Posted on 20th Dec 2010 @ 3:54 PM

Combi-ovens are a catering must for most catering establishments. In fact, catering for large numbers of people is impossible without reliant combi-ovens. Top chefs may rely on talent and skill, but they also lean on reliable catering equipment. If you are in the middle of a service, with 50 diners waiting for their main courses, you need to make sure your combi-ovens won't let you down at crucial moments.

Combi-ovens you can rely on

Combi-ovens are expensive, but investing in high quality reconditioned catering equipment and combi-ovens is one way of ensuring you have high quality catering equipment you can rely on, without the high price tag. Combi-ovens have been described as the 'workhorse of the kitchen'. Without combi-ovens, it's simply impossible to cater to large numbers with the versatility you need. Combi-ovens allow chefs to bake, roast, braise or even steam. According to the Hotel and Caterer magazine, combi-ovens can even do much more than advertised – combi-ovens can help reduce disasters in the kitchen, help catering establishments become more energy efficient and if you look after your combi ovens, you will find they last a long life, saving you money in the long-term.

Combi-ovens – Top Tips

As well as the regular cooking you'd expect to achieve in a combi-oven, the Hotel and Caterer – the catering industry's leading trade publication – offers some top tips and tricks so you can make the most of your combi-oven:

Schools and hospitals looking to offer healthier ways of cooking foods traditionally fried, such as fish and chips, can cook such dishes in combi-ovens for a far healthier result – battered food for example can be 'air-fried' in combi-ovens. Pre-cooked frozen foods can also be 'dry-fried' in combi-ovens using a blast of very hot air.

As well as frying, you can even grill in combi-ovens – a function not usually associated with the oven. But it's quick, easy and more manageable to cook bacon or sausages in bulk using combi-ovens – and you will achieve the same crispness from frying thanks to the forced hot air.

Combi-ovens are the workhorse of the kitchen thanks to their multi-function features, allowing chefs to juggle a multitude of dishes. And although some may fear smells from different products cooked closely together (for example, fish followed by a pudding) might contaminate each other, by simply keeping your combi oven clean, residual flavours won't be a problem. Simply spraying the combi-oven's cavity with a degreaser and putting the oven on a short steam cycle after your cooking shift is sufficient.

Looking for combi ovens? Caterquip can help

Caterquip UK Ltd has a huge stock of reconditioned catering equipment, including combi ovens. All the reconditioned catering equipment is serviced, tested, cleaned and re-tested as new. For a professional, knowledgeable service, with peace of mind warranties, order combi ovens from Caterquip. Caterquip can source equipment to order and have an excellent national reputation within the catering industry. Call 01733 777 778 or email: info@caterquip.co.uk.