Steam oven buying guide: How to choose the right one for your kitchen

A steam oven uses heated steam to cook food gently and evenly, helping to retain moisture, flavour and texture. By combining moisture with heat, it can support tender results, crisp golden finishes and greater versatility across baking, roasting and reheating.

In this steam oven buying guide, we’ll explain how steam ovens work, the cooking functions and features to look for, and how to choose the right model for your kitchen.

Why should I choose steam ovens?

Steam oven benefits extend beyond just introducing moisture into the cooking process. It can help improve texture, support more even cooking and enhance results across a wide variety of dishes.

Gentle cooking for tender results

Steam helps ingredients cook more gently, reducing the chance of food drying out. For everything from roast meats to delicate fish and vegetables, this can mean softer texture, better moisture retention and more flavour in every bite.

Helps preserve natural nutrients

Cooking with steam can help ingredients retain more of their natural colour, texture and goodness. It is a practical way to prepare vegetables and other fresh foods with a lighter touch and less need for added fats.

Balanced textures inside and out

One of the key benefits of steam is its ability to create contrast in texture. Features such as SteamCrisp can help keep food tender on the inside while supporting a crisp, golden finish on the outside, whether you are roasting, baking or reheating.

Even, consistent cooking performance

A more controlled cooking environment can help deliver consistent results across a wide range of dishes. Features such as the Food Probe and CookSmart Touch+ display make it easier to select the right settings, monitor cooking progress and cook with confidence.

For even more guidance, AI TasteAssist helps you unlock your oven’s full potential. Simply send an online recipe to your oven through the app, and AI TasteAssist will suggest optimised cooking times, temperatures and functions to help bring out the best in every dish.

Are steam oven myths true? Common misconceptions debunked

Steam cooking is gaining more attention in home kitchens, yet there are still common misconceptions about what a steam oven can do. Drawing on techniques long used in professional kitchens, Electrolux steam ovens bring greater control over moisture and heat into the home, offering a more versatile approach to baking, roasting, reheating and everyday cooking.

Myth 1: Steam cooking makes food soggy

Steam cooking uses carefully controlled moisture rather than excess water. In combination modes such as SteamBake, steam works alongside heat to help keep food moist and tender inside while allowing the outside to brown, crisp and develop a golden finish.

Myth 2: Steam ovens are only for vegetables

Steam ovens are designed to support a wide range of cooking methods, not just simple steaming. Depending on the function selected, they can be used for fish, poultry, roasts, bread, pastries, casseroles and reheating, as well as vegetables.

Myth 3: Steam cooking is slower than dry-heat cooking

Steam transfers heat efficiently, which can help food cook evenly and effectively. Depending on the dish and function used, steam cooking times can be comparable to other oven methods, while also helping support better moisture retention.

Myth 4: Steam cooking makes food bland

Steam helps ingredients retain moisture during cooking, which can help preserve texture and support fuller flavour. Rather than drying food out, it can help keep meats succulent, vegetables vibrant and baked dishes better balanced in texture.

Myth 5: You have to use steam every time

A steam oven is designed to offer flexibility across different cooking styles. Depending on the model, you can choose from full steam, combination steam or dry-heat functions, making it possible to match the cooking method to the dish.

Explore our comprehensive Oven Buying Guide for expert tips on choosing the best oven for your home.

Cooking with a steam oven: How can a steam oven improve everyday cooking?

Steam ovens can offer a range of cooking functions. Understanding how these settings work, including adjustable steam levels, can help you get better control over moisture, texture and finish.

Types of steam cooking functions

Electrolux steam ovens can offer a range of cooking functions, each designed to support different ingredients and results. Adjustable steam levels are particularly useful, giving you more control over how much moisture is used during cooking.

• Full steam: Full steam cooks with steam alone, creating a gentle cooking environment that helps preserve moisture, texture and natural flavour. It is ideal for ingredients such as vegetables, fish and dumplings, where a lighter cooking approach can make a noticeable difference.
• High steam: High steam can be used to reheat foods to taste like they are freshly cooked. Ideal for cooking fish and stews etc.
• Low steam: Low steam uses low level steam in the cooking process and creates a gentle crisp outside, juicy and tender inside.

Other dedicated steam functions: Features such as SteamBake and SteamCrisp are designed to suit specific cooking styles and results. They make it easier to choose the right setting for everything from crisp-crusted bread to tender roast dishes and balanced reheating.

Features to look out for in a steam oven

The right features can make a steam oven easier to use, more versatile and better suited to the way you cook. Understanding what each feature does can help you decide which functions matter most for your kitchen.

• Steam cooking and specialised functions: Features such as SteamRoast and AirFry can expand what a steam oven can do day to day. Depending on the model, these functions can support everything from gentle reheating and moisture-rich roasting to crisp finishes, slow cooking and dough proving.
• Guided cooking and controls: Features such as the CookSmart Touch+ display, Smart Food Probe and AI TasteAssist make cooking more intuitive and precise. They help you select suitable settings, monitor cooking progress and adjust time, temperature and functions for more reliable results with greater confidence.
• Cleaning and ease of use: Practical features can make a difference beyond cooking performance. A pyrolytic self-cleaning function helps reduce maintenance by using high heat to break down residue, while Steam Cleaning harnesses the natural power of steam to loosen everyday grease and grime for easier cleaning.

Explore Electrolux steam ovens: A solution to healthier, more flavourful cooking

Explore Electrolux steam ovens designed to support everything from everyday cooking to more advanced baking, roasting and reheating. Compare key features, cooking functions and model formats to find a steam oven that suits your kitchen and the way you cook.

Discover our best-selling steam ovens: