At CaterCombi, we don't just service combi ovens — we inspect them to a rigorous, industry-leading 57-point checklist that covers every critical system, inside and out.
That means every visit includes a thorough assessment of:
- Heat exchanger condition and connections
- Steam system integrity
- Fan motors and bearings
- Door seals and gaskets
- Drainage systems
- Electrical safety and calibration
- Software/firmware checks (where applicable)
This isn't box-ticking. It's how we consistently catch what others miss — and what the naked eye simply can't see.
The Power of a Proper 57-Point Maintenance Checklist
We recently purchased and inspected a used Lincat 20 Grid Combi Oven that looked immaculate. Clean stainless steel, well-presented, the kind of machine that would look right at home in any professional kitchen — or sitting attractively on eBay. Then we opened it up.
What we found was severe corrosion at the heat exchanger connection, caused by years of cleaning with unapproved chemical products. The unit failed our inspection outright. Cosmetically, it was a 10 out of 10. Mechanically, it was a liability, and a serious gas risk.
This is not a rare find. Commercial combi ovens are among the hardest-working pieces of kit in any kitchen, and many widely available "heavy duty" cleaners contain harsh alkalis, acids, or chlorine compounds that aren't approved for use on heat exchangers or internal components. Over time, these products silently:
- Strip protective layers from stainless steel
- Cause pitting and crevice corrosion
- Damage gaskets and seals
- Lead to expensive, often catastrophic component failure
Here is what the damage looked like: The aggressive chemicals had eaten away at critical seals and metal surfaces, compromising the integrity of the heat exchanger system. What should have been a reliable, high-performance piece of equipment was now a costly liability.
A Serious Warning to Second-Hand Buyers — Even the Experienced Ones
This is where it gets important: this kind of damage catches out knowledgeable buyers.
It isn't just first-time purchasers or bargain hunters who get caught. Experienced operators, chefs who've run professional kitchens for years, and savvy equipment buyers have all been stung by cosmetically pristine machines with hidden structural damage. A combi oven can look utterly convincing from the outside — and be weeks away from failure.
If you're buying used equipment from eBay, auction sites, or a private seller, the risk is yours the moment money changes hands. You won't know what cleaning products were used, how regularly the machine was serviced, or what's quietly corroding behind the panels.
Let CaterCombi take that risk instead
Don’t let hidden corrosion turn your “bargain” into an expensive mistake. Whether you own new or used equipment, proper care pays for itself many times over in reliability, performance, and avoided downtime.
When buying or renting from CaterCombi, you can be sure that every oven has been fully inspected and has passed our 57-point checklist — so you know exactly what you're buying, not just what it looks like you're buying. Buy with total confidence, or don't buy at all.
