Equipment Coverage – Foodservice Equipment Reports Magazine

Celebrating 50 Years of RATIONAL Combi Ovens

FER Edit — Fri, 08 May 2026 15:34:02 +0000

This year, RATIONAL celebrates 50 years of manufacturing combi ovens, as well as the 1.5 millionth unit to roll off its production line. To mark the occasion, Markus Paschmann, chief sales and marketing officer for RATIONAL, who is based in Germany, shares how the customer-centric company continues to enhance the technology and where it’s heading next. A: First of all, we’re proud of…

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Find the Right High-Speed Oven—Faster

Lauren Coughlin — Fri, 01 May 2026 14:07:04 +0000

High-speed ovens can meticulously mind your ps and qs: pizzas and paninis, quesadillas and more quintessential fare. Thanks to recipe programming, the units promptly free up staff members’ hands and minds, letting them cater to customers without burning someone’s lunch. This ease of use has appealed to assorted operators—from convenience stores and national fast-casuals to independents…

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Look Through Tips for Specifying Food Shields

Lisa Arnett — Fri, 01 May 2026 13:41:23 +0000

Breath guards, sneeze guards, food shields—whatever you like to call them—have been around since the ’50s and have become a main staple of food protection,” says one manufacturer. Some of the latest innovations within the category aim to improve ease of use for operators as well as aesthetics for customers. To help guide you on your journey to outfit your operation with the latest food shields…

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Compass Group Adds Food Waste Reduction Technology

FER Edit — Mon, 27 Apr 2026 18:55:59 +0000

Compass Group North America has announced a partnership with a waste prevention technology company. Beginning in 2027, Compass will launch a system that reduces the physical volume of food waste on-site by up to 80%, lowering hauling frequency and operational costs. The system turns food scraps into a reusable, nutrient-rich output that supports circular solutions such as composting and animal…

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How Wildweed’s RATIONAL Combi Oven Adds Value

FER Edit — Wed, 22 Apr 2026 21:07:38 +0000

When David Jackman, chef and co-owner of Wildweed, considers the benefits of his RATIONAL iCombi Pro combi oven, he sees the value it offers guests first and foremost. The new-American pasta restaurant, located in Cincinnati, operates from a small kitchen. But with its RATIONAL unit, holding 10 half-size trays, the team can do so much more than if they only had a convection oven and some pots and…

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Best Commercial Refrigerator Gaskets in 2026: A Buyer’s Guide

AllPoints — Thu, 16 Apr 2026 15:00:44 +0000

Of all the products a purchasing manager buys in a year, commercial refrigerator gaskets might be the most frustrating. They seem so simple, yet gaskets are the number one cause of health department citations, skyrocketed energy bills, and emergency “warm box” service calls. For service companies and facilities managers, sourcing gaskets is often a massive time drain.

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When to Repair or Replace Your Walk-In

Christine Palmer — Tue, 14 Apr 2026 18:33:28 +0000

Walk-in coolers and freezers are essential to daily operations—quietly preserving inventory, supporting food safety, and keeping costs in check. But like any hardworking equipment, they don’t last forever. Over time, wear and tear raises an important question: should you repair your existing unit, or invest in a replacement? The right answer depends on the condition of your walk-in…

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Smart Buying Tips for Heavy-Duty Planetary Mixers

Lisa Arnett — Sun, 01 Mar 2026 15:29:11 +0000

Whether for mixing doughs, blending batters or whipping cream, heavy-duty planetary mixers are versatile all-stars. “Heavy-duty planetary mixers are commercial workhorses designed for continuous, high-load production, not occasional batch prep,” says one manufacturer. “These mixers are built to run all day in demanding environments like bakeries, commissaries and high-volume kitchens.

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What To Look For in a Pizza Prep Table

Lauren Coughlin — Sun, 01 Mar 2026 15:00:21 +0000

While van Gogh very well may have been an adept finger painter, the world at large benefited from him having more advanced, though simple, tools at his fingertips. So, too, should an efficiency-minded pizza establishment. After all, from Chicago to New York, pizza-making is a highly personalized art. A pizza prep table—which stows cheese, sauce, toppings and, sometimes, dough…

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How To Specify Serving Counters

FER Edit — Thu, 26 Feb 2026 20:43:49 +0000

Guests may barely notice serving counters as they choose items from a grab-and-go area or walk through an elementary-school lunch line. But serving counters can be one of the most technical components of a foodservice operation. “The serving counter is the backbone of your front-of-house operations,” says Ben DeLeon, production assistant at Worrell Design Group. “Getting that correct improves…

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