Combi ovens can be viewed as one of the most versatile pieces of foodservice equipment in any commercial or institutional kitchen. In school cafeterias where labor challenges are so pronounced, combi ovens can be even more beneficial. Why? Let's take a closer look at the five reasons why school nutrition directors should consider using a combi oven.
Maximize Space: Combi ovens can help school nutrition professionals make the most out of any given footprint by allowing multiple cooking methods in one appliance. With the ability to steam, bake, and grill, a combi oven can replace several other pieces of equipment, saving space and reducing cooking times.
Energy Efficient: For directors constantly facing high utility costs, combi ovens are energy-efficient, using less energy than traditional ovens. They can also reduce cooking times, which means less time the oven needs to run, saving energy costs.
Healthier Cooking: From national standards to the local school district, many school nutrition directors must comply with nutritional directives for healthy eating. Because combi ovens use steam for cooking rather than frying oil, food prepared in a combi retains more nutrients and reduces the need for added oils and fats, resulting in healthier meals.
Consistency: Combi ovens can ensure consistent results, as they have precise temperature and humidity controls. This consistency can be crucial for schools that have a large number of students to feed, thus providing quality that students know they can count on. This, in turn, leads to increased student participation in a school lunch program.
Versatility: Combi ovens can be used to cook a wide range of dishes. Because so many cooking processes can take place in a single unit, as mentioned above, the result is also the ability to provide menu diversity, from baked goods to roasted meats and vegetables. This versatility makes them an excellent addition to any school kitchen, allowing school nutrition directors the ability to create a varied menu with ease.
Combi ovens can be an excellent addition to any school kitchen. With their time-saving, energy-efficient, and versatile capabilities, combi ovens can help schools create healthy, consistent, and varied meals for their students.