Which steam oven to buy?

The steamer is a device that will help you take the art of cooking to a higher and healthier level. This option is ideal for people who appreciate juicy, aromatic and at the same time properly balanced meals, while maintaining their nutritional value. Which steam oven to choose for the best results?

Steam oven - what is it and how does it work?

A double boiler at first glance is not much different from standard oven models. Indeed, it has the same features - with one additional option, which turns out to be absolute. Game changes. Thanks to the built-in water container or steam generator, this device allows food to stay juicy without depriving them of valuable vitamins. In this modern oven, you will not only bake, roast or defrost food, but thanks to the steam function, you can cook healthy meals without adding fat.

To bake a large piece of meat (such as chicken) in a conventional oven, rub it with the appropriate amount of butter, butter or olive oil. The same goes for many vegetarian and vegan dishes: baked potatoes, tofu, stuffed peppers. Most products baked at high temperatures without adding fat, unfortunately, dry out, which spoils their taste to a large extent. In this regard, steam ovens have a huge advantage: during the heat treatment process, hot water vapor circulates in them, which constantly moistens the finished products. Thanks to this, you do not have to sprinkle them with a drop of fat - and after baking they will be perfectly juicy.

Available types of steam ovens

A water tank or steam generator are desirable features of steam ovens. However, manufacturers are constantly working on creating new, more and more convenient solutions, which results in the presence of as many as four types of steam ovens.

The first - and, by the way, very popular - model with an automatic built-in steam generator. This is a system consisting of a properly heated water tank and a special nozzle, the task of which is to introduce steam into the oven chamber. It is important to note that this type of device is only used for steam cooking. Cooking is impossible due to the fact that the steam function in their case always works simultaneously with the oven heating elements.

However, you can easily find equipment on the market that actually uses steam only in the steam program, so it not only bakes, but also steams. It is these models that are "one hundred percent" steam ovens - which does not detract from the usefulness of other types! It's just related to the extended functionality. A very good model, for example. Electrolux EOC5E70X.

Even more advanced models are Sous Vide steam ovens. Not only do they give you access to all the previously mentioned steam cooking options, but they are also enriched with the popular sous vide method. It consists in vacuum cooking in water of the appropriate temperature (maximum 100 degrees Celsius), i.e. placing products in a special sealed bag and immersing them in water. This is an even more advanced option for steaming, as this way all the nutrients, taste and aroma remain inside the bag. Example of a model with a steamer: Empty HSG636BB1.

The last group are steam-heated ovens, available at the best prices. They do not have a built-in automatic steam generator - but they are distinguished by a specific recess in the bottom of the chamber. This is the place for water, which, when the oven is turned on and set to the appropriate temperature, begins to evaporate, supporting the baking process.

Are built-in steam ovens a good solution?

The built-in oven with steam function is just as good a solution as its classic version. If you prefer built-in appliances, because aesthetics are as important to you as functionality, then you will undoubtedly find the ideal model for yourself. In his case, however, pay special attention to checking the dimensions of the equipment you like, because they must exactly fit the place between the furniture or the niche in which it will be built.

Built-in steam ovens are not only on par with freestanding models, but in some cases even surpass them in terms of innovation. A great example is the ability to bake two different dishes at the same time, on different shelves, at different temperatures: for example, meat at the bottom, which needs to be cured a few degrees, and French fries at the top, which are usually baked at a temperature of about 220◦C. This allows you to significantly reduce the preparation time for dinner, especially when you are cooking for a large number of people.

Which steam oven to choose? What else should you pay attention to?

Choosing the type of oven you want is the first important step in choosing the perfect appliance. It will be supplemented by checking the following specifications:

• Energy class - the closer to A++, the more energy efficient the oven will be. It also means lower energy bills and less pollution.
• Camera capacity - expressed in liters. It tells you how many foods you can put in the oven at the same time.
• Water container capacity – the built-in tank needs to be topped up with water, so it’s worth checking how much it will fit: the larger the tank, the less often you have to add liquid.
• Real fan cooking - a function that significantly increases the efficiency of heating food in the oven. It provides even distribution of hot air thanks to a special air stream. As a result, the products are heated not only around the heater, but also from both sides.
• thermoprobe - a device that performs the functions of a food thermometer. It is built into the oven chamber and activated by placing the core temperature probe into the food whose “core” temperature you want to check, such as a large piece of meat. The heating level reached will be shown on the display.
• Grill, microwave, defrost, dry – additional heating functions corresponding to: grilling, reheating or microwave cooking, defrosting (e.g. frozen bread to make it crispy) or drying (e.g. herbs for dry seasoning).

Undoubtedly, it is worth buying a steamer - this is one of the easiest ways to change your eating habits to healthier ones and enjoy eating juicy, flavorful dishes every day.