The NAFEM Show 2025 attendees visiting RATIONAL USA’s booth witnessed the company’s latest innovation, iHexagon, which combines its combi-steamer technology with microwave capabilities.
“We presented iHexagon this year in an arena-style setting, showcasing the equipment’s range of applications from production to grab-and-go to fresh a la carte settings,” says David Johnivin, corporate chef for iHexagon. “This system can be used for a wide range of applications, from cooking Rueben sandwiches in under three minutes, to preparing cheeseburgers in their container and making pork medallions using a core temperature probe simultaneously due to our cooking intelligence program, iProductionManager.”
iHexagon’s all new climate management system iClimateBoost utilizes six variables in producing high-quality results in the shortest period of time: steam, heat, microwave, time, fan speed and, of course, the food being prepared.
“iHexagon utilizes RATIONAL’s intelligent cooking programs, now combined with microwave capabilities, throughout the entire cooking cabinet,” Johnivin explains. “Along with the ability to cook items to a specific core temperature using our core temperature probe, operators can expect 30%-time savings when compared to RATIONAL’s iCombi Pro.”
Here, Johnivin provides more details on the new iHexagon cooking system and how it can change the cook line conversation.
What are the benefits of iHexagon for foodservice operators?
David Johnivin: Operators can expect the highest quality food in the shortest possible cooking time. At RATIONAL, quality is our main goal. Operators can also expect time and labor savings. iHexagon offers a greater cost of goods savings combined with waste savings from streamlined prep processes. iHexagon has a similar user interface as our iCombi Pro and iVario Pro. This means that training for iHexagon is fast and seamless.
What issues will iHexagon solve for foodservice operations?
DJ: iHexagon will allow operators to think about service from a new vantage point. With iHexagon, it’s now possible to cook fresh food in real time, which reduces the need for batch cooking and hot holding. For the operator, this can equate to the elimination of now unnecessary conventional equipment in the operation. In addition, shrinkage and waste are greatly reduced. iHexagon also gives operators the option to add menu items that were previously not feasible to prepare within their operation.
What type of foodservice operators will benefit from iHexagon?
DJ: Any operator needing greater throughput without sacrificing quality will benefit from iHexagon and our new technology. From large-scale production applications, national chain operators, convenience and kiosks, to the independent restaurant, it is a great solution for any operation needing speed without sacrificing the quality of the product.
RATIONAL also unveiled the new iCareSystem AutoDose at The NAFEM Show. What is it and how does it work?
DJ: iCareSystem AutoDose is our new autonomous cleaning system. Users can now load our Care and Cleaning chemicals in cartridge form directly into their cooking systems where the chemicals are stored for dozens of cleaning cycles. Depending on what cleaning program is selected, AutoDose will then take the exact dosage of chemical required. For operators, this means greater cost savings on chemicals; employees no longer have to handle chemicals daily and, best of all, this system ensures that the unit is being properly cleaned and maintained.
Talk about the importance and benefits of the iCareSystem AutoDose to restaurant operators.
DJ: With our iCareSystem AutoDose, employees have limited interaction with chemicals since these are now stored directly in the cooking system. Users can create automatic cleaning programs to ensure their units are being properly cleaned and maintained. Users can also predefine a cleaning schedule that best fits their operation and monitor the cleaning status of from our cloud-based platform ConnectedCooking, as well. Automated cleaning overnight will be a new standard.
