Rational creates new swift cooking equipment category

Professional cooking appliance specialist Rational is combining steam, hot air and microwave technology in an industry first for its latest launch, the iHexagon.

The three heating methods intelligently interact to enable the highest food quality in the shortest possible period, evenly across all racks in the 6-1/1 unit, according to the manufacturer.

A key feature of iHexagon is the iClimateBoost cooking assistant, designed to optimally adjust steam, convection and microwave heat to the respective food.

Aimed at venues where both food quality and speed are a focus, the new appliance is also geared towards standardised dishes and processes, as it uses Rational’s ConnectedCooking digital kitchen management system.

For example, MyDisplay, which shows the most important functions individually, can be set up via ConnectedCooking and distributed to all cooking systems, enabling operation at the touch of a button – particularly useful in kitchens with lower skilled staff.

The iHexagon concept is rounded off by autonomous cleaning with iCareSystem AutoDose. Cleaner and care cartridges are integrated into the cooking system and therefore securely contained. There is no contact with chemicals, and incorrect dosing is prevented.

Markus Paschmann, chief sales and marketing officer at Rational, noted that chefs can use the equipment to achieve consistent results across all levels within the oven, and can simultaneously cook various food types.

He detailed: “Despite our culinary expertise in the market, achieving this milestone presented a formidable challenge for us.

“We weren't satisfied with the quality of the food at the beginning. But our product developers quickly found the solution: the microwave has been set against the most potent heating power that Rational has ever developed. This has restored the balance of power. Together with the fresh steam, the two types of energy are intelligently controlled to produce succulent food with the desired browning and rich roasted flavours.”

The iHexagon is now available in Germany, the UK and the USA, with other countries to follow.

After introducing the combi-steamer and the iVario multifunctional cooker, this marks the third instance in Rational’s history where it has pioneered a new product category.