Choosing a steam oven can be confusing as there are different types of steam ovens available and different brands use different terminology to describe similar technology. That’s where we come in. At Kitchen Things we want to make sure that the steam oven you choose fits your cooking needs and fits your lifestyle. Here’s an overview from our Cooking Technology Experts that explains the two main types of steam ovens available and what type of cooking they are best suited to. We’ve also highlighted a few of the other types of steam ovens available, although these are less common.
Steam Assist Ovens
A Steam Assist oven is a traditional oven where the heat produced by the elements can be enhanced with some steam, but it cannot cook with steam alone. A steam assist oven is perfect if you love to bake, create artisan bread or roast meat. These ovens add steam to a normal dry cooking function. There are essentially two ways this can be achieved. The first type injects timed bursts of steam on demand (making it perfect for dishes like bread which require steam at the beginning and not at the end of the cook) and the other injects a controlled level of steam maintaining a constant humidity level throughout the cook which can range from 20-70%, depending on the model of oven, In both types of this can assist with a greater rise in bread and baking, and reduces evaporation of moisture from food as it roasts or cooks, resulting in a more tender succulent result. Many steam assist ovens come with a pyrolytic cleaning function making cleanup and maintenance a breeze.
Different manufacturers may use different terms to describe this technology e.g. Moisture Plus (Miele), Added Steam, (Bosch) and Vario Steam (NEFF) are all names that indicate the addition of steam into the oven cavity.
Combi Steam Ovens
A Combi Steam (or Steam Combination) oven is incredibly versatile as it can be used as a traditional oven without the use of steam and as a steam assist oven, adding steam to traditional heating functions. But it goes one better than a Steam Assist oven as you can use it to cook with steam only (100% humidity often without any traditional elements operating) so as well as being great for baking and roasting, you can use it to steam vegetables, fish and eggs. This makes it one of the most versatile ovens as it can in many cases replace or minimise the use of the cooktop and or the microwave for most cooking processes.
Other Options
ASKO and Smeg both make Combi Steam Microwave Ovens that add microwave functionality to a Combi Steam Oven for ultimate versatility. And Miele makes Steam Only Ovens and Steam with Microwave Ovens that don’t have elements and are designed to be used alongside a traditional oven in a two-oven set up.
