Steam Ovens

There are plenty of reasons why buyers are loving Steam Ovens, cooking using a combination of heat and steam, adding versatility in the kitchen and cooking meals that retain their natural flavours, colours and textures. Even veggies burst with flavour!

Steam Ovens are said to be a healthier cooking option for two reasons. Firstly, cooking with steam means oven cooked food uses a reduced amount of fats and oils, and secondly cooking with steam helps preserve the vitamins, minerals and nutrients in food which can often be degraded in excessive Oven heat.

Steam Ovens come in three varieties. Standalone like some of Miele's offerings with steam-specific settings are meant to compliment a conventional oven rather than replace it. Multifunction Ovens with a steam setting are cheaper but limited in their steam functions such as ASKO's range. A combination steam and convection Oven, aka a Combi Steam Oven, is a great all in one Steam Oven with steam only, traditional convection with steam, or convection only plus multifunction settings available in Smeg Steam Ovens. Steam specific Ovens often come with defrosting, sous vide and reheating functions in addition to steaming.

The first thing to consider with the installation of a Steam Oven is to first measure the available space in the kitchen, or if renovating consider the new kitchen's layout. If you are looking at a dedicated steam only Oven, remember that may want to ensure you have a regular oven as well to not limit cooking options, so check you're factoring the size of both appliances into the measurements.

It’s recommended Steam Ovens be installed higher up at around head height to avoid potential burns. Hot steam rises which can be a serious safety concern if you are standing over or in front of the appliance as it's opened. Some models have a feature that helps condense steam before opening, so keep an eye out for those.

Many Steam and Combi Steam Ovens we range come with a reservoir inside the oven for filling with water which then generate the steam. There are also conventional Ovens that have steam assist, essentially a bake and steam function that requires water to be added to the well of the Oven's cavity.

Regular cleaning is the best way to ensure an oven smells fresh and performs well. For combination Ovens and Steam Assisted settings, the cleaning requirements are largely the same as any other Oven. Wiping down soon after cooking whilst the oven is still warm is the best way to prevent fat spatters and food spills getting baked on, which will save on more intensive cleaning down the line.

Many Steam Ovens include a steam clean function that softens baked on grime, making it easier to clean off without resorting to chemical cleaners. Some models may have other stronger self cleaning features like a Pyrolytic Steam Oven.

If your Steam Oven has a water tank, it's important to rinse it out regularly to prevent mould. A mouldy tank should be cleaned using a mixture of water, bleach and washing detergent then flushed as best as possible with clean water. Steam Ovens also need to be descaled periodically to keep them running efficiently and some will even let you know after a number of cycles to the next routine descaling. Remember to refer to the user manual for recommended maintenance tips specific to the oven.

There are three options to consider when looking at Steam Ovens: a Combination Steam and Convection Oven, a Multifunction Oven with either Steam Assist or a single Steam setting, or a Steam Only Oven. If you’re looking for a new Oven in addition to a steamer and have the budget, then a Combi Steam Oven gives the best of both worlds with the widest variety of cooking options and combinations for tasty results.

Steam Only Ovens have a smaller usable capacity compared to other Ovens, so they’re great for steaming a batch of veggies as a main meal cooks in a separate Oven. Whilst steaming alone can still cook a wide variety of meals like puddings, curries, casseroles, pastas and more, you'll struggle to cook for more than two people without another Oven.

Both have their place in homes as some foods cook better with Steam only and others conventionally by heat only. Steam Ovens can cook food much quicker than a conventional Oven, however if you’re adapting a recipe for a Steam Oven be prepared to experiment with this new method of cooking. Alternatively, look for new recipes made specifically with Steam Ovens in mind or considered.