A steam oven needs either a plumbed home water supply or water manually added by way of a built-in removable container. You can choose either a plumbed or non-plumbed steam oven model depending on your desire. Both work equally well but the non-plumbed option means manually adding water for each use.
My personal experience with steam ovens involves the four main types of products on the market. So while you might be looking at a high end built-in steam oven, it’s worth also looking at the other two options, in case you find that your needs and budget may be better suited to one of them instead.
I’ve used the four main types of steamers on the market
There are four types of steamers that have varying price points, levels of quality and expectations in terms of what you’re getting in each case. I’ve used each with varying levels of success.
The four steamer types are:
Microwave steamer – A small plastic container that gets filled with water and placed in a regular microwave to steam food. Generic brands and plastics companies produce these. You manually fill the bottom of the tray with water as per instructions. You can get good steaming results with some foods with this option.
Microwave with built-in steamer function – This is a microwave oven (not the cheap $50 microwaves but a more expensive model) that includes a Steamer setting. Major brands like Whirlpool and Samsung make them. You typically fill a small microwave-safe cup with water to provide the steam when it is heated inside the microwave. I did not have a great experience with this option and won’t bother with it again.
Electric steamer – A plug in appliance with up to 3 perforated plastic trays to steam food at one time. Hamilton Beach, Ovente, Cuisinart and many generic manufacturers produce them. The appliance has a tray at the bottom that you manually fill with water. I’ve had very good results with this option.
Built-in steam oven – The most expensive option, it also provides the best results and best quality build. Major manufacturers include Siemens, Bosch, Miele, Samsung, Gaggenau and Thermador among others. You can get a plumbed or non-plumbed built-in steam oven i.e. one that has an active water connection installed or one that has a water container that you manually fill with each use. I’ve had excellent results with this option.
Water connection types for each steamer option
Here are the four main types of food steamers and how water is supplied to each. The four options have different considerations according to their design and how water is supplied.
| Microwavable food steamer | Microwave oven with food steamer option | Plug in electric food steamer | Built-in food steamer | |
| Water supply | Manually added to the tray. | Manually added in a cup. | Manually added to the tray. | Plumbed (water line) or manually filled water container. |
| Water capacity | Smallest capacity. | Depends how big your water cup is. | Enough to steam food for 30 minutes typically. | Large capacity water tank. Big enough for all steaming options. |
| How it works | Microwave is turned on to heat the water to produce steam that rises up to steam food on a single tray. Product is made from hard plastic. | Food is placed on a microwave-safe plate. A cup of water is placed next to it inside the microwave. The microwave setting is used to heat the water to produce steam and steam the food. | Water is heated by way of a heating element at the bottom which produces noticeable steam similar to a kettle which rises up and steams food on stacked trays. Product is typically made from plastic but more expensive glass models also exist. | Built similar to a stove, the insides of the unit are stainless steel as are the food trays. A perforated tray is used to steam veggies whereas a solid tray can steam fish, eggs, rice and other foods. Far and away the most professional option with significant steam produced. |
| Temperature control | You can select different heat settings on your microwave but no actual temperature setting. | The microwave has a Steamer setting which simply adjusts the power that it operates with. | Typically has a dial to steam by time at a minimum. Better models have boil dry protection, delay start, and other features with a digital display. Steaming is done by time. | Steam level is controlled by a digital thermostat and a timer so you have the most control of the four options. Has a low water warning. The timer won’t start counting down until the unit has reached your selected steaming temperature. |
| Convenience | Convenient and easy to clean due to small size and simplicity. | You might have to wipe down insides of the microwave after use and air it out for a few minutes. | Trays are easy to clean and are typically dishwasher safe. The heating coil will calcify over time. | Requires the most maintenance: Wiping down the insides of the unit after each use. Emptying the water tank after each use. Occasional machine descaling also required. |
| Water considerations | Smallest capacity and as such, really only good for basic food dishes. | Insides of your microwave gets filled with condensation. | You might run out of water while steaming if you don’t fill the tray enough. | Must descale the steamer every so often. You need to keep the water container empty and dry when not in use. |
| Steam produced | Enough steam is produced to steam food items but not nearly as much as a built-in steamer. | Very little in my experience. Water is boiled in a cup and some steam is produced. | Significant steam produced. A good steamer option that can steam a wide variety of foods. | The most steam produced. Steam ovens are also closed like a regular oven so steam and heat is retained. |
| Final thoughts | The third best option in this list. | Fourth place finish compared to the other options here. | 2nd place. The best alternative to a built-in model. | The best albeit most expensive but also most versatile and highest quality option. |
Summary
A steam oven typically refers to the built-in variety but it needs to be installed into your kitchen cabinetry and thus is the costliest option. It also tends to yield the best results with the best steamed foods due to its functionality and level of steam it produces.
It requires either a plumbed water line to always provide water to the unit or it will come with a water container that you manually fill each time you use the steamer. It’s a matter of convenience: Filling and emptying the water container each time with a non-plumbed model is a bit more work but the food will taste the same in the end.
If this built-in option is too expensive or doesn’t fit your kitchen, the electric plug in model is my next best choice and yields excellent results.
A microwavable container that is filled with water to steam foods would be third option on my list.
If your microwave oven happens to have a steam option, I’d suggest trying it out. If it yields results you are not happy with, you can then try the three other options to get the one that fits your needs.