In the foodservice industry, food safety and hygiene have remained the focus in the back of house. For this reason, regular and thorough equipment cleaning is crucial for all operations, no matter the size or type.
Yet, keeping to a schedule can be a challenge due to labor shortages, training inconsistencies and high staff turnover. With combi ovens, in particular, frequent cleaning is needed to protect this big investment and avoid scale issues, which is crucial for a long service life.
In 2004, like other manufacturers, RATIONAL USA’s combis were dependent on liquid chemicals, but these included cumbersome hoses and required constant refilling. After switching to a solid based solution, the company created easy to use and less burdensome cleaning tablets in 2004. In 2008, the company introduced CareControl, an acid based tablet for automatic descaling of the steam generator, which received an NRA Kitchen Innovations Award in 2009.
“When used correctly, the tablets were simple and allowed for overnight cleaning to help with labor challenges,” says Jim Lund, director product design & consultant resources for RATIONAL USA. “However, feedback from our retail and large chain customers revealed that they didn’t want staff handling these chemicals, even with gloves.”
This led to the development of RATIONAL’s innovative, state of the art iCareSystem AutoDose in 2023, which is available as an option with the company’s iCombi Pro tabletop units and comes standard with the iHexagon combi line.
Here, Lund discusses what iCareSystem AutoDose is, how it works and the benefits to RATIONAL combi users.
How does the iCareSystem AutoDose system work?
Jim Lund: With the iCareSystem AutoDose cartridges, operators now have the option of starting cleaning autonomously without the involvement of staff, if desired. Cleaning cycles can be easily programmed either at a specified time, such as after closing, or during the daily schedule.
With this two-step process, the active green cartridge washes, rinses and flushes the oven interior and then the blue cartridge, or care system, descales the inside of the cabinet. This system utilizes the same solid chemicals as the traditional liquid chemicals and tablets but the space saving, convenient cartridges are self-contained and fit within four slots at the combi’s base.
Cleaner and care products are securely stored in the cooking system in solid form cartridges, enabling dozens of cleaning cycles to occur without users having to interact with the unit: totally autonomous cleaning, either at the push of a button or according to a cleaning schedule.
Does this cleaning system work on heavily and lightly soiled combi interiors?
JL: The system is fully automatic and well informed, recognizing the cabinet’s cleaning and descaling needs. Whether it’s a school that can go a month between cartridge changes or a hotel casino that requires more frequent oven cleaning, the iCareSystem AutoDose system provides light, medium or strong settings. Operators can choose from standard cleanings or reduce chemical consumption with the echo cleaning feature. Because the cleaning agent is integrated in the cooking system, cleaner and care agents do not have to be dosed for every cleaning process. This increases work safety, saving time and guaranteeing proper HACCP hygiene. Automated cleaning also saves maintenance checks as well as costs and ensures reliable combi oven operation.
How do the iCareSystem AutoDose alerts work?
JL: The iCombi Pro keeps the user up to date and alerts users if a specified residual quantity of cleaner or care chemicals is low or if urgent cleaning is required. This customizes the cleaning process and optimizes the amount of chemicals being used in each cleaning cycle. Two green and two blue cartridges are loaded at one time, so if one cartridge empties, the other is automatically activated. Users are notified on remaining available cleans; cleaning and care status; cartridge chemical levels; and the required cartridge change. This provides foolproof operation.
What are the programming options with this system?
JL: Operators can clean according to their schedule, whether it’s after use, on a fixed timetable or with a forced compulsory cleaning program. iCareSystem AutoDose provides autonomous cleaning with or without switching off remote access via ConnectedCooking. The essential functions and information, such as the filling status of the cartridges, are also displayed in ConnectedCooking in the unit management. With the ConnectedCooking editor, cleaning programs can be created from any location and rolled out to the iCombi Pro with iCareSystem AutoDose. In addition, upcoming cartridge changes are also displayed in ConnectedCooking, which notifies users via a push function so that cleaning and care products can be ordered in advance. This cloud connected system allows operators to manage assets, push out recipes, view HACCP information and monitor chemical usage. It also shows when cartridges were last replaced and ensures these are empty prior to replacement. In addition, the system recognizes if cooking is in progress, preventing the cleaning cycle from occurring.
What are the biggest benefits to users of RATIONAL’s iCareSystem AutoDose?
JL: The cartridges have a solid cleaner, so there are no leaks or spills, with all chemicals safely stored inside the cooking system. There is no contact with harsh chemicals or extra time needed for manual refilling. Users are notified automatically when cartridges need replacing, and the optimum cleaning solution quantity is dispensed every time. In addition, the cooking system’s sensors detect exactly how much cleaner or descaler is required. Plus, there are no longer refill chemicals taking up valuable storage space or worry about detergent supplies, cleaning schedules and hygiene. And, with iCareSystem AutoDose, RATIONAL has doubled the warranty, since this system extends the combi service life.
Talk about the sustainability benefits of iCareSystem AutoDose.
JL: iCareSystem AutoDose is a more sustainable solution. We decreased the amount of packaging compared to our cleaning tablets. Both the cartridge and lid are made of 100% recyclable PP (polypropylene). In addition to always using the optimum amount of chemicals, this system’s packaging has 80% less volume and produces 50% less plastic waste than conventional cleaner tablet solutions.
