Steamers vs steam ovens: If you want to cook food in a particularly gentle way, there are essentially two types of appliance to choose from. We’ll pit them against each other – and highlight the pros and cons of both options for you.
Steam cooking refers to the gentle preparation of foods such as vegetables, fish and meat using water vapour at temperatures between 30 and 100 °C. The food is steamed without fat, and the vitamins and minerals are largely preserved.
You can cook this way with two different types of appliances. There are, however, a few differences between steam cookers and steam ovens:
Steam cooker
Steam oven
The BORA X BO, for example, is a steam oven with a fixed water connection. We have deliberately designed it – just like the BORA multi-drawer – to offer consistent convenience.
An extremely user-friendly touch display combined with innovative steam and hot air technology. Discover the advantages of the BORA steam oven.
When choosing between a dedicated steam cooker and a combination steam oven, individual cooking habits and space requirements play a decisive role. Our comparison highlights the key features of both systems to help you make your decision.
Comparison table: Steam cooker vs. steam oven
| Criterion | Steam cooker | Steam oven |
|---|---|---|
| Space requirements | A separate appliance requires floor space | A combi appliance saves space |
| Costs | Two separate appliances increase the total cost | Purchase may be more expensive, particularly as a replacement for an existing oven |
| Installation effort | Minimal for appliances with a water tank; otherwise high, depending on the kitchen | Extensive alterations may be necessary for a fixed water connection |
| Cooking modes | Steam cooking only (multiple levels) | Steam cooking and baking (with/without moisture) |
| Cooking flexibility | It is not possible to prepare dishes using different modes at the same time | Multiple dishes can be steamed simultaneously without flavours transferring |
| Cleaning & Maintenance | Tank models require regular emptying and cleaning | Same issue with tank models; a fixed water supply reduces the effort involved |
Whilst a standard steam cooker specialises in the gentle cooking of vegetables, fish and side dishes in particular using steam, the steam oven significantly expands the range of options to include the following cooking methods:
So, with a steam oven, you can prepare the same dishes as in a steam cooker – and more. The combination appliance can completely replace a separate steam cooker.
Technically speaking, it’s not usually a question of ‘steamers vs steam ovens’. At the end of the day, an oven is a normal fixture in the kitchen. So, the question is in actual fact: is a steam oven or a combination of two separate appliances the best solution for you?
Steam ovens give you the option of baking with additional moisture. However, this is not necessarily relevant to your decision – there are also normal ovens with this feature.
Thus, two important aspects remain when deciding between a steamer and a steam oven:
Finally, it’s also a matter of deciding what your top priority is. As soon as you’ve established that, the question of whether you should opt for a steamer or steam oven answers itself. If you opt for the second option, the focus will be on installing the steam oven correctly.
by teaming up a separate oven and steamer, you can bake and steam different dishes at the same time. This is not possible with every combination appliance.
Finally, it’s also a matter of deciding what your top priority is. As soon as you’ve established that, the question of whether you should opt for a steamer or steam oven answers itself. If you opt for the second option, the focus will be on installing the steam oven correctly.
Standard ovens are not designed for steam cooking. If you don't want to buy a steam cooker or a steam oven, a steamer insert for pots is a good alternative. This is the simplest method of steam cooking.
A steam oven offers three functions in one while taking up relatively little space: Steam cooking, conventional baking, and "moisture-assisted baking"—that is, baking with added moisture. This ensures that a wide variety of foods turn out perfectly—juicy, tender, and/or crispy, just the way you like them.
Both types of appliances typically use the standard niche height of 45 or 60 cm. However, the steam oven saves space overall, since it replaces the traditional oven. If you have a separate steam oven, you will definitely need a second cabinet space for the additional oven.
Generally speaking, yes. In a steam-only cooker, the only things that usually build up are moisture and limescale. In a steam oven, the baking and roasting functions can cause burnt-on residue to build up, which is more difficult to remove. However, high-quality combination units such as the BORA X BO typically usually feature automatic cleaning programs using hot steam and special cleaning cartridges, which significantly reduce the effort required.
High-quality steam ovens typically cost about twice as much as standard steam cookers in the same quality class because they combine a steam function and an oven in a single appliance. The exact difference depends heavily on the brand, features, and installation type. However, when you consider the total cost of the kitchen, this difference is put into perspective: Since the steam oven completely replaces a traditional oven, there is no need to purchase a second major appliance. Compared to buying two separate devices, the bundle can often be up to a third cheaper.
