As a startup restaurant, it is critical to commence operations on the right footing. First, you need the right appliances, and a combi oven is one. It is arguably one of the most versatile kitchen appliances in the market. A combi oven can roast, steam, bake, grill, shallow fry and smoke food. The oven combines three cooking methods — convection, steam and combination mode — into one appliance. Therefore, you must pay attention to what you are buying since combi ovens are a significant investment for a startup restaurant. Here are essential tips to help you but the right combi oven.
Water Softener -- In steam mode, a combi oven requires a constant supply of water to provide adequate steam for fast cooking. That said, water from the mains might contain minerals, such as calcium, leading to limescale build-up and causing a blockage. Therefore, quality combi ovens come equipped with water softening components. The parts allow you to connect a water softener to filter out minerals and contaminants and protect critical oven parts. The good news is that modern combi ovens have built-in water softeners, making them a good value for money. Alternatively, you can buy a boilerless combi oven if you want to avoid the maintenance that comes with hard water.
Type of Controls -- Operation of an appliance can impact productivity in a commercial kitchen. Notably, some combi ovens feature knobs and switches as controls, while others have built-in programmable panels. Due to the nature of commercial kitchens, combi ovens with knobs and switches are the best because of their ease of operation. Turning oven knobs with wet or oily hands is easier than using touch panels. However, just because combi ovens are functional does not mean that they should not be aesthetically appealing. For example, combi ovens with touch panels enhance a kitchen's interior décor and are brilliant with open-kitchen restaurants.
Special Features -- Most combi ovens are equipped with features for making it easy to use the appliance. For instance, some combi ovens have steam regulators that allow you to regulate the amount of steam that gets into the appliance. Others allow for programmable cooking cycles depending on the type of food you are preparing. However, some combi ovens have special features, such as quick defrosting and rethermalizing settings. In addition, some high-end models offer self-cleaning capabilities by incorporating a side-mounted hose and sprayer.
Contact a company that offers combi ovens for sale to learn more.