Convection Steam Oven

Came across this a few weeks ago and I'm now obsessed

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=pM1hcaerwnQ

...why? I'm not really sure since I'm renting, and probably can't see myself buying a place and getting on of these for at least a few+ years. Seems like a lot of fun and the advantages for baking breads, the ability to low temp steam a whole chicken and crisping up the skin (like recipe on this site), just seems awesome.

Anyway, just wondering what you guys thought of this. Believe the hype? Any experience with it? How comparable to a pro combi-oven?

Just curious.

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Comments

Matthew_Snyder_68770

It's a smallish capacity (24"), but $3,500 vs fifty thousand dollars for a new combi sounds reasonable. (Provided it works) But I recall the discussion here about the main drawback with combis wasn't the initial cost, but rather all the supporting infrastructure you need to make the thing work.

Brendan_Lee_56950

Yeah, you will have to install the 3-phase power to get it to work in the house from what I hear. Not cheap to do. I have seen combi ovens on ebay for much less than $50k though

Tim_Sutherland_52834

The Rational Combi Model 61E can come as a single phase 240V unit. The larger units are 3 phase. New you should be able to get one for under $10k

Brendan_Lee_56950

Nice, didn't know that about the single phase unit.

klauder.justin

Wouldn't you need a steam hood for the rational and the Wolf? Drain also?

Tim_Sutherland_52834

@Just, from my reading and understanding Gaggenau are the only manufacturer of residential plumbed steam ovens. All the other brands have water tanks that you fill before each use. The plumbed Gaggenau is the only unit that requires a drain. The Rational is a commercial unit that people put in their residential homes. As is the case with using commercial equipment in your home, the equipment usually has no warrenty; service staff will not repair the unit at your home, and you may need a rider on your home insurance policy.

The manufacturers of residential steam ovens do not require a ventilation hood. The residential kitchen ventilation requirements are erratic and illogical here in the US. The Rational has as an accessory a condensing hood that sits on top of the unit to capture the steam. Having used commercial combi ovens you need to have a hood when using them.

The forums on GardenWeb.com have many discussions on steam oven use in residential homes in the Appliance and Kitchen sections. The search function on the site sucks so use your search engine of choice with; "steam oven" site:http://ths.gardenweb.com/forums/

ttpoker

try this for a very affordable option for home cooking - http://www.cuisinart.com/products/toaster_ovens/cso-300.html

Leland_16721

We have the Rational Self Cooking Center, model 61. Amazing and well worth the expense if you enjoy cooking. We use the built-in oven that came with the place as storage. It is not the most beautiful piece of equipment I've ever seen. It does out-perform my humble skill set. We purchased the sous vide option and use it frequently. We did buy their good and stand. It requires a drain. When we first installed it we spent a few evenings watching it work. I especially like the self-cleaning ability. My wife is saving her allowance to buy a second one!