The Best Countertop Steam Ovens Let You Flex Your Foodie Muscles
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Part of what makes cooking so fun is that it’s basically applied chemistry. As such, we’re constantly discovering new methods and techniques to improve the way we eat. That includes improving the tools and kitchen gadgets we use. Enter steam ovens, which started in restaurants and are now available for home cooks who like to experiment in the kitchen.
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The steam ovens available for home use are combination ovens, to be more precise. These combi-ovens are essentially a steam oven and a convection oven that have been frankensteined together to provide all kinds of delicious morsels. Working in tandem, these ovens produce moist and juicy food that’s browned and crispy on the outside, making the average cook look like a downright pro. It’s no wonder these devices caught the eye of tech pundits and food geniuses alike, including J. Kenji Lopez-Alt. We first wrote about this technology when the popular Japanese Balmuda steam toaster debuted in the United States; we just had to know why people were so obsessed with this $400 toaster.
Why Are Steam Ovens So Special?
Steaming your food delivers two pretty big results: the method keeps moisture locked in while maximizing food’s nutrient potential. Steamed food retains more of its nutrients because it’s being basted in vaporized water — not oil — the entire time it cooks. That steam also provides a consistent temperature throughout the oven that’s easier to control. This not only cooks food more evenly, but it makes it easier to get food up to (and hold it at) the exact temperature needed for consumption. In other words, the best steam ovens will help at-home cooks get the same results as they would with a sous vide immersion circulator.
Once the food is at its ideal temperature, it can be browned to a crisp with the convection elements in the combi-oven, which intensifies flavors and adds a pleasing texture. While most of the best steam ovens are combi-ovens, some aren’t.
With all of that in mind, we’ve rounded up eight of the best countertop steam ovens available to buy right now.
1. Tovala Gen 2 Smart Steam Oven
BEST OVERALL
We’ve tested this oven and it’s one of our favorites, especially considering the price and comprehensive features. Our testers also found it super easy to use right out of the box. While this countertop steam oven can cook anything that comes to mind, it’s really designed to go with Tovala’s meal service. Tovala delivers frozen, chef-prepared meals to subscriber’s doorstep every week, with each serving working out to about $12. When it comes time to heat those meals, the Tovala will pull a specially-designed program/recipe from the oven, telling it what temperatures and settings to cook it at (and for how long). If everything goes to plan, there will be a meal for 1-4 people that will blow any TV dinner out of the water.
Tovala Smart Oven
2. Anova Precision Oven
BEST OVERALL FUNCTIONS
Name a kitchen task, and this combi-oven can do it. The Anova oven thoroughly impressed SPY with its ability to steam, convection bake, air fry, proof, toast, roast, bake, sous vide, broil, dehydrate, and then some. It even has the ability to conduct controlled steam injections to help with bread bakes. We also like how it connects to the internet so users can download guided recipes and automatically monitor their food for the perfect meal. Given its size and price, this is not a casual appliance to impulsively purchase, but it does provide significant bang for the buck. Instead of installing a second oven, this countertop appliance is a great option.
Anova Precision Oven
3. Cuisinart Convection Steam Oven
CONTENDER
Those searching for a true combi-oven alternative to the Anova that’s also cheaper and smaller should look no further than the Cuisinart. Roughly half the size (and price), this steam oven surrounds breads, vegetables, and leftovers in an even bath of heat that will ensure morsels are flavorful and moist but still browned and crisped. That said, there aren’t high-end features like sous vide mode and guided cooking here. Plus, it lacks the sexy design of Anova or Balmuda ovens. Still, it’s a great introduction to steam cooking if you’re hesitant to spend $600 on the best countertop steam oven.
Cuisinart Convection Steam Oven
4. Balmuda The Toaster
BEST STEAM TOASTER OVEN
While the Anova Precision Oven is designed to do everything a normal oven can do, Balmuda’s The Toaster is a bit less ambitious: it sees itself as a replacement for the toaster and people are obsessed. So obviously, we wanted to know why. This steam oven is primarily designed to reheat and toast various types of bread and pastries. By using steam in its toasting process, it keeps these foods moist and chewy in the middle, but crispy on the outside. And thanks to five different presets, it’s easy to get the right time and temperature for everything from a frozen round of bread to leftover pizza to a day-old English muffin. The result: delicious, texture-filled foods.
Balmuda The Toaster
5. Fotile Chefcubii 4-in-1 Countertop Convection Steam Oven
AIR FRYER OPTION
Why have an air fryer and a steam oven when there’s a machine that does both? In addition to steaming food to its juiciest heights, the Fotile can also bake, air fry, and dehydrate food right from the counter. The steam-bake mode comes with precise moisture control for optimal juice and flavor, and there are more than 40 pre-set menus for common dishes that allow users to save brain power for other kitchen tasks. It comes with a grill rack, bake tray, steam tray, and a humidity-controlled chip for the best dehydrated meats, veggies, and fruit possible. We also like that it has a full one-year warranty for that extra peace of mind.
Fotile Chefcubii 4-in-1 Countertop Convection Steam Oven
6. Sharp Superheated Steam Countertop Oven
ALSO CONSIDER
Much like the Balmuda, the Sharp Superheated Steam Countertop Oven isn’t meant to cook multi-course meals from scratch. But for toasting, reheating, and baking/broiling/roasting small portions, this is a solid, no-frills option. Unlike the Balmuda, the Sharp steam oven has a greater capacity, and is able to bake a 12-inch pizza or toast nine slices of bread. (The Balmuda, in comparison, can toast two slices at a time.) This, of course, makes the Sharp Steam Oven bigger than some of the best steam ovens on this list. It’s also a touch pricey for what it does. But it may fit shoppers’ needs at a lower price.
Sharp Superheated Steam Oven
7. Whynter Grande Countertop Convection Steam Oven
LARGE CAPACITY
Whether cooking for a large family or cooking for in bulk for later, steaming food is a lot easier with this large-capacity countertop steam oven. The 40-qt model is big enough for an entire turkey, which may be a game-changer come holiday season. It can also do a plethora of other tricks like air frying, dehydrating, and roasting, plus it even makes yogurt. This steam oven also comes with handy functions like a preset timer of up to 24 hours and a child lock for extra safety. Meanwhile, reviewers dig how easy it is to clean — once you get the hang of how to use its many, many features, that is.
Whynter Grande Countertop Convection Steam Oven
8. Panasonic HomeChef 7-in-1 Compact Oven
COMPACT MODEL
If low on counter space and looking for something a little more compact, Panasonic’s HomeChef is a small machine with large functionality. The interior is big enough to fit a 10-inch pizza but has two racks to maximize all available space. It’s also meant to replace many other gadgets, thanks to the seven modes: steam, convection, bake, air fry, slow cook, ferment, and sanitize. It lets users double up with its steam-bake combo, allowing for many options the when whipping up a meal or a snack. As far as the steaming function goes, we like how it comes with two levels of “smart steam” to lock in nutrients, and this machine gets overall extra points for its large LED display and ease of use.
Panasonic HomeChef 7-in-1 Compact Oven
Frequently Asked Questions About Steam Ovens…
Steam ovens are relatively new to American kitchen culture, and while they’re becoming a trendy microwave alternative in some foodie households, folks are bound to still have some questions about these appliances.
Can a Steam Oven Replace a Regular Oven?
The short answer is no, at least not if purchasing a straight-up steam oven. If the tradition kitchen oven rarely gets any use, though, some of the combi-ovens on the list below may be a kitchen newbie’s new best friend. Meanwhile, more and more kitchen oven companies are offering steam oven add-ons, which are more permanent fixtures for the space.
Essentially, steam ovens steam food at just over 200 degrees, while most ovens more than double that temperature. Steam cooks food faster because of the way it distributes heat, but relying solely on steam will never crisp up food or deliver baked goods the way a traditional oven can. That’s why it’s crucial to have some combination of both.
What Is the Difference Between Countertop and Inbuilt Steam Ovens?
Inbuilt or built-in steam ovens, like the Miele steam oven or the Wolf steam oven, are units that can be built into an actual kitchen. They cost thousands of dollars and require special installation, which doesn’t make them practical for everyone. Countertop models, however, are much smaller, less expensive, and they’re designed to fit onto the countertop — simply plug them in and go.
How Do I Clean a Countertop Steam Oven?
If concerned about how to keep the steam oven clean, don’t stock up on oven cleaner. It’s important to follow manufacturer recommendations, but many steam ovens can be cleaned with the steam function itself. Use it immediately following any spills so they don’t have time to set in, or for an extra boost, try steaming a vinegar-water concoction or even lemon slices instead.
Pros and Cons of a Countertop Steam Oven
On the fence about adding another cooking appliance to an already-crowded countertop? Here are the top steam oven benefits to consider:
Pros:
They’re less expensive than a built-in steam oven
They deliver many of the same functions as built-in steam ovens
Many models come with other coveted cooking features, like air-frying or convection oven modes
The best steam ovens have a sleek and modern designs
Steam ovens like Tovola come with smart features
Cons:
They have a smaller capacity than a built-in steam oven
They take up counter space, which can be a nuisance in a small kitchen
They take up storage space when not in use
Contrary to popular belief, microwaves don’t kill all the nutrients in your food, a myth that some proponents of steam ovens believe
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