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Original poster

best steamer to buy?

27 replies

TracyK · 16/11/2004 19:41

should i go for the most powerful one?
one basket or 3?
are they really useful or just another gadget?

OP posts:
stickynote · 16/11/2004 19:49

Are you talking electric?

GeorginaA · 16/11/2004 19:58

We have a Tefal one which is great and we use it all the time. Only thing I would say is that I have a 2 tier one and I have NEVER EVER used more than one!

MistressMary · 16/11/2004 20:34

we have a three tier tefal one and love it.
Just so easy to put stuff in and turn it on and then you have time to do some other stuff whilst waiting.
And no watching or washing saucepans either.
Put meat or fish in bottom tier and veg on next tier and when done you get stock collected in the tray for the gravy.
And major plus, healthy too.
Can you tell we like ours?

woodpops · 17/11/2004 08:24

I had an electric one and an old fashioned one brought as wedding gifts. I must admit I really don't like the electric one. Always use the metal one on the hob. It's fab.

Yorkiegirl · 17/11/2004 08:43

Message withdrawn

Hulababy · 17/11/2004 09:00

We have a three tier Tefal one which is great. We use it loads, mainly for veggies. TBH I don't use all three tiers often though, normally just one or two. And I've never used the rice bit either!. Steamed veggies are yummy though

WigWamBam · 17/11/2004 10:01

Ours is a three tier Tefal too, and I've never used less than all three tiers. I think it's great, easy to use, easy to clean, food tastes good ... I love it.

WigWamBam · 17/11/2004 10:01

Ours is a three tier Tefal too, and I've never used less than all three tiers. I think it's great, easy to use, easy to clean, food tastes good ... I love it.

Poo2 · 17/11/2004 10:09

Ooo no - buy a one that goes on the hob or you end up losing all your worksurface. Love steamers though.

cab · 17/11/2004 10:14

I've got the 3 tier Tefal one too. Usually use just 2 layers most nights but 3 if doing say tatties, sprouts and other veg. It can be a bit of a pain cleaning it out every night - was easier with the old metal steamer in a pan but it wasn't big enough for the potatoes too.

Original poster
TracyK · 17/11/2004 12:16

if you have a 3 tier one - do they all cook at differnt times - or do you just put the veggies in half way through the chicken cooking?

OP posts:
yoyo · 17/11/2004 12:24

It depends what veg you are cooking - root veg obviously takes longer than beans, broccoli, etc. and similarly meat takes longer than fish. With the three tiers (on the hob in my case) you can just add the tiers according to how much longer things take. I would start off e.g. chicken breasts (in foil parcel greased with butter, 1tbsp wine, herbs) first, then pots and carrots after about 5- 10 mins,leave for about 10 mins then broccoli and beans for last 8-10 mins. Easy!!

cab · 17/11/2004 12:33

Tracy there's a timer dial that pings when time is up so you put on potatoes for say 10 mins, then next layer, re-set dial etc.

Original poster
TracyK · 17/11/2004 18:32

do they normally come with a recipe booklet - or is it trial and error as how long to leave things in for. I love crunchy veg and by boiling them they are always soggy.

OP posts:
MistressMary · 17/11/2004 18:37

We had one in with our steamer,although we don't really use their ideas. Just the general guidelines.
Anyone got any good recipes then?

cab · 17/11/2004 18:43

Tracy they come with a wee booklet but timings vary depending on how much stuff you've got in each layer. With no potatoes below I would do things like cauliflower etc for 10 mins, with spuds below more like 15 mins.
Sorry no good recipes here. I'm allergic to fish and haven't got the hang of chicken in it so just do veg.

Juliehafrancis · 18/11/2004 11:41

Sorry to butt in but have been following this topic with interest (how sad am I?!) I have done a search and have noticed there a lots of different tefal ones. Which one do people have or think is the best?

Hope someone can help,

Jules x

Original poster
TracyK · 18/11/2004 11:50

I shall be interested in the answer too - as I presume Tefal are one of the best ones to go for.

OP posts:
Original poster
TracyK · 18/11/2004 18:53

bump

OP posts:
Juliehafrancis · 18/11/2004 21:14

Bump!

moondog · 18/11/2004 22:00

You don't actually nedd fancy electric ones in my view (more crap to clutter up the kitchen.)
You can pick up a bamboo one with removable tears for next to nothing in Asian shops.
I do everything in mind and it looks nice too.

(If you're even more of a tightarse, you can do steam very well in a colander over a pan of boiling water, using a lid that fits over roughly.)

Original poster
TracyK · 18/11/2004 22:02

could i use my old steriliser?
ps how do u use the bamboo ones? over a pot of boiling water?

OP posts:
moondog · 18/11/2004 22:03

'tiers' rather!

moondog · 18/11/2004 22:04

Yes, just find a pan that is a rough fit for it to sit on (doesn't have to be exact)

WigWamBam · 19/11/2004 10:15

For me the beauty of an electric steamer is that I don't have to have several pans of water steaming up the kitchen and using up all the rings on my cooker. The Tefal uses far less water to cook far more than my saucepans can, and it sits quietly in the corner taking up a very small amount of space indeed. I liked the bamboo ones but found mine was quite difficult to keep clean, and took just as much space to store as the Tefal does.