Multifunction Cooking Centres

The Firex Cucimix is a 30-litre automated cooking system that combines a tilting bratt pan with an integrated continuous mixer. Rather than requiring a chef to stand over a batch and stir manually, the Cucimix handles the mixing process independently, allowing staff to manage other tasks while the machine maintains consistent movement through the cook cycle. It is designed for sites producing large quantities of sauces, soups, risottos, custards, mashed potato, ragù, and similar preparations where both heat and agitation are needed simultaneously.

In a busy production kitchen, the practical value of this type of machine lies in consistency and throughput. A chef can programme a cook cycle, set the mixer, and leave the unit to run — the result is the same product batch after batch, without the variation that comes from manual stirring or different members of staff managing the process differently. For kitchens under pressure during service or running extended production shifts, that degree of automation meaningfully reduces labour dependency on repetitive cooking tasks.

The operational advantages this type of equipment offers are worth considering carefully:

• Integrated mixing removes the need for a separate stand mixer or manual stirring during long cook cycles
• Automated processes reduce the skill level required for consistent batch production
• The tilting bratt pan design allows controlled pouring directly into gastronorm containers or transport vessels
• Stainless steel construction throughout supports hygiene standards and withstands daily commercial use
• Frees kitchen staff to focus on other preparation tasks during cook cycles

The Cucimix runs on a three-phase electrical supply, which is a firm installation requirement. Sites without three-phase provision would need an electrical upgrade before installation, and this should be confirmed with your electrician early in the planning process. At 95kg, the unit requires a solid, level floor surface and adequate access for delivery and positioning. Ensure your kitchen layout allows for the full tilting arc when the pan is in use.

This machine is well suited to central production kitchens, cook-chill operations, contract caterers, and large-scale hospitality sites where the same preparations are produced repeatedly in volume. It is less suited to smaller à la carte kitchens where batch sizes are low and the variety of output makes automation less practical. For sites requiring larger batch capacity, higher-output models are available in the Cucimix range.

If you are unsure whether the 30-litre capacity aligns with your production volumes, or want to discuss the installation requirements in more detail, the team is happy to talk it through before you commit to anything.

The Rational iVario Pro XL is a large-capacity electric cooking centre built around a single 150-litre pan. Rather than functioning as a conventional bratt pan with fixed temperature control, it uses ceramic heating technology combined with an intelligent control system that monitors the cooking process in real time and adjusts accordingly. Frying, boiling, blanching, deep frying, poaching, pressure-free braising, and overnight low-temperature cooking are all handled within the same unit, which has a direct bearing on how much equipment a kitchen needs to operate a full production programme.

In practical terms, the most significant performance characteristic is heat recovery under load. When cold product is added in bulk — as happens routinely in high-volume production — a conventional pan loses temperature and quality variation follows. The iVario's ceramic heating element recovers quickly enough to maintain consistent results without the operator needing to compensate manually. For a kitchen running the unit continuously through a long service or production shift, this reduces both quality variation and the level of attention the equipment demands.

The iCooking Suite control system tracks the cooking process and prompts the operator when an action is required — turning product, adding liquid, adjusting — rather than leaving timing entirely to individual judgement. This is particularly relevant for operations with mixed-skill brigades or where consistency across different shifts matters. The Auto Lift function for pasta cooking is a straightforward example of automation that removes a routine task without adding unnecessary complication. An optional iZone Control function allows the pan base to be divided into independently controlled areas for simultaneous preparation of different products or smaller batches; this is a separate configuration option and should be discussed at the point of enquiry.

• Single pan handles multiple cooking methods, reducing overall equipment footprint
• Fast ceramic heat recovery maintains consistent results when bulk-loading cold product
• Intelligent prompts reduce dependence on individual operator skill and experience
• Optional iZone Control enables simultaneous cooking of different products in one pan
• Overnight and low-temperature cooking extends production scheduling beyond service hours

Installation requires a three-phase electrical supply with capacity appropriate to a unit of this scale. The equipment is substantial in both footprint and weight, so access routes for delivery, floor loading capacity, and extraction provision all need to be confirmed before ordering. A stand is not included as standard; height-adjustable options are available and worth discussing in terms of operator ergonomics and kitchen workflow. Given the configuration options involved and the level of capital investment, working through the installation requirements before placing an order is genuinely worthwhile rather than a formality.

The iVario Pro XL is well suited to contract catering operations, large staff and hospitality restaurants, hospital and education catering, and production kitchens where throughput, multi-method flexibility, and consistency across shifts are the primary requirements. For lower service volumes or smaller kitchens, other models within the iVario range offer reduced capacity with the same control approach. For sites with exceptionally high output demands, it is worth discussing whether a single XL unit or a combination of smaller units better fits the actual workflow before committing.

If you would like to talk through how the iVario Pro XL would fit your kitchen — including configuration choices, installation requirements, or how it compares with other options in the range — the team is available to help. Equipment at this level tends to repay a conversation before the order is placed.

The Rational iVario Pro L is a large-capacity electric cooking centre that consolidates several cooking functions into a single unit. It operates as a bratt pan, boiling pan, deep fryer, and low-temperature cooking appliance, making it a genuinely practical choice for kitchens looking to reduce their equipment footprint without reducing output or flexibility.

In high-volume service environments, the iVario Boost system is where this unit distinguishes itself from conventional tilting bratt pans. Ceramic heating elements and a fast-response pan base combine to deliver rapid heat-up and consistent temperature recovery, which means searing remains effective even when large quantities of cold product are loaded. This is a meaningful operational advantage during busy service periods where temperature drop is a common problem with standard equipment. The iZone Control feature — available as an optional addition at extra cost — allows the pan base to be divided into up to four independently controlled cooking zones, enabling multiple dishes to run simultaneously at different temperatures without interference.

The integrated iCooking Suite provides automated cooking intelligence that monitors and adjusts processes in real time, handling everything from delicate low-temperature work and confectionery to high-intensity blanching and frying with minimal manual oversight. The Auto Lift function raises pasta baskets automatically, which reduces the need for constant attendance and frees up kitchen staff during service.

• Rapid temperature recovery under continuous load via iVario Boost ceramic elements
• Optional multi-zone base for simultaneous cooking at independent temperatures
• Automated iCooking Suite with real-time process monitoring and adjustment
• Auto Lift function for unattended pasta and blanching operations
• Electric tilting pan base for safe, controlled emptying

Installation planning is essential before purchase. As a large-format electric unit, it draws considerable power and requires a suitably rated electrical supply confirmed by a qualified electrician. The unit also needs adequate floor space, load-bearing capacity, and an appropriate ventilation assessment as part of a site survey. An optional height-adjustable stand is available and is worth considering for ergonomic and workflow reasons. Commissioning should be carried out by Rational or a qualified engineer, and a site visit prior to ordering is strongly advisable.

The iVario Pro L is well suited to high-volume operations — contract catering, central production units, large staff restaurants, hotels, and institutional catering — where a single versatile cooking system can realistically replace several individual appliances. For smaller or lower-volume kitchens, a smaller model within the iVario range is likely to be a more appropriate and cost-effective specification. For very large centralised production sites with exceptional throughput demands, a higher-capacity configuration may be worth considering.

If you are assessing whether the iVario Pro L is the right fit for your operation, or weighing it against other models in the range, the team is happy to talk through your requirements. A live cooking demonstration can also be arranged — often the most useful step before making a decision at this level of investment.

The Rational iVario 2-XS is a dual-pan electric cooking centre designed to consolidate several conventional appliances — bratt pan, boiling pan, deep fryer and pressure cooker — into a single compact footprint. Its two pans operate entirely independently, meaning different cooking methods can run simultaneously without one task interfering with the other. As the smallest model in the iVario range, it is particularly relevant for operations where floor space is limited but the menu demands a broad range of cooking techniques.

Performance centres on Rational's iVario Boost system, which pairs ceramic heating elements with a fast-response pan base. Temperature recovery after loading cold ingredients is noticeably quicker than with conventional pan technology — a practical advantage during a busy service when throughput needs to remain consistent. The scratch-resistant pan bases are built to withstand daily commercial use and clean down efficiently at the end of service.

The iCooking Suite brings automated cooking intelligence to both pans. The system monitors the cooking process continuously, adjusts parameters as needed, and calls for operator input only when necessary. For a small kitchen team managing multiple stations, this reduction in sustained attention has real operational value. An optional iZone Control add-on allows each pan to be divided into up to four independently controlled zones, which suits operations running smaller batches, dietary separations or special menu items within the same service window.

• Two independent pans support simultaneous cooking across different methods
• Replaces multiple standalone appliances, recovering valuable kitchen floor space
• Automated cooking intelligence reduces the need for constant operator attention
• Fast temperature recovery maintains throughput during peak service periods
• Optional iZone Control enables separated or smaller-batch cooking within each pan

As an electric unit, the iVario 2-XS will typically require a three-phase electrical supply. Ventilation provision, available floor space and site electrical infrastructure should all be confirmed before ordering — installation requirements for this class of equipment warrant early assessment. The 2-XS is the entry point to the iVario range; operations with higher volumes or a need for greater single-pan capacity may find a larger configuration within the range a better fit.

This unit is well suited to contract caterers, hotel kitchens, staff restaurants and similar operations running varied daily menus across multiple cooking methods — particularly where kitchen teams are lean and consistent, reliable output is a priority. If you would like to talk through whether the 2-XS is the right match for your service volumes and site conditions, our team is happy to work through the options with you.

The Rational iVario Pro 2-S is a twin-pan cooking centre housing two independent 25-litre pans within a single unit. It is designed to handle the full range of primary cooking tasks — frying, boiling, braising, blanching, deep frying and low-temperature cooking — across both pans simultaneously and independently. It is not a conventional bratt pan; it is a more technically sophisticated cooking system capable of replacing several individual pieces of equipment.

In busy kitchen environments, the iVario Pro 2-S performs consistently through long and demanding service periods. The iVario Boost system uses ceramic heating elements paired with a fast-response pan base to deliver rapid heat recovery after cold ingredients are added — a recognised weakness of traditional bratt pans and tilt skillets. Temperature stability during high-volume searing or continuous boiling is noticeably more controlled than older pan technology, helping maintain consistent food quality across a full service. The iCooking Suite adds an automated cooking intelligence layer that monitors and adjusts the cooking process in real time, prompting the operator only when action is actually required.

The operational advantages for kitchens running diverse menus or feeding large numbers are considerable:

• Both pans run fully independently — different processes, different temperatures, simultaneously
• iZone Control (specified at point of order) divides a single pan into up to four separately controlled zones, useful for smaller batches or dietary variants
• Auto Lift functionality handles pasta and delicate items automatically, reducing operator attention during busy periods
• Intelligent energy management limits draw relative to actual demand rather than running at full load continuously
• Integrated cooking programmes support consistency across shifts and reduce reliance on individual operator skill

Installation requires a dedicated electrical supply, and the electrical infrastructure should be assessed before ordering given the power demand at this level. The unit is substantial in both footprint and weight, so delivery access and final positioning need consideration at the planning stage. An optional height-adjustable stand and integrated shower are available. iZone Control must be specified at the point of order and cannot be retrofitted. A site visit from a Rational representative or from our team is strongly advisable before committing, as configuration choices affect both the operational fit and the overall cost.

The iVario Pro 2-S is well suited to high-volume operations — contract caterers, large hotel kitchens, central production units, busy restaurant kitchens and staff feeding operations where throughput, consistency and reduced labour are priorities. For smaller kitchens or lower service volumes, single-pan models within the iVario range may be a more proportionate choice. For very large central production environments, higher-capacity configurations within the range are worth exploring.

If you are weighing up whether the 2-S configuration fits your operation, or need guidance on which options to include at the point of order, our team have hands-on familiarity with the iVario range across real kitchen environments — it is worth a conversation before you finalise anything.