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Most of us have cooked with steam. Whether making rice or broccoli, steaming has long been hailed as the way to get tender foods that retain their flavor and nutritional content. Traditionally, steaming has been reserved for the stovetop, but recently a line of steam ovens has become the newest (and healthiest) way to bake. Below we look at the pros and cons of steam ovens, and what you need to know before you buy.
How it works
The concept is as simple as boiling water. Steam ovens have a reservoir of water that provides the steam for baking. Note, some models come with a removable reservoir that you need to add water to as needed; others are hooked up directly to a water line. You set the steam oven to a certain temperature. Depending on your steam oven, cooking temperatures normally range from 212 degrees Fahrenheit to 572 degrees Fahrenheit. The water in the reservoir heats to a temperature above boiling, which causes it to become steam. That steam is then pumped into the oven cavity.
Pros
Health-conscious cooks will love baking with steam, which preserves the nutrients of your food and doesn’t require the addition of fats. Steaming also prevents food from shriveling up or changing shape. The method also allows you to defrost foods quickly and cooks faster than conventional baking. For instance, it takes just 20 minutes to steam a chicken at 212 degrees, compared to two hours in a traditional oven. But perhaps the best part is that when you steam different foods at the same time, they won’t transfer their flavors to one another, which saves you time and energy.
Cons
One benefit of steaming is also its downside for certain foods. Steaming preserves the shape, texture and appearance of your food, which means it can’t brown. So certain dishes, such as meats and cookies, will cook, but may not look appetizing. Putting anything that benefits from browning in a convection oven, on the grill or under the broiler for few minutes at the end of the cooking cycle can help.
Styles
Steam oven can be purchased as a single appliance (they look a lot like a microwave) or combined with a traditional oven, which allows you the flexibility of using steam when you need it, while still having the option of conventional baking. Steam ovens can be countertop appliances or installed in your kitchen.
