Talk to me about steamers please

[NotABanana]

I am thinking of getting one. I am sure I will use it as I have a lot of kitchen stuff and 99% is used often. Just wondering which is the best to get. Are they just for steaming veg and fruit or do they do other foodstuffs? TIA.

I love mine - gets used loads, I know what you mean about all the 'great idea' gadgets that sit at the back of the cupboard!
The baskets are a bit big so take up room on my draining board, can't honestly say I have noticed a difference in food taste but I like having lots of different veg and not using all the lights on the stove top.
You can do chicken, salmon and rice according to the instructions but I've only done fruit and veg.

My brother has one, and he does veg, potatoes and chicken breasts in his.

Sounds like it might be a good buy for me. I have a lot of kitchen equipment and all the big and expensive stuff is used often (dinner in slow cooker as I type) but I have never had a steamer before. Part of the attraction is being able to do several veg together as when done in the microwave the first lot goes cold while waiting for the next lot.

Any recommmendations for which model to get?

love my steamer, i do everything in it from corn on the cobs, rice, chicken, potatoes. i just have a chep one from argos a cookworks or something but all the steamer sections are different sizes so they all go in to each other making it much better to store.

I have the Argos £7.99 one and find it great. Apparently Lloyds chemist have an offer on a similar one £6.99 reduced from £9.99. I have had more expensive steamers and can honestly say they were no better than the cheaper ones. Wouldnt be without mine.

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I have a cheapy ish one but it only ever comes out in winter. Steamed veg in summer just not right, have a salad instead!

Thanks all.

I might go with the Argos one tbh. We have their blender and bread maker and they are just as good as more expensive models.

I also have a cheapy one - I have done chicken, rice, veg and potatoes in it - used it today as it happens!

Do they take the same length of time to cook as boiling or roasting would? I take it they don't work like slow cookers do?

Yes - I had potatoes and baby carrots in the bottom basket, french beans abd broccoli in the middle basket - then the lid. It took about 25mins to cook - I put the brocolli in for the last 15 mins as I dont like it soggy.

It is great as you can jsut walk away and leave it = no havong to adjust gas up or down, etc. But it is trial and error to get the timings right in the first place.

I also use the leftover water which collects in a tray to make gravy as it has all the goodness in it!

I reckon it is worth a tenner to give it a go!

You don't need to fuck about with some electrical number. Buy a bamboo one for next to nowt in an Asian supermarket.Much more environmentally friendly too.

Put chicken pieces or salmon steaks in the bottom layer, vegetables (including baby potatos) in the next one, you can even bake apples in the top one too. Ours collects all the juice in a tray at the bottom, so you can use it to rustle up a sauce. Two course dinner in forty minutes - and it all tastes great

Can you do frozen veg in them?

I am going to get one today.

Which one, and can anyone asnwer the previous question please?

Shops I have to choose from are M&S, Sainsburys, BHS and Argos.

TIA.

Anyone? I want to go out soon. Thanks.

I find the bamboo ones get slimey
I've got a metal one that sits on the pan, as moondog says, you don't need an electrical one
just put it on the pan in which you are cooking your rice / pasta / potatoes etc

you can do frozen veg in a non-electric metal one, don't know about the others

I got a Russell Hobbs one for £25 reduced from £50.