Steam convection ovens (combi steamers) are universal heating equipment, without which no industrial kitchen can do. Functionality, features and the most popular brands we will consider in this article.
How does it work?
The functionality of the equipment can be traced in its name. In general, this is a piece of professional commercial equipment that combines steam and convection in various variations to carry out its activities. Convection is a type of heat treatment of the product, which combines the heating of heating elements and the operation of fans.
Due to the principle of operation, convection ovens provide the following operating modes:
- Convection means the processing of dishes with hot air currents at zero humidity. Perfect for baking, which should be crispy at the end. The temperature regime of convection varies from +30 to +270 degrees.
- Steam cooking. Indicates 100% humidity in the combi steamer chamber, operates in temperature conditions from +80 to +120 degrees.
- Pretreatment of food with steam. The percentage of humidity is adjustable, the temperature can reach 70 degrees. In practice, it is used for preliminary proofing of yeast products.
- Combination of convection and steam. The percentage of air humidity is selected as needed (maximum - 100%), temperature limit - 270 degrees. The most popular type of processing, as it allows you to cook food without drying it.
As a result, all this provides consumers with:
- roasting;
- stewing;
- proofing;
- baking;
- steaming;
- defrost;
- regeneration (heating up a pre-cooked dish while maintaining all taste and external characteristics).
The type of baking sheets for all combi steamers is the same - a gastronomy container with a size of 1/1, 5332, 5 cm. The depth varies from 2 to 20 cm, depending on the dish they plan to cook.
Abat convection ovens from Russia
The Russian brand Abat offers customers a fairly wide range of models of combi steamers, but we will focus only on the following (popular and proven):
- PKA 6-1/1VM is a favorite of canteens in schools and kindergartens. At a low retail price (155,000 rubles), it provides a decent quality of work. The type of vaporization is injection. This means that water is injected into the chamber by injection, and already there, under the influence of temperatures, it turns into steam. It is calculated on 6 gastroyemkost. Modes of operation - steam, convection, heating. Temperature regime +30/+270 degrees. Connection type- 380 V.
- PKA 6-1/1PM is similar to the PKA 6-1/1VM model, the main differences are in the principle of vaporization and operating modes. This model is a boiler, i.e. steam is formed in a separate chamber of the combi steamer and enters the working chamber already in a "ready" form. There are more modes of operation: convection with steam and steam at low temperatures have been added to steam, convection and heating. For this you will have to pay about 170,000 rubles. Connection type - 380 V.
- PKA 10-1/1VM is a complete analogue of the PKA 6-1/1VM model, the main difference is in capacity: this model is designed for 10 gastronorm containers, not 6. The average price tag in the Russian Federation is 168,000 rubles. Connection type - 380 V.
- PKA 10-1/1PM is a complete analogue of the PKA 6-1/1PM model, the main difference is in capacity: this model is designed for 10 gastronorm containers, not 6. The price is 196,000 rubles. Connection type - 380 V.
- PKA 6-1/3P - a relatively new model, a full-fledged boiler combi steamer with all its inherent modes of operation. Its main feature is that baking sheets have a size of 32.517.6 cm (1/3 gastronomy capacity). For such miniature convection ovens, you will have to pay 78,000 rubles. Connection type - 220 V.
The main disadvantage of these combi steamers, users believe that they do not allow you to load all the prescribed number of baking sheets at a time: because of this, the temperature regime is violated, food is cooked incorrectly. In other words, in a combi steamer on 6 levels, a maximum of 5 is loaded at a time.
Combi steamers from Germany - Rational
Combi ovenRational is a legend that has gone from a proper name to a common noun. Flawless work, impeccable quality. Due to the unique assembly, the devices of this brand allow you to cook several types of dishes at the same time in one working chamber.
You can bake steak and buns by simply placing them on different levels and not be afraid that the meat will smell like baking. The following models are popular:
- CombiMaster (CM) 61 Plus. Electromechanical control panel, 6 levels, temperature range - from 30 to 300 degrees. Boiler type of steam generation. Connection type - 380 V. Price - 540,000 rubles.
- CombiMaster (CM) 61G Plus. Analog 61 Plus, the main difference is in the type of connection. This Rational combi oven runs on gas. Price - 700,000 rubles.
- CombiMaster (CM) 101 Plus. Analog 61 Plus, only 10 levels. Connection type - 380 V. Price - 800,000 rubles.
- CombiMaster (CM) 101G Plus. Analogue 101 Plus, but connection type - gas. Price - 800,000 rubles.
- SelfCookingCenter (SCC) 61 5 Senses. On 6 levels. Electronic control panel. Temperature regime - from 30 to 300 degrees. Connection type - 380 V. Price - 800,000 rubles.
- SelfCookingCenter (SCC) 61G 5 Senses. Similar to SCC 61 5 Senses, but this Rational combi steamer is gas powered. Price - 940,000 rubles.
- SelfCookingCenter (SCC) 101 5 Senses. Analogue of SCC 61 5 Senses, only for 10 levels. Connection type - 380 V. Price - 1,040,000 rubles.
- SelfCookingCenter (SCC) 101G 5 Senses. Analog SCC 101G 5 Senses,only in gas version. Price - 1,180,000 rubles.
Steam ovens from Italy - Unox
Great alternative for those who have "outgrown" Abat but can't afford Rational hardware yet. Excellent, solid combi steamers. In the spring of 2015, the company added a new line of ovens. Consider each:
ChefTopLux. The basic line of combi steamers is available in 7 (140,000 rubles) and 12 (198,000 rubles) 1/1 gastronorm containers. Mechanical control. The temperature varies from 30 to 260 degrees. The fans have two speeds
ChefTop Evolution. The range of functions has been expanded. The fan has 6 speeds. Electric control type. Built-in cleaning mode. USB ports for adjusting settings. There is a version for 3 gastronorm containers 1/1 (132,000 rubles), 5 gastronorm containers 2/3 (145,000 rubles). Also, the Unox convection oven can run on gas, not electricity. This will double its price
CHEFTOP MIND. The latest development in 2015. The main difference from the previous model is that the work process has become more visual, displayed on the LCD panel. The control principle is so simple that you can learn on the job without going through endless manuals with instructions. A model for 3 gastronorm containers 1/1 will cost 149,000 rubles, for 5 - 172,000 rubles, for 7 - 221,000 rubles, for 10 - 274,000 rubles, for 20 - 508,000 rubles
Combi steamers from Sweden - Electrolux
Electrolux steam convection oven is lovedchefs all over the world. She is especially respected by modern confectioners, as she has a very specific and meticulous functionality that can cook capricious dishes. Comparable in price to Rational brand equipment, the most popular models are as follows:
Professional FCZ061ECA2. Works in temperature conditions from 25 to 300 degrees. Electronic control panel. Has 11 degrees of humidity. For 6 gastroyemkost size 1/1. Type of connection - 380 V. Type of vaporization - injector. The Air-o-flow system allows all levels to be processed evenly. The average price is 175,000 rubles
Professional FCZ061EBA2. An analogue of the previous model, the type of steam generation is boiler. Price - 250,000 rubles.
Result
This equipment is in demand in modern kitchens, as it combines wide functionality, crossed with small dimensions.
The convection oven, the price of which varies from 150,000 to 2 million rubles, replaces a tilting frying pan, grill, stove, convection cabinet, and so on.
