Steam Ovens vs Microwave Ovens vs Combi Oven

4 years ago

I am building a new house and looking for appliances currently. A recent trend has been towards Steam Ovens.

Is it worth the higher price tag compared to a microwave oven? Does it operate like a microwave? I have scoured the manufacturer websites but this kind of information is not readily available).

Also, plumbed vs non-plumbed (tank), any recommendations?

I was mostly looking to use the steam oven for reheating purposes (so essentially to substitute the microwave oven). Will it work suitably for that purpose? From what I am hearing, steam reheating is considered healthier compared to microwave.

I would really appreciate any and all feedback on this. Your personal experience is especially welcome.

Featured Answer

Suzanne

4 years ago

My Convection Steam Oven reheats food beautifully, but it takes 8 to 10 minutes. I still use my microwave for popcorn and when I am in a hurry. I think the real advantage is cooking with it. Bread, meat, chicken and fish all come out perfect. I maybe use my regular oven a few times s month. But as just a microwave replacement it seems very pricey.

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Comments (7)

Kim G
4 years ago
There are many many discussions of the value of a Combi Steam on this forum You can do a search in the search bar on Combi Steam oven. Here are a few good threads - love my MIele CSO BTW:

https://www.houzz.com/discussions/2291555/miele-combi-steam-oven-owners-thread#n=318

https://www.houzz.com/discussions/3966590/miele-steam-combi-steam-ovens-plumbed-vs-non-plumbed#n=21

https://www.houzz.com/discussions/5654736/combi-steam-oven-or-advantium#n=21

https://www.houzz.com/discussions/5281936/combi-steam-oven-owners-do-you-miss-still-use-a-microwave#n=14

https://www.houzz.com/discussions/4889003/combi-steam-ovens#n=23

There are a just a few of the many discussions. I suggest do some reading of these threads and come back with specific questions.
Amit Ramani thanked Kim G
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I don't know the answer but I am curious. if I were you (and having the benefit of hindsight) I wouldn't hesitate to call any of the Miele USA "Experience Centers" and ask to talk to any of the design staff. If you are in the US start with the Princeton, NJ center, their US headquarters. Even better if you can get to a center. The staff at these centers are a world apart from anyone you'll encounter at any appliance dealer, they use the products for demos and classes and typically have the appliances in their own homes. And it's their job to know the details on what you are asking. And report back and let us know. P.S: A little searching and I found this: https://www.mieleusa.com/media/ex/us/PressReleases/2021/9.2021_Generation_7000_Launch.pdf. Food View sounds interesting. There's also this thread: https://www.houzz.com/discussions/6229141/miele-7000-series-speed-combi-steam#n=10 Advice on calling the experience centers still stands.
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Kristin S
4 years ago
I’m very excited for my combi steam oven. That said, it wouldn’t be worth it to me just for reheating. If you’re not going to cook/bake with it, I’d skip it and consider a speed oven. Or just a microwave.
Amit Ramani thanked Kristin S
wekick
4 years ago
last modified: 4 years ago
A combi oven is much broader in function than a steam oven. . I would look at Miele, plumbed version. It functions as a steam oven but also as a full on convection oven but with control of humidity. You can read some of the manuals online especially Gaggenau and it gives you an idea of how it can work and the levels if humidity for different cooking needs.

http://resources.gaggenau.com/us/wp-content/uploads/BS-470-485-Use-and-Care.pdf

For just reheating, a MW is quicker. It is sort of self steaming. Sometimes I just use a regular oven.

“From what I am hearing, steam reheating is considered healthier compared to microwave.”

I have seen this in marketing materials This is from Harvard.

https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/microwave-cooking-and-nutrition

I would want to see a series of scholarly articles from an independent source.

I think for some people , the combi oven is a great choice. I don’t have one because I don’t have room for a third oven and need the space of my 36” and 30” ovens. Any application if steam that I need, I can do a different way.
dredfunk
4 years ago
Amit
We have had a plumbed Miele XXL CSO for the past year. It excels at reheating food. Although not nearly as quick as a microwave, it produces results that are close to freshly made. It is the most versatile appliance in our kitchen and we use it daily. If you get a chance test one out at a dealer or Miele experience center. If you do purchase one, an extended warranty is essential as these are very complex appliances.
Amit Ramani thanked dredfunk
Milo Pompeii
4 years ago
If you are building and can make room for a microwave and a steam oven, then you should do so. We have both. Note:
- Old habits die hard
- A steam convection oven is capable of doing stuff you never really thought of before
- Old habits die hard, so it will be a while before you realize the potential in the second bullet
- Microwave popcorn rules
Amit Ramani thanked Milo Pompeii
Joe Macker
4 years ago
I have an air fryer I bought for $90. I add some water to its container when I fry anything (typically vegetables). It produces well cooked(fried) vegetables that are moist. Can someone educate me on what the steam oven does that is so different from what I have? I don't have a steam oven, and I don't have a full understanding of the complexity of what it does.

Steam Ovens vs Microwave Ovens vs Combi Oven

Suzanne

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Kim G

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