Was dead set against combo ovens until I actually used one for a month straight

I've been cooking on gas ranges for like 15 years and always thought those fancy steam combo ovens were just overpriced gadgets for rich home cooks. Then the restaurant I work at in Portland got a Rational iCombi last month and I had to use it for service. Honestly I was pissed at first because it felt like cheating but after a few weeks I noticed how much faster my prep got and how consistent the temps were. The real test was when we did a busy Friday night and I could throw in sheet pans of pork chops that came out perfect every time without babysitting. I still prefer my cast iron for searing but I gotta admit I was wrong about these machines. Anyone else have a piece of equipment they hated until they worked with it?

2 comments

2 Comments

smith.ray1mo ago

You try telling my buddy Marcus that a combo oven isn't worth it? He called them "cheater ovens" for years until his pastry shop got one and now he won't shut up about how his croissants come out perfect every time.

adam_nguyen71mo ago

Ha, that sounds exactly like Marcus. Funny how a piece of equipment can flip someone's whole perspective like that. So did he actually admit he was wrong about combo ovens, or is he still making excuses and just saying "well, this one is different"? I'm curious if he changed his opinion on the baking method itself, or if he just found a machine that makes his life easier without changing his technique. Sometimes people swear by the "old way" until they get a tool that does the same job with less hassle.