A healthier lifestyle is within reach! These vegetable steamers expedite food preparation while preserving all vitamins, minerals, and nutrients.
Vegetable steamers are not a random household appliance for you to purchase. Eating healthier should be your top priority, as it helps you maintain a strong body and live a long, happy life.
Using the best vegetable steamer on the market, you can prepare savory and tasty meals without adding extra fats or oils while preserving all your food’s vitamins, minerals, and nutrients!
Best Vegetable Steamer On The Market
What Is Vegetable Steamer?
A vegetable steamer is a device that allows raw vegetables to be cooked using the steam produced when water is boiled. It consists of two compartments: one holds the water, and the other contains the raw vegetables. The water is brought to a boil using a heating element. As the steam from the water rises, it slowly cooks the vegetables without stripping them of their vitamins and nutrients, as boiling water would.
There are a variety of designs for vegetable steamers. Some have a colander-like insert those fits into the top section. The cook loads the colander insert with the desired vegetables and then adds water to the pot. The pot is set on a stovetop or heating element, allowing the water to heat and steam the food gradually.
Other models include an integrated heating element. Simply plugging these electric steamers into an electrical outlet and setting the timer makes them easy to use. When the vegetables are cooked, the steamer automatically sounds a bell and turns off. The vegetables are perfectly seasoned and steamed, leaving no room for speculation.
Factors To Consider When Choosing The Best Vegetable Steamer
Electric vs. Stovetop
Electric and stovetop food steamers are the two most common types. Stovetop steamers are typically paired with a pot, saucepan, or wok, whereas electric steamers are standalone appliances.
Both electric and stovetop steamers cook food thoroughly while reducing fat content. Whether you prefer a dedicated device for steaming food or a steaming tool compatible with your existing cookware will determine which option is best for you.
While some appliances, such as pressure cookers and rice cookers, may have steam functions, electric steamers with multiple tiers typically allow you to steam various foods at once. Some electric steamers feature a digital interface for user-friendliness and can hold up to 9.5 quarts of food. However, electric steamers are more expensive and require more space than their stovetop counterparts.
In a pot, pan, or wok filled with simmering water, bamboo- or stainless-steel-made cookware is supported. Food is placed in the steamer, and the food is heated by steam rising from the bottom of the pot. This is more space- and cost-efficient option than electric steamers with built-in timers or automatic shutoffs. However, it has fewer features.
Insert vs. Separate Appliance
If you steam food frequently or cook large quantities of food at once, a dedicated steaming appliance maybe your best option. They have a larger capacity than inserts but take up more space on your countertop or in your cabinet. Some inserts fold up to take up less space, making them ideal for small kitchens or cooking in small quantities. This is also the more economical option.
Capacity
Vegetable steamers are available in numerous sizes and shapes. Whether circular, rectangular, large, medium or minor, a vegetable steamer on the market will meet all your requirements.
Capacity is a critical factor to keep in mind when selecting any kitchen gadget or appliance that will be used to prepare food. As little as 2 cups of food can fit in a mini steamer, while an electric steamer can hold 9.5 quarts of food on multiple levels. Depending on how many people or how much food you plan to cook, you’ll find your sweet spot.
Number of tiers
Consider how many types of food you intend to steam simultaneously. Multiple-tiered steamers allow you to keep certain foods separate from others. In addition, they will enable you to add and remove foods at different times if one is ready before the others.
Material
Material is the second most important consideration when purchasing a vegetable steamer after size. Vegetable steamers are typically made of stainless steel, but they are also available in bamboo, silicone, and plastic. Stainless steel steamers are ideal for use with pots, while bamboo and silicone are revered for their non-stick properties.
Type
There are countless vegetable steamers available on the market, making it difficult to choose just one. Here are the three most common types of vegetable steamers to facilitate this process:
Collapsible steamer baskets
The design of collapsible steamer baskets allows them to expand and contract to accommodate various pot sizes. This vegetable steamer is highly compact, both when used and stored. Typical materials for collapsible steamer baskets are stainless steel or silicone.
As their name suggests, microwave steamers are explicitly designed for use in microwaves. Vegetable steamers for microwaves are typically constructed from durable plastic and are known to incorporate an array of air vents into their design. These air vents prevent excess moisture accumulation within the container by releasing steam.
Multi-cooker steamers
Typically, multi-cooker steamers are electric steamers that do more than merely steam food. These devices allow for the preparation of nearly any food, including rice, soup, poultry, and beans. These devices are highly versatile and helpful in the kitchen. They operate similarly to a standard pot but have their heat source and adjustable settings. You can cook multiple items simultaneously if you’re fortunate enough to find a multi-tiered multi-cooker.
Ease of Use
If maximizing your investment is essential to you, look for a vegetable steamer basket that can be used for foods other than vegetables (source). Numerous vegetable steamer baskets can also be utilized for poultry or seafood.
Extra features
When shopping for a steamer, you may not be as concerned with unique features; however, depending on your cooking preferences, these extras may enhance the product’s value in your kitchen. Whether it’s something as simple as a timer or something as complex as the ability to dry food, it’s essential to consider what else your steamer can do.
Best Vegetable Steamers For Your Kitchen Reviews
Despite the above information, making the “right” purchase may still be challenging. Fortunately, we are here to assist you with your choice. Check out our list of the eleven best vegetable steamers that are certain to simplify your culinary journey.
1. Best Overall - BELLA Two Tier Vegetable Steamer
BELLA Two Tier Food Steamer, Healthy, Fast Simultaneous Cooking, Stackable Baskets for Vegetables or Meats, Rice/Grains Tray, Auto Shutoff & Boil Dry Protection, 7.4 QT, Black
$32.86
BELLA may be able to meet your cooking needs if you are searching for the best vegetable steamer on the market. This electric vegetable steamer has two separate containers for steaming meat and vegetables simultaneously. Additionally, both the lid and grain tray are dishwasher safe. This will allow you to enjoy a perfectly delicious meal without concern for cleanup.
Despite its convenience, the basket order is significant. Even though they may appear identical, basket number one is always at the bottom. If you stack them in the incorrect order, you will be left with a cluttered kitchen counter.
Key Features
- 2-tier vegetable steamer
- 7.4 quarts of cooking capacity & 2 separate steaming containers
- Quick-Start Heating System
- Features auto-shutoff with boil dry protection
- The water reservoir view window
- Hassle-free
- Quick start heating system
- Water reservoir view window
- Dishwasher-safe
- Strict basket placement
2. Best Digital - Hamilton Beach Digital Food Steamer
Hamilton Beach Digital Food Steamer for Quick, Healthy Cooking with Stackable Two-Tier Bowls for Vegetables and Seafood Plus Rice Basket, 5.5 Quart, Black & Stainless Steel
A two-tiered device by Hamilton Beach is undoubtedly one of the best and most popular vegetable steamers available on Amazon. This steamer is equipped with a digital timer and a variety of settings to facilitate the preparation of various vegetables and meats.
This handy appliance can prepare fish, meat, vegetables, and even hotdogs. In addition, this steamer is designed to fit perfectly in any kitchen cabinet and is highly space efficient. Despite these benefits, it is essential to note that this steamer’s two plastic bowls are not dishwasher safe.
Our tester found the setup extremely simple, though she occasionally had to rearrange the levels to fit better. She began with the broccoli test, in which she followed the guide’s cooking times. The steam-filled basket yielded vibrant green broccoli.
She discovered that once the timer is set to “warm,” delicate foods such as broccoli and lobster tails should be removed immediately, or they will continue to cook in the residual steam. The egg test was so successful that it convinced our tester that steamed hard-boiled eggs are superior. Both tiers have room for eight eggs, with the highly hot-finished eggs requiring a quick dip in ice water before peeling. After use, the tiers were very simple to clean, and their ability to nest makes them simple to store.
Even though this electric steamer serves a single purpose, it is a versatile appliance ideal for preparing a healthy and simple dinner. Steam your protein in one bowl and your vegetables in another without adding oil. The drip tray and rice bowl can be cleaned in the dishwasher, while the remainder of the steamer can be wiped clean.
Key Features
- Two-tiered vegetable steamer
- Stainless steel coating
- 5.5 quarts of cooking capacity
- Digital Touchpad
- Fits Neatly In Cabinets
- DELAY START timer
- Rice bowl and drip tray are dishwasher safe
- Switches to WARM automatically and alerts you with a beep when cooking time is up
- Removable dividers for larger portions
- Includes a rice bowl
- Digital touchpad for convenience
- Beeping alerts
- Not dishwasher-friendly
- Material may deteriorate over time
3. Best High-End - Cuisinart STM-1000 Cook Fresh Digital Glass Steamer
Cuisinart STM-1000 Cook Fresh Digital Glass Steamer, One Size, Stainless Steel
This is the most effective vegetable steamer for an individual. It is sufficiently sized and constructed to last for years in your kitchen. You can cook virtually anything in it, from vegetables to eggs to oatmeal to fish. This handy vegetable steamer is the only thing preventing you from preparing delectable dishes.
Additionally, this tool facilitates the preparation of frozen foods. Just remember to drain some of the excess water from the defrosting process, and the flavor produced by this Cuisinart appliance will be incredible.
With an LCD control panel and a 5-liter capacity, the Cuisinart Cook Fresh Digital Glass Steamer is the model to consider if you’re interested in premium features. It provides seafood, poultry, grains, vegetable, and manual food settings.
The powerful steam system quickly and evenly cooks food from top to bottom. The cooking pot and lid are made of glass, preventing food from meeting plastic and allowing the user to see the contents while cooking. Nevertheless, because glass is dense, the model weighs 15.75 pounds.
Key Features
- Powerful steam system and glass lid with stainless steel rim
- 5L dishwasher-safe glass pot
- 5 preprogrammed food settings: seafood, poultry, grains, vegetables, and manual
- 60-minute countdown timer, LCD control panel, audible alert and start/stop, pause & reheat buttons
- 1L removable water tank and stainless-steel steaming tray flips to hold different types of food
- Convenient LCD control panel
- Dishwasher-safe
- 5 preprogrammed food settings: seafood, poultry, grains, vegetables, and manual
- 1L removable water tank
- 60-minute countdown timer
- Plastic components may not be BPA-free
4. Aroma Housewares 6-Cup Food Steamer
Aroma Housewares 6-Cup (Cooked) Pot-Style Rice Cooker and Food Steamer, Black ARC-743-1NGB
Utilize the Aroma 6-Cup (Cooked) Pot Style Rice Cooker and Food Steamer for effortless home cooking. Restaurant-quality rice.
Nutritious steamed meals Delicious single-pot meals. All of this can be prepared at the flip of a switch! Aroma takes the “cook” out of home cooking, freeing up your time in the kitchen.
Assist the children with their homework, engage in imaginative play, or pick up that novel you’ve been eager to read. They are delivering hot, hearty, and nutritious meals that the entire family will enjoy.
Key Features
- Multi-Functional Use
- Simple One-Touch Design
- Steam Technology
- Automatic Keep Warm
- Convenient Cooking & Cleaning
- Compact Capacity
- Stackable design
- Simple dial operation
- Automatic shut-off safety feature
- Durable construction
- Steamer may leak over time
5. Oster Steamer Stainless Steel
Oster Steamer Stainless Steel Cookware, 3.0-Quart
Available in various sizes ranging from 3.5 to 6 quartz, these stainless-steel vegetable steamers with multiple tiers are ideal for cooking various food items simultaneously. Stackable and dishwasher-safe, these steamers are a space-saving option for homeowners with limited storage space.
Key Features
- 3-Piece Set Includes: Stainless Dutch Oven, Steamer Basket, G-Type Vented Glass Lid
- Comes in (2) Capacities: 3 and 6-Quart (Sold Separately)
- Encapsulated stainless steel base for even heating
- Riveted Handles for Strength and Durability
- Dishwasher-safe
- Space-efficient
- Can cook several items at once
- Stainless steel material may oxidize over time
- Steamer may get too hot
6. Best Basket: OXO Stainless Steel Steamer With Handle
OXO Good Grips Stainless Steel Steamer With Extendable Handle
$20.99
When removing a stovetop steamer, especially one inserted into a pot or wok, care must be taken. The basket steamer from OXO features a clever handle for quick, easy, and secure removal. This handle is removable for large foods such as salmon.
The basket steamer’s foldable 1.75-inch feet are an additional advantage over competing products. So that food does not become submerged, they create a space between the bottom of the steamer and the simmering water in the pot.
When you are finished, fold the feet for storage. Despite having a smaller capacity than electric steamers, this steamer is ideal for cooking small batches of food and fitting neatly into small kitchens.
When we sent this item home for testing, the folding feet and the handle design impressed our tester. A small hole for your fork makes it easier to remove the basket than to reach into a hot, steaming pot.
According to standard recipes, the broccoli and egg tests were a success, and the steamer can then be placed in the dishwasher. The only exception was the plastic handle. Some users report that their handles melted while in use. Our tester did not observe any melting, but he was concerned that it could occur with prolonged use.
Key Features
- Removable handle extends and locks into position for filling and transporting and retracts to accommodate pot lids while steaming
- Perfect for use with a pressure cooker or multicooker
- Handle hole for fork keeps hands away from steam
- Steamer fits pots 8” in diameter and up
- 1 3/4” feet elevate Steamer above water and fold flat when not in use for compact storage
- Sturdy, stainless-steel construction. Dishwasher safe
- Note: The handle of this product wobbles by design – the range of motion allows the handle to retract to accommodate pot lids while steaming
- Space-saving design
- Folding feet for compact storage
- Handle for safe removal from hot pots
- Small capacity
- Can steam only one type of food at a time
Best Microwavable: Progressive International Microwave Mini Steamer
Progressive International Microwave Mini Steamer, Gray
$7.99
A microwavable food steamer is a good compromise if you prefer cooking without added fat and want to save time; no oil is required, and food is ready in minutes. These are a great way to save time when only one component of your dish, like the potatoes in our potato and broccoli curry, requires quick steaming.
This Progressive International steamer is appropriately named “mini.” It has a capacity of approximately 2 cups and is designed for single-serving portion sizes. The nonstick basket doubles as a colander for straining noodles or rinsing fruit when not in use for steaming.
Key Features
- FAST, NO-MESS MINI STEAMER: Our prep solutions by Progressive microwave mini steamer allows anyone to quickly and easily steam fresh or frozen vegetables
- PERFECT FOR 1 SERVING SIZE: It is the ideal size for single servings (2 cup capacity)
- CONVENIENCE: The convenient non-stick surface makes cleaning quick and easy
- MULTIPURPOSE: The steamer basket also doubles as a colander
- BPA FREE, MICROWAVE SAFE AND DISHWASHER SAFE: It is made from high heat polypropylene, is BPA-free and dishwasher safe
- Nonstick surface
- BPA-free
- Dishwasher-safe
- Doubles as a colander
- Small capacity
- Plastic
FAQs
Unlike boiled vegetables, vegetables that are steamed are cooked briefly and then removed from the heat. This can be accomplished using a vegetable steamer or a standard covered saucepan. During steaming, the vegetables are cooked by the heat of the steam and are spared from boiling water.
Microwave cooking and steaming are both nutrient-preserving methods for preparing vegetables. Cooking without the addition of water preserves water-soluble vitamins, such as vitamin C and the B vitamins, which would otherwise be leached into the cooking water.
Steamers are typically used to prepare vegetables, meat, and fish. You can include vegetables such as potatoes, broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, asparagus, spinach, green beans, and artichokes prepared. Tender proteins, such as chicken breasts and fish fillets without bones, are more suitable for steamers than stricter cuts of meat, such as steak.
It is a common misconception that raw vegetables are more nutritious than cooked ones. Cooking vegetables degrades the cell walls of the plants, thereby releasing more of the nutrients bound to those cell walls. Raw vegetables contain more antioxidants, such as beta-carotene, lutein, and lycopene than cooked vegetables.
The water should reach a boil. Add the vegetables to the steamer basket once the water is boiling (if it has a handle). With the lid on, steam the vegetables until crisp-tender, tasting with a fork to determine doneness. Be sure not to overcook!
Numerous electric steamers include dishwasher-safe components. The steamer’s base and electrical cord should never be submerged in water. The unit’s exterior can be cleaned with a damp cloth and thoroughly dried. Typically, the inner steaming bowls are detachable and can be cleaned by hand or dishwasher.
I describe the experiments I conducted to determine how much energy was consumed when boiling or baking potatoes in my book. (The oven finished six times more power than the stovetop.)
Good steamers include a rice bowl and can cook rice to a particularly fluffy, well-done consistency. It is possible to steam an entire meal using multiple baskets, which is more energy-efficient than an oven and stovetop.
Suggested times for steaming vegetables:
Green beans and asparagus: 3 to 5 minutes, 5 to 7 minutes for collard greens, kale, Swiss chard, and other robust leafy greens. Broccoli and cauliflower: 8 to 10 minutes, 10 to 15 minutes for beets, carrots, potatoes, and other root vegetables.
Conclusion
Your health demands that you consider purchasing a new vegetable steamer if you are still unsure.
Vegetable steamers are an excellent method for eating healthily. Steaming vegetables will provide a novel and more nutritious way to obtain all the vitamins’ nutrients.
The first step in eating healthier is acquiring the necessary resources. If you provide yourself with the tools needed to begin preparing more nutritious meals, you will start to do so, and your weight, energy levels, and food cravings will begin to improve.
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