No supervision? Not a problem with safe overnight cooking
After the team has left work for the night, the kitchen continues to operate thanks to overnight cooking. In this process, food is cooked at a low temperature for several hours without any need for supervision. Modern cooking systems such as the iCombi Pro and iVario Pro from RATIONAL ensure outstanding results and maximum safety.
‘The advantages of overnight cooking are clear,’ says Mark Sweeting, General Manager at RATIONAL Australia. ‘Not only is downtime put to optimal use, but staff can also have stews, large roasts or stocks ready for use the next morning, saving valuable time. In addition, electricity costs can be reduced as night tariffs are often cheaper.’
However, some chefs are concerned about leaving food to cook unattended for several hours. What if the quality is not right in the end, if the meat is not cooked through, or if there is a power failure?
‘With modern intelligent technology, these concerns are unfounded,’ reassures Mark. ‘Cooking systems such as the iCombi Pro and iVario Pro from RATIONAL continuously monitor the cooking process and automatically adjust it to the product being cooked.’ As soon as the food is ready, the cooking systems switch to hold mode to prevent overcooking and preserve taste and consistency.
The result the next morning is tender, succulent meat and dishes cooked to perfection.
‘If you would still like to keep an eye on things now and then, you can simply connect to your iCombi Pro or iVario Pro remotely using the ConnectedCooking app to monitor the current cooking process,’ Mark says. If something does not go as planned, the user receives a push notification on their smartphone, for example in the event of temperature fluctuations or a system error. RATIONAL technology can also be relied upon for hygiene safety. All HACCP-relevant data, such as target and actual temperatures and core temperatures, is automatically documented and can be viewed via ConnectedCooking, for example during an inspection.
Incidentally, the iCombi Pro and the iVario Pro have been tested and certified for unattended operation and meet the international requirements for electrical, thermal and mechanical safety.
‘Overnight cooking has numerous advantages, but restaurateurs must be able to rely on their food being cooked safely and to their specifications without supervision. Modern technology provides this safety, enabling efficient working and reducing workload,’ concludes Mark.
Further information on iCombi Pro, iVario Pro and ConnectedCooking can be found at rational-online.com.
6th November 2025
