Steam Cooking Appliances – Steam, Combi & Steam-Assisted Ovens

Shop built-in steam cooking appliances for steaming, baking, roasting, reheating and combination cooking. The range includes dedicated steam ovens, combination steam ovens, conventional ovens with added steam and selected steam-and-microwave models from brands including Miele, AEG, Bosch, Fisher & Paykel, Smeg, Neff, Bertazzoni, BORA and Gaggenau.

The right type depends on how extensively you want to cook with steam. A dedicated steam oven is designed primarily for gentle steam cooking, while a combi steam oven combines steam with conventional dry heat so it can also bake and roast. Steam-assisted ovens use smaller amounts or bursts of moisture alongside normal oven functions and are particularly useful for bread, roasting and dishes where you want a crisp exterior without drying out the centre.

Shop by Steam Cooking Type

Steam Ovens

Choose a steam oven if steaming is a priority. These appliances are designed for cooking vegetables, fish, meat and other ingredients with controlled steam, with selected models also offering sous-vide cooking, reheating and multi-level steaming.

Combination Steam Ovens

Combination steam ovens bring steam and conventional oven heat together in one appliance. They are the most versatile option if you want to steam food but also bake bread, roast meat or cook dishes that benefit from both moisture and browning. Current ranges include Miele DGC models, Fisher & Paykel Combi-Steam ovens, Bertazzoni steam combi ovens, Smeg SteamGeneration models and the BORA X BO.

Steam-Assisted Ovens

Steam-assisted ovens are conventional multifunction ovens that introduce additional moisture during selected cooking programmes. They are a good choice if you mainly roast and bake but want steam support for softer bread interiors, better crust development or more succulent meat. Examples within the current range include selected AEG SteamCrisp models, Bosch ovens with Added Steam, Neff added-steam ovens and Miele ovens with Moisture Plus.

Steam Ovens with Microwave

Some compact appliances combine steam with microwave cooking. These are useful where fast reheating and defrosting matter as much as steaming. Miele DGM models, for example, combine steam cooking and microwave operation in one built-in appliance rather than acting as a conventional dry-heat oven.

Which Type of Steam Oven Should You Choose?

Steam Cooking Technologies in the Current Range

AEG SteamPro and SteamCrisp

AEG SteamPro ovens provide broader steam control, with selected models supporting full steam and sous-vide alongside conventional baking and roasting. SteamCrisp models are more focused on adding moisture to conventional oven cooking. That makes SteamPro the better choice when steam itself is a major cooking method, while SteamCrisp suits shoppers primarily looking for a multifunction oven with steam assistance.

Miele DG, DGC, DGM and Moisture Plus

Miele uses several distinct steam formats. DG models are dedicated steam ovens. DGC models combine steam with conventional oven functions for baking and roasting. DGM models combine a steam oven with microwave cooking. Selected Miele H-series ovens use Moisture Plus, which adds moisture to conventional baking and roasting but should not be confused with a full steam oven.

Installation also varies between Miele models. Some use refillable water containers, while selected DGC 7845 and DGC 7865 models have mains water and drain connections. Check this before cabinetry and plumbing are finalised.

Bosch and Neff Steam Functions

Look carefully at the distinction between an oven with added steam and one with a full steam function. Added-steam models introduce moisture during conventional cooking, whereas full-steam or combination-steam models give you substantially greater control over steam cooking. The two formats serve different needs and should not be compared purely on price.

Fisher & Paykel Combi-Steam Ovens

Fisher & Paykel offers both compact and full-height combi-steam ovens across several series. Selected models combine steam, convection and sous-vide functions, with touchscreen-guided cooking available further up the range. Check appliance height carefully because the range includes both compact 45cm-style installations and larger oven formats.

Smeg SteamGeneration and OmniChef

Smeg's current steam-capable range includes SteamGeneration ovens as well as OmniChef models. SteamGeneration models combine traditional heat and steam at different humidity levels, while OmniChef models can combine traditional oven heat, steam and microwave cooking. Standard Smeg thermo-ventilated ovens without a steam cooking system should be kept outside this category.

Installation: Water Tank or Plumbed-In Steam Oven?

Many built-in steam appliances generate steam from a refillable water container, which keeps installation relatively straightforward. Others require a permanent water inlet, and some also require a drain connection. Plumbed models can reduce filling and emptying during frequent steam cooking, but cabinetry, water supply and drainage need to be planned before installation.

Always check the individual installation drawing rather than assuming that two visually similar models have the same requirements. Miele, BORA and Gaggenau all have steam appliances in which water connections can be a major installation consideration.

Compact or Full-Height Steam Cooking?

Steam appliances in this category include compact and full-height built-in formats. A compact appliance can work well above a warming drawer or alongside another oven, while a full-height combination steam oven can be used as a more complete multifunction cooking appliance.

Width alone is not enough when comparing models. Check niche height, appliance depth, electrical supply, usable cavity capacity, door clearance and water requirements before ordering.

Capacity and Cooking Space

Capacity varies considerably across the range. Compact steam appliances prioritise flexible installation, while larger combination steam ovens provide more room for trays, roasting dishes and multi-level cooking. Compare usable litres alongside shelf positions and the size of the accessories supplied rather than choosing on external dimensions alone.

Cleaning a Steam Oven

Cleaning systems vary by oven type. Some steam and combi-steam models use steam-assisted or hydrolytic cleaning, while conventional steam-assisted ovens may use pyrolytic cleaning. Descaling is also important on appliances that generate steam, particularly in hard-water areas, so check the manufacturer's maintenance procedure and recommended descaling intervals.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between a steam oven and a combi steam oven?

A dedicated steam oven is principally designed to cook with steam. A combi steam oven also has conventional dry-heat oven functions, allowing steam to be used alone or together with hot air for baking and roasting.

Is a steam-assisted oven the same as a steam oven?

No. A steam-assisted oven is primarily a conventional oven that introduces moisture during selected cooking programmes. It is useful for baking and roasting but normally offers less steam control than a dedicated or combination steam oven.

Can a combination steam oven replace a normal oven?

Many combination steam ovens include conventional fan, baking, roasting and grilling functions and can cover much of the work of a normal oven. Check the individual model's cooking modes, cavity size and maximum temperature before deciding whether it will be your only oven.

Do built-in steam ovens need plumbing?

Not always. Many models use a refillable water tank, while selected premium appliances connect directly to the mains water supply and may also require a drain. Check the installation specification for the exact model before ordering.

What is the difference between full steam and added steam?

Full-steam appliances can maintain the high humidity needed for genuine steam cooking. Added-steam ovens introduce moisture to conventional oven heat, which is particularly useful for baking and roasting but is not equivalent to a dedicated full-steam programme.

Are compact steam ovens smaller in width?

Usually not. Many compact built-in steam ovens remain approximately 60cm wide but use a shorter installation height than a standard single oven. Always check the precise niche dimensions because installation measurements vary by model.

Can I use a steam oven for sous-vide cooking?

Selected steam and combination steam ovens support low-temperature sous-vide programmes, but this is not universal. Filter or check the individual specification if sous-vide cooking is important to you.

Related Cooking Categories

• Steam Ovens
• Ovens
• Electric Ovens
• Pyrolytic Ovens
• Microwaves
• Miele Steam Cooking