1. Is steaming vegetables better than boiling them?

When compared, steaming veggies is always better than boiling. When you boil vegetables, you end up losing a lot of nutrients. And, if you boil it for a very long time, the nutrients will escape in the water completely. However, when you are steaming vegetables, nutrients remain within. Also, steaming is a quicker process too.

2. What are the different levels of water fill in the containers of digital food steamers?

The level of water fills in a digital food steamer depends on the amount of time that is required for cooking. If the cooking time is less than 13 minutes, you can go ahead with the minimum fill guidelines. But, if the cooking time is more (up to 60 minutes), you will have to follow maximum fill guidelines.

3. How can I assemble a food steamer after buying one?

Assembling the steamer is one of the features that you should check before buying a model. Always go for a model that does not include an assembling process that is very difficult. All models of food steamers come with a manual that has instructions on how to assemble that particular model. The water reservoir should be at the base with the dip tray above it. All the trays/baskets should be arranged properly.

4. What are Convection Steamers?

Convection steamers are larger than the regular steamers that are used at home. These convection steamers are generally used at restaurants where food is cooked in large quantities. These steamers have a small fan that is used to circulate both steam and air inside. This helps in distributing the heat uniformly and promote a better way of cooking. Convection steamers have many perforated trays so that you can cook different food items at a time, without disturbing the flavors. They cook food at low temperatures and slow mode. Because of slow cooking, the nutrients remain intact in the food.

5. What are the best food steamers?

Electric food steamers are the best according to us, as they cook food fast, allow you to see the level of water, delay your cooking time, and is safe for health too.

6. How does a food steamer work?

The perforated base of the steamer allows the steam to pass through. The base of the steamer contains a thick wire that resists the flow of electricity and generates heat. This results in evaporation of water at the base, which upon condensation on the food and vegetables, cooks them.

7. Are food steamers healthy?

A food steamer retains the nutrients that are otherwise lost in pressure cooking, frying or other types of cooking. Hence, we would say it is the healthiest form of cooking. But if you are going for a microwave steamer then look for one that is BPA free to stay away from harmful chemical intake.

8. Do food steamers come with warming options?

Yes, some food steamers do come with keep-warm option. You would have to set this option before starting to cook, and also keep the water level full.

9. Can a food steamer cook rice?

Yes. some steamers come with a rice bowl that sits within the baskets. The steam then cooks the rice.

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How to Choose Food Steamer

Updated by

Leela Prasad

on Dec 19, 2020

What to Look for Before Buying the Best Food Steamer?

If you check online, you will find a variety of steamers available in the market and this can get you confused too. Here is a buying guide that will help you pick the best one for you.

1. Type of Steamers:

On the basis of the source of power that they use for steaming, food steamers are categorized into different types. Let’s learn more about all the basic types of food steamers that you can find in the market.

Electric Steamers:

Electric steamers are standalone kitchen appliances that need AC power to run. These steamers require timely maintenance.

Electric steamers feature a chamber where you can add water that will be used for steaming. There is a heating element that heats water to generate steam to cook food. Electric steamers generally come with perforated and stackable trays so that the steam can pass through the holes easily.

There are multiple trays so that you can cook multiple foods at the same time. Electric food steamers are portable and hence, they are travel-friendly too. These steamers don’t usually release a lot of heat in the kitchen or wherever you are using it. In some electric steamers, you will find dividers in a container.

Most of the electric food steamers feature great and advanced functions like an LCD control panel, audible alerts, digital timers, and different cooking modes. There are some rice cookers that can be used as a steamer too. They have special basket inserts.

Pressure Steamers:

Pressure steamers make use of steam and pressure to cook varieties of food items. These models can be either stovetop or electric pressure cookers.

They generate steam under optimal temperatures and promote heat transfer in an adequate amount. Pressure steamers generally come with a locking lid that helps in holding high pressure inside the cooking chamber. The lid also prevents the heat from escaping out.

After steaming, it takes some time for the steamer to depressurize completely. You can open the lid and take out the food only after depressurizing is done completely. Even though these steamers use low temperatures to cook food, the cooking time is reduced drastically because of the pressurized way of cooking.

Stovetop Steamers:

Using a steamer basket is an easy and simple way to cook food on the stovetop. You can simply place the food in the steamer basket and place it in the pot or pan containing water. This pot is then kept over the stovetop. You can begin the steaming process after shutting the lid.

The pot must contain enough water so that the food cooks properly in the steam. Some models of stovetop steamers even have one or more platforms that fit properly on the pan.

These platforms are generally perforated so that you can add them or remove them whenever required. They can also be used as double boilers. In some models, you can even find stovetop steamers where one pan can be placed on the top of the other.

Microwave Steamers:

Microwave food steamers can be put directly in a microwave. These steamers are less expensive and are generally made using plastic. However, you can find some models that are made using microwave-safe materials like ceramic, silicone, and polycarbonate.

Microwave steamers made using plastic can affect the overall quality of the food.

The non-stick materials used are resistant to heat and have scratch-resistant surfaces. They come in different shapes and are dishwasher safe as well.

2. Material:

The materials that are used to make steamers can also make a huge difference. While some materials are eco-friendly, others are heat efficient. Some materials also promote a healthy way of cooking. You should look for a steamer that offers a combination of all these useful factors.

Metal Steamers:

You can use these metal steamers over both gas stoves and inductions. Metal steamers have been around in the market for a long time.

They either come with one or multiple tiers and are made using aluminum or stainless steel. They mostly have glass lids. Even though glass lids are more prone to breakage, it is easier for you to monitor the cooking process without removing the lid multiple times. In this way, you can prevent the steam from escaping out.

When compared to aluminum steamers, the models of steamers made using stainless are more expensive. Not only these models are eco-friendly but are stable and durable too.

Bamboo Steamers:

Bamboo steamers are also eco-friendly options and usually come with 2 or more identical baskets that can sit on top of each of them. Foods that take a long time can be placed in the bottom-most basket.

Items that take less cooking time like vegetables can be put on the upper baskets. When the foods in the upper basket are cooked, you can remove them.

However, you cannot use a bamboo steamer on a gas stove, induction, or any other heating device directly. Instead, you will have to keep the steamer in a large and closed cooking pot with water. This water will be used to build the stem inside the pot.

Also, it is important that you should use liners like parchment paper or banana leaves while cooking in bamboo steamers. Using liners prevent the base of the bamboo basket from staining.

Glass Steamers:

In glass steamers, both the cooking pot and the lid are made using glass. It is then attached to an electric steamer. The container is placed above the water tank.

Glass steamers can be used to make a variety of dishes. You can even use these cooking pots as serving dishes and you can keep them in the fridge too. They are dishwasher safe.

Plastic Steamers:

Some models of electric steamers have plastic containers and trays. They are very light in weight. However, these cheaper options of containers can have a negative impact on the taste of the food.

Some users feel that plastic is not healthy when it comes to cooking. Hence, while buying, make sure that it is BPA-free and safe for cooking. The advantage of using plastic steamers is they are transparent like glass. This helps you in monitoring the cooking process.

3. Capacity or Size:

You can select the size of the steamer depending on the number of members in your family and your style of cooking,

Food steamers are available in different capacities. Smaller steamers are available from 1 liter and the size can go up to 10 liters or more.

If you live alone, you can buy a mini stovetop steamer or the smallest model of an electric steamer. But, if there are 4 or more members in your family, you can opt for a large and multi-tiered steamer.

For people who plan to steam dishes only once in a while, you can go for tiny and space-saving models of food steamers.

But, if you want to make a complete meal for the entire family, you should buy a steamer with a minimum of 5-liter capacity. If there are more members in your family or if you want to make food for a special event at your place, you can even go for an 8-liter capacity.

4. Wattage:

Electric food steamers generally have a power of about 850 to 1000 watt. It is recommended for household usage.

5. Timer:

The timer option in an electric food steamer prevents the food from getting overcooked. You can set the timer and let it cook. The steamer will turn off automatically after reaching the designated time. While the old and conventional models feature mechanical dials, advanced and modern models have digital displays.

There is another feature called Delay-start that can be helpful too. The steamer will start work at the time that you have set already using this function.

6. Keep Warm:

A few models of food steamers have an automatic keep-warm feature while in a few models, you have to set the steamer to warm function manually after the steaming is done. Most of the steamers can keep the food warm for a long time.

However, the steamer must have enough water to keep this keep warm function working.

7. Visible Water Gauge:

A visible water gauge option is available in electric food steamers so that you can check the water levels. Some models of steamers even come with an external water inlet so that you can fill the water in the container without taking the container out. This also prevents the chances of accidental burns.