How to choose the best food steamer
There are several things to consider before buying the best food steamer. Here are some simple tips.
Size: How many people are you cooking for? If it’s only for you, or you and a partner, a three-tier 12-litre capacity food steamer won’t be necessary. If you have a large family or entertain regularly then a large capacity matters.
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.
Speed: If choosing an electric food steamer, it should cook food quickly and evenly and most run at 800 watts. Some claim to start steaming within 15 seconds but many start at about 60 seconds.
Versatility: Figure out how much food you can cook at the same time and check if it comes with separate rice and egg bowls. Added extras can be a bonus if you don't already own the additional extras.
What are the benefits of steaming food?
There's no oil involved in the cooking process so it's an easy way to make dishes lighter and healthier. Fewer vitamins, minerals, and nutrients are lost compared to dry-heat cooking, which often means a decreased need to add salt or oil as the food retains more flavour, texture, and colour.
What's the best type of food steamer to buy?
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?
A three-tiered steamer is great if you want to cook different items at the same time. If you're just buying for you and your partner, a smaller two-bowl steamer would probably be best, like the Tefal VC140165. If you have a large family or entertain a lot, a three-tier food steamer will definitely be the right choice for you.
Can you make rice in a food steamer?
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?
The Tefal Ultracompact Steam Cooker VC204865 is our best buy for several reasons. As well as having all the basics sorted (generous capacity, dishwasher safe, good price) it's rated highly by consumers for its quality and durability.
How we chose our recommendations
First up, we looked into which food steamers had won accolades or been recommended by food industry experts. Then, we combed through verified, authentic consumer reviews and chose a selection of products that scored highly across the board and received praise from real people. Having collated all that information, we then narrowed our list down to the best food steamers to buy, looking at pros and cons for each model.
About the author
Rachel Erdos is an Editor at Mumsnet where she commissions, edits and writes content with a focus on product reviews, homeware roundups and family travel.
She’s written buyer’s guides for publications including Expert Reviews, Coach and Den of Geek as well as reviews and features for the Guardian, TripSavvy and Visit London.
As a mum of two, she’s always on the lookout for products that make life easier at home and loves putting gadgets and appliances to the test to highlight best buys for families.
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