A combi oven combines convection heat with steam injection, giving you the ability to bake, roast, steam, and reheat all in one unit, often with programmable settings that adjust humidity and temperature for different dishes. This versatility makes combi ovens popular in kitchens that need one appliance to handle a broad and varied menu. A convection oven relies purely on circulating hot air to cook food evenly, which suits baking, roasting, and general cooking where steam isn't required. Convection ovens are generally simpler to operate and often more affordable upfront, while combi ovens cost more but reduce the need for separate steamers or proving equipment. If your menu leans heavily on one cooking style, a straightforward convection oven might do the job, but if you're after flexibility across a varied menu, a combi oven is worth considering. Our team can help you weigh up which suits your kitchen.

This comes down to your volume, your desired crust style, and how much control you want over each pizza. Deck ovens cook pizzas directly on a stone or ceramic deck, giving that traditional crisp base and char that many pizzerias rely on, but each pizza needs to be loaded, monitored, and removed individually, which suits lower to medium volume or a more artisan approach. Conveyor ovens automate the process, carrying pizzas through on a belt at a set time and temperature, which makes them well suited to high-volume, consistent output where speed and repeatability matter more than hands-on crust control. Some venues run both, using a deck oven for a signature menu item and a conveyor for high-turnover standard pizzas. If you're not sure which setup fits your pizza program and expected volume, our team can talk you through the options.

Oven sizing depends on how many items you need to cook simultaneously during peak service, not just your average day. A cafe running a modest breakfast and lunch menu might only need a compact benchtop convection oven, while a restaurant or catering kitchen producing high volumes across multiple dishes will usually need a larger deck, combi, or oven range setup with multiple cavities. It's worth thinking about tray or pan capacity too, since an oven that looks large on the outside might only fit a few trays internally depending on rack spacing. Also factor in your kitchen's ventilation and clearance requirements, as larger ovens generate more heat and may need additional extraction. Our product listings include capacity and internal dimensions to help with this. If you're unsure what size will keep up with your service, send us your menu and volume and we'll help you figure out what fits.

Energy efficiency varies across oven types and depends on factors like insulation quality, door seal condition, and how well a unit holds heat between uses. Combi ovens and modern convection ovens often include features designed to reduce energy waste, such as improved insulation and smarter temperature control that avoids overheating during idle periods. Since ovens typically run for extended periods throughout service, even small efficiency differences can add up over time in terms of running costs. That said, actual running costs will depend on your usage patterns, how many hours a day the oven runs, and your site's energy rates, so we're not able to quote a fixed cost that applies to every kitchen. Each product page lists relevant specifications so you can compare models before deciding. If running costs are a priority, let our team know what you're producing and we can help you compare options.

Yes, Cater Central delivers commercial ovens to businesses across Australia, from major capital cities through to regional and remote areas. We warehouse stock in the major capital cities, so metro deliveries are often quick, with next-day delivery available in some cities depending on stock availability at the time of order. Regional and remote deliveries will generally take a bit longer to arrange, and freight costs vary depending on your destination and the size of the oven, since this range spans compact benchtop units through to large deck, combi, and conveyor ovens that need specialised freight handling. We'd recommend confirming freight costs and delivery timeframes before finalising your order, particularly for larger equipment or a tight fit-out deadline. If you need an oven by a specific date, whether for a new kitchen opening or an urgent replacement, get in touch with our team and we'll give you an accurate timeframe for your postcode.