Beyond the Bake: Your Step-by-Step Guide to Mastering the Combi Oven

Your combi oven is one of the most versatile pieces of equipment in your kitchen. Instead of just using it for baking or roasting, follow these concrete steps to master its other powerful functions and solve common kitchen challenges.

1. Perfect Steaming for Vegetables & Seafood

Using the pure steam function ensures your vegetables stay vibrant and crisp, and your seafood remains tender and moist.

• Step 1: Prep Your Ingredients. Cut vegetables to a uniform size. Place them in a perforated pan to allow steam to circulate evenly. For fish or shellfish, place them on a solid pan.

• Step 2: Select the Cooking Mode. Switch your combi oven to "Steam" mode (often represented by a cloud or steam icon).

• Step 3: Set the Temperature and Time. Set the temperature to a range of 100°C to 110°C (212°F to 230°F). Cooking times will vary by product (e.g., 3-5 minutes for broccoli, 5-8 minutes for fish fillets).

• Step 4: Load and Cook. Place the pan into the oven. The oven will automatically inject the perfect amount of steam. This method is faster and more consistent than stovetop steaming.

2. Effortless Sous Vide for Consistent Protein

Achieve perfectly cooked, tender, and juicy results without a separate sous vide bath. The combi oven’s steam mode provides a stable, low-temperature environment.

• Step 1: Vacuum-Seal Your Product. Season your meats, poultry, or fish, and place them in a vacuum-seal bag with any aromatics (herbs, garlic, butter).

• Step 2: Select the Cooking Mode. Set your combi oven to "Steam" mode.

• Step 3: Set the Temperature. Set the temperature to the precise internal temperature you desire for your product (e.g., 55°C/131°F for medium-rare steak, 63°C/145°F for chicken breast).

• Step 4: Cook and Finish. Cook for the recommended time. After cooking, remove the product from the bag and quickly sear it on a hot pan or grill to develop a beautiful crust.

3. Reheating with "Fresh-Cooked" Quality

Stop serving dry, rubbery reheated food. The combi mode adds moisture back into the product, making it taste as if it was just prepared.

• Step 1: Arrange Food on Pans. Place your pre-cooked dishes—whether it's braised meat, pasta, or a prepared banquet plate—on solid pans.

• Step 2: Select the Cooking Mode. Switch to "Combi" mode (often represented by both a fan and a steam icon).

• Step 3: Set the Temperature and Humidity. Set the temperature to around 130°C to 150°C (266°F to 302°F) with a humidity setting of 60% to 80%. This combination of dry heat and steam will reheat the food quickly without drying it out.

• Step 4: Load and Reheat. Place the pans into the oven. Monitor the process, as reheating times are generally short, ranging from 5 to 15 minutes depending on the dish.

By incorporating these three techniques, you'll streamline your kitchen, save on equipment costs, and elevate the quality of your menu items. Which one will you try first?

Contact Us for Expert Consultation

For more details on designing the perfect walk-in refrigerator or any commercial kitchen equipment inquiries, contact us at benny@ntsmart.com.