The 5 Best Food Steamers
Steamers can be used to cook a variety of different foods, including meat, chicken, seafood, vegetables, dumplings, and any item that requires moisture retention. They can often also help you cook rice and keep your food warm.
Steamers can help you cook balanced meals in a quicker, simpler, healthier, and more efficient manner. They use an effective moist-heat cooking method that cooks food on stackable trays by surrounding it with hot steam in an enclosed environment.
What Is a Food Steamer?
A food steamer is a small kitchen appliance that can cook a variety of foods using steam. It works by steaming food in a sealed pot that limits the escape of air. By steaming foods, you can retain much of the food’s nutritional content. You can also cook without fat, oil, or butter, so it provides a healthier way to make delicious, nutritious home-cooked meals.
Top 5 Food Steamers
Aroma Housewares Digital Cool-Touch Food Steamer
Amazon’s #1 best-seller in rice cookers, the Aroma Housewares Digital Cool-Touch Rice Cooker and Food Steamer is also a top-notch steamer and slow cooker. It can simultaneously cook rice and steam meats, vegetables, and more. You can even use it to quickly and easily create one-pot dinners to save you time. The Unique Sensor Logic technology uses an onboard microcomputer to automatically optimize cooking temperature to enhance flavor and texture. Once the food is ready, it will automatically switch to the “keep warm” setting to keep your food warm until you’re ready. You can also set the delay timer for up to 15 hours, so it’s ready when you are.
The programmable digital controls have Steam, White Rice, Brown Rice, and Delay Timer settings. There is also a “Quick Rice” function, which cuts cooking time by up to 50%. The nonstick inner cooking pot and all accessories are dishwasher-safe and can be removed for quick, easy cleanup. The multifunction stainless steel steamer includes a BPA-free steam tray, rice measuring cup, serving spatula, recipe booklet, and coupons.
This is available in silver or white. It has outstanding reviews, including more than 4,500 five-star reviews on Amazon. If you need a larger option, consider the highly reviewed Aroma Housewares Cooked Digital Rice Cooker.
Hamilton Beach Digital Steamer
The Hamilton Beach Digital Steamer is a versatile, stackable two-tier steamer that can steam seafood, chicken, and vegetables, and can even be used to boil eggs. You can use the two tiers separately or remove the center divider to fit large items. It will alert you when the cooking time is up and when the water level is too low. It automatically switches to a “keep warm” function when the food is ready to keep your food warm for one hour, until the steamer shuts itself off. It has a digital touch pad and a “Delay Start” timer, so it can begin steaming up to 24 hours later. It has an easy-fill water reservoir and a viewing window, so you can monitor the water level. It is durable, reliable, and built to last. It includes a dishwasher-safe rice bowl and drip tray, steaming chart, and a nested storage design for compact storage.
This is on Amazon’s Home Gift Guide. It is an Amazon best-seller and one of the “most wished for” items on Amazon. It also has outstanding reviews, including more than 1,200 five-star reviews on Amazon.
Oster Food Steamer
The Oster Food Steamer steams veggies, meats, chicken, fish, and more. The durable double-tiered five-quart capacity steamer features a power indicator light and an automatic 60-minute timer, so it can shut the steamer off when the food is ready or when the water is gone. With two transparent steaming bowls, you can cook separate foods simultaneously and view the progress of your food. It is quick and easy to use and store with nesting bowls. The versatile steamer is dishwasher safe and designed to last.
This is an Amazon best-seller and one of the “most wished for” items on Amazon. It is also backed by great online reviews.
BLACK+DECKER Food Steamer
Amazon’s #1 best-seller in food steamers, the BLACK+DECKER Rice Cooker and Food Steamer perfectly cooks grains, rice, soups, stews, oatmeal, fish, and vegetables. It is designed to cook at a consistent rolling boil, so you can perform any kitchen task from the steamer. The unit automatically switches to a “keep warm" function after the 20-30 minute cooking time is complete. The high-quality steamer features different colored indicator lights to show when the unit is cooking rice or keeping it warm. The durable tempered glass lid allows you to view the food while it’s cooking. It also features a cool-touch plastic handle for easy removal, a built-in holder so you can prop the lid conveniently on either of the side handles, and a steam vent in the lid. It includes a removable nonstick bowl, steaming basket, measuring cup, and spoon. The nonstick bowl and tempered glass lid are dishwasher-safe for easy cleanup.
This is available in various different sizes. It is one of the “most wished for” items on Amazon and has outstanding online reviews. It is also backed by a limited two-year warranty for your added peace of mind.
Kitchen Deluxe Stainless Steel Vegetable Steamer
An Amazon best-seller, the Kitchen Deluxe Stainless Steel Vegetable Steamer Basket is ideal for anyone who simply needs a steamer basket for their favorite pots or instant pot. The bundle includes an ultrasharp julienne peeler slicer, hook utensil for the center ring, and downloadable cookbook. The steamer basket can also be used as a strainer or fruit bowl.
The premium quality steaming basket is made of high-grade quality rustproof stainless steel. It is easy to use and dishwasher safe. The legs of the universal foldable steam tray insert keep the ingredients out of the water. The unique compact design opens like a water lily and is collapsible to save storage space. It can also adjust to fit various pots and pan sizes, so you can turn your favorite pan into a steamer. It can quickly steam fruits, vegetables, seafood, eggs, rice, and more. To use the steamer, simply add water to any pot, place the steamer inside with your ingredients, cover, and steam. Then, remove easily using the center ring.
This is also available in silicone. It has outstanding reviews, including more than 500 five-star reviews on Amazon. It is also backed by a money-back guarantee for your added peace of mind. About.com also recommends the OXO Good Grips Stainless Steel Steamer with Extendible Handle, which is another best-selling steamer basket.
And those are our recommendations for the best food steamers. As always, be sure to check Wise Bread's Buying Calendar to learn when and how to buy just about anything!
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