Steam Oven vs. Microwave

It’s time to end the debate of the steam oven vs. the microwave. While they may sound like entirely different appliances, they have some overlap in their capabilities. Here are some pros and cons to help decide which appliance is the one for you. 

How Does a Microwave Work?

Microwaves cook your food from the inside out. The way they do this is by exposing the food to radiation which heats up the molecules in the food to cause it to heat up the food from within. 

Pros

• Fast - Microwaves are probably best known for their speed. They can cook, reheat, and even defrost at great speed so you are never left waiting long on your food.
• Inexpensive - If you are working on a budget, then the microwave is right for you. You can typically find a quality microwave under $500 making them pretty affordable in comparison to other appliances. 

Cons

• Loss of Nutrients - With the way a microwave cooks it’ll cause your food to lose some of its nutrients. The heating up method a microwave uses will break down nutrients in the food. So your food might not be quite as healthy as it was when you started.
• Food Quality - Microwaves can often be known for cooking your food inconsistently. Whether it is a cold spot in the middle, or it ends up dried out or soggy, you are never quite sure what you will get for food quality. 

How Does a Steam Oven Work?

Unlike the microwave, the steam oven cooks your food externally. A steam oven has a water tank built in to heat up and generate steam. The steam is what is used to then heat up your food and cook it. 

Pros

• Retains Nutrients - Since the steam oven cooks externally it doesn’t destroy nutrients and thus, your food can better retain those nutrients to remain a healthier choice. 
• Food Quality - Due to the use of steam in the cooking process, your steam oven can actually add more moisture to the food you are cooking. This helps keep your food moist so the texture is not dried out yet not soggy. It ultimately leaves you with a better flavor than the microwave might. 

Cons

• Expensive - Unfortunately, steam ovens can be quite expensive. Since it’s a larger appliance, they can end up costing you a couple thousand dollars. They’re going to be quite the investment if you’re serious about getting one. 
• Slower - While a steam oven cooks faster than other ovens, it cooks slower than the microwave. A microwave can cook in just minutes whereas the steam oven could take an hour or less.