Choosing the right cooking equipment is crucial for any commercial kitchen. Two popular and versatile options are combi ovens and pressure fryers, but understanding their distinct capabilities is essential for making informed decisions.
This blog post will explore the main differences between these powerful appliances, outlining their strengths and ideal applications.
We’ll delve into the various combi ovens and pressure fryers available, showcasing specific models and their unique features to help you discover which option best suits your culinary needs and kitchen setup.
Combi Oven vs Pressure Fryer
Combi ovens and pressure fryers are valuable commercial kitchen appliances, but they operate on fundamentally different principles and excel at different cooking tasks.
As the name suggests, a combi oven combines multiple cooking methods—typically a convection oven (dry heat), steam, or a combination of both.
This versatility allows various cooking techniques, from roasting and baking to steaming and poaching. Combi ovens excel at cooking large quantities of food evenly and offer precise control over temperature and humidity.
On the other hand, a pressure fryer increases the boiling point of water, which allows the food to cook quickly and retain more moisture compared to traditional frying methods. The pressurized environment of pressure frying also forces moisture into the food, producing tender and juicy results, particularly for fried chicken. While pressure fryers are excellent for achieving crispy exteriors and moist interiors in fried foods, they are primarily designed for this specific purpose.
Therefore, the key difference lies in their versatility: combi ovens are multi-functional super ovens, while pressure fryers specialize in high-quality, fast-fried food.
Types of Combi Oven
Combi ovens, short for combination ovens, are versatile workhorses found in a wide range of commercial kitchens.
Their ability to combine steaming, convection cooking, and combination cooking makes them invaluable for various food service operations.
You’ll often find combi ovens in restaurants of all types, from casual to fine dining establishments, where their flexibility is crucial for preparing diverse menus. Bakeries and pastry shops utilize them for proofing dough, baking bread, and creating delicate pastries.
Hotels and catering companies rely on combi ovens for large-scale food preparation, ensuring consistent quality and efficient cooking for banquets and events.
They’re also common in institutional settings like schools, hospitals, and corporate cafeterias, where large volumes of food must be prepared quickly and efficiently.
A combi oven is a valuable asset anywhere a kitchen needs a single appliance capable of handling various cooking tasks—from roasting and grilling to steaming and baking.
FlexFusion Platinum | FlexiRack
The FlexFusion Platinum Series Combi Oven from Henny Penny is a culinary powerhouse that can cook up to 72 whole birds. It features a boiler-less steam generation system and offers precise moisture control for optimal cooking conditions.
The Platinum Series boasts the Chef’s Touch control system, which features a durable 7-inch touch/swipe screen for ease of use.
The Henny Penny Combi Ovens are recognized for their energy efficiency. The FlexFusion Smoker feature of this combi oven is a true innovation in culinary technology.
The latest innovation from Gen 2 FlexFusion Combi Oven elevates cooking efficiency with its enhanced touchscreen interface and sleek, top-of-the-line design.
FlexFusion Platinum | PowerAdvantage
The FlexFusion Platinum PowerAdvantage Combi Oven from Henny Penny is a culinary powerhouse capable of cooking up to 72 whole birds. The FlexFusion combi oven features a boilerless steam generation system, offering precise moisture control for optimal cooking conditions.
The PowerAdvantage Series boasts the Chef’ sTouch control system, featuring a durable 7-inch touch/swipe screen for ease of use. This combi oven’s FlexFusion Smoker feature is a true innovation in culinary technology.
The FlexFusion Gen 2 Combi Oven elevates cooking efficiency with its enhanced touchscreen interface and sleek, top-of-the-line design.
FlexFusion SpaceSaver Plus
The Henny Penny Combi Oven is a versatile and efficient cooking appliance. It is designed with a compact footprint and features an intuitive control system and a variety of built-in apps. The oven is also energy efficient and has a self-cleaning system.
FlexFusion SpaceSaver Team
The Henny Penny SpaceSaver Plus Team combi oven provides two independent cooking chambers in one compact unit, ideal for kitchens with limited space.
This self-contained electric oven is less than 22 inches wide and can cook up to 12 whole birds. It’s available with or without an integrated hood, offering greater flexibility for kitchen design and freeing up ventilation space for other equipment.
Team FlexFusion Combi
The Henny Penny FlexFusion Team Combi Oven combines the functionality of two separate ovens into a single unit. Each of its independent cooking chambers features a boilerless steam system, allowing for precise humidity control and consistent cooking results.
An enhanced heat exchange design contributes to greater energy and water efficiency while producing consistent flavour.
This model is available in two sizes: a 12-pan capacity (6 on top, six on bottom) for up to 48 whole birds or a 16-pan capacity (10 on top, six on bottom) for up to 60 whole birds.
Different Types of Commercial Pressure Fryer
Commercial pressure fryers are used in many food service settings, particularly those specializing in fried chicken.
Pressure frying is often found in fast-food restaurants, casual dining establishments, and even higher-end restaurants offering fried chicken as a signature dish.
Beyond chicken, pressure fryers are also used to prepare other proteins like fish, pork chops, and vegetables. They’re a staple in operations, prioritizing speed and consistent quality, especially during peak service hours when demand is high.
Catering companies also use pressure frying for food cooks at large events, ensuring that large quantities of food are cooked quickly and evenly.
Anywhere a crispy, juicy, and promptly prepared fried product is desired, a commercial pressure fryer is likely to be found. They are excellent for ensuring consistency.
Velocity Series
The Henny Penny Velocity Series OXE/PXE 100 Electric Fryer offers high-volume frying with increased efficiency. It is designed to reduce oil consumption and maintenance while providing high-volume fryers with excellent cooking results and a lower overall cost.
Available as an open fryer (OXE 100) or a pressure fryer (PXE 100), it can cook up to 8 heads of chicken using 25% less oil. Open fryers like the OXE 100 are ideal for producing crispier and tastier products, such as fries and mozzarella sticks, while pressure fryers like the PXE 100 excel in cooking larger items more quickly and evenly.
High Volume 6-Head
The Henny Penny Six-Head Electric Pressure Fryer maximizes capacity within a standard footprint. Its efficient immersed heating elements provide rapid temperature recovery and energy savings. Reducing oil in pressure frying is not only a health benefit but also a significant cost-saving measure.
One unique feature is the patented lid lock and colour-coded spindle for easy and reliable pressure sealing; this fryer also includes a built-in filtration system for quick and safe oil filtering and return.
High Volume 8-Head
Commercial pressure fryers are pressure cookers for up to eight heads of bone-in chicken per load. They support several pressure cooking techniques.
These fryers, available in gas or electric models, offer significant time, labour, oil, energy, and maintenance savings for high-volume operations compared to using multiple smaller fryers.
Standard 4-Head
These compact, four-head pressure fryers produce consistently delicious fried chicken while occupying less than 20 inches of counter space. Henny
Penny pressure fryers feature a patented lid lock and colour-coded spindle for easy and reliable pressure sealing.
A built-in filtration system simplifies the cooking process with oil filtering and return, eliminating the need for separate pumps and pans and minimizing hot oil handling. Available in gas or electric models.
Choosing the Right Appliance
Ultimately, deciding between a combi oven and a pressure fryer depends on your kitchen’s needs and priorities. If versatility and the ability to perform various cooking tasks are paramount, a combi oven is likely the better choice.
Its multi-functional capabilities make it valuable for diverse menus and high-volume operations. If, however, your primary focus is producing consistently delicious, crispy, and juicy fried food quickly and efficiently, then a pressure fryer is the ideal solution.
Consider the types of food you prepare most frequently, the maximum temperature and volume of food you need to produce, and the space available in your kitchen when making your decision.
In some cases, a combi oven and a pressure fryer might be the optimal solution for a truly well-rounded and efficient commercial kitchen.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the primary functions of a combi oven?
A combi oven is a multi-functional appliance in a commercial kitchen. It enables cooking techniques such as steaming, baking, roasting, and air frying to be performed in one unit, improving kitchen efficiency.
Its ability to perform multiple cooking methods allows for increased creative expression in culinary practices while simplifying the overall cooking process and workflow.
How does pressure frying differ from traditional frying?
Pressure frying differs from traditional frying by using less oil and utilizing a sealed environment that cooks food more quickly and uniformly. This yields juicier and crispier fried foods with reduced oil consumption.
Which brands are recommended for combi ovens and pressure fryers?
DSL Ltd. is highly recommended for combi ovens, and Henny Penny is recognized as a top choice for pressure fryers.
What are the health benefits of using a pressure fryer?
A commercial pressure fryer uses less oil than traditional frying methods. This less oil leads to healthier fried foods with lower fat content, resulting in tastier dishes without compromising health.
How can combi ovens and pressure fryers improve kitchen efficiency?
Combi ovens enhance kitchen efficiency by replacing existing frying equipment and offering programmable menus, while pressure fryers improve speed and consistency in cooking. Together, they streamline operations and save valuable time in the kitchen.