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The professional steam oven is a commonly used kitchen appliance that uses steam for cooking, preserving flavor, and preventing moisture loss. Steam is an essential element in the oven for cooking food evenly and enhancing its natural color. These steam ovens are available in various types, sizes, and capacities, from portable to large commercial steam ovens. This oven is suitable for restaurants, bakeries, catering kitchens, smaller cafes, or dining establishments. Here are some of the commonly used types of steam ovens:
The key difference between professional steam ovens and home use steamers is at the facility level. Professionals need equipment that can generate large quantities of steam in a short amount of time. This is crucial when cooking for large numbers of guests at restaurants, hospitals, and catering companies.
Professional kitchen steam ovens tend to have more cooking functions than those designed for home use. Some models can steam, roast, regenerate, braise, boil, and bake. In addition to this, they tend to have CCTV cameras in the cooking chamber to monitor food as it cooks. They may also have probes to monitor the food's internal temperature accurately and control the cooking process.
Professional kitchen steam ovens also have independent boiler and cooking chamber operations. This allows chefs to cook different foods without transferring their aromas and flavors. It also gives the chef better control over the cooking process.
Other notable features of professional kitchen steam ovens include:
Professional steam ovens are used in various industries and come with several applications:
A steam oven professional is a kitchen equipment commonly used in hotels, restaurants, or commercial kitchens. While choosing a commercial steam oven, it is important to consider the capacity, controls, installation requirements, energy efficiency, and features.
Capacity
When choosing a steam oven, it is important to select one with a capacity that matches usage demand. A hotel with low to medium demand can use a steam oven with a capacity of 6 to 12 trays. However, a busy restaurant can use a steam oven with a capacity of 12 to 20 trays. Large hotels and restaurants with high demand can use steam ovens with a capacity of more than 20 trays.
Controls
Steam ovens are available with two control options: manual and fully automatic. The manual control option requires an experienced operator to cook food. The control parameters such as temperature, pressure, and time have to be adjusted according to the type of food being cooked. The fully automatic steam oven has many pre-programmed cooking options. The experienced cook only needs to select the food type to be cooked, and the steam oven will automatically adjust the parameters with minimal human intervention. The fully automatic steam oven is more efficient in a restaurant with a large staff turnover.
Installation Requirements
The installation requirement for a steam oven depends on the model and brand. However, most steam ovens need to be installed by a qualified technician. It is advisable to consult the supplier for details about the installation requirements before purchasing the steam oven. Following the installation instructions helps to prevent mistakes that can lead to a costly refund or repair.
Energy Efficiency
The energy consumption of a steam oven impacts the operating cost of the restaurant. A steam oven that gets to its maximum temperature quickly, uses insulated cooking chambers, or recycles energy is more efficient. Users should look for a steam oven that has an energy saving feature.
Features
When choosing a steam oven, it is advisable to select one with additional features to improve the cooking experience. These features may include automatic cleaning, multi-ingredient cooking, a touch screen, programmable recipes, humidifying function, temperature probe, or defrosting function.
Q1: Can the steam be used to cook everything in the oven?
A1: No. Although the steam oven is versatile and can be used for a variety of cooking methods, not everything can be cooked in the oven. Foods that have a long cooking time, such as tough cuts of meat, or items that need to be deep-fried are not recommended to be cooked in the steam oven.
Q2: How much food can be cooked in a steam oven?
A2: Many professional steam ovens have multiple cooking levels, and some even come with a combination cooking tray, which allows them to cook for many people at once. However, the exact quantity that can be cooked will depend on the model and brand, as each may differ.
Q3: Is it easy to clean a professional steam oven?
A3: Because many professional steam ovens come with self-cleaning features, they make the process of cleaning very simple and easy. In addition to the self-clean feature, most contemporary steam ovens also have non-stick interiors, which makes them easier to clean.
Q4: Can food be heated up in the oven?
A4: Yes. The steam professional oven is suitable for heating food. It can even better preserve the food's flavor, moisture, and texture rather than the traditional heating method in the microwave, which causes the food to become dry and lose flavor.
Q5: What are some common applications for a steam oven?
A5: A professional steam oven can be used for many cooking methods. From steaming, baking, and poaching, to areas like thawing and reheating, the oven is versatile and can replace several other kitchen appliances.