Some pre-existing houses and most apartment complexes most likely have the basic cooking equipment you need already. However, most kitchens don’t have a steam oven. While steam ovens aren’t a standard cooking device, many find them useful and enjoy cooking with them. Keep reading to learn all there is to know about steam ovens and why you need one in your kitchen.

What Is a Steam Oven?

You’re probably thinking, “my kitchen already has an oven, why would I need a steam version?” A steam oven is different than traditional ovens; using hot steam instead of hot air to cook your food.

How Do They Work?

Since a steam oven uses hot steam instead of hot air to cook your food, many wonder about the oven’s water source and how it works. Steam ovens come with small water tanks, which you must either fill or connect to a water source. The oven then draws water from this tank and heats it with a built-in boiler. The boiler releases the hot steam into the oven chamber to cook whatever food you’ve placed inside.

Are There Different Types of Steam Ovens?

While the steam oven name is straightforward, don’t assume that there’s only one type. You can find steam ovens and combination steam ovens on the market. Steam ovens cook only with steam, as we described above.

Combination steam ovens allow for steam cooking and convection cooking, which uses hot air like traditional ovens. You can cook with one method or combine them through different settings for specific recipes. Many prefer combination steam ovens to steam ovens since the combination allows for greater variety.

How Much Do They Cost?

Steam and combination steam ovens come at various price points. You can find countertop versions for around $600, which is a good investment since they normally last around ten years. ROBAM proudly offers combination ovens within this price range so you can afford to bring home this wonderful cooking device.

If you want a larger built-in steam or combination steam oven, then you will pay more. Built-in ovens can cost around $2,000 on average, but fancy ones have much steeper prices. While they are a great investment for active kitchens, they perform the same job as a countertop steam oven. Consider this price difference when choosing the size of your steam or combination steam oven.

What Are the Benefits of Cooking with a Steam Oven?

Cooking with steam produces healthier, more flavorful food. This result is due to the steam, it is hot enough to cook your food without destroying important nutrients like vitamins and minerals. The steam seals in the natural moisture of your food, helping to preserve its natural flavors.

Since the steam seals in moisture, you won’t need to use unhealthy oils to coat your food and keep it from sticking. Of course, you don’t have to rule out using oils entirely. Some oils provide healthy fats that our bodies need. So, consider adding them after the cooking process instead of drowning your food in oil beforehand.

Cooking with steam doesn’t just offer health and flavor benefits. Steam often heats and cooks faster than traditional ovens. That means if you’re in a rush and you still want to create a healthy meal, you can. Steam ovens are ideal for people with busy lifestyles.

Busy people will also appreciate how quickly a steam oven can defrost and reheat food. The steam provides a gentle, but thorough defrosting experience that saves the day when someone forgets to thaw your favorite protein or veggies. This gentle process warms food evenly without drying it out, effectively replacing your microwave. You also won’t have to worry about the forgotten metal utensil left on your plate in the steam oven either, although you will need to let the utensil cool when you remove it along with your food.

Lastly, many enjoy cooking with countertop steam or combination steam ovens because they’re cooler—literally. Cooking with a bigger, traditional oven can heat up your whole kitchen and house. This excess heat in your home can make working in the kitchen while something is in the oven uncomfortable. A smaller device that fits on your countertop and can still cook your food without overheating your space? Now that’s cool.

What Can I Cook in a Steam Oven?

What can you cook in a steam or combination steam oven to reap those aforementioned benefits? The good news is that you can cook almost anything! We referenced protein and veggies above, which are popular ingredients in many steam oven recipes. Many cooks want to seal the moisture in the proteins and the vitamins in the veggies they prepare, which is why this oven style is so popular. However, you can cook almost anything you want in this device.

Grains such as rice, pasta, and quinoa all cook well in a steam or combination steam oven. You’ll notice that rice and quinoa cooked this way are often fluffier. If you want fluffy baked goods such as breads and cakes, you can also use a steam or combination steam oven. Combination steam ovens are often better for baked goods since a hint of dry heat will create a flavorful crust.

Is This a Necessity?

After reading about the benefits of a steam or combination steam oven and how versatile it is, some people recognize this device as a kitchen necessity. Others view this oven as a beneficial device that they may not have the countertop space or budget for. Both opinions are valid. However, if you can find the countertop space and money for a steam or combination steam oven, you won’t regret it.

There is much to know about steam ovens and why you might need one. Everyone has different needs for their kitchen, but most agree that a steam oven or combination steam oven is an excellent investment. ROBAM offers combi steam ovens for sale at a reasonable price that will look great in your kitchen. Make this investment now so you can start reaping the benefits of countertop steam cooking.