The Revolution of Home Appliance Steam Technology

In the past decade, we’ve seen steam technology becoming a more popular feature in a variety of home appliances. From steam washers to steam ovens, this technology has revolutionized many household tasks. So, in this article, we’ll explore this technology in more detail and how it could benefit you.

The Steam Technology Basics:

When water is boiled, it creates steam and this hot vapor carries latent heat energy. This energy can be harnessed for a variety of tasks, whether to reduce cooking times or increase cleaning efficacy, steam can enhance the performance of numerous home appliances.

Steam technology has continuously evolved, creating some breakthroughs to improve the convenience and function of many household appliances. This technology can be as a stand alone feature or an integral part of the functionality. In either scenario, steam can increase the efficiency and convenience of many tasks.

Some manufacturers have even added smart features to steam appliances. This allows you to control and monitor them using an app or voice assistant. So, you can preheat your steam oven on your way home from work or start a steam wash cycle from another room.

Steam Cooking:

Steam technology is an ideal choice for cooking appliances. Steam ovens use steam for even heat distribution, which creates perfectly cooked, moist foods. It can also eliminate the dried out meals that often result with longer cook times.

Steam technology can provide precise temperature control, which can transform everyday dishes into culinary masterpieces. Whether you’re roasting, baking or even reheating, steam ovens can deliver optimal textures and flavors for a great result.

There are a number of cooking techniques that are now possible to achieve at home with a steam oven. This includes:

• Baking: While you can manage to bake great cakes and other treats in a conventional oven, steam can enhance the results of your bread, pastry and cake recipes. The steam can help bread to have a delicious, soft crust and a wonderful golden brown color on all your baking that can rival what you would buy in a professional bakery.
• Sous Vide: Steam ovens are a great option for sous vide cooking techniques. Essentially, you will vacuum seal food and then cook it slowly at a precise temperature for succulent and delicate results.
• Steaming: Obviously, steam ovens can make steaming possible. Whether you’re steaming vegetables, seafood or even creating delicious desserts, you can get great results without worrying about a pot boiling dry on your cooktop.
• Reheating: One of the reasons many people don’t like leftovers is because a second cooking can create dried out, unappealing food. Steam ovens are excellent for reheating leftovers as the food retains its original flavor, texture and moisture.

Steam Cleaning:

Steam is a formidable cleaning force. Steam washers use high temperature steam to sanitize fabrics and remove stains. The steam generates heat and pressure that can penetrate deep into the fabric fibers to break down dirt and also eliminate allergens and bacteria to produce clean, fresh clothes without using harsh chemicals.

Steam washers are great for households that have difficulties with dirt, stains and odors on clothing and other fabrics. This advanced appliance takes laundering clothes way beyond a traditional washing machine offering a range of benefits.

The hot steam can penetrate even the thinnest fibers to dissolve even tough stains, breaking down grease, grime and dirt for fresher, cleaner clothes. The steam is highly efficient at killing bacteria and viruses to create sanitized safe fabrics. Whether you have young children in your home or are concerned about flu season, using a steam washer can provide peace of mind.

The steam also relaxes the fabric fibers which can rescue the appearance of even stubborn creases and wrinkles. This means you can save time on ironing.

Other Appliances That Use Steam Technology:

While steam technology has become most popular in steam ovens and steam washers, there are many other appliances that use steam technology to make life easier. These include:

Steam Irons:

Steam allows an iron to move more easily across fabrics for a crisp and wrinkle free item. The steam provides heat that reaches to the bottom of the fabric, relaxing the fibers for better results than you could accomplish with a conventional dry iron.

Steam Mops:

Steam mops make it easier to keep your floors clean and sanitized. If you’re used to the traditional mop and bucket, you’ll be amazed at how easy a steam mop is to use. The force of the steam can easily lift grime, grease and other debris from the floor. It can even eliminate germs from your wooden, laminated or tiled floors. This can provide a healthier environment in your home, as you won’t need to rely on abrasive chemicals to ensure that your floors are clean.

Steam Cleaners:

Steam cleaners can be a great tool to treat carpets, upholstery and other surfaces around your home. Soft furnishings in particular can be problematic as they tend to hold on to dirt and dust particles. The high temperatures of steam penetrate the fabrics to draw out this dirt without needing to use chemicals. You can remove marks and stubborn stains to refresh your upholstery and carpeting throughout your home. You’ll also have the reassurance that the steam will kill bacteria and germs, which can be helpful if you have young children who tend to play on the floor.

Steam can also be helpful in eliminating odors that tend to cling to soft furnishings. If you have pets or simply want to enjoy the freshest home possible, a steam cleaner could transform your household chores.

Practical Tips for Steam Home Appliances:

While steam is a great feature, to fully leverage this technology, there are a few things that you’ll need to do to keep your appliance working correctly. So, here are a few practical tips to help you.

Clean Regularly:

Regular cleaning is crucial to avoid a build up of dirt and minerals inside your steam appliance. When water boils and turns into steam any contaminants are left behind. This is typically minerals such as calcium and magnesium, which can form a limescale. This can accumulate inside the appliance, restricting air flow and forcing the appliance to work harder.

You should create a cleaning routine according to the manufacturer’s recommendations. This will involve cleaning the outside and inside of the appliance using a mild, non abrasive cleaner. You should avoid any harsh chemicals that could damage the appliance.

Establish a Maintenance Schedule:

Creating a maintenance schedule will help you to keep on top of the regular tasks and ensure the appliance continues to work well. Your appliance user manual will provide suggested maintenance times and tasks. This could include things like testing seals, changing filters and professional servicing for more complicated systems.

Troubleshoot the Common Issues:

Steam technology does add a layer of complexity to an appliance, but this doesn’t mean that you’ll need professional help for every issue you face. Most appliances have common issues that you will be able to fix yourself. Keep your owner’s manual handy to troubleshoot any problems such as error messages, low steam output or leaks.

Be Sure to Follow the Manufacturer Guidelines:

As with any appliance, it is crucial that you follow the manufacturer guidelines for use, care and maintenance. Manufacturers provide these instructions to keep appliances in good working order, preventing any further damage. Failing to adhere to these guidelines could compromise your appliance warranty and create problems if you have a repair issue. Carefully go through the manual and follow the recommendations for the best use of your new steam appliance.

Conclusion

Steam offers some great environmental and health benefits, saving energy as you can cook food more quickly or clean without needing prolonged high temperatures. These types of appliances also tend to use less water because moisture is retained during the cooking or cleaning process.

With proper use, steam can create a healthier home, removing germs, bacteria and allergens without needing  to use harsh chemicals. Whether you’re concerned about dust mites, pollen or bacteria, high temperature steam can eliminate these unwanted elements from around your home. This makes them ideal for homes with asthmatic family members or allergy sufferers. They can also provide peace of mind for families with young children.

While the initial purchase price is likely to be higher compared to non steam models, the addition of steam features can revolutionize your home and household chores. You can work more efficiently cleaning your clothes and home, or create restaurant worthy dishes in your steam oven. So, exploring this exciting new technology is well worth the time. With a new appliance that has built in steam features, you can simplify your life and work smarter.

If you’re considering upgrading one or more of your appliances to a model with steam technology, you can explore the options with our online collections. We have a variety of home appliances that incorporate steam technology from steam irons to steam ovens and steam washers. You can also speak to one of our home appliance specialists if you need further help or guidance.