Using the ComboEase Combi Oven

Sometimes called combo ovens or combination oven-steamers, combi ovens have become popular tools in commercial kitchens because they combine convection and steam for versatile cooking. The Groen ComboEase line offers full-size combi ovens in single- and double-stacked configurations that can be used in steam, convection, or combination modes to bake, braise, poach, steam, and rethermalize food.

Benefits of the ComboEase

Efficient and simple to use, the ComboEase includes a number of features to increase the output of a commercial kitchen and ensure food is cooked with optimal results each time. In addition to standard steam and convection, ComboEase ovens can be used in low and high combination modes, bringing the total number of available settings to four. These are selected via touchpad controls, enabling you to regulate the amount of moisture used during cooking.

Steam mode is a great choice for cooking vegetables, rice, and fish. Combo Hi mode is beneficial for cooking ingredients that tend to dry out without added moisture from steam, while Combo Lo mode enhances bread and other foods with brown crusts and soft centers. Oven mode can be used for traditional convection baking in temperatures as high as 450 degrees Fahrenheit with the fan on high or low speed. When cooking food that should be crisped or browned, such as french fries, operators can select the CrispEase mode.

To achieve this effective mix of steam and convection functionality, the ComboEase uses a gas-powered convection oven and an exclusive, boilerless reservoir system for steaming. This reservoir system features three shallow wells covered by a lid, so the oven can switch quickly between convection and steam modes. In addition to limiting the time needed to go from one mode to the next, the relatively small amount of water required for operation means the Groen combi oven costs less to operate and is less susceptible to interior corrosion than spritz-style models.

Cooking with the ComboEase

Because it's a full-size combi oven, one ComboEase can accommodate 10 standard baking sheets or steamer pans, with two per shelf arranged front to back. For staff who load or remove pans, this is a safer configuration than side-to-side placement. Other convenient features include a removable drip tray – which prevents condensation, juices, and fat from dripping onto the cooking cavity's floor – and a hands-free door latch that doesn't require busy chefs to put down their pans to open or close it.

The ComboEase doesn't come equipped with advanced programming options but does have intuitive, uncomplicated controls that enable beginner and expert cooks alike to set preferred cooking specifications for each batch of food. It also includes digital controls and diagnostics, plus a display for the timer and temperature, and a preprogrammed cycle for cleaning.

Groen has created a reference guide – some of which is shown below – that suggests cook modes, times, and temperatures for different dishes. Because the specifics of cooked products can vary from one restaurant to the next, the information offered here should be adjusted to suit your preferences.