Commercial kitchen appliances are appliances used in professional kitchens in the catering industry (i.e., large and commercial kitchens). They differ from household appliances in that they are generally much more powerful and can therefore prepare large quantities of food quickly and to a high standard. They are usually made of stainless steel and impress with their robust construction and excellent quality, which are necessary for demanding kitchen operations and a long service life.

The kitchen appliances used in a professional catering kitchen depend on the range of food they produce. However, combi ovens, also known as combi steamers, come in various sizes, and are now standard in many commercial kitchens. In large production kitchens, these are usually freestanding appliances with up to 20 racks. However, smaller combi ovens are also often found in quick service retail (QSR). Modern and mostly intelligent multifunctional appliances that work with contact heat are also part of the equipment. What both appliance groups have in common is that they are designed for different cooking applications. This allows a wide variety of dishes to be produced flexibly in a small space. Of course, these types of appliances are also ideal for à la carte restaurants and supermarkets. Roasting, grilling, braising, steaming, and baking in one appliance—that's what sets modern kitchen appliances apart today. In addition, modern technology in commercial kitchens also saves energy and water, making kitchens significantly more sustainable.

A professional commercial kitchen requires a wide variety of connections, depending on its equipment. In addition to the normal power supply, modern kitchen technology often requires high-voltage current to operate the high-performance appliances. This ensures fast heating times and high heat transfer to the food, guaranteeing consistent results even with large quantities. It should be noted that high connected load does not necessarily mean high energy consumption, as the maximum power is only used when it is needed. Intelligent control of the appliances ensures optimized use of resources and the best food quality. A modern commercial kitchen also needs water connections, both for cooking and for modern dishwashing and cleaning technology. Modern intelligent appliances can also be easily networked to the internet. This makes it possible to not only simultaneously keep track of all appliances, but also to make work easier and more convenient. Network connections or appropriate Wi-Fi connections in the kitchen are therefore highly recommended if you want to use all the features of the appliances.

Even though commercial kitchens are not necessarily considered pioneers in digitalization, it is also advancing in the space. Modern kitchen appliances are often equipped with smart assistants that enable precise monitoring or even control of the appliance fleet. ConnectedCooking is one example of how this can be used: to update appliance software, to distribute cooking programs to multiple appliances at different locations, or to easily document HACCP data.

The equipment in a commercial kitchen depends on the range of dishes on offer and the level of preparation required. A high proportion of convenience products requires different equipment than if everything is produced fresh. The same applies to the cooking method. Whether you want to implement cook-and-hold or cook-and-chill influences the kitchen design, as does the availability of skilled staff, of course. Modern intelligent cooking and kitchen technology is now indispensable. The monitoring and support functions of intelligent cooking processes give kitchen staff time for other tasks. Appliances such as the iCombi Pro combi oven or the iVario Pro intelligent tilt skillet signal when they need to be loaded or unloaded or when other tasks such as stirring or pouring need to be carried out. These multifunctional appliances also save valuable space and can replace speed ovens, kettles, or even a stove in the kitchen block.

The extractor hood and ventilation system should also be selected to match the cooking technology. However, too much is often invested here due to outdated standards. Modern cooking systems, such as those from RATIONAL, are controlled in such a way that despite their high cooking performance, only the heating power required at any given time is used. They are also highly efficient, often eliminating the need for other appliances. This often allows for smaller fan equipment and saves on investment costs.

To completely optimize a kitchen setup, modern and sustainable dishwashing and food warming technology is also a must in kitchen planning. The same applies to basic refrigeration equipment. As with cooking appliances, modern, economical, and high-quality technology should be used here as well.

Well thought-out planning tailored to kitchen workflows is required to enable efficient and smooth operation. The layout and equipment of the kitchen should be individually tailored to the needs of the catering concept. Space-saving design and short distances should be prioritized.

The basic equipment of a catering kitchen therefore includes appropriate commercial kitchen technology, refrigeration and dishwashing technology, stainless steel furniture, and kitchen utensils. The heart of every catering kitchen is the oven and stove. Here, attention should be paid to powerful and high-quality appliances (e.g., the iCombi Pro and iVario Pro), as well as efficient energy consumption.

Our network-capable iCombi Pro, iCombi Classic, iVario Pro, and iHexagon units meet the requirements of Article 3.3 of the Radio Equipment Directive (RED), which will be binding throughout the EU from August 1, 2025 onward.

The security mechanisms we have implemented ensure:

• Protection of network infrastructure (RED 3.3 d)
• Protection of personal data (RED 3.3 e)
• Fraud protection (RED 3.3 f)

Cybersecurity has been validated according to EN 18031-1.

From August 1, 2025 onward, all new devices will include the new software version and thus meet the requirements of Article 3.3 of the RED Directive.

For existing devices, we provide new security functions free of charge via software update:

• Units that are networked using the digital kitchen management system ConnectedCooking will receive the update automatically.
• Alternatively, the update can also be downloaded manually from our website: Software update . It can then be transferred to the iCombi Pro, iCombi Classic, iHexagon or iVario Pro using a USB stick.

Yes, the RATIONAL iCombi Pro, iCombi Classic, iVario Pro and iHexagon units meet the requirements of the Radio Equipment Directive (RED) Article 3.3. Cybersecurity has been validated according to EN 18031-1.