Checklist

If you're thinking about buying an electric food steamer, here's what to consider:

Do you really need one?

Steaming is a healthy way to cook. There’s no need to add fat and the food retains its nutrients. Steaming produces tender results because foods aren’t exposed to intense dry heat – so it’s perfect for cooking fish, chicken and vegetables or for reheating meals.

But there are many ways to steam food other than an electric food steamer – you can use a microwave, a bamboo basket over a wok or a steaming rack in a saucepan on the stovetop.

The main advantage of an electric steamer is you can steam different foods together. They’re also handy if you’re feeding a crowd – you can cook lots at once instead of juggling food in batches as you do with other steaming methods.

Will you save time?

Unless you’re steaming a large amount of food, you won’t save time. Broccoli cooks in the microwave in about three minutes but takes eight in a food steamer. Rice cooks in 12 minutes in the microwave or in 15 to 20 minutes on the stovetop – it takes 30 to 40 minutes in a steamer.

Features to look for

• Baskets with removable bases let you stack the baskets to get one double-height (or even triple-height) basket – great for extra-large or bulky food items. The downside is more parts to keep track of and assemble.
• Interchangeable baskets mean you can swap them from one level to another (food cooks fastest in the bottom basket, slowest in the top).
• Programmed cooking times save you having to calculate the steamer time.
• Easy-to-access external water inlet makes it easy to top up the water level during cooking.
• Easy-to-view water gauge lets you see when the steamer needs topping up.
• Dishwasher-safe parts are easier to clean. But most are plastic so they come out of the dishwasher wet and need to be dried.
• Large juice collector/drip tray makes it easier to dispose of moisture – or you can keep it for making stock.
• Accessories such as egg supports (for steaming eggs in their shells) and a rice bowl add versatility.

Tips for good steaming

• Similar-sized pieces helps everything be ready at the same time. If sizes vary, place smaller pieces in the top basket.
• Having space between food allows maximum steam flow.
• Maintain the water level in the base of the steamer during cooking – but keep it at less than two-thirds full.
• If you’re cooking several foods at once, place meat and fish in the bottom basket so they can’t drip on to foods below.
• Letting steam escape will increase the cooking time. So fit the lid well – and don’t remove it for long while the food is cooking.