Combi Ovens – They Need Love & Attention Too!

By Steve Butler – Key Account Manager, General Parts Group

A commercial combi oven (combination oven) is a versatile and efficient cooking appliance that combines the functions of a convection oven, steam oven, and steamer. It is widely used in commercial kitchens, including restaurants, hotels, bakeries, and catering services, due to its ability to cook a wide variety of dishes with precision and consistency.

Combi ovens have grown in popularity over the last several years not only because they create a smaller footprint in your kitchen but, they also can do amazing things with a variety of menus. In many cases, they are the workhorses in the commercial food service industry kitchens and have become invaluable when it comes to delivering a variety of outstanding food items. But we must take a moment to recognize that with all the amazing things these units can do for us, we must give them the TLC they need and deserve. I will take you through a few of the most important steps in giving your combi ovens the love and attention they require so they will give your customers the quality of food I know you want to deliver.

• First, always follow the manufacturer’s instructions when it comes to cleaning and maintaining your combi ovens. Use only recommended cleaning products and OEM parts for repairs.
• You should develop a plan for daily care like running the self-cleaning mode that most combis have. If you have heavy use, run the deep cleaning mode. Wipe down all surfaces including door gaskets.
• One area of TLC that gets neglected most often is having a water filtration system on your combi unit. This is one of the most overlooked areas I see in the field when it comes to the longevity of your machine. These units do not like the heavy scale build-up which could cause serious downtime if it happens to you. The water filters should be changed at a minimum of once a year depending on the hardness of your water in your location.
• Additionally, one of the most important things you can do to ensure top performance and a longer life cycle of your combi is to put in place a scheduled planned maintenance (PM) program. Many of the manufacturers have recommended maintenance programs that should be followed. Contact a qualified service provider to perform these.
• Some of the key factors to consider when doing planned maintenance on combi ovens are wearable items such as steam hoses, drain hoses, door gaskets, the air filter, the descaling of the steam generator, and software updates for these units. (Which is a totally additional blog). If you are using a factory-recommended service provider (ASA) they will follow all the recommendations and provide documentation of the PM that was completed.

In the event of a malfunction or breakdown, it is important to contact a professional combi oven repair service, such as General Parts Group. Attempting to repair the oven without proper knowledge and tools can result in further damage or void the warranty. Professional technicians have the expertise to diagnose and fix any issues, ensuring the oven is back in working order quickly and safely.

As you can see your combi ovens need a little extra love and attention as many of us do from time to time. I think we can all agree when we receive it, we operate at a better level than we do when we are neglected. If you follow these few tips your combi will return the love and attention to the quality of food, you serve to your customers and there is no price you can put on that.