Combi oven - a compact oven that can replace a pan, an oven, proofer, a double boiler and so on. This equipment is the unofficial center of any professional kitchen.
Almost every brand that produces professional thermal lines provides its customers with a number of models of combi steamers. To date, the combi oven UNOX, Italy is considered the most advantageous in the context of price and quality.
General functionality of combi steamers
In this section, we will explain why the combi oven is so necessary in modern kitchens.
The main thing is its working principle. It combines a double boiler and a convection oven. The functionality of the first is understandable, but we will consider convection in more detail. In the context of heating equipment, convection means heat treatment under the influence of air currents. Due to this, the temperature in the confined space of the chamber is the same throughout the volume - no differences. Thanks to this, food is cooked evenly, acquiring the most attractive look. And do not confuse the combi oven and convection oven with steam - the first has the ability to cook full-fledged food ON steam, and not with the use of steam, which simply moisturizes the air. That is why this equipment (including the UNOX combi oven) is so in demand in the kitchens at kindergartens, hospitals and sanatoriums - it can provide dietary, sparing nutrition.
Back to the functional. The combi steamer has:
- Temperature conditions in the range from 30 to 270 C.
- The ability to cook steamed dishes at a humidity of 100% (while the temperature ranges from 75 to 120 C).
- The ability to work like a conventional convection oven, that is, to ensure frying or baking dishes without the use of steam.
- The ability to work in a combined mode, in which steam is added to the classical convection described above. It is in demand in the case of baking muffin and custard dough.
- The ability to generate steam at low temperatures. Due to this, the UNOX combi oven (305, for example) can act as a proofing cabinet and provide a comfortable rise in yeast baking.
- Regeneration function. In practice, this means that you can reheat a pre-cooked dish without losing its taste and aesthetic qualities.
Types of combi steamers
Naturally, combi steamers differ in secondary features and operating principles. Exist:
- With injector type of vaporization. Steam is generated from water directly in the working chamber under the influence of high temperatures. Such combi steamers are cheaper, but limited in function - at a low temperature inherent in the proofing cabinet, the water will not evaporate.
- With a boiler type of vaporization. In such combi steamers, steam is generated in a separate chamber and already in the “finished” form goes into the working area. Due to this, the device itself has a wider functionality compared to the injection version.
- With a mechanical type of control. Such a UNOX combi steamer is controlled by familiar levers. From the pros: ease of management, lower price, ease of repair. Of the minuses: it is impossible to make more precise settings during the preparation of especially capricious dishes.
- With electronic or touch control. The temperature and other settings are selected filigree, an error is excluded. The main minus - the working panel is moody during the repair.
Line CHEFTOP MIND. MapsTM
A new line of combi steamers from the UNOX brand was launched in May 2015. The principle of operation of the models is close to artificial intelligence - the equipment allows in real time to observe how the food is cooked, and it itself makes adjustments to the heat treatment to achieve the best result. The models in the line are as follows:
- Combi Oven UNOX XVC-0311-E1R. Designed for 3 gastronome containers with a size of 1/1. It is available in 220 and 380 V. Power - 5 kW, the average price in the Russian Federation - 198,000 rubles.
- Combi Oven UNOX XEVC-0511-E1R. Designed for 5 gastronorm containers in size 1/1. It is available in 220 and 380 V. Power is 7 kW, the average price in the Russian Federation is 229,000 rubles.
- Combi Oven UNOX XEVC-0711-E1R. Designed for 7 gastronome containers with a size of 1/1. It works from 380 V. Power is 9.9 kW, the average price in the Russian Federation is 294,000 rubles.
- Combi Oven UNOX XEVC-1011-E1R. Designed for 10 gastronome containers with a size of 1/1. It works from 380 V. Power is 14 kW, the average price in the Russian Federation is 368,000 rubles.
- Combi Oven UNOX XEVC-2011-E1R. Designed for 10 gastronome containers with a size of 1/1. It works from 380 V. Power is 29.4 kW, the average price in the Russian Federation is 675,000 rubles.
ChefTop Evolution Line
Classic line of combi steamers. It has 6 degrees of regulation of the fan speed; it differs by a stepwise type of steam generation. The package includes a port connector for timely and convenient updating of the combi steamer firmware, a USB connector and the ability to connect to the Internet, and improved internal glass mounts. Models:
- Combi Oven UNOX XVC 105E. Designed for 3 gastronome containers with a size of 1/1. It works from 220 V. Power is 3.6 kW, the average price in the Russian Federation is 155,000 rubles.
- Combi Oven UNOX XVC 305. Designed for 5 gastronome containers with a size of 1/1. It is available in 220 and 380 V. Power is 3-6 kW, the average price in the Russian Federation is 174,000 rubles.
- Combi Oven UNOX XVC 315EG. Designed for 5 gastronorm containers in size 1/1. Gas. Power 0.4 kW, the average price in the Russian Federation - 290000 rubles.
- Combi Oven UNOX XVC 515EG. Designed for 7 gastronome containers with a size of 1/1. Gas. Power 0.7 kW, the average price in the Russian Federation - 348,000 rubles.
- Combi Oven Unox XVC 915EG. Designed for 10 gastronome containers with a size of 1/1. Gas. Power is 01.7 kW, the average price in the Russian Federation is 480,000 rubles.
The most popular model of this line is the Combi Oven UNOX XVC 305, as it is an ideal combination of price, quality and ease of use.
ChefTopLux Line
Basic version of combi steamers. It does not have particularly outstanding characteristics, rather, an apparatus that does its job perfectly. The following models are in demand on the market:
- Combi Oven UNOX XV 593. Designed for 7 gastronome containers with a size of 1/1. It works from 380 V. Power is 10.6 kW, the average price in the Russian Federation is 1,955,000 rubles.
- Combi Oven UNOX XV 893. Designed for 12 gastronome containers with a size of 1/1. It works from 380 V. Power is 15.7 kW, the average price in the Russian Federation is 234500 rubles.
Combi Oven UNOX. User reviews and recommendations
Naturally, all odes in honor of the equipment will remain incomplete if we do not attract those who use UNOX brand products. According to the cooks, the combi steamers really work flawlessly, but at the same time noted that they should not be fully loaded at the prescribed levels, at least one free load should be left, since full loading negatively affects the combi steamer and shortens its life. In addition, when fully loaded, air circulation in the chamber is disturbed. Because of this, food may not be cooked properly. For example, the combi oven UNOX (reviews are relevant for modern models) for 7 gastronorm containers was loaded on all these gastronorm containers, as a result, the food was cooked instead of frying.