RATIONAL, the market leader in combi oven technology, recently announced the launch of the iCombi Pro and the iVario product lines in the United States. This next-generation family of combi ovens is now available from RATIONAL dealers nationwide.
The market leader with a 60% share of the North American combi oven market, RATIONAL raises the bar on kitchen equipment intelligence, power, efficiency and flexibility with the release of iCombi Pro. The iCombi Pro offers commercial kitchens higher productivity, shorter cooking times and lower energy consumption compared to the previous model, while still providing outstanding consistency of results, even at full loads.
The iVario debuts a powerful new performance class in foodservice equipment defined by faster cooking times, extraordinary flexibility, and acute precision that delivers unmatched results. It also is up to four times faster and uses up to 40% less electricity when compared to conventional equipment.
The iCombi Pro Introduces New Features
New, market-leading features of the iCombi Pro include time and energy-optimized cooking for high-production kitchens. The iCombi Pro indicates which foods can be cooked together, and items can be prepared as quickly as possible, produced in the most energy-efficient way, or sequenced to be ready at a specified time. The iCombi Pro will tell operators when to load and take out each food item to align with the production plan.
In response to customer feedback, now chefs can intervene when using an automatic cooking path on the RATIONAL combi. It’s also possible to switch from cooking just one type of food to a mixed load with different foods on each shelf. When this happens, the iCombi Pro will update the cooking parameters and automatically adjust the temperature and cooking times for each item.
Another breakthrough iCombi Pro feature is the ultra-fast, approximately 12-minute interim cleaning cycle. This ensures minimal downtime by quickly eliminating cooking smells and preparing the iCombi for its next use. This means staff can grill proteins, run the cleaning cycle while they take a break, and then bake or steam delicate food items without fear of flavor transfer.
“Beyond the outstanding cooking results, the new iCombi Pro offers operators the opportunity to improve their kitchen management and business operations,” says Markus Glueck, executive vice president for RATIONAL North America. “All commercial kitchens are under pressure to operate differently, with a heightened focus on safety, productivity and cost-efficiency. The intelligent functions of iCombi Pro help operators conquer today’s most pressing challenges.”
RATIONAL made a substantial investment in the research and development of the new iCombi product line. Nearly 95% of this product line is redesigned, reengineered and reprogrammed. Teams of product designers, physicists, engineers, software engineers, data architects, nutritionists and chefs worked together to create the iCombi Pro with the aim of creating a cooking system that would define the modern commercial kitchen.
“The iCombi Pro will be the heart of the kitchen of the future,” states Glueck. “The advanced technology makes this cooking system easier to use, and due to its intrinsic intelligence, the iCombi Pro responds just like an experienced chef. It easily performs routine tasks and could sustainably change the way commercial kitchens operate.”
The iCombi Pro is now available from RATIONAL dealers in various sizes, from the compact XS to the 20-full size. In addition to the iCombi Pro, RATIONAL released the iCombi Classic for chefs who prefer to operate in manual mode, and control the heat and steam inside the cabinet themselves.
The New iVario Is More Than a Tilt Skillet
The iVario is an intelligent multifunctional cooking system that exceeds the capabilities of conventional tilting skillets, kettles and deep fryers. Previously unavailable in the USA, the new iVario Pro is perfect for boiling, steaming, blanching, pan frying, deep-frying, overnight cooking and in 2021 will offer a pressure cooking option.
The iVario’s fast, even and precise heating is accomplished via patented heating technology. The iVario uses ceramic heating elements attached to a durable heat-conductive, scratch-resistant pan base designed to withstand extreme temperature swings and heavy everyday use. The iVario pan base reaches 400°F in less than three minutes, and can reduce the temperature with similar speed. Numerous sensors measure the pan base every second to adjust temperatures for consistent results and energy efficiency.
Another innovative feature provides flexibility by allowing the user to divide the iVario pan base into as many as four individual cooking zones. Each zone can have a different shape, size and cooking temperature. The feature even can save cooking zones, to keep operations consistent while helping staff to produce better food.
“This is the perfect time to introduce the iVario product line because every foodservice operation is looking to increase efficiencies, maximize productivity and produce outstanding food,” Glueck explained.
The iVario also includes a number of features that improve working conditions and safety in the kitchen. Chef favorites include the automatic lifting and lowering function that, for example, brings baskets of pasta out of the water automatically when done, avoiding overcooking and manual lifting. This function is also great for frying. Another favorite is the pan tilt feature. At the touch of a button, the pan tips forward making it easy to remove soups, stews and other cooked items, always pouring straight down. The pan edges remain cool at all times, and the optional electronically controlled height adjustment improves kitchen ergonomics. The iVario Pro L and XL integrate the optional height-adjustment into their bases, while height-adjustable stands are available for the iVario 2-XS and Pro 2-S.
The iVario perfectly complements the iCombi Pro combi oven. Together they replace 90% of traditional cooking appliances, and provide a solution to many pain points such as unskilled labor, budget pressure and the demand for outstanding food quality. They share a similar operating system, access to the RATIONAL ConnectedCooking digital platform, and define the kitchen of the future.
To see the new iCombi Pro and iVario in action, plan to attend an in-person MORE Tour event or an online MORE Tour webinar. The MORE Tour event dates and additional iCombi information is available on the RATIONAL USA website. Metro New York dealers and the end-user operators they serve can get information on the RATIONAL line by contacting Westchester based Tri-State Marketing at www.tri-statemarketing.com or by calling 914-941-1717.
“We are excited to share this innovative new technology with the Metro New York foodservice community,” added Lynn Schultz of Tri-State Marketing. “It provides a valuable opportunity to help commercial kitchen operators do more with less space, waste, energy, cost and stress.”
The RATIONAL Group is the world market and technology leader in the field of hot food preparation for professional kitchens. Founded in 1973, the company employs more than 2,300 worldwide. RATIONAL is listed on the Prime Standard of the German Stock Exchange and is included in the SDAX.
