RATIONAL, the global technology leader in hot food preparation, has launched its new combi steamer – the iCombi One – at its newly established factory in Suzhou, alongside a simultaneous online debut in March. From March 30 to April 2, 2026, the new model is being showcased at the HOTELEX Shanghai Hotel & Catering Exhibition, located at Booth C12, Hall 3.
Developed specifically for the Chinese market and manufactured locally in China, the iCombi Classic combines over 20 years of RATIONAL's deep understanding of Chinese cooking habits with more than 50 years of global combi steamer expertise. Throughout the exhibition, RATIONAL chefs are hosting live demonstrations, highlighting the unit's key features and functions.
With a footprint of less than one square meter, the iCombi Classic masters key Chinese cooking techniques – including pan-frying, stewing, stir-frying, roasting, and baking. It can replace multiple pieces of equipment, such as duck roasters, griddles, convection ovens, woks, and steamers – making it an ideal solution for kitchens requiring high standardization. Its intelligent climate control system ensures even heat distribution, precise humidity, and consistent dish quality. The unit also supports mixed loading, allowing different dishes to be cooked simultaneously for greater kitchen flexibility.
The RATIONAL operating system makes the unit exceptionally intuitive to use. Via the color touchscreen, users can create and start cooking programs. The unit also features four automated cleaning and descaling programs, making maintenance simple, extending equipment lifespan, and ensuring hygienic safety.
The iCombi Classic is available in 10‑1/1 and 6‑1/1 sizes, with electric heating. The purchase includes comprehensive services: free on-site equipment guidance, access to the ChefLine hotline, training at the RATIONAL Academy, tips via WeChat, recipe transfer through the ConnectedCooking app, and instructional videos.
For higher-volume or specialized needs, RATIONAL also offers the iCombi Pro, which features Powersteam technology – ideal for steaming, a common requirement in Chinese cuisine. Alongside these two combi steamers, RATIONAL is also presenting the iVario at HOTELEX Shanghai – a contact‑heating solution that perfectly complements the iCombi series.
