Oven for restaurants: how to choose the best one for your business

Choosing the best oven for your restaurant isn’t just a technical decision, it’s a strategic one. A commercial oven is the heart of any professional kitchen, and upgrading to the right model can dramatically enhance food quality, service speed, energy efficiency, and overall team performance. So, what are the key features to look for when selecting the best oven for your restaurant? Let’s break down the essential:

• Menu flexibility and adaptability

Your restaurant oven should be able to evolve with your menu. Whether you’re serving à la carte, offering seasonal specials, or managing full-service catering, choose a model versatile enough to handle changing production needs and a variety of cooking techniques.

• Consistent cooking results

A high-performance commercial restaurant oven must ensure uniform, repeatable outcomes, from golden crusts to juicy interiors, with no risk of overcooking or undercooking, through a precise control of every cooking parameter in the chamber.

• Ease of use and automation

Features like programmable recipes, automated humidity control, and guided cooking workflows help reduce food waste and increase reliability. With intuitive touchscreen interfaces, storable programs, and intelligent features, even less experienced staff can use them with confidence, cutting down on training time and minimizing human error.

• Fast service and workflow optimization

The right oven speeds up service. By reducing cooking times and allowing simultaneous cooking processes, it helps you increase throughput while maintaining quality, a crucial asset in fast-paced kitchens.

• Space optimization

Especially in smaller restaurant kitchens, multifunctional ovens can replace multiple pieces of equipment. Many models offer vertical stacking options, making the most of limited space without compromising performance.

• Energy efficiency

Choose ovens with energy efficiency certifications to cut utility costs and reduce your business’s environmental impact. Some of the most advanced restaurant ovens even feature smart, automatic functions that optimize water and energy consumption, helping to minimize staff errors. Did you know that?

• Easy cleaning and hygiene management

Opt for professional ovens with automatic washing cycles, smooth stainless-steel interiors, and other features which allow to maintain top hygiene standards with minimal effort and reduce the need of additional maintenance.

• Smart connectivity and remote control

Modern kitchens rely on connected equipment to streamline operations, reduce waste, and fully leverage digital technologies. Connected ovens allow you to monitor cycles, share recipes in real time, access valuable data on oven usage and waste, and track HACCP records from any device. These smart features keep your kitchen efficient, coordinated, and compliant.

• Durability, maintenance, and long-term support

A restaurant oven is a long-term investment. Prioritize models built from robust, high-grade materials, supported by preventive maintenance programs, remote assistance, and a responsive customer service team.

This overview covers the key features you should consider when choosing a commercial oven for your restaurant. Among all the points mentioned, energy efficiency is often one of the most decisive factors and it naturally leads to one of the most frequently asked questions: should you choose a gas or electric commercial oven? Let’s take a closer look at how to make the best decision for your restaurant.

For restaurant owners, the choice between a gas or electric commercial oven has a direct impact on cooking performance, energy efficiency, and the overall kitchen setup. Gas ovens have traditionally been praised for their responsiveness and rapid heat-up times. However, it’s time to debunk the myth that gas is inherently better.

Thanks to technological advances, today’s commercial electric ovens can match, and often surpass, the performance of gas models. They offer faster, more precise heat distribution and ensure more consistent cooking results across the board. This improved precision translates into better control, more uniform outcomes, and fewer cooking errors.

Beyond performance, electric ovens are also becoming the most sustainable and future-ready choice especially for restaurants aiming to reduce emissions or transition to renewable energy sources. However, this decision should also take into account local energy costs: in some countries, gas may still be the preferred option due to the high price of electricity.

To help restaurant owners make informed decisions, Unox offers a Consumption Calculator that compares real energy use and operational costs based on your daily routine and local utility rates. In most scenarios, the most energy-efficient and cost-effective choice will be one of over 50 Unox ENERGY STAR® certified commercial ovens, a government-backed certification that guarantees superior energy performance.

There’s no one-size-fits-all answer when it comes to how many commercial ovens a restaurant needs, it all depends on your service volume, workflow, and menu variety. A compact kitchen serving fewer than 100 covers per service may run perfectly with just one medium-sized combi oven. But when your operation involves high volumes, multiple simultaneous cooking processes, or frequent menu changes, like seasonal updates or event catering, then adding a second oven or using a stacked configuration can help maintain speed and precision.

The key is to match your equipment to your restaurant kitchen’s real pace: the more diverse and dynamic your cooking needs, the more useful it becomes to split tasks across ovens. And in high-pressure environments, the right setup not only improves output but helps your team stay organized and reduce service delays. Just remember, more ovens aren’t always better. What matters is having the right setup that supports your workflow while making the most of your available space.

One of the most frequent questions restaurant owners ask is: “How much space does a commercial oven actually take?” The answer depends on the type and capacity of the oven, but in general, commercial ovens range from 60 to 120 cm in width, with depth and height also varying depending on the model and features. For small kitchens, compact commercial ovens are the ideal solution, they can fit in spaces as narrow as 60 cm and still deliver top-tier performance.

It’s important to note that there are many types of commercial ovens designed to fit both small and large kitchens. In many cases, a single oven, especially a combi oven, can replace multiple pieces of equipment by handling steaming, baking, roasting, and regeneration all in one unit. Not only does this save space, time, and effort, but ENERGY STAR®-certified combi ovens can also help reduce energy consumption significantly. In fact, according to our ESG report, when compared to an electric commercial grill, an electric ENERGY STAR® combi oven can save up to 52.2% in kWh per year, based on the average use of 50 kg of food per day.

In space-constrained environments, vertical stacking is also a smart option: several commercial ovens can be installed on top of each other or above provers, blast chillers, or holding cabinets, turning unused vertical space into productive real estate. Just remember to leave 5–10 cm of clearance on the sides, 15–20 cm at the back, and ensure proper top ventilation, especially for units with steam injection or auto-cleaning systems. Stacking doesn’t just help you save floor space, it also adds versatility to your production flow. Instead of preparing large batches that risk going to waste, you can manage multiple cooking processes at once. For example, baking six trays of a new dish while the main oven continues service.

Whether you’re running a fast-paced bistro or a high-end tasting kitchen, there’s a professional oven that will fit and optimize your available space. And if you choose a smart, multifunctional oven, you might find that you need less space than you thought.

So let’s take a look at the different types of commercial ovens available for restaurants.

In professional kitchens, equipment isn’t just a tool, it’s a partner in execution. That’s why chefs rely on different types of commercial ovens for restaurants depending on their operational model, volume, and culinary identity. Among the most common solutions are commercial convection ovens, speed ovens, and, increasingly, combi ovens.

Commercial convection ovens are a well-established staple. They offer good airflow and uniform heat, making them suitable for general-purpose baking and roasting. But when precision or moisture control becomes important, they quickly show their limitations, especially in modern restaurants where menus change often and consistency is non-negotiable.

Commercial speed ovens, on the other hand, shine in quick-service businesses. Their ability to deliver hot food fast, often using a mix of microwave and convection, makes them perfect for cafés, quick service restaurants chains, hotel lounges, and grab-and-go formats. That said, their role tends to be narrow, more about acceleration than versatility.

And then there are commercial combi ovens, the true all-rounders. These professional ovens allow chefs to cook with dry heat, steam, or a combination of both, offering an extraordinary level of control over the cooking process. What sets them apart is their ability to adapt to any restaurant kitchen workflow: from the pace of small restaurants to the demands of high-volume operations with intense service peaks, while meeting every cooking need, from slow-cooked meats to large-scale production, from delicate pastries to precise overnight regeneration. For restaurants looking to future-proof their operations, the combi oven is not just a smart choice, it’s a strategic one.

Commercial combi ovens are quickly becoming the gold standard in restaurant kitchens and for good reason. They combine steam, convection, and mixed cooking modes in one powerful unit, unlocking capabilities that other commercial ovens simply can’t match. Here’s a few key features that make them such a smart investment:

• Unmatched versatility

Cook, roast, bake, fry, steam, regenerate, and even sous-vide, all with one appliance. Perfect for dynamic, seasonal menus that require flexibility and standardization day after day.

• Space-saving design

A combi oven can replace multiple pieces of equipment (steamer, fryer, convection oven, holding cabinet), making it ideal for kitchens with limited space.

• Precise humidity and temperature control

Deliver consistent results with delicate pastries, roasted meats, or steamed vegetables. This level of control ensures that even the most complex dishes turn out perfectly.

• Faster cooking times

Steam transfers heat more efficiently than dry air, reducing cooking times while preserving moisture and tenderness. It also minimizes temperature fluctuations inside the cooking chamber, ensuring uniform results. Vegetables, fish, roasted meats, and pre-cooked foods benefit especially from this, though some baked or fried items may require a more balanced use of dry and moist heat.

• Energy efficiency

By combining multiple cooking methods and reducing overall cooking times, combi ovens consume less energy than separate traditional appliances.

By investing in a commercial combi oven, you can streamline your cooking processes, reduce energy costs, and ultimately deliver better-tasting food to your customers. In a competitive restaurant industry, these advantages can make a significant difference in your establishment's success.

Unox has made combi ovens its core expertise, developing the one of the widest range of commercial ovens for restaurants on the market to meet the diverse needs of modern foodservice operations. They adapt seamlessly to both small independent restaurants and large-scale businesses like hotels and QSR chains. Our products are designed to simplify the daily work of chefs and restaurateurs, combining advanced technologies, intuitive controls, and high-end materials, all for the best value for money.

Here’s what makes Unox combi ovens the smart choice for any professional kitchen:

• Versatility for every kitchen layout

Available in a wide range of models, Unox restaurant ovens adapt perfectly to any kitchen space, from compact cafés to large-scale restaurants.

• Ease of use with reduced human error and food waste

Thanks to intuitive touch panels, Unox commercial ovens allow you to save, customize, and share cooking programs across multiple units, enabling even less experienced staff to operate them with confidence. Automated humidity control and pre-set recipes help eliminate overcooking and undercooking, minimizing human error, reducing food waste, and improving portion consistency.

• Cutting edge technology

Unox was among the first in the industry to implement AI and machine learning in professional ovens, enabling features like optical food recognition, remote oven control, vocal recognition, adaptive cooking behavior and machine learning.

• Consistent high performance

Every component of Unox restaurant ovens is engineered for precision, guaranteeing uniform cooking results and total control over temperature, humidity, and time.

• Built to last

Constructed from robust, high-grade stainless steel, Unox ovens for restaurants are built for durability and long-term use in the most demanding kitchen environments.

• Simplified cleaning and maintenance

Equipped with automatic washing systems and programmable maintenance cycles to maximize uptime and hygiene without added effort.

• End-to-end support

From installation to daily service, our expert teams offer onboarding, training, and remote technical assistance to ensure your oven never lets you down.

• Free trial of your restaurant oven

Before you buy, the Unox team will bring the selected oven directly to your restaurant kitchen, so you can test it for free, using your own ingredients and recipes, and make a fully informed decision.

• Certified energy efficiency

With insulating materials and smart power management, Unox leads the market in ENERGY STAR® certified commercial ovens, helping you lower consumption and operate more sustainably.

We’ve given you a full overview of the benefits of choosing a brand like Unox, but we know that nothing speaks louder than customer satisfaction. Hear directly from chefs like Craig Dima of Oceana Restaurant in New York, who have already experienced the advantages of using a Unox combi oven in their kitchen. If you’re curious to discover more stories, perhaps from restaurants similar to yours, be sure to visit our YouTube channel and explore the full collection.

As we’ve already mentioned, Unox offers a wide range of models for ovens for restaurants, meaning there’s a solution for every kitchen layout, workflow, and cooking need.

Our most popular line, CHEFTOP MIND.Maps™, is available in multiple configurations to suit any kitchen. These commercial combi ovens for restaurants can perform all types of cooking, and are easy to operate thanks to an intuitive touchscreen and a built-in library of programmable recipes. Even junior staff can run them confidently with a single tap. Plus, with features like MISE.EN.PLACE and MULTI.Time, you can manage up to 10 simultaneous cooking processes in a single oven, maximizing efficiency without sacrificing precision. This range also offers a wide selection of models to meet every need, from compact units to roll-in ovens with capacity for up to 20 trays.

For an even more advanced experience, our CHEFTOP-X™ commercial ovens act like a true kitchen assistant. With integrated AI and machine learning features like the OPTIC.Cooking optical sensor, they automatically recognize the food inside the chamber and start the ideal program. These intelligent ovens adapt to the chef’s preferences, reduce waste, and optimize energy use thanks to smart-saving functions like SMART.Energy, taking the interaction between chef and oven to an entirely new level in the restaurant kitchen.

If speed is your top priority but you don’t want to compromise on quality or versatility SPEED-X™ is the solution. It’s the world’s first commercial combi speed oven with built-in automatic washing, ideal for fast-paced restaurant kitchens that still need high-end performance. Paired with EVEREO®, our hot holding and preservation system, SPEED-X™ can take your service to the next level by drastically accelerating prep and delivery times.

That said, this is just a glimpse of what we offer. To truly help you find the best solution for your restaurant, we’ve developed a set of dedicated digital tools. On our website, you can explore the full range of ovens, apply filters to narrow down the right match, compare models side by side, and even estimate which oven will help you reduce consumption and energy costs based on your specific operation.

Want to get a free consultation from our team? Write us in the chat and we will be glad to support you with any question you may have!