When it comes to school catering, time, precision and nutrition are all top priorities. Whether you’re cooking for a small primary school or a bustling secondary school canteen, feeding hundreds of hungry students every day demands efficient, reliable equipment that won’t let you down. That’s where School Catering Equipment comes in.
At School Catering Equipment, we specialise in supplying high-quality, professional kitchen equipment specifically designed for educational environments. With years of experience, we understand the unique needs of school caterers and facility managers. From robust refrigeration to versatile ovens, our mission is to make your job easier and your kitchen smarter.
In this blog post, we’ll explore one of the most revolutionary pieces of kitchen equipment in modern catering — the Combination Oven. We’ll look at what it is, how it works, why it’s ideal for school kitchens, and how you can find the perfect model for your needs. If you’re ready to cook smarter, not harder — read on!
What is a combination oven?
Also known as Combi Ovens or Combi Steamers, combination ovens are a powerhouse in professional kitchens. They combine convection heat, steam, or a combination of both to give chefs unparalleled control over the cooking process.
In simple terms, a combination oven gives you three cooking modes in one appliance:
- Convection Cooking – for dry heat baking, roasting, and browning.
- Steam Cooking – for moisture-rich cooking, perfect for vegetables, fish, and rice.
- Combination Cooking – using both steam and convection for precision and speed.
These ovens are built to handle the pressure of high-volume cooking without compromising on quality, consistency, or speed — ideal for the school kitchen environment.
What can a combination oven be used for?
Versatility is where combination ovens truly shine. Here’s just a taste of what they can do:
Baking: From fluffy bread rolls to flaky pastries, combination ovens ensure uniform results. The consistent internal heat distribution makes them perfect for producing batch after batch of identical baked goods, reducing waste and maximising output.
Roasting: Perfectly roasted joints of meat, crispy on the outside, juicy on the inside. The moisture control prevents meats from drying out, resulting in succulent dishes with minimal shrinkage — ideal for cost-conscious school catering.
Steaming: Lock in nutrients in vegetables, fish, rice, and more. Steaming helps preserve natural colours, flavours, and vitamins, making it easier to meet nutritional guidelines without compromising on taste.
Regeneration: Reheat pre-cooked meals evenly, without drying out. This feature is especially valuable for schools that prepare meals in advance or receive cooked food from central kitchens.
Slow Cooking: For tender meats and stews packed with flavour. Cooking at lower temperatures over longer periods ensures deep flavour development and makes use of more economical cuts of meat.
Proofing Dough: Maintain ideal temperature and humidity levels. This ensures consistent rise and texture in baked goods, which is crucial for achieving professional-quality results in breads and pastries.
It’s no wonder combi ovens are now a staple in many commercial kitchens — and they’re becoming increasingly essential in schools too.
The Benefits of Combination Ovens for Schools
When you’re cooking for large numbers of children, you need equipment that’s dependable, flexible, and efficient. Combination ovens tick every box, helping school caterers deliver healthy, appealing meals while keeping service running like clockwork. These clever machines offer a powerful combination of performance, consistency, and practicality that’s hard to beat in a school environment.
- Improved Efficiency
One oven, multiple functions. Combi ovens save time and reduce the need for multiple pieces of equipment. You can bake, steam, and roast all from a single appliance — even at the same time with multi-rack functionality. This simplifies workflow in the kitchen and reduces bottlenecks during peak service times. Staff can focus on quality rather than juggling between different machines.
- Healthier School Meals
Steaming helps retain nutrients in vegetables and proteins. Combination cooking reduces the need for fats and oils, allowing schools to deliver healthier meals that still taste great. This is a huge plus for meeting school food standards and encouraging healthy eating habits. Meals prepared in a combi oven often have better texture and appearance, making them more appealing to children.
- Consistent Cooking Results
Precision is key, especially when cooking at scale. Combi ovens offer consistent temperature and humidity control, ensuring even results from the first tray to the last. This level of control removes the guesswork and helps avoid undercooked or overcooked portions. Whether it’s day one or day one hundred, you’ll get the same reliable outcome every time.
- Energy Efficiency
By replacing multiple traditional appliances with a single combi oven, schools can reduce energy consumption and carbon footprint — a huge win for sustainability and long-term cost savings. Less energy use means lower utility bills and a more environmentally friendly kitchen. Many models are built with eco-conscious features such as heat recovery and intelligent energy distribution.
- Time-Saving Programming
Pre-programmed settings and memory functions allow kitchen staff to repeat cooking tasks with minimal input, saving time and reducing room for error. This is particularly useful for schools with rotating menus or dietary needs. You can easily replicate dishes with consistency, regardless of who’s operating the oven.
- Space Saving
Combi ovens reduce clutter by combining several cooking methods in one compact footprint — ideal for smaller school kitchens where space is at a premium. Freeing up space also means more room for safe movement, preparation areas, or storage. Some slimline models are designed specifically with tight educational environments in mind.
- High Volume Cooking
Need to serve hundreds of meals in a short window? Combi ovens let you prepare large quantities quickly without compromising quality. You can load multiple trays at once, often cooking different items simultaneously with no flavour transfer. This means faster service, fewer delays, and more satisfied students and staff.
- Safety & Hygiene
Many combi ovens come with self-cleaning systems, reducing cleaning time and ensuring high hygiene standards. Integrated wash systems help meet HACCP compliance standards with ease. Less manual cleaning also lowers the risk of staff injuries and exposure to harsh chemicals. With a cleaner oven, you also maintain better cooking performance and food safety.
- Adaptability to Menus
From veggie lasagnas and roast dinners to custard and steamed puddings, combi ovens can handle every part of a diverse school menu with ease. The ability to switch cooking modes makes it easy to cater for meat-free days, allergens, and dietary restrictions. This flexibility is essential for schools serving pupils from a variety of cultural and nutritional backgrounds.
- Future-Proof Your Kitchen
With more schools moving toward sustainable, efficient cooking, investing in a combi oven positions your kitchen for future needs and growing student numbers. Combi ovens are built to last, with technology that keeps pace with evolving kitchen requirements. They’re a smart long-term investment for schools planning ahead.
In short, combination ovens not only streamline your cooking process — they elevate it. For schools aiming to deliver nutritious meals on time, every time, a combi oven is an absolute game-changer.
They simplify operations, boost food quality, and support the broader goals of health, safety and sustainability. When you cook smarter, your whole school benefits — from the kitchen staff to the students on the other side of the counter.
Things to Consider…
Before you invest in a combination oven for your school, here are a few things to keep in mind:
- Capacity: Think about the number of meals you prepare daily. Choose a model with the right number of racks to handle your service requirements.
- Dimensions: Measure your kitchen space. Some models are slimline, ideal for tighter areas.
- Power Supply: Electric or gas? Most schools opt for electric due to ease of installation and safety.
- Cleaning System: Many combi ovens come with integrated wash systems, making maintenance easy and hygienic.
- User Interface: Look for touchscreen controls or programmable settings that simplify operation for your team.
- Budget: Combi ovens range in price. Remember, you’re investing in long-term efficiency, not just a one-off appliance.
- Warranty and Support: Always buy from a reputable supplier like School Catering Equipment who offer after-sales support and advice.
Combination Ovens with School Catering Equipment
At School Catering Equipment, we offer a handpicked selection of high-performance combi ovens trusted by schools nationwide. Here are some top models to consider:
Giorik Kore KM101W Slimline Electric Combi Oven with Wash System
- Slimline 10 x 1/1GN capacity
- Integrated wash system
- Ideal for schools short on space but high on demand
Giorik MovAir MTE10XW-L Bake-Off Oven
- Designed for large batch baking
- 10 rack capacity
- Fully automatic wash system
Rational CombiMaster Plus Electric 10 Grid
- Legendary German engineering
- Perfect for consistent, high-quality output
Rational SelfCookingCentre Range
- Multiple sizes available: 6-grid, 10-grid, or extra-small
- Self-cooking intelligence adjusts to your menu
- Compact countertop option available for smaller schools
In Conclusion: The Smarter Way Forward for School Kitchens
In today’s fast-paced, high-pressure school kitchens, efficiency is everything. A combination oven helps your catering team work smarter, not harder — delivering nutritious, high-quality meals on time, every time. It’s a piece of equipment that doesn’t just meet the demands of modern school catering — it transforms them into opportunities.
From streamlining your cooking processes to improving food quality and reducing energy costs, the benefits are undeniable. Whether you’re serving up meat-free Mondays, hearty roast dinners, or allergy-sensitive menus, combi ovens give your kitchen the flexibility to adapt and thrive. They empower catering teams to keep pace with changing dietary needs and tighter budgets, all without sacrificing flavour or consistency.
Ready to take your school kitchen to the next level? At School Catering Equipment, we’re here to help you choose the right combi oven and get the best from it. Our expert team is on hand to advise on models, installation, and maintenance — so you can focus on what matters: feeding the future. With industry knowledge, tailored guidance, and top-tier equipment, we’re the trusted partner for school kitchens across the UK.
FAQs
- What is a combination oven used for in schools?
It’s used to cook a wide variety of meals using steam, convection, or both — ideal for large-scale, consistent cooking.
- Are combination ovens safe for use in schools?
Yes. Modern models are designed with safety features, including auto shut-off, insulated doors, and easy-to-clean systems.
- How much space do I need for a combi oven?
That depends on the model. Slimline and countertop versions are available for smaller kitchens.
- Can combi ovens help with healthy eating initiatives?
Absolutely. Steaming preserves nutrients, and less oil is required for roasting and frying, supporting healthier school menus.
- Do combination ovens require a water supply?
Yes, for the steam function and self-cleaning systems, a water connection is required.
- What’s the maintenance like on a combi oven?
Many models feature automatic cleaning cycles, making daily maintenance simple and hygienic.
- Are combi ovens programmable?
Yes, most have programmable controls, allowing staff to set and save recipes for ease and speed.
- What brands of combi ovens do you recommend?
We stock trusted names like Rational and Giorik, both highly rated for reliability and performance in educational settings.
- Can a combi oven replace other equipment?
Yes — it can often replace separate steamers, ovens, and grills, saving space and energy.
Cook Smarter Today — The Future of School Kitchens Starts Here
If you’re looking to future-proof your kitchen with a reliable, versatile, and high-performance solution, a combination oven is the investment you won’t regret. Browse our full range of combination ovens today!