Steam Ovens

Experience versatile cooking with heat and steam combination for superior results. 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 vegetables burst with enhanced flavor and vibrant colors. Even veggies burst with flavour!

Two key health advantages make steam ovens an increasingly popular choice. Reduce oil and fat content while preserving essential vitamins and minerals. 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.

Three steam oven varieties available: standalone, multifunction and combination models. Steam Ovens come in three varieties. Standalone units complement conventional ovens with dedicated steam functions. Standalone like some of Miele's offerings with steam-specific settings are meant to compliment a conventional oven rather than replace it. Budget-friendly multifunction ovens with limited but effective steam capabilities. Multifunction ovens with a steam setting are cheaper but limited in their steam functions such as ASKO's Oven range. Combination units offer maximum versatility with steam-only and convection options. 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. Advanced models include defrosting, sous vide and precision reheating functions. Steam specific ovens often come with defrosting, sous vide and reheating functions in addition to steaming.

Measure kitchen space carefully and consider dual oven requirements for complete cooking solutions. 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. Dedicated steam-only units work best alongside conventional ovens for maximum flexibility. If you are looking at a dedicated steam only oven, remember that you 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.

Install at head height to prevent steam burns and ensure safe operation. It's recommended Steam Ovens be installed higher up at around head height to avoid potential burns. Rising steam poses safety risks when opening doors at low levels. 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. Look for models with steam condensation features for added safety. Some models have a feature that helps condense steam before opening, so keep an eye out for those.

Most models feature convenient internal water reservoirs for easy filling. Many Steam and Combi Steam Ovens we range come with a reservoir inside the oven for filling with water which then generates the steam. Some conventional ovens offer steam-assist functions with manual water addition. 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.

Follow standard oven cleaning practices with additional water system maintenance. Regular cleaning is the best way to ensure an oven smells fresh and performs well. Combination and steam-assist models require similar cleaning to conventional ovens. For combination Ovens and Steam Assisted settings, the cleaning requirements are largely the same as any other Oven. Clean while warm for easiest removal of spills and residue. 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. Premium models may include pyrolytic self-cleaning for ultimate convenience. Some models may have other stronger self cleaning features like a Pyrolytic Steam Oven.

Water tank maintenance is critical to prevent mold and ensure optimal performance. Clean moldy tanks with bleach solution followed by thorough water flushing. Regular descaling maintains efficiency - some models provide automatic reminders. 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.

Choose from three steam oven categories based on cooking needs and budget. 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. Combination models offer the best versatility for those wanting both steam and conventional cooking. 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 smaller capacity but excel at healthy cooking for small groups. Steam 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. Wide variety of dishes possible but capacity limitations for larger families. 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.

Different cooking methods suit different foods - steam and conventional both have advantages. 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.