How to Clean a Combi Oven
For anyone running a commercial kitchen, you know how valuable a combination oven—or combi oven—truly is. From baking to broiling to steaming, combi ovens are the jack-of-all-trades as they have the ability to cook and warm foods. Because of their ability to cook a variety of food products, and how frequently they’re used, it’s important to clean your combi oven on a regular basis. Below are general directions on how to perform cleaning tasks on a combi oven.
Please note: The following instructions are general directions on cleaning the interior and exterior of your combi oven. Since each combi oven is different, and various manufacturers produce combi ovens, your particular unit may require its own unique procedures for daily, weekly and monthly cleaning. In some cases, it might require a planned maintenance program with an authorized service company. Do not attempt to perform any cleaning procedures that aren't recommended for an end-user as this can be dangerous.
General Daily Cleaning
Prior to cleaning your combi oven, refer to the manufacturer’s cleaning instructions and follow all directions and the recommended cleaning schedule. Additionally, your combi oven may be equipped to perform automatic cleaning, the directions of which should also be followed. Nonetheless, these are good general tips on cleaning your combi oven that are applicable for a wide range of models.
Be sure to use protective gear like rubber gloves and safety goggles before cleaning.
- Step 1—Allow the combi oven to cool down thoroughly before manually cleaning the unit.
- Step 2—Clean the drip tray and remove any food residue.
- Step 3—Clean the suction plate/fan guard as instructed by your OEM (if applicable).
- Step 4—Wipe down the interior surface with an OEM-recommended cleaner to remove any debris, grease or build-up.
- Step 5—Rinse the interior of the combi oven well.
- Step 6—Wipe down door gasket(s) with warm, soapy water. Then wipe off the cleaning solution with a clean, damp cloth. Allow the gasket to air dry.
- Step 7—Clean the exterior of the oven, including the glass window in the door, by wiping down the surface with a non-abrasive cleaner. Wipe dry with a clean cloth.
- Step 8—Prop the combi oven door open to let the interior fully dry overnight.
The cleaning schedule/processes can also be determined based on what you primarily use your combi oven for (baking and steaming versus smoking or roasting).
Monthly Preventative Maintenance
While each manufacturer will give their own recommendations on what to do during monthly cleaning procedures, there are a few that are applicable to just about any model. Remember to contact a certified technician for any maintenance, service or professional cleaning.
Here are some tips on general monthly cleaning and inspection procedures
- Check for signs of age or deterioration, such as rust or dents (during daily cleaning).
- Delime the interior of the combi oven.
- Each combi oven will have their own recommended deliming process, which is a vital procedure to ensure the longevity and reliability of your unit.
- To help reduce limescale buildup, it’s advised to have a water treatment system installed.
- For manually deliming the interior of the combi oven and components, use an OEM-recommended cleaner or have a professional take care of the issue.
- Descale steam generators (monthly).
- Check the drain lines (every 1-2 months).
- Replace water and air filters (every 3-6 months).
- Check gaskets (every 3-6 months).
For more information, check out our additional article pertaining to preventative maintenance and cleaning.