Steam Cookers: How Do They Work?

Steam cookers are small kitchen appliances that use steam heat to cook or prepare various foods. They work by holding the food in a closed vessel, reducing steam escape. This cooking method is called steaming. Steam cooking has been used for millennia, with ancient civilisations using pottery steamers to cook food. Today, steam cookers are used extensively in health-oriented diets as they require little to no oil.

How to steam food without a steamer

Steam cookers are small kitchen appliances that use steam heat to cook food. They work by holding food in a closed vessel, reducing steam escape. This cooking method is called steaming and has been used for millennia.

Use a Pot or Wok with a Lid and a Heat-Proof Dish

You will need a pot or wok with a lid, a heat-proof dish that fits inside the wok or pot, and something to prop up the dish above the water, like a metal steam rack or a clean metal can. Fill the pot with about 2 inches of water (more if you're steaming for longer). Place the steaming rack or empty can in the centre, put the heatproof dish of food on the rack, cover the wok or pot, and steam.

Build a Pie Tin Steamer

Take two reusable aluminium pie tins and poke 12-16 holes in the base of each. Use a rolling pin to flatten one of the pie tins. Place the structurally intact tin upside down in a pot with a little water. Rest the flattened tin on top and place your food on it.

Use a Strainer or Colander

Place your food in a large kitchen strainer and put it on top of a pot of boiling water. You can also use a colander instead of a strainer.

Use a Plate and Some Foil

Find a plate that is oven-safe and slightly smaller than your pot. Make three large, solid balls out of aluminium foil and place them in the bottom of the pot. Add water, then place the plate (with ingredients) on top of the foil balls.

Use a Splatter Screen and Bowl

Place a splatter screen on top of your pot, add your ingredients, then cover with a large bowl. This method is great for sticky rice. You can also use tinfoil instead of a splatter screen, but make sure it fits tightly around the pot.

The health benefits of steam cooking

Steam cookers are small kitchen appliances that use steam heat to cook food. This method of cooking is called steaming and has been used for millennia, with the earliest steam cookers dating back to around 5000 BC in Ancient China.

Steam cooking is a healthy alternative to traditional cooking methods as it does not require the use of oil. This makes it a great option for health-oriented diets and for those looking to lower their cholesterol and calorie intake. Here are some of the health benefits of steam cooking:

Lower Cholesterol and Calorie Intake

Steam cooking helps to remove fat from meats, which can then be easily removed after cooking. This results in lower cholesterol levels in the meat and fewer calories overall.

Retain Vitamins and Nutrients

Steaming retains more vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants than other cooking methods. For example, it allows for the retention of essential vitamins such as vitamins B and C, vitamin B-12, riboflavin, thiamine, niacin, biotin, and pantothenic acid. It also retains about 50% more important minerals like zinc, potassium, phosphorus, and calcium.

Easy to Digest

Steaming softens the fiber in food, making it easier for the stomach to digest and process. This allows the body to absorb more of the natural health benefits of the ingredients.

Preserve Food Quality

Steam cooking helps to preserve the natural raw properties of foods, such as their texture, taste, colour, flavour, and overall freshness. Other methods of cooking vegetables can result in a loss of firmness and crispiness, leading to overcooked, mushy, and unappetizing food.

Faster Cooking Times

Steam cooking is a faster and more energy-efficient way of cooking than traditional methods like boiling and broiling. This is because steam transfers energy more efficiently than water, resulting in quicker cooking times and lower energy usage.

How to steam food in a microwave

A food steamer or steam cooker is a small appliance that uses steam heat to cook food. This method of cooking is called steaming and has been used for millennia.

Steaming food in a microwave is a convenient and quick way to prepare food while retaining its nutritional content. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to steam food in a microwave:

• Choose the right container: Select a microwave-safe bowl or dish that is made of glass, ceramic, or plastic. Avoid using flimsy plastic containers, aluminium foil, or plastic bags.
• Prepare the food: Wash and rinse the food thoroughly, especially if you are steaming vegetables. Cut the food into evenly sized pieces to ensure consistent cooking.
• Add water: Depending on the amount of food, add 1-3 tablespoons of water to the container. The water will create steam when heated.
• Cover the container: Use a lid, microwave-safe plastic wrap, parchment paper, or paper towels to cover the container loosely. This helps trap the heat and create steam.
• Microwave: Place the covered container in the microwave and set the power to high. Steaming time will vary depending on the type of food. For example, firmer vegetables like potatoes may take up to 20 minutes, while softer vegetables like broccoli will take around 4 minutes.
• Check for doneness: Carefully remove the container from the microwave and place it on a heat-safe surface. Remove the lid, being cautious of the escaping hot steam. Use a fork to check if the food is tender and cooked to your desired level.
• Season and serve: Once the food is steamed to your liking, season it as per your taste and serve immediately.

Some foods that are well-suited for steaming in the microwave include vegetables such as broccoli, spinach, carrots, and green beans, as well as fish fillets and rice.

How to steam food in an oven

Steam cooking is a common method of cooking that has been used for millennia. It is a healthy cooking option as it requires little to no oil. Here is a guide on how to steam food in an oven:

Method 1: Using a Grate and a Pan of Water

• Preheat your oven to 200 °F (93 °C).
• While the oven is preheating, arrange your vegetables on a grate or steaming pan. Chop up large vegetables and ensure they don't fall through the grate.
• Boil some water on the stovetop.
• Pour 1⁄2 inch (1.3 cm) of boiling water into an oven-safe pot or pan.
• Place the grate over the pot and cover the vegetables with aluminum foil, ensuring no steam can escape.
• Put the pot in the oven and steam the vegetables for 3-8 minutes, depending on the type of vegetable.
• Remove the pot from the oven and let the vegetables cool before serving.

Method 2: Baking in a Water Bath

• Line an oven-safe skillet or tray with aluminum foil.
• Season your piece of fish with lemon, salt, pepper, or other desired spices.
• Add 2 tablespoons (30 ml) of water to the fish to create steam.
• Wrap the foil around the fish to create a tent, leaving a small, 2-inch (5.1 cm) opening at one end for steam to escape.
• Place the skillet in the oven and cook the fish for 15-20 minutes for fillets, or 30-40 minutes for a whole fish.
• Remove the fish from the oven and let it cool before serving.

Method 3: Cooking in Parchment

• Place your main ingredient off-center on a large sheet of parchment paper.
• Top with aromatics such as lemons, garlic, onions, or fresh herbs, or place them underneath the ingredient.
• Season and drizzle with a liquid such as stock, white wine, soy sauce, vinegar, or oil to activate steaming.
• Fold one end of the parchment over the food and then make small folds at the corners towards the food to seal it closed.
• Place the parcel in the oven and cook until the food is steamed and cooked through.
• Be careful when opening the parcel, as the escaping steam can burn you.

Method 4: Steam Baking Bread

• Preheat your oven to 425 °F (218 °C).
• Fill a cast-iron skillet with lava rocks and place it on the bottom of the oven.
• Prepare your bread dough and slide it into the oven on the rack above the lava rocks.
• Pour 1 cup (240 ml) of hot water over the lava rocks and immediately close the oven to trap the steam.
• After 20 minutes, remove the skillet and lava rocks from the oven and continue baking the bread as normal.

Method 5: Using a Pizza Stone and Roasting Tray

• Place a pizza stone in the top half of your oven and a heavy-duty roasting tray in the bottom half.
• Preheat the oven to 550ºF for 60 minutes.
• When the oven is ready, slide your shaped loaves onto the preheated pizza stone.
• Pull out the roasting tray and pour in 1-2 cups of hot water. Be careful, as it will boil and steam immediately.
• Slide the tray back under the pizza stone and spray the walls of the oven with water from a plant sprayer.
• Close the oven and wait 30 seconds. Repeat the spraying two more times for a total of three sprays.
• Bake your bread according to your recipe.

The history of steam cookers

Steam cookers, or food steamers, have been used for millennia. In Ancient China, pottery steamers were used to cook food as early as 5000 BCE. These steamers, known as yan steamers, were composed of two vessels: a zeng with a perforated floor placed on top of a pot or cauldron with a tripod base and a top cover. Zeng pots were also used in the Hemudu culture (5000–4500 BCE) and Liangzhu culture (3200–2000 BCE) to steam rice. In the Longshan culture (3000–2000 BCE), three large yan steamers were discovered at the Tianwang site in western Shandong.

Steam cooking continued to be an important technique in Asia, with Chinese and other Asian cuisines featuring steamed vegetables, proteins, buns, breads, dumplings, and even desserts. Steaming is considered just as important in Asian cooking as baking or roasting is in Western cooking.

In the 17th century, French inventor Denis Papin created the first pressure cooker, or "digester," which used steam pressure to cook food. However, early models were too expensive for most people. It wasn't until the 20th century that steam pressure cookers became more common in ordinary home kitchens. During World War II, the US government promoted the use of pressure cookers for food preservation and canning.

Today, modern steam cookers come in various forms, from stainless steel and bamboo steamers to electric rice cookers and steam ovens. These appliances are valued for their ability to cook food with steam, retaining moisture, nutrients, and flavour while reducing the need for added fats and oils.

Frequently asked questions