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Hobart Combi Ovens
What Does a Combi Oven Do?Why Do I Need a combi Oven?How Do I Pick the Right Combi Oven For Me?

What is a Combi Oven?
The technology behind a combi oven or combination oven is relatively new to the restaurant industry. It was first introduced about 15 years ago as a combination steam and convection oven and immediately gained popularity in hotel and high-volume restaurants, both large and small. Many of today’s top chefs are still discovering what a combi oven does, how to use it and what it can do for their operations. During a recent survey on, we learned that many chefs do not own a combi oven yet but 98% of chefs were interested in using one. Below you will find simple facts about the technology, why it’s important, and how to choose the right combi oven for your kitchen.

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What does a Combi Oven do?

A combi oven is an oven with three functions: convection, steam and combination cooking. In the convection mode, the oven circulates dry heat - ideal for pastries and breads. The steam mode injects water into the oven to poach fish, rice and vegetables. The true genius behind the combi oven is the combination mode which uses both dry heat and steam to maintain exact humidity levels, thus giving you more control of the moisture levels in food. These levels are adjustable from 0% to 100% of possible maximum relative humidity, a term used to describe the quantity of water vapor that exists in a gaseous mixture of air and water. Our understanding of humidity in a combi may be simple if we relate this example  when it is 90˚F outside with high humidity, humans feel hotter than the actual air temperature.  The extra humidity transfers heat faster and we noticeably can feel the difference than if it was just 90˚F outside with zero humidity (dry heat). This same effect can be controlled  inside a combi oven, enabling chefs to cook food with higher heat and moisture control capabilities. At 100% relative humidity,  you will be able to cook with high heat without burning or excessively drying out food products. The true benefit of a combi oven is it  controls the humidity inside its chamber, maintaining exactly the desired atmosphere, reducing shrinkage and weight loss while also improving cook times and results.

Do I need one?
A combi oven can help you:

  • Reduce Shrinkage
  • Save Time and Labor
  • Eliminate Flavor Transfer (when multiple food items are cooked at the same time)
  • Deliver Consistent Cooking Results
  • Create New Dishes - Sous Vide without the hassle!
  • Become Energy Efficient

Phase Cooking
Optimize the cooking process by sequencing the convection mode, steam mode and combi mode with variable humidity input in any combination or order.

Example: Chicken - Rotisserie Style

Combi Settings

Cook Temp.

Time / Settings


Humidity or Vent 




Step 1 - 13 min.






Step 2 - 13 min.






Step 3 - 13 min.










How do I pick the right Combi Oven for me?

Is it easy to use?
Combi ovens have lots of dials but Hobart’s new combi has simple, easy-to-use controls. You can customize your own recipes and save themthem with a push of a button. The Hobart combi oven also features flashing door lights so you know which oven needs attention, even if you’re unable to hear it. Click here to see how this works

What size do I need?
Do you need 6, 10 or 20 sheet pan capacity? Hobart offers multiple sizes for any all kitchens. 

Is it easy to clean?
One button activates the self cleaning mode on the Hobart combi oven which is also the only oven that does not require the removal of shelving or special cleaning solution (compatible with standard detergent). Click here to see how this works

What if it breaks?
The combi oven is built to be a workhorse but sometimes things break. With built-in diagnostics and prompt customer service, the Hobart combi oven is easy to fix.

What about energy efficiency?
Save money on your electric and water bills with the Hobart combi oven, which features reduced energy use, minimum water consumption and super insulation preventing heat loss.

Learn more about the Hobart Combi Oven

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Some of the new techniques that can be prepared in a combi oven include:
  1. Large Batch Sous Vide
  2. Low-Temperature Steaming
  3. Complete Cycle Baking (proof, dry bake, steam injection, dry bake)
With the three different modes, the combi oven offers a wide variety of applications including:
  1. Baking
  2. Roasting
  3. Steaming
  4. Proofing
  5. Rethermaliztion
  6. High and Low temperature cooking
  7. Sous vide
  8. Healthy frying
  9. Delta-T cooking*
*Delta T cooking means smarter heat: as the product temperature rises, the Delta-T regulates a matching rise in oven temperature. The result is less shrinkage, greater yields and juicier meats.


“versatility and efficiency make combi ovens the workhorses of today’s kitchens”
~survey respondent

“Combi ovens provide chefs with more cooking technique options thereby providing newfound versatility to a chefs culinary repertoire. A combi oven provides a newfound wide-gamut of culinary possibilities for a chef to choose from.” ~survey respondent
