Steam Cookers: Best Options For Your Kitchen

Steam cookers are a great addition to your kitchen, offering a healthy and versatile way to cook. They are perfect for cooking vegetables, meat, fish, and more. With many different options available, it can be hard to choose the best one for your needs. Here is a list of some of the best steam cookers on the market to help you decide:

- Hamilton Beach 5.5 Quart: This affordable two-tier steamer has convenient features like a water-level window and delay start. It also includes a rice bowl and a digital display.

- Cuisinart Digital Glass Steamer: This advanced steamer has preset modes for cooking seafood, poultry, grains, and vegetables, as well as manual control. It features a durable five-liter glass pot and an electronic LCD display.

- BUYDEEM G563 5-Quart: A stylish and compact steamer with a one-minute heating time, offering multiple functions such as stewing, yogurt-making, and sterilizing.

- Secura Electric Food Steamer: A large-capacity 8.5-quart steamer with two stackable tiers, perfect for cooking vegetables, fish, chicken, or grains. It has a digital display, non-slip knob, and an anti-scalding handle.

- NESCO 5-Quart: A simple and effective steamer with three tiers, ideal for preparing different parts of a meal separately. It includes a rice bowl and produces well-cooked vegetables.

Electric vs stovetop steamers

When it comes to steam cookers, there are two main types: electric and stovetop. So, which is the best option for you? Here's a detailed comparison to help you decide.

Electric Steamers

Electric steamers are stand-alone appliances that offer convenience and ease of use. They have built-in heating elements that heat water and generate steam. Here are some key advantages of electric steamers:

• Simplicity and Convenience: Electric steamers are easy to use. You simply add water, put in your food, and turn on the steamer.
• Multiple Tiers: Many electric steamers have stackable perforated trays, allowing you to cook different foods simultaneously.
• Large Capacity: Electric steamers often have larger capacities than stovetop steamers, making them ideal for cooking for larger families or batch cooking.
• Digital Features: Some electric steamers offer digital controls, preset cooking modes, and timers, allowing for more precise and hassle-free cooking.
• Safety: Electric steamers often have auto-shutoff features, turning off automatically when the water level is low, preventing the pot from burning.

Stovetop Steamers

Stovetop steamers are inserts that fit into or on top of a saucepan or pot. They utilise the heat from the stove to generate steam. Here are the benefits of stovetop steamers:

• Versatility: Stovetop steamers can be used with pots of different sizes and materials, giving you more flexibility in your cooking.
• Compactness: Stovetop steamers are generally more compact and don't take up counter or storage space, making them ideal for smaller kitchens.
• Affordability: Stovetop steamers tend to be more affordable than electric steamers, with some high-quality options available at lower price points.
• Durability: Stovetop steamers made from materials like stainless steel or bamboo tend to be more durable and long-lasting than plastic or bamboo electric steamers.
• Specialised Cooking: Stovetop steamers, such as bamboo steamers, are ideal for cooking traditional dishes like Chinese dumplings or dim sum.

The choice between an electric and a stovetop steamer depends on your specific needs and preferences. If you prioritise convenience, digital features, and larger cooking capacity, an electric steamer might be the best option. On the other hand, if you value versatility, compactness, affordability, and durability, a stovetop steamer could be the way to go. Ultimately, both options offer effective steam cooking, and the right choice depends on your unique requirements.

Best steamers for vegetables

Steaming is a great way to cook vegetables, as it helps retain their taste, colour, juices, and freshness. It also cooks them thoroughly without sapping essential vitamins and minerals.

NESCO 5-Quart

The NESCO 5-Quart steamer is a great option for cooking vegetables, especially if you live alone or in a small household. It comes with three tiers, which are perfect for preparing different parts of your meal separately. It also includes a rice bowl, which adds versatility to your cooking routine.

Hamilton Beach 5.5 Quart

The Hamilton Beach 5.5 Quart is an affordable two-tier food steamer with a removable divider, making it easy to accommodate large items. Its digital display allows you to set it for steaming, delay start, and warming. It also includes a rice bowl for steaming rice and small foods.

Cuisinart Digital Glass Steamer

The Cuisinart Digital Glass Steamer is an advanced steam cooker with preset modes for cooking seafood, poultry, grains, and vegetables, along with manual control. It has a durable five-liter glass pot that is also useful for those cautious about using even BPA-free plastic while cooking.

BELLA 7.4 Quart Healthy Food Steamer

The BELLA 7.4 Quart Healthy Food Steamer has two-tiered baskets, which allow you to distinguish flavours and fit larger pieces of protein without losing space for side dishes. It also has an external water reservoir gauge for easy viewing, which can be added to without opening the machine.

Kitchen Deluxe Vegetable Steamer Basket

The Kitchen Deluxe Vegetable Steamer Basket is a low-cost, adaptable kitchen accessory that adds ease to the time-tested design of steaming veggies. While it lacks automated functions and electrical cords, it is compatible with most 3, 5, 6, or 8-quart pans. It also has a safety hook to remove vegetables without reaching into the pot.

OXO Good Grips Stainless Steel Steamer

The OXO Good Grips Stainless Steel Steamer has a redesigned handle that lengthens for easy submerging and retracts to accommodate pan lids. The handle can also be removed to cook larger items. Its redesigned stainless steel legs elevate the veggies from the pan bottom to ensure crisp, not soggy, results.

Best steamers for large families

Steamers are a great way to cook healthy, tasty meals for large families. They are versatile, locking in flavour and nutrients, and can free up space on your kitchen stovetop.

When choosing a steamer for a large family, it is important to consider the capacity, the number of tiers, and the size of the appliance. You will also want to think about the features that are important to you, such as digital controls, built-in cooking settings, and safety functions.

Secura Electric Food Steamer

The Secura Electric Food Steamer is a great choice for large families as it has a substantial capacity of 8.5 quarts, while most steamers come with a standard 5 quarts. It has two tiers that can be stacked on top of each other, making it perfect for steaming vegetables, fish, chicken, or grains. It also has safety features such as a non-slip upper knob and an anti-scalding handle. The auto-shut-off feature ensures the machine automatically powers down when no water is left, preventing the pan from burning.

Hamilton Beach 5.5 Quart Digital Steamer

The Hamilton Beach 5.5 Quart Digital Steamer is a good option for large families as it has two tiers with a removable divider, making it easy to accommodate large items. It also includes a rice bowl for steaming rice and small foods. This steamer has convenient features such as a water-level window and delay start, and an automatic warm setting. It is also versatile, allowing you to cook a variety of foods such as chicken, potatoes, green beans, corn on the cob, seafood, poultry, eggs, and rice.

Cuisinart Digital Glass Steamer

The Cuisinart Digital Glass Steamer is a good choice for large families as it has a 5-liter capacity and a durable glass pot. It has preset modes for cooking seafood, poultry, grains, and vegetables, as well as manual control. It also has an electronic LCD that allows you to adjust the cooking settings, and an audible alarm when the meal is finished. This steamer also has a reheat function and can keep food warm once cooked.

Lakeland Digital Three-Tier Electric Steamer

The Lakeland Digital Three-Tier Electric Steamer is a family-sized machine with three good-sized steamer baskets, so there is plenty of space for food. It has an excellent window to see the water level while cooking and will shut off if it boils dry. It also has a handy automatic delay start feature and a drip tray that sits above the water reservoir, preventing water condensation and food juices from dripping back into the reservoir.

BUYDEEM G563 5-Quart Electric Food Steamer

The BUYDEEM G563 5-Quart Electric Food Steamer is a stylish and compact option for large families. It has a one-minute heating time, making it perfect for quick dinners. It also offers multiple functions, combining a steamer, stew pot, yogurt maker, sterilizer, and thawing machine. The bottom tray is easy to fill with water, and it has an auto power-off feature that shuts down the steamer when the water level is low.

Best budget steamers

If you're looking for a steamer that won't break the bank, there are plenty of options available. Here are some of the best budget-friendly steamers on the market:

• BELLA Two Tier Food Steamer: This steamer features dishwasher-safe lids, stackable baskets, and a removable base for easy storage. It has a 7.4-quart capacity and is available in black stainless steel. It's a great option for those seeking a lightweight, easy-to-clean steamer, with a warmer button to keep food ready to serve.
• Hamilton Beach 5.5 Quart Digital Steamer: This affordable two-tier steamer has a removable divider to accommodate large items. Its digital display allows for steaming, delay start, and warming settings. It also includes a rice bowl, making it a versatile option for healthy cooking.
• Nesco 5-Quart Food Steamer: This steamer comes with three tiers, perfect for preparing different parts of a meal separately. It also includes a rice bowl, making it a versatile and budget-friendly option. While it may not have advanced features, it is a great choice for cooking vegetables.
• Oster Double Tiered Food Steamer: This simple and straightforward double-tiered steamer allows you to cook two types of food simultaneously. It has a 4.7-liter capacity and the pots nest for easy storage. The timer knob functionality makes it a user-friendly option.
• Aroma Housewares 6-Cup Pot Style Rice Cooker and Food Steamer: This steamer has a smaller pot capacity but makes up for it with a large rice cooker. It's a simple-to-use product that allows you to cook rice and steam toppings simultaneously. It also comes in three colours and keeps food warm with its simple on/off functionality.
• Anolon Classic Stainless Steel Steamer Insert: This steamer insert is perfect for those who don't want another appliance on their counter. It fits onto any 2-, 3-, or 4-quart saucepan and rests on the sides of the pot, keeping food above simmering water. It's made of stainless steel and has a shatter-resistant glass lid. It's also oven-safe up to 500 degrees Fahrenheit and dishwasher-safe.

Best multi-cookers

Multi-cookers are a great addition to your kitchen, allowing you to cook an entire meal with multiple tiers. Here are some of the best multi-cookers on the market:

Instant Pot Pro 8 Qt

The Instant Pot Pro 8 Qt is an excellent choice for a multi-cooker. It has a simple, intuitive digital interface and performs exceptionally well in steaming, sautéing, pressure cooking, and making rice and yogurt. It also features a timer that alerts you after 5 or 10 minutes of natural pressure release, saving you a trip back to the machine. While it struggles with slow cooking large cuts of meat, its pressure-cooking, rice, sautéing, yogurt, and steaming functions are excellent.

Crock-Pot 8-Quart Express Crock XL Pressure Cooker

If you're looking for a less expensive option, the Crock-Pot 8-Quart Express Crock XL Pressure Cooker is a great choice. It produced excellent pressure- and slow-cooked food, including tender meat and beans within recipe times. Its control panel is a bit busy and less intuitive than the Instant Pot Pro, but it has a manual start button for easy adjustments. The nonstick cooking pot is easy to clean, but browning beef takes longer due to the smaller cooking surface.

Zavor LUX LCD 8 QT Multi-Cooker

The Zavor LUX LCD 8 QT Multi-Cooker is another great option, especially if you're looking for a multi-cooker with a stainless steel cooking pot. It produced excellent pressure- and slow-cooked food and seared and sautéed food deeply and evenly. The digital interface is a bit more complicated than the Instant Pot, and the control knob easily jumps between settings. The stainless steel pot requires a bit of scrubbing to clean, but it makes it easy to monitor browning.

Breville Fast Slow Pro

The Breville Fast Slow Pro is a 6-quart multi-cooker with a handsome design and lots of promising features. However, it is harder to use than other models due to its attached lid, which can get in the way when sautéing and searing. It takes longer to reach maximum pressure-cooking temperature, but it produced good white rice and pressure- and slow-cooked beef stew and beans. The ceramic nonstick cooking pot is easy to clean, but the lid is tedious to clean unless unscrewed from the base.

Instant Pot Duo 60 7-in-1 Pressure Cooker

The Instant Pot Duo 60 7-in-1 Pressure Cooker is a versatile option with 14 pre-set programs, including Steam. It has precise temperature control and performs well in slow cooking, sautéing, and making salmon fillets and mushroom risotto. However, some functions, like the Yogurt button, don't come up to temperature. The stainless steel cooking pot is a bit tricky to clean, but it browns and sautés food well.

Frequently asked questions