Anyone use a combination steam oven regularly? -what do you think?

[RubyChooseday]

We are just working out the appliances for a long awaited new kitchen. We're really having trouble choosing between having a combination steam oven along side a single oven, - or- 2 single ovens
I've never used a steam combi oven before so have no idea whether it would get used, I don't really want to steam fish or vegetables in it.

what i'd like to know is what sort of everyday food it would cook well

A couple of sales women have told me they have steam combis and use them more than their conventional single ovens. -but they were saleswomen!!

Do you have a steam combi? - if so I'd love to hear what you think! :-)
thank you in advance

[icravecheese]

I don't personally own one, but my MIL does....and she VERY rarely uses it anymore. She has masses of ovens (super expensive kitchen, i don't understand what half the equipment actually does, i'm not sure she does either!).

She has used the steam oven a few times to cook joints of meat, which do end up gorgeous & tender, but she says its a real pain having to refill the water tank when you use the oven frequently. She has various other 'standard' ovens that she tends to use instead.

I'm not sure how large the water tank is, or how often it needs refilling (my MIL tends to moan about little things, so it might not be so bad!), but probs worth asking how often you'll need to refill tanks if you're using the oven regularly.

[Eastwickwitch]

Can't help with the steam bit but I have 2 singles, side by side. I do occasionally use them both (meringues & roast for example) but mostly the 2nd one is expensive baking tray store.

[RubyChooseday]

Thanks for that. Yes the steam ovens do need filling up, some seem easier to fill than others, but given that I steam veggies on the hob and we are not big fish eaters (when we do have fish I steam it in foil parcels in the oven)
I think i'm leaning towards 2 standard ovens, the self cleaning ones from Neff look good, and yes mine 2nd one too will probably be a glorified baking tray store :-) but the kitchen design lends itself to side by side appliances and 1 single oven isn't always enough for family baking :-)