Rational iCombi UltraVent Condensate Hood 61 & 101

The Rational iCombi UltraVent is a condensate canopy designed to sit directly on top of compatible Rational iCombi ovens in the 61 and 101 configurations. Rather than allowing steam and cooking vapour to disperse into the kitchen when the oven door opens or through the top exhaust vent, the UltraVent captures and condenses that moisture internally. It connects to the oven's own sensor system, so extraction operates automatically in coordination with the cooking cycle — including the critical moment the door is opened mid-cook or at the end of a programme.

In kitchens where running conventional ductwork to an external exhaust point is impractical, costly, or not permitted, the UltraVent offers a workable alternative. It requires no connection to the outside of the building and no mechanical extract infrastructure, which makes it particularly relevant for operators in listed buildings, basement kitchens, temporary or pop-up sites, or anywhere that landlord restrictions or planning constraints make a ducted system difficult to approve. It is also retro-fit compatible, so existing iCombi 61 and 101 installations can be upgraded without significant disruption.

Practical advantages for kitchen operators include:

• No external ducting required — simpler, less disruptive installation
• Sensor-linked operation responds automatically to the oven's cooking cycle
• Captures vapour from both the door opening and the top exhaust vent
• Reduces steam build-up in the kitchen during busy service periods
• Retro-fit compatible with existing iCombi 61 and 101 installations

It is important to be clear about where the UltraVent is and is not appropriate. It performs well where steaming and combination cooking account for the majority of oven use. If the oven is regularly used for high-temperature roasting, heavy browning, or grilling — processes that generate smoke and grease-laden air rather than primarily steam — the UltraVent alone is unlikely to be sufficient, and a conventional ducted canopy should be considered instead. It is also worth confirming with your local building control or environmental health officer whether a condensate canopy satisfies ventilation compliance requirements for your specific premises and menu type before committing to installation.

The UltraVent is well suited to independent restaurants, hotels, and contract caterers running iCombi 61 or 101 ovens where a full canopy installation is not feasible and the majority of cooking involves steam or combination steam functions. It is less appropriate for operations centred on dry roasting or heavy grilling, where a ducted extraction solution remains the more reliable choice.

If you are weighing up whether the UltraVent is the right ventilation solution for your kitchen, a conversation about your oven use, menu, and premises will help clarify the decision before any installation work is committed to — the team is happy to talk it through.