Some people avoid cooking in plastic altogether due to concerns about BPA leaching, while some people seek out BPA-free plastic. In general, glass and food-safe metal steamers tend to last longer than plastic and bamboo models, with silicone steamers landing somewhere between. If you want to cook lots of different foods at the same time then a three-tiered food steamer is great for heating everything at once without cross flavouring. For things like cooking a whole sea bass or salmon, wide and deep compartments are best. Clearly most people would prefer a steamer that’s dishwasher safe and as they can often be quite bulky, collapsible tiers are a good option. Electric food steamers are hassle-free as they come with electric timers, so you pop the food in and get notified by a buzzer when it’s ready to eat. Which size food steamer is best?

Because we know that there’s nothing like a real recommendation, we first headed to the Mumsnet forums to find out what food steamers were being recommended. The best food steamers you can buy in 2023 1. Russell Hobbs 21140 3-Tier Steamer: Best budget food steamer Note: Between the two products, the Tefal Stainless Steel Convenient Steamer VC1451 has the longer warranty (2 years vs 1 year) Each material type has its own advantages and disadvantages. Naturally, plastic food steamers are lighter and cheaper. But can become brittle over time and may even leach unwanted chemicals into your food. We have a three-tier Tefal one which is great. We use it loads, mainly for veggies” - recommended by Mumsnet user, Hulababy Our verdict

Food steamers FAQ’s

Most vegetables are steam cooked in about five to 10 minutes. Use less cook time if you like your vegetables to retain some crispness and more if you prefer them tender. Some fruits also stand up well to steam cooking, such as peaches and pears, whether you'd like to make a cooked fruit compote or homemade baby food. As a bonus, the PowerPac Food steamer 2.5L Multifunction 2 Tier Steamer (PPS706) is relatively quiet for a food steamer.

A microwave or rice cooker can serve as a food steamer too. Especially if you’re only cooking for 1-2 people. 3. Material Build Regardless of what you're cooking, it's important to keep tabs on your food and not let it cook for too long, at the risk of your food becoming soggy and overdone. HEALTHY EATING – Perfect for those who want to cook healthy meals at home. Steaming food preserves the nutrients and vitamins in the food, making it a great choice for those who want to eat a balanced and nutritious dietSteam two different foods at once – including eggs – all in a tiny footprint with our Mini Steamer. The delay-start feature lets you fill the steamer with produce in advance and start the cooking later. This feature shouldn’t be used for highly perishable foods like fish, poultry, or meat. This steamer includes a drip tray and rice bowl that are dishwasher-safe, but the food containers should be washed by hand.

verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ Most steamers have a capacity of around nine 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. A six-litre capacity is a good option for preparing tasty mains or sides, and for cooking for two. Steamers come in two varieties: electric or stovetop. The stovetop steamer is an insert that fits into or on top of a saucepan or other pot that's filled with an inch or two of simmering water. The food is placed in the insert, and the perforated base of the insert allows the steam to surround and heat the food. These types of steamers can be found in the following forms: Yes, absolutely and a lot of food steamers come with a rice bowl. Simply place the rice in the steamer filled with cold water (the water should not be boiling when the rice is placed into the steamer). Turn on the heat to high, cover and cook for 10-20 minutes. Turn off the heat, and let the rice sit in the steamer with the lid on for at least five more minutes. What is the best food steamer to buy?That said, there are a wide variety of traditional steamed foods that are incredibly flavorful—from Mexican tamales to Chinese steamed fish—due to the seasonings added in before steaming or the flavorful sauces added after. The amount of flavor that ends up in the finished product is completely up to you. Best Stainless Steel Food Steamer For Small to Mid Families (5L) – Tefal Stainless Steel Convenient Steamer VC1451