The Health Benefits of Steam Microwaves

Some of our combination microwaves not only combine the conventional microwave function with grill and roasting - they even steam your food!

Even the most dedicated kitchen aficionado is faced with competing priorities in the rapid pace of today's world. We are all determined to eat healthily and watch our nutritional intake, but there are only so many hours in a day that can be dedicated to food preparation – especially when commitments surrounding work and family are taken into consideration.

Thankfully help is at hand in the form of combination microwaves, so named because they provide the perks of a conventional microwave alongside those of a full-sized oven, steamer and grill.

These appliances have been available since the late 1960s, although as you may imagine, the technology has steadily improved since then. Initially the large size and prohibitive costs associated with combination microwaves left them out of reach of most consumers, making them the sole preserve of large-scale catering businesses and restaurant kitchens. However, thanks to the research and work of companies such as Panasonic, an increasing number of home kitchens now boast these essential labour saving gadgets, with this number rising each day.

The appeal of combination microwaves stem from their ability to combine the conventional methods of heating food in such a contraption – namely radio waves that vibrate water molecules – with accessories such as steaming facilities that ensure an even distribution of heat, and the fanned hot air that we associate with a full-size gas or electric oven.

Do you have visitors coming over on a Sunday afternoon expecting a full dinner, but are worried about how you'll fit such an elaborate meal into your schedule? An integrated combination microwave can help you roast a chicken, steam some vegetables and even bake a cake for dessert in up to half the time that you would otherwise spend in the kitchen – all while taking up a fraction of the space of an oven.

In addition to their timesaving properties, combination microwaves come with a range of health benefits. Accusations commonly leveled at traditional microwave cooking include suggestions that the high levels of heat generated kill nutrients and leave meats dry and excessively chewy, but this is not the case with a combination model.

You could use this appliance to steam food (which will retain all the vitamins and minerals that could otherwise be lost in the cooking process, as well as cleaning the microwave in the process), or to brown and roast meat and poultry from frozen using fanned air – all without sacrificing the succulent taste of well-prepared produce. You will enjoy all the benefits of a regular microwave and a full-sized oven in one handy portable appliance, cooking with steam, hot air or even grilling.

Whereas a traditional microwave is primarily used for defrosting and reheating previously prepared meals or warming water-based specialist foods, a combination model will be able to cater for any requirement. You could prepare a frozen pizza in a matter of minutes, for example, or use your device to bake a loaf of homemade bread. As previously intimated, you could even use a combination microwave to serve up a complete roast dinner for the entire family, and leave yourself the time to relax and enjoy the meal yourself as opposed to rushing from one ingredient to the next.

Panasonic are leading lights in the creation and manufacturing of these devices, and many models on the shelves carry our brand name. Whilst a little costlier than a traditional microwave, these appliances pay for themselves multiple times over in terms of convenience and longevity, and we boast models that suit every budget and need. The NN-DS596 model is something of a jewel in our crown and will delight anybody with an interest in utilising a combination microwave for all kinds of kitchen requirements, but at the other end of the spectrum is the NN-CT585SBPQ, which will still fulfil every possible need and is a perfect introduction to the world of combination microwaves. Sitting snugly in the middle of these two models is the NN-CF853W, which makes for a great upgrade on the NN-CT585SBPQ if needed.

Whichever combination microwave you choose, you are certain to be thankful that you made the decision to embrace this new technology. Once you join the ever-swelling ranks of food enthusiasts that have joined the revolution of steam and combi microwave cooking, you’ll be sure to wonder why you waited so long.