What is a steam oven?

Steam ovens aren’t just for the pros.

Sure, chefs and foodies can’t stop talking about the culinary wizardry these appliances perform on tricky dishes. But here’s the real kicker: even your leftover pizza gets a gourmet makeover. Forget the rubbery microwave aftermath. A steam oven zaps life into yesterday’s slice like you wouldn’t believe — as if it’s straight from the pizzeria. 

Here’s what you should know about steam ovens…

Steam Ovens 101

One of the most important elements in every kitchen redesign is the oven. We find that clients look forward to better tasting food with their kitchen upgrades. So, instead of simply buying another oven with the same technology, many of them are excited to upgrade to a steam oven. 

Conventional ovens are dry, empty boxes with heating elements in them. Steam ovens bring steam into the process, literally.

Steam cooks food faster while using less energy. Healthy eaters say they are game changers.

How do they work?

Basically, steam ovens use heated water to cook food. Some have a refillable water tank, and others are connected directly to your water line so you never have to refill the tank. The water is heated to 212° Fahrenheit and released into the oven cavity as steam.

While steam cooking is fantastic for many foods, sometimes you do need dry heat. Having the choice changes everything. 

Types of Steam Ovens

There are two main types of steam ovens: regular steam ovens and combination steam ovens, also referred to as combi steam ovens or, as category innovator Wolf recognizes them, convection steam ovens. Steam ovens only heat to 212°F and cannot brown food, so sometimes a convection steam oven is needed.

Like air fryers, convection ovens circulate hot air. Combination ovens accelerate cooking time and brown your food beautifully. If you have ample space in your kitchen, you can consider a steam assist oven, which is a large combination steam oven.

Thanks to their versatility, combination steam ovens can replace small kitchen appliances like your microwave oven and air fryer. This is one of many reasons to switch to a steam oven. Below, is a product video of  Wolf’s convection steam ovens and its many gourmet features.

Reasons to Switch to a Steam Oven

Convenience and efficiency are two huge factors in kitchen appliance trends. You deserve all the benefits available, so consider how a steam oven can improve your cooking process.

Here are a few advantages of the steam function:

· Vegetables retain their nutrients when cooked in steam.

· Proteins stay juicy.

· You can cook without oils or fats.

· Flavors are locked into each piece of food.

· Food rarely burns.

Additionally, a steam oven is more energy efficient than a traditional oven. If you want a convenient and efficient way to cook, it’s time to consider a steam oven.

Drury Design is a certified distributor and retailer of Sub-Zero Wolf Appliances. We like giving our clients a taste of steam cooking so they can see and taste what the fuss about.

Above is a gorgeous rosemary-crusted rib-eye cooked to perfection in a Wolf steam oven. This was prepared a few weeks ago when we took clients to a special event where a professional chef steam-cooked a number of dishes on a tasting menu, showed some tricks of the trade and answered questions about Wolf/Sub-Zero/Cove appliances. Wolf steam ovens give you access to custom settings for specific dishes with adjustable settings for preferences and portions. Also shown: autumn root vegetables au gratin browned to a delicious crisp on the outside, made quick and easy via the convection/steam combination.

Steam Oven Efficiency

While conventional ovens take a long time to preheat and then cook food, steam-based models preheat and cook quickly. Since you can brown and steam food at the same time with a combination steam oven, you’ll save time and money!

Steam Oven Design

Wolf has a wide range of appliances sizes. They make small steam ovens suited for a drawer space all the way up to large steam-assist ovens.

You may have heard that, at this point, all commercial bakeries are using steam ovens – that’s why their breads are so moist. That industrial appliance look isn’t a requirement, luckily. Below are examples of steam ovens blending perfectly into home kitchens.

Are Steam Ovens Ideal for Reheating Food?

Microwaves are faster, but steam is worth the wait. We’ve had clients swear to us that re-steamed leftovers are often better then when the food was first cooked. We also hear that steam ovens are game changers when it comes to frozen food.

We asked our Senior Designers to weigh in:

“One of my clients sent me a photo of a Jimmy Dean breakfast sandwich,” says Diana Burton. “She was blown away by the improvement in taste, compared to when microwave-cooked, and just had to send me a photo right there on the spot!”

“I’ve had clients completely replace their traditional ovens with convection steam ovens,” says Alicia Saso, who has designed many a kitchen with multiple ovens. “It’s three things: the efficiency, power, and food quality. It makes them perfect for busy families and empty nesters.”

Speak with a Designer Today

Adding a steam oven to your home is a wonderful way to upgrade your kitchen and prepare delicious, healthy food. However, there are a lot of options available, and it’s difficult to know what the best options are for your unique lifestyle. That’s where our expert designers come in! Get in touch with us at Drury Design to schedule a design consultation for your kitchen remodel today.