Whether you're preparing Sunday lunch for a congregation or running a weekly toddler group, your church kitchen needs equipment that’s dependable, flexible, and simple to use. If your cooker is past its best years, or you've been tasked with upgrading a 40-year-old kitchen, you’ve likely come across the term combi oven.
If not, you might be wondering what exactly a combi oven is, and potentially how to choose the right one for your church.
What Is A Combi Oven?
A combi oven is a professional catering appliance that combines three cooking methods in one: convection (hot air), steam, and a combination of both. This gives you:
- Even faster cooking, ideal for roast dinners, baked goods, or large batch meals
- Precise control over temperature and humidity
- Better energy efficiency, helping you make the most of limited budgets
Combi ovens are easy to operate and ideal for teams made up of volunteers, not professional chefs.
Electric Vs Gas: What’s Best For A Church Kitchen?
This often comes down to what’s already in place and what suits your long-term needs.
- Electric combi ovens are simpler to install and ideal if your kitchen doesn't have a gas supply, but bear in mind that many require 3-phase power. They also offer excellent temperature precision and are often the first choice for smaller churches.
- Gas combi ovens tend to heat up faster and may be more cost-effective to run if your church already has a commercial gas connection.
If you're unsure, we’re happy to advise based on your building’s layout and energy usage.
What To Look For In A Combi Oven
When choosing a catering combi oven, here are some key considerations:
1. Capacity
Think about how many people you typically cater for. Some churches only cook for 20–30 at a time. Others might serve 100+ at lunch clubs or seasonal events.
2. Ease Of Use
Look for ovens with pre-programmed settings and simple controls. This makes life easier for volunteers and helps avoid inconsistent cooking results.
3. Cleaning And Hygiene
Many modern combi ovens for commercial use feature automatic cleaning cycles, cutting down on time spent scrubbing and helping to ensure hygiene standards are met, especially if inspected by the local authority.
4. Versatility
A good combi oven can steam vegetables, bake cakes, roast meat, and even hold food at serving temperature, without needing multiple appliances. That’s particularly helpful in small church kitchens with limited spaces.
Trusted Combi Oven Brands For Church Use
At Kitchen Solutions, we only recommend commercial-grade equipment that’s been tried and tested in real community kitchens, including places of worship.
Here are some of the brands we recommend:
- Rational – Known for reliability, the iCombi Classic and iCombi Pro models are ideal for kitchens needing smart functionality and consistent results.
- Convotherm – Intuitive and efficient, the Convotherm 4 series makes light work of batch cooking.
- Unox – Their Cheftop MindMaps Plus series offers excellent energy efficiency and user-friendly controls.
- Lincat – A trusted name in UK kitchens, with models suitable for smaller kitchens or halls.
- Blue Seal – Robust and reliable, with strong aftercare support and a solid track record in demanding environments.
Need Help Deciding?
We understand that buying a catering combi oven for a church isn’t a solo decision. You may need to get several quotes for the committee and balance everyone’s preferences and priorities.
We work with churches across the UK and can provide clear, pressure-free advice, detailed quotations, and layout drawings if needed.
Talk to A Team That Understands Church Kitchens
Whether your current cooker has been condemned or you’re simply looking to futureproof your space, we’re here to help you make the right choice with minimal fuss.
Contact us today for tailored advice and product recommendations, or browse our full range of commercial combi ovens to get a sense of what’s available.
Image source: Canva
