Steam cookers vs. steam ovens: If you want to cook food particularly gently, these are essentially the 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.
Steaming is the gentle cooking of foods like vegetables, fish and meat using steam at temperatures ranging from 30 to 100 °C. The food is steamed without added fat and a large proportion of vitamins and minerals are preserved. You can cook this way with two different types of appliances. However, there are a few differences between steamers and steam ovens.
The classic steamer has several tiers and a heating element in the bottom. It is filled with water and heated up so that the rising steam surrounds the food and cooks it. In the form of a built-in steamer, it can be integrated into the kitchen just like an oven.
When steam cooking, one of two principles comes into play depending on the model. Some models heat the water in a tray on the bottom of the appliance. Others generate steam outside the cooking chamber and channel it into the interior. There are also steamers with a water tank or a mains water connection.
If a steamer is combined with an oven, it is called a steam oven. These combined appliances enable you to choose whether to steam food or to bake it with or without adding moisture. That way, dishes come out really crispy, tender and/or succulent, depending on the desired result. What’s more, steam ovens are also available with a water tank or mains water connection. That’s why this detail is not necessarily significant when choosing between a steamer and a steam oven.
The BORA X BO, for instance, is a steam oven with a mains water connection. We have deliberately designed it for convenience, as is the case of the BORA multi-drawer.
User-friendly operation via a touchscreen combined with innovative steam and convection technology. Discover the benefits 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 | Separate appliance requires counter space | Combination appliance saves space |
| Cost | Two separate appliances increase total cost | Purchase may be more expensive, especially as a replacement for an existing oven |
| Installation effort | Minimal for appliances with a water tank; otherwise high, depending on the kitchen | Extensive modifications may be necessary for a permanent water connection |
| Cooking modes | Steam cooking only (multiple levels) | Steam cooking and baking (with/without moisture) |
| Cooking flexibility | Cannot prepare dishes using different modes simultaneously | Multiple dishes can be steamed in parallel without flavor transfer |
| Cleaning & Maintenance | Regular emptying and cleaning required for tank models | Same issue with tank models; a fixed water connection reduces the effort |
While a conventional steam cooker specializes in gently cooking vegetables, fish, and side dishes using steam, a steam oven significantly expands the range of cooking options to include the following:
With a steam oven, you can prepare the same dishes as in a steam cooker—and more. This combination appliance can completely replace a separate steamer.
Strictly speaking, the question isn't usually "steamer vs. steam oven." After all, an oven is a standard feature of any kitchen. So the real question is rather: Would a steam oven or a combination of two separate appliances be a better solution for you?
Steam ovens allow you to bake with added moisture, a process known as "steam baking." However, this isn't necessarily a deciding factor—there are also standard ovens with this feature.
This leaves two key factors to consider when deciding between a steam cooker and a steam oven:
Ultimately, it all comes down to what your top priority is. Once that’s decided, the question of whether to choose a steam cooker or a steam oven answers itself. If you choose the second option, the focus shifts to installing the steam oven correctly.
With a combination of an oven and a steamer as standalone appliances, you can bake and steam different dishes at the same time. This is not possible with every combination unit.
Ultimately, it all comes down to what your top priority is. Once that’s decided, the question of whether to choose a steam cooker or a steam oven answers itself. If you choose the second option, the focus shifts to 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.
