Method and apparatus for directing steam distribution in a steam cooker

A steam cooker, comprising:

• a cooking chamber defined by a plurality of walls, one of said plurality of walls including a vent orifice in fluid communication with said cooking chamber and an environment external to said cooking chamber;
• a steam collector including a solid upper surface and a side wall, said solid upper surface and side wall defining a steam chamber;
• a gap defined by said side wall and at least one of said plurality of walls of said cooking chamber;
• a quantity of water positioned within said gap and within said steam chamber, said quantity of water flowable between said gap and said steam chamber, said quantity of water forming a water seal between said steam chamber and said cooking chamber;
• a plenum in fluid communication with said steam chamber;
• and
• a steam distributor having a plurality of openings formed therein, said steam distributor cooperating with at least one of said plurality of walls of said cooking chamber to define said plenum,
• said side wall of said steam collector extending beyond a periphery of said upper surface of said steam collector to direct steam from said steam chamber defined by said steam collector to said plenum, whereby steam only exits the steam chamber via the plenum as steam in said steam chamber is directed through said plenum and out of said plurality of openings in said steam distributor.