How to maintain a Rational combi oven
A Rational combi often does more work than any other machine in the kitchen. Knowing how to maintain a Rational combi oven day to day keeps it cooking well and cuts down on breakdowns. This guide covers simple, safe care your team can do, what to leave to a technician, and when to book a service. It's general advice. Your Rational operator manual is always the final word for your model.
Start with the operator manual
Every Rational model has its own operator manual. It sets out the cleaning programmes, the products to use and the schedule for water filtration and descaling. Keep it somewhere your team can find it, and make sure anyone using the oven knows the basics. If you've lost the manual, check with Rational or ask us when we're next on site.
Daily care
Run the automatic cleaning cycle. Your Rational has an automatic cleaning system. Use it as the manufacturer's instructions describe, choose the programme the manual recommends for how dirty the oven is, and use only the cleaning products the manufacturer specifies. Let the cycle finish. Stopping it early can leave cleaning product behind.
Keep an eye on the display. If a service message or error comes up, don't just clear it and carry on. Note it down, take a photo of the display and check the manual. If it keeps coming back, call us.
Wipe down the outside. Clean the outside of the oven, the door glass and the control panel as the manual describes. Don't hose the oven down or spray water into vents.
Look after the core probe. Clean it after use as the manual describes, and check the cable isn't kinked or damaged.
Weekly checks
Check the door seal. With the oven cool, look over the door seal. You're looking for cracks, tears, flat spots, or a seal that has hardened or isn't sitting properly. Don't pull it out to check it. If it looks worn, or the door isn't closing firmly, book a service.
Look around and under the oven. Water pooling under the oven, drips from the door, or damp around the connections all need checking by a technician.
Keep the area clear. Don't store trays, cloths or containers on top of or against the oven where they could block air flow. Follow the clearances in the manual.
Water filtration and descaling
Water quality makes a big difference to a combi. Scale builds up from making steam, and hard water speeds that up. Keep any water filtration and descaling to the manufacturer's schedule in the operator manual. Write down when filters were changed so you know when the next one is due. If the oven prompts you about descaling or water, follow the manual or give us a call.
What not to do
- Don't remove panels. Inside are electrical parts, and on gas models, gas parts. Leave those to a registered technician.
- Don't use unapproved cleaning products. Only use what the manufacturer specifies.
- Don't ignore repeat warnings. A message that keeps coming back usually means something needs attention.
- Don't keep running a faulty oven. If it isn't heating, steaming or cleaning properly, stop and call us.
Signs it's time to call a technician
- The oven isn't heating, or is slow to heat.
- Steam output is weak or missing.
- The cleaning cycle won't run or doesn't finish.
- Water is leaking from the door or underneath.
- The door seal is damaged, or the door won't close firmly.
- The same service message keeps appearing.
When you call, have the model and serial number from the rating plate, and a photo of any message on the display.
How to maintain a Rational combi oven long term: regular servicing
Daily care keeps the oven clean. A regular service keeps it healthy. CES Wellington are service agents for Rational, and our technicians are trained on the brands we service, so gas and electric models are both covered.
We offer planned maintenance. Every 4 months or six-monthly is ideal, and if you trade 7 days a week or run early to late, quarterly visits may suit your oven better. You get a service report for each oven, with gas or electrical certification as required. We use thermal imaging as a preventive check, and any additional work we find is quoted first. Our work is covered by a 90-day parts and labour warranty. See Rational combi ovens for repairs and descaling.
If your Rational breaks down, we offer same-day response, and emergency response within 2 hours, with 7-day cover and after-hours emergency cover.
FAQ
Can we skip the automatic clean on a busy day?
Check your operator manual for what it recommends for your model. Skipping cleans lets grease and residue build up, which can affect cooking and lead to faults.
How often should a Rational be descaled?
Follow the schedule in your Rational operator manual. Water hardness and how much steam you use both make a difference. We can look at it on a service visit.
Can our staff replace a worn door seal?
Check the operator manual first. If you're not sure, or the door isn't sealing properly, call us and our technicians will sort it.
What happens on a Rational service visit?
Our technicians check the oven over, test it, and give you a service report, with gas or electrical certification as required. Any additional work is quoted before it goes ahead.
Book a Rational service
Is your Rational due for a check, or showing signs of trouble? Call 0800 90 60 30 or email service@cesw.co.nz to book a job. We cover Greater Wellington, the Wairarapa, the Kāpiti Coast, Palmerston North and Pahiatua. Wairarapa jobs are covered by our technicians based in the Wairarapa, with same-day response and emergency response within 2 hours. More on each area is on our areas page.