Steaming Hot: Using A Steamer Pot For Cooking

Steaming is a great way to cook food, and you can steam a wide variety of dishes, from vegetables to meats, breads, and dumplings. You can use a steamer basket, an electric steamer, or a stove-top steamer. However, if you don't have a steamer, you can easily create a DIY steamer setup using common kitchen equipment. All you need is a deep vessel like a wok or pot, a lid, and something to keep the food from touching the water, such as a heat-proof dish or a metal rack. With this simple setup, you can steam various foods, from vegetables to meats and even reheat leftovers. So, the answer is yes, you can use a steamer pot for cooking food, and it's a healthy and convenient option for preparing tasty dishes.

Steamer setup: wok with a lid and a heat-proof dish

Steamer Setup #1: A Pot (or Wok) with a Lid and a Heat-Proof Dish

You don't need any special equipment to steam your food. A simple pot with a lid will do the trick, especially when you're reheating food. This setup is also handy when you're travelling in an RV or camping, as it only requires basic kitchen tools.

Here's what you'll need:

• A pot or wok with a lid
• A heat-proof dish that can fit inside the wok or pot
• Something to prop up the dish above the water, like a metal steam rack or a clean, empty metal can (e.g. a washed tuna can)

Here's how to set it up:

• Find a pot or wok with a lid that can accommodate the heat-proof dish you plan to steam your food in.
• Place a metal steam rack or a clean, empty metal can in the bottom of the pot/wok. Make sure it's at least 2 inches above the water (you'll need more water for longer steaming times).
• Put your heat-proof dish of food on the rack/can, cover the wok or pot, and start steaming.

A few things to keep in mind:

• Wider cans usually provide a more stable surface for your food.
• If you're steaming for a long time and need more water, consider using a can to raise the food higher above the water.

• Fill the pot with 2 inches of water (or more, depending on steaming time). The water level shouldn't come closer than 1 inch below the rack, to avoid bubbling water touching the bottom of the dish.
• Make sure your heat-proof dish is actually heat-proof! Oven-safe dishes and glass pie plates are a good choice.
• If you want to save any liquid from steaming (e.g. when steaming proteins like chicken), use a dish with a rim.
• Once the dish of food is on the rack and covered, turn on the heat to bring the water to a simmer.

Why a wok is ideal:

• Woks have a larger diameter than regular pots, so they can fit larger plates of food, like steamed whole fish.
• Wok lids tend to be more concave than regular pot lids, creating more room for steam to circulate above the food.

Steamer setup: metal steamer

A metal steamer is a great option for cooking food, especially if you want to steam a large volume of food. This setup is also known as a stainless steel steamer and typically has a tiered design, allowing you to cook multiple dishes at once. Here's a step-by-step guide to setting up and using a metal steamer:

• Fill the Bottom with Water: Place a few inches of water in the bottom section of the metal steamer. The amount of water you need will depend on the steaming time required. For longer steaming times, use more water, ensuring it doesn't touch the steamer basket or tiers above.
• Prepare the Tiers: Decide whether you want to use heat-proof dishes or line the tiers directly. If using dishes, place them on the tiers. If steaming buns, dumplings, or similar foods, you can line the tiers with cabbage leaves, cheesecloth, or perforated parchment paper.
• Add Food: Place your chosen food items in the prepared tiers. If steaming buns or dumplings, you can place them directly on the lined tiers. For other foods, use heat-proof dishes.
• Bring Water to a Simmer: Place the lid on the steamer and turn on the heat. Bring the water to a simmer, ensuring the lid has a tight fit to prevent steam from escaping.
• Manage Condensation: Metal steamers can sometimes cause condensation to collect on the lid and drip onto the food. To prevent this, take a thin dishcloth or tea towel, lay it over the lid, and tie the ends securely, ensuring they don't touch the heat source.
• Monitor Water Level: Keep an eye on the water level and add boiling water as needed. It's best to fill the bottom with enough water for your desired steaming time.
• Remove Food Carefully: Once your food is cooked, turn off the heat and carefully remove the dishes or food items from the steamer. Use oven mitts or a hot dish clip to protect your hands from the steam and hot surfaces.

With a metal steamer, you can cook a variety of dishes, from steamed buns and dumplings to vegetables, meats, and delicate foods like custardy steamed eggs. Remember to always follow food safety guidelines and be cautious when handling hot items and steam.

Steamer setup: bamboo steamer

Bamboo steamers are a great, inexpensive, and lightweight option for cooking food. They are made of all-natural bamboo material and typically consist of 2-3 interlocking baskets that stack on top of each other, with a lid on top. The entire setup is placed over a wok or pot of simmering water, and the steam rises through the open ridges at the bottom of each basket, cooking the food inside.

Step 1: Fill Your Wok (or other pan) with Water

Place the bamboo steamer into your wok or another wide-rimmed, shallow pan, and fill it with enough water to come up above the bottom rim of the steamer by about a quarter to half an inch. Ensure that the water level is high enough to submerge the bottom rim of the steamer to prevent it from scorching, but not so high that the bubbling water touches the food.

Step 2: Line the Bamboo Steamer

Bamboo steamers can have multiple levels, depending on how much food you need to steam. If you're placing food directly on the steamer bed, such as buns or dumplings, use parchment paper, cabbage leaves, cheesecloth, or silicone liners to prevent sticking. If you're steaming marinated meats or vegetables, use a heatproof plate or bowl to collect any juices.

Step 3: Place Food in Your Bamboo Steamer

When placing dumplings, buns, or other items in the steamer, leave about 1 inch between each item to allow for expansion during steaming. If you're using a bowl or plate, there is no need to line the steamer, but ensure that the lid still fits on top and that there is enough space for the steam to circulate.

Step 4: Place Bamboo Steamer in Wok/Pot

You can preheat the water so it's simmering before placing the bamboo steamer into the wok, or you can place the steamer into the wok when the water is cold and then turn on the heat.

Step 5: Allow Food to Steam and Check Water Level

Once the water is simmering, it will start to evaporate. Keep an eye on the water level and add boiling water as needed to ensure it doesn't completely evaporate. Cook the food for the amount of time specified in your recipe.

Caring for Your Bamboo Steamer:

Before using a new bamboo steamer, consider soaking the bottom layer in water for about 30 minutes to prevent scorching. After each use, clean the steamer with mild dish soap and hot water, then rinse and air dry thoroughly before storing to prevent mold and mildew.

With its versatility and ability to retain flavors and nutrients, a bamboo steamer is an excellent tool for cooking a variety of dishes, from dumplings and buns to meats and vegetables.

Steamer setup: microwave

Steaming food in the microwave is a quick and easy way to cook healthy food. You can steam veggies, fish, and rice in your microwave. Here's how to do it:

Step 1: Prepare your food

Rinse your veggies thoroughly with water and trim off any hard ends, fibrous bits, and areas that look yellow, damaged, or bruised. Cut larger veggies into bite-sized pieces. You can steam broccoli, spinach, leafy greens (kale, collards, Swiss chard), cauliflower, asparagus, corn, peppers, carrots, green beans, small potatoes, Brussels sprouts, peas, zucchini, and artichokes in the microwave.

Step 2: Place food in a microwave-safe dish and add water

Place your food in a microwave-safe bowl or dish. Add 2 to 3 tablespoons (30 to 44 ml) of water and cover the bowl or dish with a lid, plastic wrap, wax paper, parchment paper, or paper towels. Make sure the covering is loose-fitting to allow steam to escape.

Step 3: Microwave your food

Place the covered dish in the microwave. Microwave cook times will depend on the type of food and the power of your microwave. For example, sliced or baby carrots will take 6-8 minutes, while broccoli florets and spinach will take around 5 minutes. Fish fillets will take around 3 minutes.

Step 4: Remove from the microwave and serve

Carefully remove the hot container from the microwave and place it on a heat-safe surface. Wait a few minutes for the steaming process to finish, then remove the lid, being careful not to burn yourself from the hot steam. Your food is now ready to eat!

Steamer setup: pot with a lid and a heat-proof dish

Steamer Setup #1: A Pot (or Wok) with a Lid and a Heat-Proof Dish

This steamer setup is ideal if you don't have any special equipment for steaming. It works well, especially for reheating food. Here's what you'll need:

• A pot or wok with a lid: Choose a pot or wok that can accommodate the heat-proof dish you plan to steam your food in. A wok with a lid is ideal due to its larger diameter and concave lid, which provides more room for steam circulation.
• A heat-proof dish that can fit inside the wok or pot: Ensure that the dish is oven-safe and has a rim if you want to save any liquid from steaming.
• Something to prop up the dish above the water: Use a metal steam rack or a clean, empty metal can with both ends removed. Wider cans provide a more stable surface, and you can adjust the height by adding a can to raise the food higher above the water, especially for longer steaming times.

Here's how to set it up:

• Fill the pot or wok with 2 inches of water, or adjust the water level according to the steaming time required. Ensure the water level is at least 1 inch below the rack to prevent bubbling water from touching the bottom of the dish.
• Place the steaming rack or empty can in the center of the pot, and then set your heatproof dish of food on top.
• Cover the pot or wok with the lid, ensuring there is enough space between the dish and the sides of the pot for steam circulation.
• Turn on the heat to medium or high to bring the water to a simmer, and your food will steam!

Frequently asked questions