Table of Contents
What is a Steam Oven?
A steam oven is an oven that uses hot steam rather than hot air to cook food. This introduces a whole new level of cooking, and can even reheat things more effectively than microwaves, making them a great addition to your kitchen.
Steam ovens work by siphoning water from a small water tank into a built-in boiler, heating it to 212° Fahrenheit, and releasing the steam into the oven.
The one possible downside to steam ovens is that, because water boils at 212°F, you won't be able to easily cook foods that require being cooked at higher temperatures than that. Because of this temperature limit, steam ovens usually work best as a complement to standard convection ovens.
However, a combi-steam unit can cook using both steam and convection, depending on the dish’s needs, allowing you to cook an abundance of dishes. At The Range Hood Store, we offer both standard steam ovens and steam combi ovens, be sure to check out the different options!
What are the Benefits of a Steam Oven?
The Top 5 Benefits of Steam Ovens include:
Natural moisture of food is preserved, leaving you with much juicer results
Faster cooking time
Retain essential vitamins and minerals
Use moist heat which lessens the risk of burning
Versatile for cooking a variety of dishes–can cook food simultaneously
Preserves Natural Moisture for Juicier Results
One of the primary benefits of a steam oven is its ability to preserve the natural moisture of food. Steam surrounds ingredients evenly, preventing moisture from escaping during the cooking process. Meats remain tender and juicy, vegetables stay vibrant and firm, and baked goods maintain a soft interior without drying out. This moisture retention leads to noticeably better texture and more consistent results compared to traditional dry-heat cooking.
Faster and More Efficient Cooking
Steam ovens typically reduce cooking times because steam transfers heat more efficiently than dry air. Food reaches its ideal internal temperature faster, which can streamline meal preparation without compromising quality. This efficiency is especially valuable for busy households, allowing for quicker meals while still delivering professional-level results.
Retains Essential Vitamins and Minerals
Cooking with steam helps preserve essential vitamins and minerals that are often lost when foods are exposed to high, dry heat. Because ingredients are not submerged in water or subjected to excessive temperatures, nutrients remain largely intact. This makes steam ovens a strong option for health-conscious cooking, particularly when preparing vegetables, grains, and delicate proteins.
Reduces the Risk of Burning and Overcooking
The moist heat produced by a steam oven lowers the risk of burning, scorching, or uneven browning. Steam acts as a protective buffer, helping food cook gently and evenly from the outside in. This controlled environment is especially beneficial for delicate dishes that require precision, such as fish, custards, and baked goods.
Versatile Cooking for Multiple Dishes at Once
Steam ovens are highly versatile and well suited for cooking a variety of foods simultaneously. Because steam distributes heat evenly and minimizes flavor transfer, multiple dishes can often be cooked at the same time without impacting taste or texture. This flexibility makes steam ovens an efficient solution for preparing complete meals in a single cooking cycle.
Why get a Steam Oven?
The biggest takeaway you can get from using a steam oven is that it can cook like a traditional oven, but it can cook better with the use of steam.
Steam ovens tend to produce healthier foods than a standard oven, due to the steam trapping moisture into whatever food is being cooked or reheated, eliminating the need for extra oils and fats to keep food moist. It also helps the food retain its natural vitamins and minerals, so you get the most nutritional value!
The delectable flavor of the food that comes out of a steam oven is well worth the price! When you shop with us, you’ll get great deals and expert advice on steam ovens from all your favorite brands.
What is the Best Steam Oven?
Fotile Chefcubii 4-in-1 Countertop Convection Steam Combi Oven with Air Fryer (HYZK26-E1)
ChefCubii is a 4-in-1 steam combi oven by FOTILE that will change how you cook forever. With its utility as a convection oven, air-fryer, and dehydrator, cooking can be convenient, quick, and fun. Below are just some of the many features you can expect from the ChefCubii:
Multifunctional 4-in-1 Countertop Oven
Steam-Bake Mode:
FOTILE’s unique Steam-Bake mode combines the heating of convection baking with the moisture of steam cooking to ensure an even cooking and thorough heating
40 Preset Cooking Menus
Fotile Chefcubii 4-in-1 Countertop Convection Steam Combi Oven with Air Fryer (HYZK26-E1)
$599.00
ChefCubii is a 4-in-1 combi-steam oven by FOTILE that will change how you cook forever. With its utility as a convection oven, air-fryer, and dehydrator, cooking can be convenient, quick, and fun. Below are just some of the many features… Read More
A steam combi oven is a perfect addition to your kitchen! Not only does the steam combi oven allow you to make pasta, soups, casserole dishes, oatmeal, and much more, but it also can roast meat and bake bread and pastries. All dishes can cook simultaneously without risking the transfer of other dishes' smells and tastes–maximizing your versatility to this unit.
Why a Steam Oven Is Worth Considering
For homeowners looking to improve cooking performance, efficiency, and consistency, a steam oven offers clear advantages. From juicier results and faster cook times to improved nutrient retention and versatile meal preparation, steam ovens provide a modern solution that enhances everyday cooking while supporting healthier, more reliable outcomes in the kitchen.
Have more questions about The Range Hood Store’s Steam Oven Collection? Give us a call at 1 (866) 528-0571 and a member of our sales team can help you find all the nifty gadgets you need in your kitchen!
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FAQs
What is a steam oven?
A steam oven is a cooking appliance that uses hot steam instead of dry heat to prepare food. Water is heated to produce steam, which circulates evenly throughout the oven cavity to cook, reheat, or refresh dishes with consistent moisture.
How does a steam oven work?
Steam ovens pull water from an internal reservoir into a boiler, heat it to approximately 212°F, and release steam into the oven. This steam transfers heat efficiently while preventing food from drying out.
What are the main benefits of owning a steam oven?
Steam ovens preserve natural moisture, reduce cooking times, retain vitamins and minerals, lower the risk of burning or overcooking, and allow multiple dishes to be cooked simultaneously without flavor transfer.
Does a steam oven cook food faster than a traditional oven?
Yes. Steam transfers heat more efficiently than dry air, which often results in faster cooking times while still producing evenly cooked food.
Are steam ovens healthier than conventional ovens?
Steam cooking helps retain nutrients that are often lost with high, dry heat and reduces the need for added oils or fats, making it a generally healthier cooking method overall.
Can steam ovens replace a standard oven?
A standard steam oven is best used as a complement to a traditional convection oven because steam cooking is limited to lower temperatures. However, combi-steam ovens combine steam and convection, allowing them to handle a much wider range of cooking tasks.
What is a combi-steam oven?
A combi-steam oven uses both steam and convection heat, either independently or together. This allows for baking, roasting, steaming, reheating, and even air frying in one appliance.
Can you cook multiple dishes at the same time in a steam oven?
Yes. Steam ovens distribute heat evenly and minimize flavor transfer, making it possible to cook different foods simultaneously without mixing aromas or tastes.
Is reheating food better in a steam oven than a microwave?
Yes. Steam ovens reheat food gently and evenly, restoring moisture and texture without the rubbery or dried-out results often associated with microwaves.
What types of food are best suited for steam ovens?
Steam ovens excel at cooking vegetables, fish, poultry, grains, breads, pastries, casseroles, and reheating leftovers. Combi-steam ovens can also roast meats and bake desserts.
Do steam ovens prevent food from burning?
The moist heat environment significantly reduces the risk of burning or scorching, making steam ovens ideal for delicate dishes that require precise temperature control.
Do steam ovens require special maintenance?
Steam ovens require periodic cleaning of the water reservoir and interior to prevent mineral buildup, but many models include steam-cleaning functions that simplify maintenance.
Are steam ovens difficult to use?
No. Modern steam ovens often include preset cooking programs, intuitive controls, and guided modes that make them easy for both beginners and experienced cooks.
Are steam ovens worth the investment?
Yes. For homeowners seeking better cooking results, healthier meals, faster prep times, and greater versatility, steam ovens provide long-term value and a noticeable upgrade in everyday cooking performance.
Who should consider adding a steam oven to their kitchen?
Steam ovens are ideal for health-conscious cooks, frequent entertainers, busy households, and anyone looking to improve food quality, consistency, and efficiency in their kitchen.
