A good combi oven will maximize efficiency and flexibility in your commercial kitchen.
In high-volume kitchens, maximizing space and efficiency is crucial. A combi oven, such as the models from Henny Penny, offers a cutting-edge solution by combining multiple cooking technologies—steam, convection heating, and a combination of both. This allows chefs to prepare a variety of dishes using a single piece of equipment.
What is a Combi Oven?
A combi oven is an advanced kitchen appliance that offers three cooking modes in one: steaming, convection, and combination cooking. It’s designed to use steam injection to retain moisture while also providing the crispy finish that convection ovens offer. This flexibility means that you can steam vegetables, roast meats, bake pastries, or even air fry—all in one unit.
The electric combi oven and the natural gas combi oven from Henny Penny, available through DSL are highly efficient and offer stainless steel construction for durability. The FlexFusion Platinum and SpaceSaver combi ovens are prime examples, designed with features such as PerfectHold and TimeToServe to streamline kitchen workflows
Key features include:
- Steaming: Moist heat from steaming capabilities is ideal for gentle cooking that preserves the moisture and nutrients in food.
- Convection: With convection oven features that give dry heat in the oven cavity, this appliance is perfect for achieving a crispy finish or baking items like pastries.
- Combination Mode: Uses both steam and convection, ensuring a balance between moisture retention and browning, making it great for roasting meats or baking bread.
What is a Combi Oven Used For?
A combination oven is a versatile piece of equipment, making it perfect for every cooking process from roasting to baking to steaming. Some of the common uses include:
- Roasting Meats: With the ability to control moist heat, combi ovens help retain moisture while using hot air for a crispy exterior, reducing protein shrinkage.
- Baking Pastries and Bread: The combination of steam injection and convection heating ensures perfect browning and fluffiness for baked goods. Models like the FlexFusion Team can accommodate both half-size and full-size sheet pans, ideal for high-output kitchens
- Air Frying: Achieve a crispy texture with significantly less oil, offering a healthier cooking alternative for dishes like fries and chicken wings.
Why Choose a Combi Oven?
A commercial combi oven offers several advantages over traditional ovens and individual cooking appliances:
- Space and Energy Savings: One of the key benefits is the ability to combine the functions of several appliances into one, saving valuable kitchen space. Henny Penny’s SpaceSaver models are particularly useful for kitchens where space is tight
- Improved Cooking Cycle Efficiency: Combi ovens can cook faster than traditional ovens, using features like steam and convection heating to reduce cooking times without compromising quality.
- Durable and Customizable: Built with stainless steel construction for long-lasting durability, these ovens also feature manual controls and customizable digital controls for added flexibility.
Whether you’re roasting, baking, or steaming, a combi oven allows you to prepare delicious dishes while reducing the number of appliances needed in your kitchen. For example, the FlexFusion Platinum PowerAdvantage model provides unmatched capacity and consistency.
If you’re interested in upgrading your kitchen, check out the range of Henny Penny combi ovens available through DSL. Contact us today to learn more.