If you want to change your diet and cook healthier, a steam oven might be helpful. The list of steam-cooking advantages is quite long because it is associated with our health. A lot of people don’t know that cooking food in a traditional way eliminates a lot of important nutrients, for example in the process of frying food, it loses between 22% and 34% of the vital nutrients. Our body needs these nutrients to grow, survive and reproduce. The major nutrients are proteins, water, minerals, vitamins, fats, and carbohydrates. Steam-cooking allows the food to keep its natural juices, texture and flavor, so it not only tastes better, but it also contains more of the important vitamins and other nutrients. This method is also faster, especially when you prepare a larger amount of food at once. Humidity, which is generated inside the oven, prevents the food from drying out (if you have ever experienced dry chicken, you probably don’t want to go over this situation). You can bake, roast or grill in a steam oven, and enjoy the flavors of your meals even more. Sometimes people also use a stem oven to defrost and reheat ready meals, or to disinfect some objects (for example baby bottles). You can also wonder how a steam oven works. Well, such a device isn’t complicated at all. Usually, there is a water tank that you need to fill with water (bigger steam ovens are sometimes connected to the water line, so they can supply themselves with water). The water is changed into steam because of the heat from the oven. Everything is possible thanks to the built-in boiler, where the water is injected through a pump. So, why should you get a steam oven? If you want to take care of your health, and you want to change your diet, a steam oven may be a game-changer in your kitchen. The same can be said, if you want to cook your meals more effectively, which means not over-dry them. You can also replace your microwave with a steam oven. If you want to know, what steam ovens are the best, you can read our ranking with the 5 best products in this category.
The 5 best countertop steam ovens
5. Countertop Steam Oven - FOTILE Countertop 4-in-1
This 4-in-1 oven combines different functions, so you can cook basically everything. The most important function is of course steam cooking, which is a healthier alternative to deep-frying. When it comes to frying things – FOTILE’s oven can also air fry food. Air frying is a great and healthy way to enjoy crispy veggies or meat without adding oil. This oven can be used for convection baking and as a dehydrator. The device has a water tank that you need to refill each time after the whole operation. This oven gives you an opportunity to make healthy homemade snacks like beef jerky, dried fruits or even pet treats! You can control the progress through the large see-through window.
4. Countertop Steam Oven - Elite Gourmet
The second steam oven on this list offers eight different functions such as baking, roasting, broiling, oven-top grill, griddling, steam-cooking, and keeping food warm. The oven-top grill or griddle is a nice option for those who like to fry eggs, pancakes or grilled veggies. On the other hand, rotisserie can be used for cooking poultry or pork. The compact size of the oven is a fantastic solution in small apartments, where there isn’t much space in the kitchen. You can adjust the temperature from 200 degrees Fahrenheit to 450 degrees Fahrenheit, and set the timer (max. 60 minutes). The box includes a rack and a roasting pan, which are necessary while cooking.
3. Countertop Steam Oven - Whynter TSO-488GB
The design of this steam oven is really modern and minimalistic. The capacity of the oven is 1.4 cu. ft. (40 liters) and the capacity of the water tank is 45 oz (1.4 liters). One full tank allows you to cook on the longest steam program. There are many ways to cook food in this oven. You can use it as a regular oven and bake a cake, you can roast a chicken, air fry French fries, dehydrate fruits and make a healthy snack or just steam your favorite veggies. There are tons of options, and it is up to you what kind of food are going to make. The minimum temperature is 85 degrees Fahrenheit, and the maximum temperature is 450 degrees Fahrenheit. Optimal heat circulation is possible thanks to the dynamic heating and steaming convention system.
2. Countertop Steam Oven - F.BLÜMLEIN
If you want to keep your food moisturized, but you don’t want to buy an overpriced steam oven, F.BLÜMLEIN is a great option for you. Even though the oven costs less than $300, it offers you quite a lot. You can use this small, but reliable oven to bake cakes, steam fish, broil chicken thighs, or prepare some veggies. Use this steam oven instead of a microwave to defrost and re-heat your meals. Your meal will be warm evenly, and it won’t lose so much moisture as in the microwave. The water tank’s capacity is 37.2 oz. which allows you to steam for up to 180 minutes. The time can vary because it depends on the temperature you use.
1. Countertop Steam Oven - Cuisinart CSO-300N
The best steam oven in this ranking is the Cuisinart CSO-300N. This is the most reliable and the highest rated device that doesn’t need a lot of space on the countertop. The capacity of the oven allows you to prepare a pizza or a 4.5 lb chicken. The water tank is big enough to produce uninterrupted steam for about 120 minutes (as always – it depends on the temperature). You can adjust the temperature and the amount of steam that you need to cook your meal. This small device is a great alternative to a microwave or regular oven, if you live in a tiny apartment, you rent a room, or you don’t cook too often. You can save some bucks by buying one reliable steam oven, and enjoy healthier life with tastier food.
