Oven Options - Steam or not?

[calishire]

Kitchen renovation in the works and I'm trying to narrow my appliance choices. We are putting in a single oven, a combination microwave oven and a warming drawer. Think I've pretty much chosen the N50 range from Neff. We really like the slide and hide and other features. I probably do prefer the more expensive N70 and N90 range just for how easy it seems to use all the functions, but they are coming in over budget unless we can cut elsewhere.

The guy at the appliance shop said I probably didn't need a steam function... Never had one before, but having read a little bit about it, I think I'd probably use it. Do you have a steam function and do you use it? If so, what for?

Anyone with Neff experience? Pros and Cons?

TIA!

I have had a neff slide and hide with steam function for seven years and use it regularly as I enjoy cooking. Even use the bread function.

The only function I have never used is Steam.

@QuitMoaning Too funny. Have you just never fancied trying it out? Do you know which series you have? I guess they might have changed in the last 7 years..

Slightly off topic OP, but we have a combination microwave oven - AEG - which was there and barely used when we moved in (new build). We've had to have it repaired twice, because the moisture from the microwave shorted the electrics. The technician told us the concept in general is flawed - they're one of the items he's most regularly called out to apparently. I've also found personally that the microwave function isn't as effective as the food can't rotate, so you get hotspots. We won't be getting another one once this one bites the dust for good!

Oh interesting. @SomeSuchThing We don't currently have a microwave and would just use it for reheating stuff. We don't have the space for one anywhere else without the combo.... I think we might use the oven function more than the microwave but I could be wrong!

I don’t know what I would steam in there. I might Google and see if I can find something to cook using the steam function just for the hell of it.

Also to echo above, my smaller neff oven also is combo microwave and have never used it as such. I have a microwave in the utility room and use that instead. When I have to replace I will not be getting the microwave option.

@calishire It's the same space-wise for us, and the warming drawer is great. The engineer that visited us recommended that we wipe out any moisture left after using the microwave and that seems to have worked so far. Also make sure to register the warrantee :)

I considered a warming drawer but thought it had limitations. The max temp is 80℃ - seemed low to me. We like our plates to be hotter than that, i.e 120℃. The top oven warms the plates, proves bread (the oven light provides just the right amount of warmth) and bakes.

So we are getting a warming drawer but only really because our layout is side by side so we need to fill the space! All of the ovens seem to have a plate warming function.... I do think we'll use it though as especially this time of year, our plates are freezing.

Gosh, I don't want to go back to the drawing board, but if we ditch the combination oven, we could possibly get two higher end side by side ovens instead...

120degrees for your plates? Hotter than boiling water? I wouldn’t be able to touch them to put them on the table.

We barely used the steam function on our oven. When we did, if we didn’t clean it out fully immediately afterwards, and dry it as well, it was mouldy when we next opened the oven! Don’t bother

@updownleftrightstart that sounds disgusting 🤢