which is the best food steamer to buy

Best food steamers for quick and healthy meals

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Full Answer

What is the best food steamer on the market?

the best steamer on the market – the BUYDEEM 5-Quart All-In-One Intelligent Food Steamer. The Buydeem All-in-One Intelligent Steamer is a necessity for any home kitchen, college dorm, home or cabin rental, or small kitchen efficiency.

What foods can you cook in a steamer?

What can I cook in a 3 tier steamer?

• Steamed Asian Dumplings - Step-by-step tutorial plus video link to making these delicious dumplings.
• Chinese Steamed Spareribs with Black Bean Sauce.
• Shrimp Scampi Foil Packets.
• Steamed Vegetable Dumplings.
• Steamed Shrimp.
• Chinese Steamed Chicken.
• Steam-Grilled Surf and Turf Recipe.
• Steamed vegetables with flavoured butters.

What foods are suitable for steaming?

• Sliced carrots – 6-8 mins
• Cauliflower florets – 5-6 mins
• Asparagus (thick spears) – 5-6 mins
• Broccoli florets – 5 mins
• Brussels sprouts – 8-10 mins
• Green beans – 4-5 mins
• Spinach and leafy greens – 5 mins
• Peas – 3 mins
• Whole artichoke – 25-35 mins
• Small potatoes – 15-20 mins

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How to steam food without a steamer?

Steam your veggies: Place them in a single layer in the strainer and close the lid. Allow them to cook for a couple of minutes. Again, be careful when removing—use an oven mitt. 3. Tin Foil Pie Dish. Another easy DIY way to steam your food without a steamer is by using a tin foil pie dish.

What should I look for when buying a food steamer?

What to Look for When Buying a Food SteamerFolding or collapsible raised platforms (often made of stainless steel or silicone) that sit in the bottom of a pot.A perforated metal pan that nests in a saucepan, similar to a double boiler.A bamboo basket that can nest in a wok.

Are all food steamers the same?

There are largely two types of steamers: boilerless/connectionless and a la carte. The former is ideal for operations looking to batch cook large volumes of food quickly, while the latter is appropriate as a restaurant food steamer, facilitating cook to order items.

Is a food steamer worth it?

It's a far gentler form of cooking than most, retaining the flavour and texture of all foods. Steamers aren't just for veg, either – they can also be used to cook meat, fish, shellfish, eggs (in their shells), pasta, grains and even puddings. Steaming can be as simple as a colander over a pan of boiling water.

Which is better bamboo steamer or metal steamer?

Bamboo steamers are visually attractive, promote even cooking, and can be used as serving dish. However, if you like the ability for your steamer to reach a higher temperature as well as last a very long time, then a stainless steel steamer may be the better choice.

What are some good steamers?

The Best Clothing SteamersOur pick. Sunbeam Power Steam Fabric Steamer. A powerful steamer with clever details. ... Budget pick. Conair Complete Steam Hand Held Fabric Steamer (GS2) For occasional use. ... Upgrade pick. Reliable Vivio 500 GC Professional Garment Steamer. For marathon steaming.

What size steamer should I buy?

Most steamers come in 1 to 5-quart sizes, though some go up to 7 quarts. If you plan on cooking small amounts of food regularly, choose a small steamer with a 1-quart capacity or less. If want something that can handle larger batches, look for a steamer with at least a 5-quart capacity.

Do steamers use a lot of electricity?

Although the steamer used less energy than cooking on the hob since this was electricity it generated more carbon emissions and cost more.

Which is the best stainless steel steamer?

Best SteamersBest Bamboo Steamer: Reishunger Bamboo Steamer.Best Silicone Steamer: Frieling Multi-Function Silicone Pot Insert.Best Stainless Steel Steamer: OXO Good Grips Stainless Steel Steamer.Best Steamer Pot: All-Clad E414S564 Stainless Steel Steamer.Best Electric Steamer: Cuisinart Digital Glass Steamer.More items...•

Can you put chicken in a steamer?

Chicken can be steamed with a traditional steamer that fits on top of a saucepan, by using a rack that sits in the bottom of a tightly covered pan, suspending the chicken above the water, or by the use of an electric steamer.

Is it worth buying bamboo steamer?

It's a Valuable Addition to Your Kitchen First things first, if you are into cooking meals at home and you wish the food you cooked preserved its nutrients, flavour, texture, and minerals, this steamer is for you. Once you cook food in an authentic bamboo steamer, you would never want to go back!

What should I look for when buying a bamboo steamer?

Lid fit - The lid is perfectly measured to fit on the steam baskets. Tiers - A two-tier bamboo basket to allow the space to cook more servings at once. Slats between tiers - Bamboo slats in between the basket tiers need to be wide enough for steam to pass through (so that both tiers are steamed evenly).

Are bamboo steamers worth it?

Bamboo steamers are great for cooking lots of food efficiently. Our favorite is the Juvale 10 Inch Bamboo Steamer with Steel Rings for Cooking. It does an excellent job of steaming different foods, and it's well-made and durable to boot.

Which type of steamer does not involve any type of pressure making it safe to use?

A Convection Steamer cooks food at 212 degrees Fahrenheit, under no pressure. It's the convective action of the steam that transfers the heat to cook the food. Because of their generally lower purchase price and other advantages, they're the more popular choice.

What is a Boilerless steamer?

These steamers generate their own steam, nullifying the need for an additional steam generator. Boilerless Steamer Benefits. Boilerless steamers have the additional benefit of being easy to clean and maintain.

How do you steam something without a steamer?

First, take three sheets of aluminum foil and roll them up into baseball-sized balls. Place them on the bottom of the pot, and pour in about an inch of water. Then rest the plate on top of the foil balls, and add whatever food you're trying to steam to the plate. Cover the pot with a tight-fitting lid and steam away.

What is the purpose of a food steamer?

Steamers are used primarily to cook vegetables, seafood, and other foods where moisture retention is essential to visual appearance and taste. Food cooked in a steamer also maintains more of its nutritional value.

What is the best cookware to use instead of an electric steamer?

As an alternative to an electric steamer, Oster Stainless Steel Steamer is our best cookware pick. It is incredibly easy to use. Simply boil water in the casserole pot and place the steamer pot on top. As it is stackable, it doesn’t take up much room and comes with a glass lid so you can see your cooking in progress.

Why are steamers so popular?

Folding steamers are popular because they can be easily stored in a compact or flat form when not in use.

How big is a good grip steamer?

Our silicone pick of food steamers – OXO Good Grips Steamer is designed for pots that are greater than 7inches in diameter, and ideally less than 10 inches for great results.

How many quarts of food can you cook in a steamer?

This refers to how much food you can cook at one time. Home steam cookers usually range from 1 quart (1 liter), which is suitable for steam baby food or small portions of vegetables, to 10.5 quarts (10 liters). Of course, the larger the food steamer, the more space it is likely to take up in your kitchen. A large capacity steamer works best ...

What is steam cooking?

The steam cooker could be your solution. Steaming food means cooking with the steam that comes off boiling water. This is opposed to the more traditional method of boiling, which can result in overcooked, soggy vegetables that are neither delicious nor nutritious.

Why use tiers in a steamer?

Tiers are useful for increasing the cooking capacity of your steamer. They are also great for cooking non-related dishes at the same time. For example, vegetables in one tier, fish in another. If you plan to use steam cooking for dinner parties or large families, then you will get the best use of out multiple tiers.

How does an electric steamer work?

With electric steamers, the base of the machine is filled with water, and the elements heat that water to the required temperature to constantly produce steam. Food is placed in a perforated, usually transparent container, and stacked on top of the base.

What is an electric steamer?

Stovetop steamers are typically ceramic and stainless steel pots, or perforated baskets or inserts made of bamboo, silicone, or stainless steel.

What is steaming food?

Steaming is an effective moist-heat cooking technique that can be used for many foods such as vegetables, meats, poultry, and seafood, since no cooking oils or fats are added.

What is the best size silicone for a pressure cooker?

Its five-inch food-grade silicone diameter is ideal for use in electric pressure cookers, multi-cookers, or stovetop rice cookers, and has a large flat bottom with high walls making it ideal for larger food items.

Is a ceramic pot dishwasher safe?

For even more versatility, its 6.14-inch diameter ceramic pot is compact enough to fit in most microwaves. Plus, both the basket and ceramic pot are dishwasher safe. "The food steamer is beautifully constructed. Great steamer for a large family or if you are cooking a large meal.

Is it healthy to steam food?

Whether you're looking for a quick, easy way to prepare super healthy meals in a cinch, or you're a novice cook seeking a kitchen gadget to make your life easier, consider investing in a good food steamer. Food steamers have become increasingly popular as more people have cooked at home, and steaming food is a convenient and healthy way for food lovers to indulge in their favorite dishes.

Hamilton Beach - 5.5-Quart Digital Steamer - Silver

"Steamer ...Its the best cooker ever. Food comes out perfect and you don't have to watch.... Steamer works really well and foods taste great. "

AROMA - 5-Quart Food Steamer - Stainless steel

" Good Steamer ...Good Steamer. simple to use. Works as advertised.....Great steamer"

Kalorik - 3-Tire Food Steamer - Clear

" This product works amazing , I can now steam my food whenever,however and wherever I want!! "

Rachael Ray - 3-Quart Covered Steamer Set - Red

"Best Pot to use to steam Veggies...My husband, who hates vegetables, has taken a liking to cooking with this sauce pot and steamer set! He hasn't quite figured out the timing as of yet; but so far the veggies has came out perfectly!...My wife is totally in love with this Rachel Ray 3 quart steamer pot.

Viking - Universal Steamer Insert - Stainless Steel

" Universal Steamer ...Nice and thick steamer very sturdy, universal can fit on any of my casserole "

Instant Pot - 8Qt Pro Electric Pressure Cooker - Black

" LOVE with all my heart. Literally the best Instant Pot around. My parents gave me their old one to try out, and this one is much better "

What is the best steamer?

Lastly, the best of the steamers are the electric steamers. They are individual machines that sit on the countertop and literally only steam food. This method of using this machine is the best way to steam food and vegetables most efficiently but they also tend to be more expensive than any other model. However, they have a better range of options, efficiency, time and productivity when it comes to steaming.

How to choose a food steamer?

How to Choose the Best Food Steamer. When choosing the best food steamer, it is best to go with the machine that is constructed of the best materials possible. Depending on the type of steamer you go with that will change from material to material but still want to make sure it is made with the consumer in mind.

What are bamboo baskets made of?

The baskets are made completely of bamboo and have a lid as well. They also are able to stack on top of each other as high as you want. They can be placed on just about any heat source from flat-top grills to rice cookers. They are able to cook anything in them as well, but mainly they are favored for dim sum or small appetizer bites. There are also steamer baskets which probably will not work the best when it comes to steaming the food. The problem with them is that they need a lot of attention during the cooking process and usually tend to be used as containers for boiling food rather than steaming.

How much does a rice cooker cost?

This machine’s main function is to be a rice cooker. The machine costs hardly anything around $20 but does not come protected by a warranty. While the machine has plenty of functions to cook rice properly, we are looking at the steaming functions. The machine can be programmed for presets, has alarms and will also hold food warm. The basket on top is able to sit on top of the rice while it cooks and steam the food. The steam basket is dishwasher safe and the handles are heat resistant.

How does a suspension steamer work?

One is the suspension steamer where food is placed in a bowl or slotted rack and is hung above boiling water so that the steam penetrates the food . The other is where food is sealed and set just above the boiling water in order for the food to be cooked in the sealed package.

What was the first type of steamer?

One of the first types of steamers is a bamboo steamer which is probably one of the first models of steamers produced in Asia and is still widely used today. They are very popular in Dim Sum restaurants because they can be used as a vessel not only for cooking the food but also serving the food in at the table.

Why do you need a clear lid when steaming?

It is best to go with a clear plastic or glass lid so you can see how the food is going without removing the lid. If you are having to remove the lid constantly to check the food, you are just slowing down or restarting the steaming process which could, in turn, take much more time.

10. Aroma Housewares 5-Quart Food Steamer

If you are aware of the long-term risks that come with eating fatty foods and want to start eating healthier at home, you should consider the 5-Quart steamer from Aroma Housewares. With a 6-quart capacity and double tiers, this steamer is large enough to feed everyone in the family and steam different foods at one go.

9. BELLA 7.4 Quart Healthy Food Steamer

For a food steamer, the Bella 7.4 has a lot going on for it. For starters, the Bella 7.4 has a unique dual basket system that allows the user to cook different kinds of food concurrently. The Bella 7.4 uses an advanced heating technology that steams food stuff in less than 30 seconds.

8. Ovente FS53W 7.5-Quart 3-Tier Electric Steamer

With 400Watts of raw power, the Ovente FS53W steams all foods stuff in an instant to promote healthy living. This appliance comes with an impressive 7.5 quartz capacity made possible with three-tier stackable containers.

7. Elite Platinum EST-2301 Electric Steamer

If you are in the market for a compact sized electric steamer, the EST-2301 is one of the best choices. It has a nested storage design that ensures it fits on all standard sized kitchen cabinets without any hassle.

6. Cuisinart STM-1000 CookFresh Digital Glass Steamer

The Cuisinart STM-1000 is one of the most technologically advanced electric food steamer on the market. Other steamers feature an adjustable clock timer while this STM-1000 comes equipped with a LED display that lets the user select different steaming options that are already preprogrammed.

5. Viante CUC-30ST Intellisteam Counter Top Food Steamer

The Viante CUC-30ST takes it a notch higher than the Cuisinart STM-1000 when it comes to technology. While they are both technologically advanced, the CUC-30ST just edges the STM-1000. The most standout feature of the CUC-30ST is its ability to steam up to three foods simultaneously at different temperatures.

4. NutriChef Pyle PKEC12 Food Steamer

One of the most simplistic electric food steamers in our list is the Pyle PKEC12. It is suitable for singles thanks to its compact size, lightweight feel and easy to use nature.

How to use a steamer?

To use this steamer, simply fill the water reservoir, add food to the containers, and set the timer. Since this steamer has a turbo-steam function, cooking is usually quick.

What is a mini steamer?

This steamer by Progressive International is called “mini” for a reason. It is designed for single-serving portion sizes with a capacity that holds approximately 2 cups of food. When not in use for steaming, the nonstick basket doubles as a colander for straining noodles or rinsing fruit.

How many quarts can a mini steamer hold?

Mini steamers can hold as little as 2 cups of food, while electric steamers can carry up to 9.5 quarts across multiple tiers. The sweet spot for you depends on how many people you will be cooking for or how much food you plan on cooking at a time.

What is the difference between a stovetop and an electric steamer?

The two main types of food steamers are electric and stovetop. Electric steamers are separate appliances , while stovetop steamers are usually paired with a pot, saucepan, or wok. Both electric and stovetop steamers yield thoroughly cooked food with less added fat. The better option for you depends on whether you prefer a dedicated appliance for steaming food or a steaming tool that is compatible with your existing cookware.

How many quarts of food can a Bella food steamer hold?

Steaming multiple foods at the same time is what this electric steamer was designed to do. With three tiers and 9.5 quarts of capacity, the Bella Food Steamer is spacious, versatile, and amazing for batch cooking.

What is a stovetop made of?

Stovetop options made of bamboo or stainless steel rest in a pot, pan , or wok that’s filled with simmering water. Food is placed in the steamer, and steam from the bottom of the pot surrounds and heats the food. This is a more space-saving and budget-friendly option, though it has fewer features than electric steamers that have built-in timers or automatic shut-offs.

What is the capacity of Cuisinart Cookfresh?

With an LCD control panel and 5-liter capacity, the Cuisinart CookFresh Digital Glass Steamer is the model to consider for high-end features. It offers five preprogrammed food settings: seafood, poultry, grains, vegetables, and manual.

What can you use a steamer for?

Steamers aren’t just for veg, either – they can also be used to cook meat, fish, shellfish, eggs (in their shells), pasta, grains and even puddings. Steaming can be as simple as a colander over a pan of boiling water.

Why do people use electric steamers?

Often, steamers are bought for health reasons on the grounds that steaming preserves more vitamins and nutrients than boiling. It’s a far gentler form of cooking than most, retaining the flavour and texture of all foods.

What is a Magimix steamer?

The Magimix steamer was the most expensive on our test, but it is a powerful, sturdily built 12-litre steamer made with the highest-quality stainless steel. It fits together seamlessly and consists of a base unit, two dishwasher-safe steaming baskets, a heavy-duty glass lid with a heatproof silicone handle and a multifunctional stainless-steel bowl with a lid for cooking rice or reheating food.

How many baskets does a salter steamer have?

The Salter steamer is compact but tall. It has three separate dishwasher-safe baskets that neatly stack on top of each other using a divider. For storage, these can stack inside each other, which is handy in a small kitchen.

How big is a steamer?

If space is at a premium, choose a taller model rather than wider and one that has baskets that stack one inside the other. Most steamers are around 9 litres, which is big enough to cook a meal for four. If cooking for one to three people, it might be better to opt for a smaller steamer that will take up less space.

How does an electric steamer work?

An electric steamer comes into its own by cooking in a controlled environment with a steady, even flow of steam, constant temperature and a timer. Simply load, switch on and leave until the timer pings so you can get on with other things.

What is the instruction book for steaming?

The instruction book is thin, but has everything you need to know on timings and sizes for steaming different foods, plus tips on food safety and details on descaling the steamer, which it will require from time to time.