How Do I... Choose a Steam Oven?
Healthy steam cooking is all the rage right now. If you're tempted to buy a steam oven, here's what you need to know
Georgia Madden
21 December 2017
In this practical series, we ask experts to answer your burning design and decorating questions. Here, Emily Rhodes, food writer and author of the steam cooking website Steam and Bake, explains the differences between the various steam ovens on the market, and how to choose the right model for you.
Residential steam ovens harness the technology used in commercial kitchens, and they are gaining in popularity both in Australia and overseas. They used to be a very specialist gourmet purchase, but they’re now appealing to cooks at all levels – particularly entertainers and those seeking a healthier way to cook.
What’s so special about steam cooking?
The obvious benefit of steam cooking is healthier food. Many people don’t realise, though, that the taste and texture of many foods cooked in steam or combination steam is superior too. A combination-steam function, using regular convection heat in conjunction with steam, allows for incredibly moist, tender food that still browns and crisps on the outside.
Image: Electrolux
The obvious benefit of steam cooking is healthier food. Many people don’t realise, though, that the taste and texture of many foods cooked in steam or combination steam is superior too. A combination-steam function, using regular convection heat in conjunction with steam, allows for incredibly moist, tender food that still browns and crisps on the outside.
Image: Electrolux
What can I cook with steam?
You can cook almost anything with a combination steam oven, including roasted meats, bread, cakes, pastry, vegetables, fish and desserts. The only things I wouldn’t recommend for combi steam are foods that should be crispy or crunchy all over, such as certain cookies or pie crusts.
You can cook almost anything with a combination steam oven, including roasted meats, bread, cakes, pastry, vegetables, fish and desserts. The only things I wouldn’t recommend for combi steam are foods that should be crispy or crunchy all over, such as certain cookies or pie crusts.
What are the different styles?
Combination steam ovens: These are the most flexible models, offering you the choice of steam-only, regular fan-forced oven, and usually several combinations where steam and dry/fan heat work together. Many brands offer variable levels of steam to achieve optimum moisture in food when cooking.
Be aware of what you’re purchasing, though. Some full-sized combi-steam ovens are not actually fully featured steam ovens. Instead, they offer regular oven functions with the option of added moisture, but without steam-only capabilities.
Steam-only ovens: A dedicated steam-only oven will do just that: steam. So anything you can steam in a pot or a bamboo steamer basket will work beautifully. However, this style does not function as a regular oven.
Specialist models: This could include a microwave oven with steam function.
Benchtop models: Most steam and combi-steam ovens are built-in appliances, but a couple of brands offer benchtop models too. They are generally less expensive and more compact than built-in models, which also means you can’t cook as much.
Combination steam ovens: These are the most flexible models, offering you the choice of steam-only, regular fan-forced oven, and usually several combinations where steam and dry/fan heat work together. Many brands offer variable levels of steam to achieve optimum moisture in food when cooking.
Be aware of what you’re purchasing, though. Some full-sized combi-steam ovens are not actually fully featured steam ovens. Instead, they offer regular oven functions with the option of added moisture, but without steam-only capabilities.
Steam-only ovens: A dedicated steam-only oven will do just that: steam. So anything you can steam in a pot or a bamboo steamer basket will work beautifully. However, this style does not function as a regular oven.
Specialist models: This could include a microwave oven with steam function.
Benchtop models: Most steam and combi-steam ovens are built-in appliances, but a couple of brands offer benchtop models too. They are generally less expensive and more compact than built-in models, which also means you can’t cook as much.
How do they work – is there a water tank?
Most steam and combi-steam ovens have a water tank in the side or top that generates the moisture required for steam. These tanks need to be manually filled and emptied after use. Most tanks will last for at least half an hour of full steaming without needing a refill, although some do last longer.
If budget permits, there are a couple of fully plumbed combi-steam models available. These require specialist installation by a plumber to your home’s water mains. They are easy to maintain and don’t require any refilling or emptying.
Most steam and combi-steam ovens have a water tank in the side or top that generates the moisture required for steam. These tanks need to be manually filled and emptied after use. Most tanks will last for at least half an hour of full steaming without needing a refill, although some do last longer.
If budget permits, there are a couple of fully plumbed combi-steam models available. These require specialist installation by a plumber to your home’s water mains. They are easy to maintain and don’t require any refilling or emptying.
Are they smaller than regular ovens?
Most combi- and steam-only ovens are what’s called ‘compact’ appliances, usually around 45 centimetres high, compared to 60 centimetres for a regular wall oven. Some manufacturers have released full-sized combi-steam ovens, which offer a larger cavity so you can cook more.
Almost all steam ovens require installation as part of a ‘wall stack’, rather than going under a kitchen bench. They will ideally be installed at around the user’s head-height. This is a safety precaution to avoid the risk of steam burns when moisture rushes upwards as the oven door is opened.
Most combi- and steam-only ovens are what’s called ‘compact’ appliances, usually around 45 centimetres high, compared to 60 centimetres for a regular wall oven. Some manufacturers have released full-sized combi-steam ovens, which offer a larger cavity so you can cook more.
Almost all steam ovens require installation as part of a ‘wall stack’, rather than going under a kitchen bench. They will ideally be installed at around the user’s head-height. This is a safety precaution to avoid the risk of steam burns when moisture rushes upwards as the oven door is opened.
What’s the upkeep like?
Steam and combi-steam ovens cook with so much moisture that they generally don’t get as dirty as a regular oven. Some foods such as roasted meats will still cause splatter and grease on the walls of the oven, though, so they do require some cleaning. Most models have steam-cleaning cycles so you can clean without harsh chemicals.
These ovens require descaling in the same way that a coffee machine does. This minimises calcification and limescale build-up. How often you need to run a descale cycle depends on how often you use the oven and how hard or soft your water is. Soft water areas might only need a clean once or twice a year, while for hard water areas it might be necessary every few months.
Steam and combi-steam ovens cook with so much moisture that they generally don’t get as dirty as a regular oven. Some foods such as roasted meats will still cause splatter and grease on the walls of the oven, though, so they do require some cleaning. Most models have steam-cleaning cycles so you can clean without harsh chemicals.
These ovens require descaling in the same way that a coffee machine does. This minimises calcification and limescale build-up. How often you need to run a descale cycle depends on how often you use the oven and how hard or soft your water is. Soft water areas might only need a clean once or twice a year, while for hard water areas it might be necessary every few months.
How much will I pay?
Expect to pay between a few hundred dollars for a small benchtop model to over $10,000 for a top-of-the-line, plumbed, fully featured, self-cleaning appliance. In general, steam ovens are more expensive than regular ovens from the same brand due to the extra technology and parts required to build them.
As with most appliances, you’ll get what you pay for. There are some excellent and reliable options in the mid-range market, starting at around $3,000.
Expect to pay between a few hundred dollars for a small benchtop model to over $10,000 for a top-of-the-line, plumbed, fully featured, self-cleaning appliance. In general, steam ovens are more expensive than regular ovens from the same brand due to the extra technology and parts required to build them.
As with most appliances, you’ll get what you pay for. There are some excellent and reliable options in the mid-range market, starting at around $3,000.
What are some of the best features to look for?
If you don’t want the hassle of refilling a water tank every time you use your steam oven, opt for a plumbed model. They are more expensive, but require far less maintenance day-to-day.
For people who are timid about new technologies, a steam oven with lots of pre-set functions for foolproof cooking is useful.
A fantastic new feature I’ve seen this year is a ceramic and glass grill, which gives extra oven functionality and is easy to wipe clean. My favourite new addition, though, is a fully self-cleaning feature, which uses a special cartridge to clean, rinse and dry the oven so that it looks like new.
If you don’t want the hassle of refilling a water tank every time you use your steam oven, opt for a plumbed model. They are more expensive, but require far less maintenance day-to-day.
For people who are timid about new technologies, a steam oven with lots of pre-set functions for foolproof cooking is useful.
A fantastic new feature I’ve seen this year is a ceramic and glass grill, which gives extra oven functionality and is easy to wipe clean. My favourite new addition, though, is a fully self-cleaning feature, which uses a special cartridge to clean, rinse and dry the oven so that it looks like new.
Tell us
Do you cook with a steam oven? Tell us about your experiences in the Comments below. And don’t forget to like, share or bookmark this story. Join the conversation.
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Do you cook with a steam oven? Tell us about your experiences in the Comments below. And don’t forget to like, share or bookmark this story. Join the conversation.
More
Read more ‘How Do I… ?’ stories
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We have a Thermador- in use for 5 Years. Love it!
Will a steam oven still work with this type of water? Will the steam be salty?