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Steam ovens are a new kitchen trend that promotes healthy cooking and eating. What is the working principle of steam ovens? They use steam instead of hot air to cook food, as their name implies. To find out if steam oven cooking is for you, learn more about the pros and cons of this innovative cooking method.

How Do Steam Ovens Work And Does My Kitchen Need One?

Steam ovens can be used easily and have many benefits, especially when it comes to healthier cooking. How do steam ovens work? Are there any downsides to them? These facts will help you make an informed decision about your kitchen.

What are Steam Ovens?

Convection and standard ovens use hot water to heat food heated by an electrical or gas heating element. A steam oven, on the other hand, doesn’t use hot air. Instead, it converts water into steam. Most steam ovens can be used as single-wall ovens. However, smaller countertop steam ovens can also be added to convection or standard models. Convection wall ovens often include a steam option that allows you to combine both cooking methods into one unit.

What is the Work of a Steam Oven?

Steam ovens do not require a gas or electric heating element to produce steam. They only need water to cook. For constant water access, some steam ovens can connect to the water supply line of your home. Most steam ovens have a small tank, which must be filled through an outer compartment before being used. The water from the tank is heated in an oven’s boiler to 212 degrees, at which point it becomes steam.

The steam is released into an oven’s cavity once the water has reached this point. How does a steam oven cook food? Water conducts heat better than air. The steam that is released into an oven’s cavity engulfs food and allows for fast cooking.

 

 

Do I need a steam oven?

You can decide if this appliance is right for your needs by reviewing the pros and cons of steam ovens.

The advantages of steam ovens

  • Healthy cooking: Convection ovens heat up quickly, and many foods are deprived of their vitamins and nutrients. This heat can also dry out food, so butter or oil is recommended to preserve moisture. Steam is better for food preservation. The steam’s humidity helps keep food moist and reduces the need to use fats such as oil or butter.
  • More flavour and texture: Steam ovens provide a gentle heat that allows food to retain its flavour, texture, and colour. This creates a more enjoyable eating experience. What can a steam oven be used for? Steam heat is used to cook fish and vegetables to perfection while preserving their moisture and colour. Sauce-cooked rice, stews, or meats are also perfect for making your food fluffy and moist.
  • Cooking times are faster: Because water conducts heat better than air, food cooks much faster than in convection ovens. The steam heats up faster than a standard oven, which can sometimes cause uneven cooking due to hot and cool pockets.Superior reheating: With a steam oven, leftovers can be reheated without the need to dry them in a standard oven or microwave.

Steam oven disadvantages:

  • Prices: Combination steam/convection ovens and steam ovens are more expensive than convection and standard models. They cost between R23500 and R80000. A countertop steam oven can be more expensive than a standard model, but they still come in the range of R6500-R9500.
  • Temperature limits and no browning: Although steam can heat many foods and makes them feel hotter than 100°C, it is not suitable for all food. High heat browning is a benefit for meats, so they should be cooked in either convection or a standard oven. These ovens are better than steam models for baking bread, cakes, pies, cookies, and muffins.
  • It can be difficult to refill a steam oven’s tank after each use, especially if the steam oven also needs additional water.
  • Cleaning steam ovens are labour-intensive. To avoid condensation buildup, steam ovens should be cleaned and dried after each use. Regular descaling is also necessary to prevent hard water, mould, or mildew buildup in the water tank.
  • Oven heating problems can happen regardless of whether you select steam, convection or standard model.

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