What Is a Steam Oven and Should You Get One?
Steam ovens have moved from professional restaurant kitchens into Australian homes over the past decade, and their popularity continues to grow. But what exactly does a steam oven do, and is the premium price tag justified? Here's an honest guide.
How a Steam Oven Works
A steam oven injects water vapour (steam) into the cooking cavity during the baking or roasting process. Some models use pure steam; most home models are combination steam ovens that can use steam alone, dry heat alone, or a combination of both simultaneously.
Steam prevents moisture from escaping from food during cooking. This is why food cooked in a steam oven tends to stay juicier and more nutritious than food cooked in a conventional dry oven.
What Can You Cook in a Steam Oven?
- Meat and fish — chicken, fish and pork come out more tender and moist
- Vegetables — retain more colour, texture and nutrients than boiling or roasting
- Bread — steam during the first part of baking creates a crispier crust
- Reheating — steam reheating restores moisture to leftover rice, pasta and bread instead of drying them out
- Eggs — perfectly cooked poached or steamed eggs every time
- Pastry and cakes — moisture prevents cracking and improves texture
Benefits of a Combination Steam Oven
The combination steam and dry heat mode is particularly powerful. You get the browning and crust you want from a conventional oven, combined with the moisture retention of steam. This is the mode used by professional chefs for restaurant-quality results at home.
Drawbacks to Consider
- Price — combination steam ovens start from around $1,500 and go up to $6,000+ for Miele and V-Zug models
- Water reservoir — most models require you to fill a water reservoir before each use
- Cleaning — moisture in the cavity requires regular descaling and cleaning
- Learning curve — getting the most from a steam oven takes experimentation
Who Should Buy a Steam Oven?
A steam oven is worth the investment if you cook frequently and care about food quality, nutrition and flavour. For serious home cooks, families who value healthy eating, or households that frequently reheat leftovers, the results are noticeably better than a conventional oven.
If you mostly use the oven for simple baking and reheating and don't cook from scratch regularly, a standard fan-forced oven is probably a better investment.
Steam Ovens at Oceania Appliances
We stock combination steam ovens from Bosch, Electrolux, AEG and Miele, including second-hand and refurbished models with our 3–6 month warranty. Visit our showroom at 2/14 Centre Place, Wetherill Park or contact us for stock and pricing. Free delivery across Sydney.