Commercial Convection vs. Combi Ovens: Which is Right for You?

When commercial kitchens need to cook large volumes of food in a hurry, they need a piece of equipment that can meet the high demand. Both commercial combi and convection ovens are built for the job, but they both cook up delicious dishes in different ways. So what makes them so unique? Below are some key details and features to know about each type of commercial oven.

Commercial Convection Ovens

What is a Convection Oven?

A commercial convection oven uses a fan and exhaust system to spread hot air across the cooking cavity. This ensures even cooking, removing both hot and cold spots from food and creating the ideal "browning" effect. Convection technology also decreases cook times so more food can be made in a shorter amount of time.

What is a Convection Oven Used for?

• Baking
• Broiling
• Roasting

What are the Benefits of a Convection Oven?

• Fast cooking – Whether you're baking large batches of cookies or roasting meat, a commercial convection oven can whip up high volumes of food quickly.
• No hot or cold spots – Because hot air is evenly circulated throughout the cooking chamber, it helps prevent extreme hot or cold spots in food.
• "Browning" effect – Have you ever seen breads and pastries that have an off color? Thanks to convection cooking, the even circulation of air also helps brown your foods.
• Roasts to perfection – If you roast vegetables and meats, this piece of equipment can create a crispy texture or caramelize better than some of its counterparts.
• Bakes like a charm – The heat formed from convection cooking can melt fat and create natural steam. This helps lift dough in pie and airy pastries. It also can bake multiple trays of goodies, such as cookies and biscuits without needing to rotate them.

Convection Oven Preventative Maintenance & Cleaning

Keeping your commercial convection oven well-maintained and cleaned are both important tasks that help ensure your unit works properly day in and day out. To keep it maintained, follow these basic tips:

• Follow Daily and Monthly Cleaning Schedule – Regular daily, weekly and/or monthly cleanings not only keep your oven sanitary, but it also helps keep your unit working as it should. Follow your OEM's recommendations on cleaning, but be sure to clean the interior, exterior and burners daily.
• Check Door Frequently – Inspect the door(s) on your convection oven frequently to make sure they're closing properly, and that the gasket is free from signs of wear and damage. A faulty door or cracked gasket can significantly affect the performance of your combi.
• Recalibrate the Thermostat – Check the accuracy of your oven's thermostat every three months by placing an oven thermometer inside and compare the readings. If the there's a discrepancy, your thermometer may need to be recalibrated or replaced.
• Check Fans for Grease Buildup – Inspect your exhaust fan, fan motor and blower for any grease buildup as this not only poses a threat to your oven's performance, but also to the safety of your foodservice facility's ventilation system.

Why Choose a Convection Oven?

No matter the size of your restaurant or commercial kitchen, a convection oven ensures your food is maintains the highest quality. From large casual-dining restaurants to small bakeries, this type of oven can cook large amounts of food without wasting time or sacrificing flavor, heat and texture. Also, many convection oven manufacturers offer a wide variety of dimensions to suit your establishment's needs.

Commercial Combi Ovens

What is a Combi Oven?

A commercial combi oven blends convection cooking, steaming and a combination of both into a single unit. As mentioned above, convection circulates heat throughout the cabin for quick and even cooking. Steam cooking uses water and heat to create steam, which allows food to retain its natural texture and flavors. When in combination mode, food is cooked using the best qualities of both convection and steam. It automatically blends dry heat and steam, so food maintains proper moisture and doesn't shrink or burn on the edges.

What is a Combi Oven Used for?

• Baking
• Broiling
• Poaching
• Roasting
• Steaming
• Warming

What are the Benefits of a Combi Oven?

• Versatility – With a combi unit, you can cook meat, poach fish, steam rice and vegetables and bake breads and pastries. You even can lower the temperatures to hold or slow cook certain items.
• Reduces shrinking and dryness – Sometimes, steam and convection cooking on their own can dry out and shrink the product. When combined, foods retain the right moisture and won't shrivel.
• Keeps the flavor – By balancing the best qualities of steaming and convection cooking, the proper nutrients and flavor remains in the food.
• More bang for your buck – While a combi oven usually costs more than a convection oven or steamer, its three-in-one design lets you do more in a single unit.
• Space saving – By having three cooking modes rolled into one oven, it reduces the footprint in a commercial kitchen.

Combi Oven Preventative Maintenance & Cleaning

Just like the commercial convection oven, combi ovens require similar daily and weekly maintenance to ensure it's operating as it should.

• Follow Daily and Monthly Cleaning Schedule – Regularly cleaning your combi oven is the first step to preventative maintenance, so be sure to follow your OEM's recommendations.
• Check Door Frequently – Inspect the door(s) on your combi oven frequently to make sure they're closing properly, and that the gasket is free from signs of wear and damage. A faulty door or cracked gasket can significantly affect the performance of your combi.
• Keep Door Propped Open at End of the Day – Since combi ovens utilize steam, it's important to let your unit air dry overnight or at the end of a shift to allow the excess moisture to dissipate. This keeps it free from mold and also ensures that the door gasket continues to seal the door shut.
• De-liming – From time to time, it may be necessary to de-lime your combi oven. Hard water deposits can present themselves in the interior of your combi oven, so be sure to follow your OEM's recommendations and requirements for de-liming your unit. De-liming may be incorporated into your regular cleaning schedule.
• Inspect All Water, Gas and Electrical Connections – Check any and all gas, electrical and water lines and connections to your combi oven. Have replaced as needed if you notice any leaks, holes, excessive wear or damage.

Why Choose a Combi Oven?

If you make a high volume of various foods, this is the right option for you. You'll be able to steam, poach, bake, roast and cook different products without having to purchase multiple pieces of equipment. That's why they're perfect for fast food chains, restaurants, taverns and even small commercial kitchens.