Rational Combi Ovens

[rotuts]

@MikeMac 

 

I went back and sawyer installation.

 

congratulations.

Edited June 15, 2023 by rotuts (log)

[paulraphael]

On 6/15/2023 at 12:36 PM, MikeMac said:

Update:

The Rational has been the single most reliable piece of kitchen equipment I’ve ever owned. We’ve been using it almost daily for quite a few years we’ve had to replace the door gasket, which was easy and our only other expense has been rational brand cleaning tablets.

 

That's great to hear. The surprising part is that they support home installations at all. Most commercial equipment companies won't even talk to you. They specifically say non-commercial use voids any warranties, and the installers don't want to have anything to do with it. Is Rational unusual in this respect, or are things different in the US and Canada?

 

I'm having a hell of a time finding a range hood that works ... there are no domestic hoods that work even a fraction as well as commercial ones. But the commercial hood installers won't return my calls. 

[gfweb]

1 hour ago, paulraphael said:

 

That's great to hear. The surprising part is that they support home installations at all. Most commercial equipment companies won't even talk to you. They specifically say non-commercial use voids any warranties, and the installers don't want to have anything to do with it. Is Rational unusual in this respect, or are things different in the US and Canada?

 

I'm having a hell of a time finding a range hood that works ... there are no domestic hoods that work even a fraction as well as commercial ones. But the commercial hood installers won't return my calls. 

 

I have a Vent-a-hood that is great. I've no idea about a comparison to commercial hoods, but mine really sucks!

[MikeMac]

Update:

The Rational has been the single most reliable piece of kitchen equipment I’ve ever owned. We’ve been using it almost daily for quite a few years we’ve had to replace the door gasket, which was easy and our only other expense has been rational brand cleaning tablets.

 

The Rational people that I have dealt with here in Canada have been amazing they don’t care when the last time I bought anything was they just want to make sure that I am happy and answer my at sometimes simplistic questions.

 

I compare this with some of my friends that have installed high-end residential equipment for the same or more money they’ve had more service and less support I am extremely happy with this purchase.

 

With our aging taste buds and digestion systems we are getting more into steaming and simpler seafood.  Of course, the rational has us covered and delivers an excellent product. 

 

Sooner or later, we’re going to have to downsize one of my requirements in the new place is making sure I can get one of these ovens in maybe a bit smaller I think the deciding factor will be the electrical service available 

[rotuts]

there are smaller Rational ovens

 

 

240 V  single phase 

 

https://www.webstaurantstore.com/rational-icombi-pro-6-pan-half-size-electric-combi-oven-208-240v-1-phase/645ICP61H.html

 

probably these days , 20 K after installation and hood that meets code.

 

well worth it id say .

Edited June 18, 2023 by rotuts (log)

[MikeMac]

I had a top of the line Gaggenau  oven before the Rational it was pathetic I had issues with the oven the support was through their dealership program was non existent big bills and inexperienced very expensive technicians that did not carry parts and blamed Germany for everything waited months for parts that were wrong best thing I ever did was admit defeat and tear it out horrible experience all round.

 

Rational on the other hand has real direct employees always willing to support their service companies, when I changed out the door gasket their were  multiple local dealerships that stocked parts allowing completive quotes.   I only use the Rational brand cleaning and descaling products in the oven again same thing locally available from multiple sources at what I consider to be very reasonable prices.

 

Similar experience with CaptiveAire the venting company exhaust fan is mounted horizontally and has vibration dampeners that wore out they diagnosed what was wrong over the phone recommend a local dealer parts were cheap quickly shipped and cost effectively installed.  Plus the CaptiveAire hood and ventilation system was CHEAPER than the high end residential offered and I like the simple stainless look much better matched the Rational.

 

Yes takes a bit more room and you need to follow commercial clearances - we completely lined the oven cavity with stainless to pass same cost as high end tile and again has stood the test of time.

 

 

[Susanwusan]

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I used to use the blue and red tablets for cleaning the Self-cooking Center - red in side "basket", blue in drawer.  A rep a year or so ago told us that they now had all in one tablets.  We bought them this week, tried them in the basket, then in the drawer, but the oven didn't clean.  Any helpful advice would be appreciated.

[MikeMac]

Some type of misunderstanding between you and the rep there’s definitely two tablets involved one descales  the steam generator and one cleans the oven.   I only hope you haven’t seriously damaged your oven.

 

The users manual is really clear about this.  You can always phone Rational directly - you will get pretty knowledgable people to make sure you get the right advice copy down  your oven’s serial number before calling..

 

 

[Susanwusan]

Eek - me too!  I've since used the no tab rinse and the blue tab rinse cycles only, until we get the red tabs.  The Rational advisor I contacted said to just keep using the original blue and red tabs until programming was sorted and confirmed that green tabs to be used with the "all-in-one" tabs.  Unfortunately, oven was installed back in 2017 when none of us were around and manual not to be found.

[Susanwusan]

A rep came and sorted it all out, the blue ones to be used with the supposedly all-in-one greeny yellowy wrapped ones.

[MikeMac]

Susanwusan :  Great to hear you are all sorted out.  You can certainly download the correct manual from the Rational website and some day you are really hungry attend one of Rational’s demo/cooking class. 
 

Amazing food and you will learn a lot.