--- title: A Side by Side Comparison of a Rational Self Cooking Center XS Versus a Speed Oven description: This side by side comparison of a Rational Self Cooking Center XS versus a speed oven will show the major differences between these seemingly similar machines. image: https://blog.highsabatino.com/hubfs/steak-from-rational-demo.jpg --- ## ![](https://blog.highsabatino.com/hubfs/High_Sabatino_Sep_2015_Theme_Images/HighSab_HP_TopHeader_icons_phone.png) [800.367.4742](tel:800-367-4742) ![](https://blog.highsabatino.com/hubfs/High_Sabatino_Sep_2015_Theme_Images/HighSab_HP_TopHeader_icons_email.png)[**laurie@highsabatino.com**](mailto:laurie@highsabatino.com?) - [![](https://blog.highsabatino.com/hubfs/High_Sabatino_Sep_2015_Theme_Images/facebook.png)](http://www.facebook.com/highsabatino) - [![](https://blog.highsabatino.com/hubfs/High_Sabatino_Sep_2015_Theme_Images/twitter.png)](https://twitter.com/HighSabatino) - [![](https://blog.highsabatino.com/hubfs/High_Sabatino_Sep_2015_Theme_Images/linkedin.png)](https://www.linkedin.com/company/high-sabatino-associates?report%2Esuccess=KJ_KkFGTDCfMt-A7wV3Fn9Yvgwr02Kd6AZHGx4bQCDiP6-2rfP2oxyVoEQiPrcAQ7Bf) - [![](https://highsabatino.com/wp-content/themes/trinity/images/social/youtube.png)](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLlb39IX8PivyQO-KW0_GNA) [![highsabatino](https://blog.highsabatino.com/hs-fs/hubfs/High_Sabatino_Sep_2015_Theme_Images/high_sabatino_Horizontal_Logo-1024x211.png?width=637&height=131&name=high_sabatino_Horizontal_Logo-1024x211.png "highsabatino")](http://highsabatino.com/) - [About](https://highsabatino.com/company-profile/) - [Affiliates](https://highsabatino.com/affiliates/) - [Facilities](https://highsabatino.com/facilities/) - [Manufacturers](https://highsabatino.com/manufacturers/) - [Events](https://highsabatino.com/events/) - [Rational Live - iCombi Live](https://www.rational-online.com/en_us/experience/rational-live/icombi-live/?countryCode=US&countryName=&zipKey=20794) - [Blog](https://blog.highsabatino.com/blog) - [Resources](https://highsabatino.com/resources/) - [Service Request](https://highsabatino.com/service/) - [Digital Price Lists](https://highsabatino.com/resources/#pricelists) - [Contact Us](https://highsabatino.com/contact-us/) # A Side by Side Comparison of a Rational Self Cooking Center XS Versus a Speed Oven ![bg-header.jpg](https://blog.highsabatino.com/hs-fs/hubfs/High_Sabatino_Sep_2015_Theme_Images/bg-header.jpg?width=2100&name=bg-header.jpg "bg-header.jpg") ![IMG_20170110_132652536-209751-edited.jpg](https://blog.highsabatino.com/hs-fs/hubfs/IMG_20170110_132652536-209751-edited.jpg?width=3006&name=IMG_20170110_132652536-209751-edited.jpg "IMG_20170110_132652536-209751-edited.jpg") [High Sabatino](https://blog.highsabatino.com/blog/author/high-sabatino) Jul 28, 2017 [Combi Ovens](https://blog.highsabatino.com/blog/topic/combi-ovens), [Rational](https://blog.highsabatino.com/blog/topic/rational) [1 Comment](https://blog.highsabatino.com/blog/a-side-by-side-comparison-of-a-rational-self-cooking-center-xs-versus-a-speed-oven/#comments-listing) - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) In the foodservice industry, speed, accuracy and quality are of the utmost importance. Today there are so many options on the market when it comes to cooking equipment. It is important to understand the differences between these types of equipment. ![Rational_Logo_High_Sabatino.jpg](https://blog.highsabatino.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Rational_Logo_High_Sabatino.jpg?width=320&name=Rational_Logo_High_Sabatino.jpg "Rational_Logo_High_Sabatino.jpg") Two of the seemingly similar pieces of equipment that are often compared are combi-ovens and speed ovens. Although these ovens have a very similar footprint, when compared side-by-side, these ovens are very different.  ***Cooking Technology*** A speed oven uses radiant heat, high-speed air impingement, and side-launched microwave to cook food rapidly. A key word to remember here is *microwave*. If you’ve ever reheated bread or meat in a microwave, you understand how disappointing it is to bite into that chewy bread or the dry, tough meat. Speed ovens’ use of microwave technology can give your food that same tough, dry consistency. When cooking with the Rational Self Cooking Center XS, the results will be so far from dry and tough. The XS’ use of moisture in many of its applications allows for meat that is tender and juicy and bread that is perfectly crispy. ***Cooking Capabilities*** Although both ovens require the same amount of space in a kitchen, the amount of food they can cook at once is very different. The Rational Self Cooking Center XS holds up to six racks, while typical speed ovens usually only have one rack. ***Cooking Speed*** When compared item to item, the speed oven wins. But this begs the question, what kind of commercial kitchen only cooks one item at a time? When fifteen tickets were put in front of the chefs, the Rational Self Cooking Center XS finished the tickets 18 minutes faster than the speed oven. ***Bottom Line*** For virtually the same investment, you get 6 times the capacity, abundantly more versatility and unquestionably better results. ### With a Rational Self Cooking Center XS, you don’t have to choose between quality and speed. [Schedule a personal demonstration](https://blog.highsabatino.com/get-a-personal-rational-combi-oven-demonstration-from-high-sabatino) by a Rational chef to see the [Rational Self Cooking Center](https://blog.highsabatino.com/rational-self-cooking-center-5-senses-video/) in action. 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