One essential item in every kitchen is the oven – and with more features and choices available to culinary enthusiasts, including the introduction of steam ovens and the continued popularity of convection, it is important to understand the benefits of each in order to select the right option for your cooking style.
Convection Oven
Convection ovens have become a staple in the American kitchen because they offer even heating and faster cooking times than a traditional thermal oven. This is because the fan inside of true convection ovens constantly circulates hot air throughout the oven cavity, creating an evenly heated environment for the dish and optimal results every time
Today’s convection ovens offer an array of features that will help culinary enthusiasts create magnificent meals for large gatherings or quiet dinners with family. Depending on your cooking style, there are particular features that may elevate your cooking experience. For example, a faster preheat can cut down on preparation time – Thermador offers an oven that can preheat in just seven minutes!
It is also important to think about the size of the meals you will be preparing in the oven – for example, a 30” built-in Thermador oven will fit a full-sized baking sheet, while some of the 36” convection ovens in our professional ranges are large enough to fit a commercial catering tray – an essential feature for ultimate holiday entertainers.
Cooking with Steam
Newer to the American kitchen is the steam oven, which utilizes the power of steam to heat food quickly and seal in moisture, nutrients and flavor. When the oven is turned on, the water placed in the reservoir is heated and turned into steam.
While traditional ovens draw moisture out of food as it cooks, in a steam oven food is cooked in its own natural juices – no longer do your dishes need to be covered to prevent drying of the ingredients. This also eliminates the need to add items like butter or oil to provide flavor and moisture, which is one of the reasons steam is considered to be a healthier method of cooking. Contrary to what many may believe, food cooked in a steam oven still comes out with crisp, golden brown edges.
While cooking with steam is an incredible way to ensure your food is never overcooked, to get more out of this type of oven consider a combination of steam and convection oven. While most of the steam ovens on the market may seem compact at first glance, they can fit a surprising amount of food. In the case of the Thermador Steam and Convections Oven, it is spacious and powerful enough to cook a 14-pound turkey in just 90 minutes!
If you need more information visit us at La Cuisine International.