The best built-in steam ovens in the UK 2023

For healthy meals every day, turn to steam cooking. For this, there's nothing like a built-in steam oven. Practical and efficient, it gives your kitchen a sophisticated look while providing you with food with well-preserved nutrients. In order to guide you, here is a selection of the best built-in steam ovens of the moment.

Whirlpool AKZ9629IX 1
9/10

Best value for money

Whirlpool AKZ9629IX

The best built-in steam oven in 2021

We offer you this multifunctional model from Whirlpool for cooking your various meals. Its large capacity and cleaning system make the Whirlpool AKZ9629IX an excellent choice.

367 £ on Amazon

Let your culinary talents speak for themselves with the Whirlpool AKZ9629IX. Its 8 cooking modes are the perfect ally to accompany you in your quick or more refined preparations. The most, it has a cold glass, 4 glasses, which facilitates its handling and the minimum temperature of use is only 30 °, with a maximum of 250 °. In addition to being built-in, the installation under the table is absolutely possible thanks to its compact dimensions: 59.5 x 59.5 x 56.4 cm.

Thanks to its electronic programmer called 6th sense, the Whirlpool AKZ9629IX chooses the appropriate cooking mode and temperature for you. All you have to do is enter the cooking time. In the convection mode, you have the option of cooking different dishes of your choice on 3 levels, without the risk of confusing smells and flavors. With a capacity of 73 L, the cleaning is done in depth with the help of pyrolysis.

Electrolux EOH2H004X 2
7/10

Best value for money

Electrolux EOH2H004X

The best entry-level built-in steam oven

Quite affordable, the Electrolux EOH2H004X is a winner in terms of efficiency (thanks to a multi-function setting) and design (thanks to its stainless steel anti-fingerprint look). Calling all those with limited budgets!

301 £ on Amazon

Compared to a traditional oven, the Electrolux EOH2H004X has a faster preheating system. The good heat distribution allows a fast and uniform cooking without having to worry: no need to turn the preparations or to switch trays. The built-in minute counter helps you to be precise in your cooking by sending a signal when the preset time has expired.

Catalytic cleaning also helps you save on power consumption. With the Electrolux EOH2H004X, the most varied recipes are possible and you won't be disappointed by the quantitative capacity of its pan either. You will have no trouble preparing a large number of delicacies for your guests thanks to its XL pan. The grill mode is perfect for your crispy food.

Siemens HN678G4S6 3
8/10

Best value for money

Siemens HN678G4S6

The best high-end built-in steam oven

This is a high-performance built-in steam oven with cutting-edge technology to make your cooking as comfortable as possible.

1 626 £ on Amazon

If your choice is the Siemens HN678G4S6, your built-in steam oven and you will certainly have a wonderful cooking adventure. You won't even be bothered by the size of your investment just by noticing the 17 or so cooking modes available: so get cooking! The model reinforces more than anything the safety system during use: at least 6 levels are available, the most practical of which is to automatically cut off the cooking if the time limit is exceeded.

Many state-of-the-art technologies improve the already great performance of the Siemens HN678G4S6: bakingSensor (to control the baking of pastries), coolStart (cooking of frozen food without preheating), HotAir 4D (to optimize the heat distribution), varioSpeed (to reduce the time of use), softMove (which opens and closes the door smoothly). Versatile, it has a total capacity of 67 L and has a probe that is convenient to control the temperature.

Bosch HBA553BR0 4
7/10

Purposeful and accurate

Bosch HBA553BR0

The best precision built-in steam oven

For all your cooking needs, you'll find just what you're looking for in the Bosch HBA553BR0, which features the brand's own cleaning system. So don't hesitate to get this easy-to-use and precise model.

316 £ on Amazon
Buying guide • November 2023

Best built-in steam oven

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The best built-in steam oven in 2021

The best entry-level built-in steam oven

The best high-end built-in steam oven

The best precision built-in steam oven

Your guide : Samuel

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Comparison table of the best built-in steam ovens

TOP OF THE TOP NOT EXPENSIVE Polyvalent and precise
Whirlpool AKZ9629IX 5
9/10
Electrolux EOH2H004X 6
7/10
Siemens HN678G4S6 7
8/10
Bosch HBA553BR0 8
7/10
OUR SELECTION
Whirlpool AKZ9629IX
Electrolux EOH2H004X
Siemens HN678G4S6
Bosch HBA553BR0
We offer you this multifunctional model from Whirlpool for cooking your various meals. Its large capacity and cleaning system make the Whirlpool AKZ9629IX an excellent choice.
Quite affordable, the Electrolux EOH2H004X is a winner in terms of efficiency (thanks to a multi-function setting) and design (thanks to its stainless steel anti-fingerprint look). Calling all those with limited budgets!
This is a high-performance built-in steam oven with cutting-edge technology to make your cooking as comfortable as possible.
For all your cooking needs, you'll find just what you're looking for in the Bosch HBA553BR0, which features the brand's own cleaning system. So don't hesitate to get this easy-to-use and precise model.
Volume
73 L
68 L
67 L
71 L
Cleaning
Pyrolysis
Catalysis
Pyrolysis
EcoClean with integrated catalysis
Cooking methods
8 including natural convection, stirred heat, pulsed heat, broil, dough rise, turbo broil, etc.
Natural convection
More than 17 including 4D forced air, grill, keep warm, pizza, low temperature cooking, hotAir Eco, coolStart (for frozen foods), etc.
5 including 3D+ forced air, natural convection, forced air grill, soft forced air and large surface grill
Energy class
A+
A
A
A
Features
Quick heat/automatic 6th way function
Radial ventilation for better cooling of the storm door/Stainless steel anti-fingerprint aesthetic
Fold-down door with SoftMove system/Automatic baking for breads and pastries
Booster preheat/Tempered door 3 glass

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Report an error, request the addition of a feature to the table, or suggest another product. Thank you for your kindness!

Buying guide - built-in steam oven

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How to choose your built-in steam oven

Among the many models of built-in steam ovens, you will get your hands on the one that properly meets your needs by taking into account the following few criteria.

#1 - The dimensions

As the popularity of the steam oven grows, built-in models are adding a modern and sophisticated touch to your kitchen. How to choose the best built-in steam oven? To answer this question, the dimensions of your appliance are among the most important criteria. Although the built-in side allows you to manage space, you still have a choice of sizes, depending on the size of your kitchen.

For example, you will find built-in steam ovens with a height of 38 or 45 cm, the standard size being 45 cm. The average built-in depth is 55 cm. The dimensions of the built-in steam oven also determine its capacity which is expressed in liters. Moreover, you will also choose your built-in steam oven according to the scope of your cooking tasks.

#2 - The available cooking modes

The cooking technologies in these modern times are widely varied. When it comes to the built-in steam oven, you have natural convection, stirred heat, or forced air models. In all cases, your appliance can handle any recipe that inspires you. The cooking modes differ from each other by the arrangement of the resistance that provides the heat inside the steam oven, thus bringing more advantages on one than on the other.

This criterion also determines the price of the built-in steam oven you will choose. Since the cooking mode is simpler on the natural convection models, you will invest more if you choose the ones with stirred or pulsed heat. Nevertheless, you will easily find your comfort in a built-in steam oven with a powerful cooking mode, so get your wallet ready!

#3 - The cleaning system

For all the tasks in the kitchen, cleaning up is probably the most arduous thing, because after spending hours preparing, simmering and enjoying your meals, you find yourself in such a state of satiety that you don't have the strength to think about what's still ahead. Fortunately, some models of built-in steam ovens have an automatic cleaning option, so you surely won't say no to such relief!

With all the food that your built-in steam oven accommodates, you should definitely provide it with regular manual cleaning if you have chosen the enamel and non-stick coated models. In this case, you'll need a non-abrasive sponge with a few drops of dishwashing liquid added.

For tough spills, use a mixture of water and baking soda that you will gently rub on the affected walls. Some models of built-in steam ovens have automatic cleaning: the self-degreasing system doesn't totally exempt you from manual intervention, however it saves you most of the work.

#4 - The type of opening

You'll choose the type of opening of your built-in steam oven according to what you think is most practical. This criterion is more about the ergonomic part of the appliance so you are free to choose the one that suits you best. However, beware of the location of your built-in steam oven, make sure that the type of opening you choose matches the layout of your kitchen, so that your manipulations remain convenient and synchronized.

The most classic models are those with a drop-down door (which opens from top to bottom), but you can also choose between those with a side door (which opens from right to left or vice versa), a drawer door (sliding on two rails) or a retractable door. To make the right choice, the height and position of the worktop are crucial, the main thing being to optimize your comings and goings in your kitchen and your comfort in use.

#5 - The energy class

And of course, as with any household appliance, you will find on your built-in steam oven the energy label that corresponds to it, giving you an idea of its electricity consumption when you will use it. This criterion, no less important, will obviously define your choice because you still want to find an efficient and economical device.

Although the built-in steam oven is energy consuming at times, depending on your cooking, a few things can help you avoid an exorbitant bill: maintain your appliance regularly (recommended over a period of three months), avoid standby mode (unplug it each time you do not use it), do not use it to heat up your meals (prefer a microwave oven), put some distance between your built-in steam oven and your refrigerator

Cleaning system: pyrolysis or catalysis?

Even if you cook your meals in the oven, you'll never be spared from cleaning your appliance after use, especially for recipes that leave spills all over the place before they land on your plate. Fortunately, the earth-shattering technology of automatic cleaning is emerging on built-in steam ovens. Which cleaning method would you choose for yours? We'll quickly explain the principles here to help you make your choice.

Catalytic cleaning

The device incorporates rough, catalytic walls made of enamel inside the oven. These walls absorb grease and other spills that spill over when the ambient temperature in the built-in steam oven exceeds 220°C. This system has the enormous advantage of saving electricity, since the cooking of your dish and the cleaning of your appliance are done at the same time.

However, the grills, corners and door are not affected by the mechanism, so you just have to wipe them down with a sponge. In the long term, the absorption of grease by the catalytic walls causes the formation of layers on them, which you must remove regularly. Over time, the self-degreasing ability of your oven may diminish and you may have to buy a new one if you want to keep it that way.

Pyrolysis cleaning

It consists in raising the temperature of the cavity of your built-in steam oven to 500°C in order to neutralize all the elements coming from the overflow, even the most stubborn ones. Afterwards you will only have to wipe off the collected ash debris. The main advantage of this device is that it covers the entire oven, including the racks, all corners and even the door.

Moreover, the self-cleaning by pyrolysis is done only when you have finished all your cooking. Obviously, you will have in mind that the energy consumption will be more consequent, especially since the system uses a very high temperature to be effective. To limit this inconvenience, we advise you to start the pyrolysis right after cooking, while the oven is still hot enough.

In both cases, cleaning your built-in steam oven will no longer be a difficult task, the appliance does its part and all you have to do is keep an eye on it and intervene quickly on certain unfinished parts.

The different types of built-in steam ovens

Built-in steam ovens are rightly categorized into three types in general, depending on the cooking mode that governs them. Find the details below to help you make your choice.

The natural convection built-in steam oven

You will appreciate the standard of the built-in steam oven by choosing this type. The mechanism consists of vertically circulating hot air through resistances placed on the upper and lower parts of the machine. When you set it to a certain temperature and it is reached, these resistances turn off automatically. They also come back on as soon as the heat inside the oven weakens. These models are the cheapest on the market.

With such a device, all the walls of the oven are heated, although at a rather slow speed. The central part then benefits from the heat reflected by the walls in order to work on the cooking of your meals. However, this simple system has some relatively inconvenient drawbacks: you can only cook one dish at a time to avoid mixing between the smells, also expect a fairly large electricity bill.

The brewed heat built-in steam oven

In the built-in steam oven with stirred heat, to the natural convention mechanism is added a fan at the bottom, at the level of the oven wall, for a fair distribution of air inside the appliance. The main advantage of this system is that it avoids mixing odors and flavors, so you are free to place two different dishes in your oven without unpleasant surprises.

Food cooks better in the built-in steam oven with stirred heat. It can safely handle two different cookings. Preheating is also faster than with natural convection, a plus that could help you manage your timing in the kitchen. You can also find models that have a "booster" mode, allowing you to speed up the preheating even more.

The pulsed heat built-in steam oven

This cooking technology, also called rotating heat, combines the two previous mechanisms, to which is added a third resistance at the fan. The built-in steam oven with pulsating heat allows in this way an absolutely equitable distribution of heat in the appliance, and thus homogeneous cooking and without alterations of taste.

This mechanism also makes preheating faster, which is a great advantage for those of you with a hectic schedule. And if your built-in steam oven with pulsed heat also contains the "booster" mode, no more preheating, your appliance is almost ready for use as soon as you plug it in.

Built-in steam oven or free standing steam oven?

Built-in steam oven

In all modern kitchens, the usual appliances (oven, microwave, refrigerator, dishwasher, etc.) are assembled in the same furniture to form a compact whole: the use of this type of arrangement gives a particularly sophisticated look to this ordinary space that is the kitchen.

The basic principle of the steam oven is to preserve the taste and nutrition of food. If you also have a built-in steam oven, you can rest assured that your cooking appliance is practical.

Free standing steam oven

However, you can still opt for a free-standing steam oven that will give you the freedom to arrange your kitchen furniture as you wish.

With such an appliance, you make the choice of a personalized layout for your kitchen and you can modify your installations at any time. You can even place your freestanding steam oven in another room if you wish.

Verdict

For the same functionality, why not invest in design. With a built-in steam oven, you will still benefit from many ergonomic advantages such as multi-level cooking or spatial interests.

Why buy a built-in steam oven?

Combining taste and nutrition

As we all know, steaming is a great way to preserve the nutrients in meals while enhancing their taste. With a built-in steamer, you'll enjoy richly flavored food every day that keeps you healthy.

Defrost your food

Do you usually prepare your daily meals in advance? Your built-in steam oven can be used to quickly defrost and reheat your meals for immediate enjoyment without risk. You can also use it to defrost ingredients from your shopping (seafood, meat, etc.).

Sterilize your glass utensils

The built-in steam oven is also a sterilization device. It can be used to sterilize both baby bottles and glass jars. After a sterilization of about ten minutes at 140°, the utensils must remain in the oven until they are used. However, be careful not to put jars with rubber parts in them, as this can damage them.

Save space and time

The built-in system is a very appreciated advantage for saving space. You will be able to integrate as much furniture in your kitchen as the surface still allows it. You also benefit from the advantage of multi-level cooking, which saves a lot of time.

Cook simultaneously

With the built-in steam oven, it is possible to cook on several levels. You just have to choose a model where you don't risk mixing odors and flavors.

The best brands of built-in steam ovens

In our opinion, the best brands of built-in steam ovens in 2022 are :

Electrolux
Bosch
Samsung
Siemens
Whirlpool

With more than a century of experience, the Swedish brand is still improving its technologies today in the production of millions of household appliances. Its appliances of all ranges meet the needs of more than 150 countries around the world, a feat of renown that continues to grow.

Intuitive home appliances, you'll feel it when using Bosch-signed appliances. Specialized in the field for more than a century, this German brand reinvents and revisits its products as technology advances.

The Korean giant of telephony, telecommunication and electronics is also making a name for itself in the creation of high-tech home appliances. Their appliances reveal great performance as one of their adages states, "infinite innovation."

Siemens always stands among the top brands of major kitchen and laundry appliances. It combines its production system with ecological values, a highly appreciated advantage on its high-end economical and ultra-advanced technology appliances.

Present in more than 130 countries, this American company is among the world's leaders in major appliances. The brand remains a benchmark thanks to its high-quality, reliable and economical appliances.

What is the price for a built-in steam oven

The diagram below will help you to get an idea of the typical prices for each price range (entry-level, mid-range and high-end).

However, more expensive does not necessarily mean better.

We therefore advise you to always consult our ranking before deciding, rather than blindly relying on price ranges.

Entry-level
250 £ to 400 £
Mid-range
400 £ to 1500 £
High-end
more than 1500 £
Price range diagram

Tips

Avoid standby mode

To optimize the economic side and lighten your energy bill, it is always recommended to turn off the appliance if you are not using it. Therefore, at night or on days when you are away, be sure to turn off your built-in steam oven.

Beware of flare-ups

Attention, sometimes you think of making preparations that resort to flaming: be careful about the amount of alcohol you use, at the risk of igniting the inside of your built-in steam oven.

Simple, but careful actions

Adopt these automatic gestures of caution to avoid exposing yourself to various risks. It is strictly forbidden to hang a tea towel on the handle of your appliance, this can cause a fire. Don't be in a hurry to check the condition of your dish right after opening the door: the hot steam that escapes burns your face if you get close to it.

Nothing on the hearth

The bottom part of the built-in steam oven, called the bottom, must not hold anything, whether it's a dish, a pan or another container. The glass of your steam oven insert connects you visually to your dish at all times. Beware, it is very fragile! So keep it in its pristine condition so that it can provide the assistance you need.

Good glass

FAQ

What are the steps before using a steam insert oven?

Before you turn on your steam oven insert, you should make sure that there is nothing left inside or around it. The power cord, too, should not be in contact with the oven's heating surface.

Is steam cooking only for vegetarians?

No, you can just as easily concoct fish or a nice roast in your steam oven insert. Besides, whatever the dish you'll be cooking, you'll be sure to preserve its nutritional qualities with this method.

Does the cooking time become longer in the steam insert oven?

Not necessarily, your dishes will stay cooking at about the same time as in a traditional oven. However with the built-in steam oven you can also incorporate several dishes at once so you save time.

Why is it said that steam cooking provides us with a healthy diet?

If you are looking for a way to eat fat-free dishes with authentic tastes and beautiful colors, steaming remains the best alternative.

Sources

Note: Below are some of the sources we have consulted in writing this article. Links to other sites are not continuously updated. It is therefore possible that a link may not be found. Please use a search engine to find the desired information.
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  2. Why choose a steam oven?, cuisineaz.com
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  4. Advantages of the steam oven and its disadvantages. - Comfort Equipment, ideesmaison.com
  5. Why Choose a Steam Oven?, maison-hardy.be
  6. How to Use a Steam Oven, vandenborre.be
  7. Oven: Pyrolysis Catalysis or Hydrolysis Cleaning?, home-design.schmidt
  8. Best Built-In Steam Oven: 5 Top Ovens for Healthy Nutritious Meals, realhomes.com
  9. Advantages Of Cooking With A Built In Steam Oven, appliancehouse.co.uk
  10. All You Need to Know About Steam Ovens, uakc.com
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  12. The 7 Best Built-In Steam Ovens of 2021 ..., electroguide.com
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  19. The best steam ovens built-in in 2021 - Reviews and ...., guidedecuisine.com
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  26. KULINARISK Steam oven, stainless steel - IKEA, ikea.com
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  28. Buy a built-in steam oven from Krëfel? - The ..., krefel.be
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  31. Built-in combination steam ovens for your kitchen | NEFF, neff-home.com
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Updates

March 2022 : Translation of this buying guide from our partner meilleurtest.fr

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Our selection
Whirlpool AKZ9629IX 9
Whirlpool AKZ9629IX
Electrolux EOH2H004X 10
Electrolux EOH2H004X
Siemens HN678G4S6 11
Siemens HN678G4S6
Bosch HBA553BR0 12
Bosch HBA553BR0

Lecteurs

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