For all of our culinary enthusiasts and kitchen wizards, one of the most exciting choices during a kitchen remodel or renovation is selecting the right appliances. New appliances open the door to a world of culinary possibilities just waiting to be explored. To ensure that your creations are simply better, we recommend selecting appliances that not only compliment your kitchen design with their stylish and sleek appearance, but are also packed with features that align with your cooking style.
In the world of modern appliances, the choices can seem overwhelming, whether you’re in need of space-saving options or looking expand your kitchen’s capabilities. Steam ovens, with their versatility and mindful approach to food preparation, have gained popularity. But can a steam oven truly replace a regular oven? We’ll explore the capabilities of steam ovens to help you decide whether they can serve as a viable replacement for your trusty conventional oven.
What is a Steam Oven?
Steam ovens, long cherished in commercial kitchens, are now making their way into residential kitchens, offering home chefs new culinary possibilities. But how do they work?
It’s quite simple. Sharp’s steam and convection built-in wall oven uses a Hybrid Convection System that circulates hot air, steam, and super steam through a damper duct system. Heat is distributed from the upper and back of the oven, as well as from the top. Unlike conventional radiant ovens, regular ovens have a fan that continuously circulates air within the oven cavity. When hot air is blown onto food, instead of merely surrounding it, the food tends to cook quicker.
What Can I Cook in a Steam Oven?
Steam ovens are incredibly versatile appliances that can add a unique twist to your culinary creations. While steamed veggies are always a great idea, the possibilities are not limited to vegetables. With the Sharp Smart Combi Steam Oven, you have the flexibility of three ovens in one, allowing you to cook in various ways.
The superheated steam feature can brown food with steam at temperatures up to 485°, creating a crispy exterior while keeping the inside tender and juicy.
Steam cooking at 212º is perfect for foods that need to remain moist, tender, and delicately flavored.
Additionally, the convection mode with radiant heat circulated by fan, makes it ideal for roasting and baking.
Here’s a taste of what you can cook in a steam oven:
Desserts
From Cream Puffs to Chocolate Chip Cookies, Banana Bread to Crème Brulee, the sweet possibilities are endless.
Baked Goods
These soft pretzels with beer sauce are knot your average homemade pretzel – they’re simply better!
Meats
Whether you’re cooking Chilean Sea Bass, BBQ Ribs, or Chicken Legs, cooking meat with steam can elevate your dish.
Vegetables
Whip up Cheesy Garlic Green Beansor a delightful Ratatouille with ease.
Leftovers
Reheating leftovers like pizza is a breeze with the Steam Refresh mode. It revitalizes pasta, vegetables, bread, and meats, leaving them so moist and flavorful, you can call them “second helpings”.
Forget to take the chicken out of the freezer to defrost? No need to defrost before placing your food into the Sharp Superheated Steam Oven! Instant on. No preheating. No defrosting.
Steam Ovens vs. Regular Ovens
Most of us have had a regular conventional oven in our homes all our lives, so what is the difference between a steam oven and a regular oven?
The key differentiator between a steam oven and a regular oven lies in how they use heat to cook food. While regular ovens rely on radiant heat, steam ovens combine hot air and steam to bring your creations to life.
So, it brings us to the steaming hot question…
Can a Steam Oven Replace a Regular Oven?
Steam ovens can do nearly everything a regular oven can do, all while preserving more nutrients and speeding up the cooking process. But the decision to replace a regular oven with a steam oven is not a one-size-fits-all solution.
Steam ovens offer versatility and can potentially replace a regular oven, or even a microwave, especially in kitchens where space is limited. Adding a steam oven to your culinary arsenal can enhance your cooking experience.
If you’re unwilling to part with your regular oven but want to bring your culinary skills to the next level, consider adding a steam oven to your kitchen setup. You have two main options: a built-in steam oven, like the Sharp Smart Combi Steam Oven, or a countertop steam oven for smaller spaces.
It’s worth noting that steam ovens may have smaller cavity sizes compared to regular ovens. For example, the Sharp Slide-In Range (SSG3065JS) boasts a generous 6.1 cu. ft., while the Sharp Single Wall Oven offers 5.0 cu ft. On the other hand, the Sharp Smart Combi Built-In Steam Oven features a smaller 1.1 cu. ft. capacity.
Ultimately, the decision to replace a regular oven with a steam oven depends on your specific cooking needs and preferences. Happy cooking, and may your kitchen be filled with delicious adventures!
