50 years of RATIONAL combi ovens, with 1.5 million units built.
A double anniversary for the world market leader
In 2026, RATIONAL celebrates two milestones. Fifty years ago, the global market and technology leader in thermal food preparation launched its first combi oven, combining heat and steam in a single unit, fundamentally changing the way professional kitchens operate. Just in time for the anniversary, the 1.5 millionth combi oven rolled off the production line.
A special anniversary unit, which features a golden dial, was handed over to the St. Nikolaus Children’s Hospice in Bad Grönenbach at the beginning of February.
RATIONAL first introduced its combi oven, the CD 101, in 1976 — three years after the company was founded by Siegfried Meister. By combining steam and convection, chefs could roast, bake and steam using a single appliance for the first time. Four years later, the CD 201 followed as the first floor-standing combi oven designed for high-volume professional kitchens.
This innovation laid the foundation for five decades of continuous development.
Milestones include the ClimaPlus Combi (1997), the first combi oven with precise climate control; the SelfCookingCenter (2004), which automatically adjusted cooking settings; and the iCombi Pro (2020), which delivers consistent results at the touch of a button.
The guiding principle behind these developments has always been to maximise customer benefit. ‘Thanks to our high production volumes, we are able to achieve a high degree of automation in manufacturing and assembly and to use technologies that are far from standard in our industry. This ensures that every unit meets the exceptional quality and durability our customers expect,’ says Martin Hermann, Chief Technical Officer at RATIONAL.
Today, RATIONAL holds around 50% global market share, with approximately 180 million meals prepared daily in its appliances. Profit maximization is not the company’s priority; instead, RATIONAL focuses on maximizing customer benefit – a principle firmly rooted in the corporate culture through the “bottleneck-concentrated strategy.”
‘50 years of RATIONAL combi ovens and 1.5 million units are not just figures; they are an expression of the high level of satisfaction and trust that our customers have placed in us worldwide for decades. We’re proud of that. It motivates us to continue prioritising customer benefit in the future.’ says Markus Paschmann, Chief Sales & Marketing Officer at RATIONAL.
In Australia, the milestone year carries additional significance. 2026 also marks 40 years of RATIONAL Australia, celebrating four decades of supporting commercial kitchens across the country. Throughout the year, stories, events and experiences will reflect on the brand’s journey in Australia and the diverse kitchens it continues to serve.
Further information on the 50 Year Anniversary, iCombi Pro, iVario Pro and ConnectedCooking can be found at rational-online.com.
17th March 2026
