How to Clean a Combi Oven | Tips for Commercial Kitchens

What is a commercial combi oven? Combi ovens are favored by all chefs for their all-in-one cooking model, which includes convection, steam, and a combination of both. This makes them one of the most versatile appliances in any modern commercial kitchen.

Considering their extraordinary ability and high frequency of use, keeping your commercial combi oven clean is undoubtedly an important task. Although commercial combi oven units are often equipped with a self-cleaning option, grease, limescale, and food residue can still build up without a proper cleaning and maintenance routine.

In this guide, we will explain how to clean a combi oven step by step and answer common questions about its ventilation, water quality, and troubleshooting.

Complete Step Cleaning Guide

Step 1: Preparation and Safety First

Before starting, you always need to bear in mind: turn off the oven and allow it to cool down completely. This step prevents burns and keeps you safe. Additionally, wear protective gloves and goggles to prevent chemical contact or burns from hot surfaces. Remove all detachable parts, such as trays, racks, probes, and, if applicable, the fan cover. These accessories quickly accumulate oil and residue and should be cleaned separately.

Step 2: Soak and Clean Removable Parts

Place trays, racks, and small accessories into a container of warm water mixed with mild detergent. Soaking helps loosen stubborn grease or food particles. Please remember not to use steel wool or abrasive brushes, as they can scratch stainless steel surfaces. For most of the luxury brands or oven series like the Unox, Rational, or Shinelong oven series, we recommend only non-abrasive cleaning tools to maintain durability.

Step 3: Clean the Interior Surfaces

That is a crucial step: use a soft sponge or microfiber cloth with a food-safe cleaning solution to thoroughly wipe down the inner chamber. Pay more attention to the door seals and glass, as these areas tend to collect grease. For stubborn buildup or limescale, apply a professional combi steam oven cleaner and allow it to sit for a few minutes before wiping it away.

Always remember this rule: never use high-pressure water jets or harsh chemicals, because they can damage the delicate seals and the stainless steel finish inside your commercial combi oven.

Step 4: Run the Self-Cleaning Program

Modern combi ovens come with a built-in automatic wash program. This feature should be used daily as the first line of defense against grease and lime deposits. However, self-cleaning cannot reach corners and door seals, so manual cleaning is still an essential part of the entire process. Combining both, technology plus hand cleaning, ensures your oven stays hygienic and performs efficiently.

Step 5: Rinse, Dry, and Reassemble

Once all surfaces and accessories cleaing are done, rinse them with clean water to remove detergent residues. Detergent traces may impact food flavor or cooking performance if left behind. So don't forget to dry all parts carefully with a soft cloth and leave the oven door slightly open to let the chamber dry naturally. Finally, reassemble the trays, racks, and probes before restoring the power.

Regular Maintenance Guide

Besides a proper cleaning routine, scheduling a maintenance process is also a significant way to help your combi oven stay at high performance. But do you know what maintenance is required on the combi oven?

Manage Water Quality and Descale Regularly

A combi oven relies heavily on water for its steam cycle. Hard water produces limescale, which blocks pipes and damages heating elements. Regular descaling keeps your combi ovens performing much more efficiently.

Inspect and Replace Filters

Air and drainage filters are supposed to be checked frequently. Replacing filters on time is one of the simplest yet greatest ways to care for the oven.

Check Seals, Doors, and Safety Systems

Door gaskets must remain flexible and airtight. A damaged seal can waste energy and compromise cooking consistency.

Ensure Proper Ventilation

Do combi ovens need hoods? Traditionally, yes. But with modern ventless hood types of combi oven, like Shinelong oven series, operators can place ovens in small kitchen spaces while still meeting ventilation standards.

Follow Professional Service Guidelines

Whether it’s a Shinelong kitchen equipment or another brand, always follow service intervals for safety checks and system updates.

Troubleshooting Common Issues with Combi Ovens

Even when you follow the best cleaning practices, a commercial combi oven may still face challenges. Below are common problems operators encounter and how to solve them speedy.

Issue 1: Cleaning Cycle Not Effective

Sometimes the automatic cleaning program finishes, but the chamber still looks greasy. Common reasons include:

• Improper operation: Trays, racks, or pans left inside can block detergent and water flow.

• Wrong cleaning agents: Using non-recommended products or too little detergent prevents grease from breaking down.

• Low cleaning frequency: Running a short cycle after heavy use often fails to remove stubborn buildup.

Solution: Always remove accessories before starting the cycle, use the manufacturer’s approved detergent, and choose the program that matches the oven’s soil level. Following the guidelines provided with your Shinelong oven ensures better results.

Issue 2: Automatic Cleaning System Won’t Start

If the self-cleaning cycle does not begin, start with a basic check:

• Door lock: Make sure the oven door is properly closed and locked, since most combi ovens will not start cleaning for safety reasons.

• Water and drainage: Inspect the inlet valve and drain system to confirm that water can flow freely. If these checks fail, the issue may involve the control board, pump, or lock motor.

At this point, stop using the oven and call an authorized service agent instead of attempting DIY repairs.

Issue 3: Scale Buildup and Rust Spots

Hard water deposits can form scale inside a combi steam oven, reducing steam generation efficiency, raising energy consumption, and in some cases causing visible rust stains on stainless steel. High chloride levels in water make this worse.

Solution: Install a water treatment system such as a softener or filter at the time of oven installation. This prevents scale and prolongs the lifespan of your combi oven commercial equipment. If buildup is already present, use a manufacturer-approved descaler and contact professional service support immediately.