TECHNOPHOBIA: Steam Appliances

By Holly Peterson

Steam cycles are popping up in so many appliances like clothes washers, dryers, and dishwashers. Why would I want steam?

Ovens too, by the way. People like the idea of sanitizing their clothes and utensils, so appliances with steam cycles have started to become popular. The cycles are on a lot of top-of-the-line appliances as well, so many people assume they need it, which isn't always the case. The most popular are laundry machines and clothes dryers (as you can see in yesterday's blog post). For me, the one that makes the most sense is a dryer with steam.





What can they do?
They can dry your clothes without leaving them wrinkled. Use one as you would a normal dryer and during the final cycle, anywhere from 10 to 40 minutes of steam is injected and the clothes spin a few more minutes to get the extra mist out. It's also good if you have a garment you want to wear right away but it's all wrinkled, or a load of clothes for that matter, you can run a shorter steam cycle on the dryer and it will make them all wrinkle-free. The steam feature really does add something and people may want to consider spending more for a steam-equipped dryer.
Can I use a steam dryer to dry-clean my clothes?
Well no, they won't clean your clothes, but they will get out the wrinkles. If you want to do that, use a Dryel bag. You just put your delicate or permanent press garments in the bag and chuck it in the dryer, and it will clean them.
I've read that steam in a dryer cuts down on static cling.
Yeah, it's true. But I'm positive that it's an extra benefit. There is no way some engineer sat in the corner and planned to use steam to reduce static. It has to be a side effect of the steaming process, but either way, it is true.
What about steam in a washing machine?
A steam cycle is a good add-on if you're an allergy sufferer. In that case, the steam is hot enough to kill dust mites and other allergens that hot water from your pipes might not take care of. But one thing to keep in mind is that a lot of customers have a misconception about a steam cycle on their washer-that it will give them the same results as dry-cleaning. It won't The steam cycle is just another cycle before you put your clothes in the dryer, but one that can kill germs.
Do you recommend steam for dishwashers?
For dishes, I personally think steam is less essential. All higher-end units in the same price range heat the water to 165-170 degrees anyway, which is a disinfectant wash, much less the fact that you use detergent. And I don't see steam improving how clean your dishes will get. In terms of using water, all washers today are more efficient due to efficiency laws. Old dishwashers used 40 gallons of water to do a load of dishes, which is incredibly wasteful, whereas today it's around 12 gallons or less.
You mentioned there are steam ovens. How do they work?
There's a German company, Gaggenau, that makes a wall unit that does both regular and steam cooking. You pour water into it much like you would a coffee machine, and that gives you enough steam to cook for about an hour. So you can do your vegetables, or shrimp, and seafood, or use it just to refresh food that has cooled down.
Are they popular?
Not yet! Most people in the U.S. don't cook using steam. Heck, they're still afraid of convection ovens, much less steam ones.

Old-fashioned steam is the hottest new thing. But is the extra cycle worth it? That depends on what you want it for...