, their modular design is a game-changer, as spare parts are readily available and maintenance is simple.

Conclusion: An investment that pays off

If you want to optimize your kitchen, improve your cooking and reduce waste, a digital combi oven like the UNOX Chef.Top Mind.Maps is indispensable. It's not just an oven – it's your partner in the kitchen, working just as hard as you to create exceptional results.

Whether you're frying, baking, steaming or smoking, UNOX will deliver – every time. So why settle when you can give your kitchen the superpower it deserves? Make your everyday life easier, your dishes better and your customers happier with a new combi oven. The eight-armed octopus is waiting to move into your kitchen.