iVario 2-XS. The intelligent space saver by Rational for smaller kitchens

iVario 2-XS. The intelligent space saver by Rational for smaller kitchens

ceda Platinum Partner, Rational, is now revolutionising smaller kitchens with the new iVario 2-XS. The two-pan cooking system, which works with contact heat and takes on routine tasks is extremely productive even in small spaces. The cornerstone is iVarioBoost the first intelligent energy management system, which regulates the heat over the entire surface and has sufficient reserve capacity to sear 4.5kg of casserole meat in 6.5 minutes including the preheating phase. The cooking intelligence iCookingSuite detects the condition and size of the food and regulates the cooking path so that you only need to intervene if the cooking system calls. The iVario 2-XS consists of two pans each with a 2/3 GN base surface and a 17-litre capacity. The unit comes with a full package of accessories, so that excellent results are achieved from the very first minute.

“Boiling, pan-frying and deep-frying on a small surface, powerful, precise and flexible, that was our objective in the development of the iVario 2-XS,” explains Simon Lohse, Managing Director, Rational UK. “For businesses with small kitchens on a limited budget that want to serve high quality results that their customers require, the iVario intelligent technology will provide a solution,” he continues.

The small unit with iVarioBoost heats up to 200° in less than 2 minutes and has enough reserve capacity to sear even larger quantities without the release of liquids. The heat is distributed so evenly and it is regulated so quickly that even delicate foods such as rice pudding do not stick or boil over. iVarioBoost consists of patented ceramic heating elements, which are firmly attached to the scratch-resistant pan base and evenly distributed. This makes the iVario 2-XS 4 times faster and consumes 40% less electricity compared to conventional technology.

The iCookingSuite, which is the cooking intelligence, is responsible for ensuring consistent cooking results. Sensors detect the quantity and condition of the food, and regulate the cooking parameters accordingly so that the desired result can be achieved without the user having to do much. “The iVario Pro eliminates the need for checking and monitoring,” explains Lohse. One example is the AutoLift, the automatic raising and lowering mechanism, which automatically raises and lowers the food from and into the cooking liquid.

To guarantee maximum flexibility on a small surface, the iVario 2-XS has two pans which can be heated differently. The display in the middle of the cooking system is clearly arranged so that the user can view both pans at the same time. In addition to the operating modes for meat, fish, poultry or side dishes, the user can now select cooking methods such as frying pan or deep-fat fryer.

Its ergonomy is also revolutionary. With the corresponding stand, the iVario 2-XS is height- adjustable, the corners are rounded and the pan edge stays cold. Since nothing sticks, it is easy to clean, in approximately two minutes. Various setup variations such as integration in a kitchen line, on the worktop or the stand make the cooking system extremely adaptable.

The iVario 2-XS comes with a full package of accessories including the arm for the automatic raising and lowering function, boiling and deep-frying basket, spatula, pan base grid and sieve.

Anyone who would like to discover more about the new cooking system can now convince themselves of its performance in the online webinar More Tour 2020. Interested parties will soon be able to experience the iVario 2-XS also live at the More Tour 2020, the dates will be available on rational-online.com


ceda issues ‘Minimising risk from COVID-19 when re-opening a commercial kitchen’ guidance

ceda issues ‘Minimising risk from COVID-19 when re-opening a commercial kitchen’ guidance

ceda has today published its long-awaited guidance paper on re-opening a commercial kitchen whilst effectively applying COVID-19 safety measures.

Whilst there is a plethora of guidance on the internet about front-of-house, the catering equipment trade association has taken its time to carefully put together the document to help operators ensure they have considered everything relating to back-of-house and service, ahead of the hospitality re-opening date of 4th July.

With a huge amount of information to wade through, head figures at ceda, together with its Board members (themselves experts from across the industry), have consolidated the best and most relevant factors.

With Government guidance seemingly changing all the time, ceda has carefully selected the timing of its publication to be as accurate as possible in assisting the hospitality industry, and its supply chain, on specific guidance that foodservice establishments will have to adhere to. There has been much toing and froing with regards to the two meter distancing rule, with multiple industry trade bodies lobbying Number 10 for this to be reduced to one meter. There was even speculation of an earlier reopening date of 22nd June. Following the announcement by PM Boris Johnson on 23rd June that the hospitality industry can re-open from 4th July with a one meter-plus distance, ceda has pressed ‘Go’ on its Minimising risk from COVID-19 when re-opening a commercial kitchen guidance document.

Intended to be read in conjunction with the latest Government guidance (which is regularly updated at www.gov.uk/workingsafely), the document is provided to help operators of commercial kitchens determine what actions they can take to minimise risk to staff, customers and suppliers, from the COVID-19 virus and provides suggestions for each area of the back-of-house operation. The 12-section document covers; Social Distancing, Hygiene and Cleaning, Personal Protection Equipment, Receiving Deliveries, Storage, Preparation, Cooking, Service, Potwash, Dishwash, Waste Disposal and Ventilation.

ceda’s Technical Support Advisor, Peter Kay, has painstakingly been through every Government update and review paper and circulated his findings amongst ceda Board members to ensure the document is as precise and reliable as it can be. He said,

“Whilst ceda has worked with the Government on the drafting of its guidance for re-opening pubs and restaurants, our document understandably follows the same format of the guidance documents for other premises which provide sound advice but are limited in details of possible considerations.

“We felt it was important that we use the kitchen design expertise of our members to provide more detailed suggestions of actions that operators might consider when planning their re-opening. We therefore set up a working group of ceda Board members to develop our own document, to be read in conjunction with the Government advice.”

Adam Mason, ceda’s Director General added,

“We were keen to utilise the pool of expert knowledge that our Board members, and their respective companies, possess when compiling the document. We strongly believe that their opinion, guidance, expertise and advice is best placed to offer the assurances that operators will seek when preparing their premises for re-opening. We’re really proud of the work that has gone into this document and we hope it provides our membership with an opportunity to support their existing customers (and perhaps generate some new enquiries for them) as they circulate the guidance.”

The document can be obtained, free of charge, from any ceda member. Visit https://ceda.co.uk/ask-a-specialist/ to find a find a member.

ceda Members; the full document can be found in both the ceda Resources and COVID-19 pages in the Members Area of the ceda website.