Is a steam oven worth buying? The pros, cons and surprising benefits

If you’re in the market for a new oven, you might’ve noticed some brands are starting to spruik their steam cooking functions as the latest must-have.

A steam oven can make meats, poultry and fish more juicy and tender, and they’re especially appealing if you’re a home baker, because baking with steam can help create bread with a good rise and a crisp, glossy crust.

Since ovens with a steam function are becoming more widely available, CHOICE testers have reviewed a number of wall ovens with this feature to figure out the pros and cons of these appliances and whether they’re actually worth buying.

The latest ovens we’ve tested that come with a steam function include models from Beko, Electrolux, Haier and Westinghouse – CHOICE members have access to the full reviews.

Read on to find out our experts’ take on steam ovens, how they work and whether they’re worth forking out extra for.

Steam oven types and how they work

There are a few different types of steam oven on the market, with each giving you a different degree of control when cooking with steam. They cover a range of budgets too.

Steam assist

The most affordable option is a standard oven with steam assist. Steam is created by manually pouring water into a well on the floor of the oven before you start cooking and letting it evaporate, or it can be drawn into the oven through a tube and injected in short bursts while using conventional oven cooking.

Some brands will have different names for this feature, such as added steam or moisture injection, but they all work similarly.

Combi-steam

A combi-steam oven combines steam with conventional dry heat functions. Steam is automatically added via pre-programmed cooking functions, which makes it a more precise method that adds steam at the correct time during cooking. Because of this, a combi-steam oven is typically more expensive than a standard multifunction oven.

Water can be added to a combi-steam oven through a tank built into the appliance, or it can be plumbed directly into your home’s water supply.

Full steam oven

Finally there’s a full steam oven which uses steam as the primary cooking medium and can provide high levels of humidity, up to 100% on some models. These appliances are expensive and will typically include accessories such as perforated steam trays.

The ovens CHOICE has reviewed are all either steam assist or combi-steam. We haven’t reviewed any full steam ovens.

Advantages of a steam oven

Steam-assisted and combi-steam ovens are versatile in terms of what you can make using the feature. You can use the oven as normal, or you can choose to add moisture while cooking for noticeably better cooking results. Here are some foods that work well with a steam function.

Meats, poultry and fish

Cooking with steam helps increase moisture, so proteins can be more tender. Roasted meat can remain succulent inside while still developing a well-browned exterior.

Bread and yeast doughs

A burst of steam allows for a good rise, and helps dough to expand fully before the crust sets, which results in better oven spring.

Casseroles and baked pasta

Steam helps bake one-dish meals such as casseroles and lasagne without making them dry or tough.

Reheating leftovers

Steam helps prevent leftovers from drying out, like they might do if reheated in a microwave or with dry oven heat.

Better results from air frying

Steaming frozen foods such as chips before you air fry them can help the food to brown evenly without drying out the centre.

Which foods aren’t suitable for steam cooking?

CHOICE kitchen expert Fiona Mair says not all foods work with steam cooking.

“Steam can reduce crispness on foods that rely on dry heat, such as biscuits, meringues and some pastries with puff or short crust,” says Fiona.

She says you’ll also want to skip the steam and use fan forced, traditional baking or air frying modes for muesli, granola and dehydrating, along with any foods where a very crisp, dry finish is preferred.

How much do steam ovens cost?

Ovens with steam cooking capabilities can be pricey, but cheaper options are available if you can go without added features such as preset cooking programs. And keep in mind, ovens frequently go on special, so shop around to get the best deal once you know which model you want.

Of the models we’ve tested, ovens with steam cooking start at around $1000 for a budget-friendly model with steam assist, while combi-steam ovens start at around $1500 and can run into the thousands.

The latter are generally more expensive than traditional ovens, but they also have pre-programmed cooking functions and other features such as pyrolytic cleaning (self-cleaning) that can add to the overall price.

Fiona says she was impressed by the models we tested, but certain cooks will get more out of the appliance.

“You will pay more, but they’re worthwhile especially if you’re a baker,” she says.

If you want the benefits of cooking with steam without the higher price tag, Fiona says steam assist ovens are a good option.

“For many home cooks, steam assist offers a good balance between a traditional oven and a full steam oven, providing many of the benefits of steam cooking without the complexity or cost of a dedicated combi steam oven.”

And Fiona’s tip if you don’t have the means to invest in a brand new appliance?

“If you have a standard oven, you can also just add water to the base of the oven to get a steaming effect,” she says.

Are steam ovens easier to clean?

Cleaning an oven might be one of the more dreaded chores around the house, but Fiona says steam ovens are easier to clean. 

“Steam can soften any baked-on residue so a quick wipe over the cavity after steaming makes cleaning an oven so much easier,” she says.

“It can leave condensation inside the cavity though, so it’s best to wipe the oven dry after use.”

Ovens with a steam function also have an extra maintenance aspect to consider – they require regular descaling (depending on the model and local water hardness), though the oven will prompt you when it’s time to descale.

Is a steam oven worth it?

CHOICE experts say ovens with a steam function are worth considering if you’re in the market for a new oven, but the function will benefit some users more than others depending on which foods you cook often.

“If you regularly bake bread, roast meat or simply want food that’s moist inside and beautifully browned outside, a steam function is well worth considering,” says Fiona.

Ovens with a steam feature can add to the purchase price, but there are cheaper options out there, such as steam assist ovens which typically work by adding water to a well at the base rather than a built-in water tank or reservoir.

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Jasmine Gearie

Jasmine Gearie is a content producer at CHOICE. She writes about a range of topics including skincare, household appliances and supermarket trends – always with an eye on helping consumers make better-informed choices. Before joining CHOICE, Jasmine covered personal finance for Mozo and consumer tech at TechRadar. Jasmine has a Bachelor of Communication (Journalism and Public Relations) from the University of Newcastle. LinkedIn

Jasmine Gearie is a content producer at CHOICE. She writes about a range of topics including skincare, household appliances and supermarket trends – always with an eye on helping consumers make better-informed choices. Before joining CHOICE, Jasmine covered personal finance for Mozo and consumer tech at TechRadar. Jasmine has a Bachelor of Communication (Journalism and Public Relations) from the University of Newcastle. LinkedIn