13 Best Food Steamers in 2023 – Reviewed & Rated

The steamer is the ideal appliance for cooking healthy dishes in a few minutes. Steam cooking helps keep the nutrients of all foods intact and does not alter the flavors.

In order to obtain maximum results, it is good to choose a model with the right technical characteristics. Here are the details that can make the difference and the most popular models at the moment.

Right below we had selected some of the best models of food steamers.

RANK NO. 1
BELLA Two Tier Food Steamer with Dishwasher Safe...
  • COOK A VARIETY OF FOODS: Whether you're in the mood for japanese or chinese cuisine, or just want to steam some fresh vegetables, tofu, fish or meats for dinner, this steamer and rice cooker can do it all. Turn the switch and make a full meal with sides
  • TWO TIERS FOR SIMULTANEOUS COOKING: With the electric food steamer, you can cook multiple items at the same time without mixing them together! The steam pot comes with a guess-free steaming guide chart that makes it easy to make your favorite dishes
  • STACKABLE BASKETS & REMOVABLE BASE: The removable base makes it easy to clean your electric cooker and veggie steamer. The stackable glass baskets make it easy to store your food once it's done and can be removed safely washed in your dishwasher
SaleRANK NO. 2
Cuisinart STM-1000 Cook Fresh Digital Glass...
  • SUPERIOR FUNCTION: A powerful steam system delivers steam from top down in this 5-liter glass pot for 5 pre-programmed food settings – seafood, poultry, grains, vegetables and manua
  • EASY TO USE: LCD control panel with display, start/stop, pause & reheat buttons with audible alert
  • MUST-HAVE FEATURES: 60 minute countdown timer, stainless steel steaming tray, glass lid with stainless steel rim & glass lid, steaming tray flips to hold different types of foods – dishwasher safe glass pot with 1-liter removable water tank
RANK NO. 3
Hamilton Beach Digital Electric Food Steamer &...
  • FOOD STEAMER AND RICE COOKER: Easily cook a whole meal with one appliance with 5.5 quarts of cooking capacity. Includes 2 steaming bowls plus rice basket for rice or small foods.
  • VERSATILE STEAMING: Versatile, stackable 2-tier steaming to cook multiple foods at once for quick and easy meal solutions. Use 1 tier for small quantities and 2 tiers for a whole meal. The center divider can also be removed to fit larger quantities of foods.
  • GUESS-FREE STEAMING: Just fill it up and set the timer. When the food is ready, it will automatically switch to Warm. It also includes Delay Start and Auto Shutoff DIGITAL TOUCHPAD: Easily set the countdown timer and other functions easily.
SaleRANK NO. 4
OVENTE 2 Tier Electric Food Steamer for Cooking...
  • COOK A VARIETY OF FOODS – Whether you're in the mood for japanese or chinese cuisine or just want to steam some fresh vegetables, tofu, fish or meats for dinner, this steamer can do it all. Make a delicious full meal for your family within minutes.
  • EFFICIENT & CONVENIENT – Have a hassle-free cooking experience with minimal effort and supervision. Equipped with 400 Watts power; has indicator light, 60-minute timer and it automatically shuts off when the timer is up or the water tank is empty.
  • SIMULTANEOUS COOKING – It comes with two clear and stackable steaming containers which can hold up to 5 quarts of food. You can choose to use just one tier or all two at once to cook multiple dishes at the same time without mixing them together.
RANK NO. 5
Elite Gourmet EST250 2.5 Quart Electric Compact...
  • BPA-FREE STEAMER TRAY: Hold up to 2.5 quarts food capacity for vegetables, baby food, seafood, and up to 6 eggs.
  • EASILY CUSTOMIZE YOUR COOKING: Steam a whole meal or just a side dish to go with any healthy appetite.
  • FAST & EFFICIENT STEAMER: With 400 Watts of heating power, the quick-steam start-up will replace the need for multiple cooking pots and pans, reduce cooking time and retain nutrients in food for healthier meals.
SaleRANK NO. 6
NutriBullet Food Baby Turbo Steamer, 10.63 x 7.21...
  • The nutribullet Baby Turbo Steamer is fast, easy to clean, and a real go-getter just like you. Not only does it steam cook fresh ingredients for homemade baby food, it also defrosts frozen foods and sterilizes baby bottles, pacifiers, utensils, and toys for easier baby times, all around.
  • YOU'VE GOT OPTIONS: Cook fresh food for warm purées, defrost batch-cooked baby food, and sterilize bottles, pacifiers, and beyond; this versatile steamer does it all.
  • SET & STEAM: With 5 steam settings and a built in timer, you can easily cook fresh fruits, vegetables, and more in minutes. Homemade baby food made simply and quickly.
RANK NO. 7
Steamer for Cooking, 18/8 Stainless Steel Steamer...
  • IMPROVED STEAMER POT - Made of high quality 18/8 stainless steel, durable. Unlike other products, our Steamer pot is treated with special polishing technology, which is easy to clean and eliminate iron chip adhesion, ensuring your health. The bottom of the pan is made of thickened material to ensure that the heat is thoroughly and evenly distributed.
  • PACKAGE OF STEAM POTS – For 3-5 person meals, consists of a large bottom pot(27.8cm x 8.7cm-10.94’’ x 3.42’’), 1 steamer pot(27.8cm x 7cm-10.94’’ x 2.75’’). Contains ONLY 3 PIECES: one steamer pot, one steamer basket and one lid set.
  • MULTIPURPOSE STEAMER FOR COOKING – Our steamer pot can be used as a stockpot or as steamers, along with different combinations, you can use it as a 2-layer steam pot at most to meet your different cooking needs. As a food steamer with a vented lid, you can see the food without opening the lid.
SaleRANK NO. 8
Steamer Basket Stainless Steel Instant Pot...
  • [PREMIUM QUALITY MATERIAL] - The foldable steamer basket is made of food grade stainless steel, which is rustproof, harmless and durable. The holes on steamer basket are for easy steaming and draining.
  • [ADJUSTABLE SIZE] - Opens like a water lily and it folds compactly to save storage space. Constructed with collapsible 18 panels that can be adjusted up to 6.5 inches to 11.2inches.The panels that fold in and out allow the steamer fit various pot/pan sizes.
  • [REMOVABLE & RETRACTABLE] - Three removable legs design, it can be retracted to lay completely flat in pots. They are 1 inch in length to keep food above boiling water so that it helps retain more than 90% of the nutrients lost when either boiling or microwaving food. 2.4" removable handle helps easy place to the deep pots and handle hoop for lifting it from the boiling water with a fork. So your hands are safe from burn or heat.
RANK NO. 9
Oster Steamer Stainless Steel Cookware, 3.0-Quart
  • 3.0-Quart Dutch Oven w/Steamer Basket
  • Perfect for steaming vegetables and cooking rice at the same time as well as re-steaming tamales as leftovers
  • Stack-able measurements = 8. 5' in diameter x 6. 20' Height = Stack able Casserole and Steamer Maximum Heating Temperature not to exceed 400 °F (Fahrenheit).
RANK NO. 10
Vegetable Folding Steamer Basket , Metal Stainless...
  • COLLAPSIBLE STEAMER BASKET: Veggie vegetable steamer basket collapsed diameter is 5.9 inches/15cm, folding steaming basket expands to 9.8 inches/25cm. Once petals are stretched out, expandable fit various size pot (5.9" to 9.8"), and save your space!
  • MULTIPLE FUNCTIONS FOLDING STEAMING BASKET: Our veggie steamer basket can be used as a collapsible steamer baskets for cooking food, steam veggies, tamale, fish, broccoli, seafood, eggs, meats, desserts etc. Veggie steamer basket also can be used as a water filter, a fruit dish, rack steamers, kitchen strainer, colander etc.
  • FOOD GRADE STAINLESS STEEL: Our metal stainless steel steamer basket insert is made entirely of food-grade stainless steel, veggie vegetable steamer basket rustproof, durable! Perfectly safe for use in any dishwasher and oven.
RANK NO. 11
SUSTEAS Food Steamer for Cooking - 17QT Vegetable...
  • 🌟🌟🌟【MATTERS NEED ATTENTION】- 1. Please read the instructions carefully before use. 2. The food-grade steam tray and basket are dishwasher safe.
  • ✅【Large capacity&Space Saving】- SUSTEAS 17-quart large-capacity food steamer can steam varied foods simultanrously for quick and easy meal solutions. Built-in 3 independent steaming baskets, this exquisite veggie steamer can be stacked and removed freely to meet various culinary needs. Store neatly without taking up space, so your countertop is no longer messy. Free silicone steamer liners*3, reusable, safe and non-toxic.
  • ✅【Even Heating And Unique Steam Design】- Equipped with a powerful 800W steam accelerator, the electric steamer can quickly accumulate heat. Turbine steam circulation and steam hole design make steam penetrate better and heat evenly. The smokeless, oily vegetable steamer keeps the original flavor of the food, and retains the nutrition of the ingredients to the greatest extent, making it fresher and more delicious.
RANK NO. 12
FOFAYU Vegetable Steamer Basket for Cooking,...
  • 【FOOD GRADE STAINLESS STEEL】The food steamer is made of food grade stainless steel. Steaming is a healthy cooking choice because it helps retain more than 90% of the nutrients lost when boiling.
  • 【FIT VARIOUS SIZE POT】The steamer basket can be extended from 6.5" to 11", fit various pot/pan sizes or pressure cooker. It folds compactly to save storage space.
  • 【MULTIPLE FUNCTIONS】The food steamer can be used as a strainer, fruit basket or serving bowl, also can be used to steam veggies, seafood, eggs, meats, desserts, baby food and more.
SaleRANK NO. 13
Cozeemax 3 Tier Electric Food Steamer for Cooking,...
  • 【Fast Cooking & Unique Steam Design】13.7QT large capacity food steamer with unique steam accelerator,it can rapidly produce steam in only 25S. With 800W turbo steam cycle and unique steam hole design, it also can vapor permeation more better and heated evenly, you can cook food on multiple levels all at once, saving you time energy and money.
  • 【Multi-purpose for Foods, Perfect for Weekly Meal Preps】Food steam cooker allow you to cook a wide range of foods simultaneously, ideal for steaming rice, vegetables, meat and fish, which provides one of the healthiest ways to cook, minimize the loss of nutrients and vitamins. It is also suitable for heating small towels.
  • 【Large Capacity But Take The Least Space】13.7QT large capacity electric steamer with 3 tier separate food steamer,it can steam varied foods simultanrously. But the stackable trays can save space, easy to store on countertop, cabinets or pantry, best for your kitchen.

Food Steamers Buyer Guide

A steamer is an appliance that allows you to cook healthy and light dishes, without altering its nutritional properties, smells, and flavors. In short, it can make a difference in the kitchen, because, you know, eating well is important.

Thanks to the steamer, in fact, it is possible to say goodbye to oil and fatty foods. All types of food can be cooked: fish, meat, and vegetables.

The electric steamer is certainly more technological and allows you to have more control during the preparation phase, but even with a gas steamer, the result will be optimal.

Regardless of the type of steamer that is used, in fact, steam cooking remains the best, because steam allows the nutrients of the food to remain intact. It is important to specify that, with steam cooking, food never comes into direct contact with water.

How Do You Use the Food Steamers?

Using a steamer is very simple, whether you have an electric steamer or a gas steamer at hand. The main element of this type of cooking is water. Without water, in fact, it would be impossible to produce steam.

To operate an electric steamer or a gas steamer, just a few steps are enough. The first thing to do is to fill the tank or one of the baskets with water.

Then, you have to place the food in the baskets or in the pots, taking into account the space available. At this point, all that remains is to operate the steamer and proceed with cooking.

A steamer is also easy to clean; in fact, every part of it is usually removable and washable both by hand and in the dishwasher, facilitating work.

The bamboo steamer is the most delicate and one that requires more attention because this plant retains odors more. A good strategy is to wash all the baskets after using them, to prevent odours and residues from stagnating.

How to Choose Food Steamers?

We have seen which are the best steamers currently on the market, now let’s see how to choose the one that best suits your needs.

The first factor to consider is capacity, which must be suitable for the number of people for whom you need to cook and the number of dishes to be prepared at the same time.

Cooking programs and other functions are very important, such as keeping food warm or warming it quickly. Some steamers, then, have extra accessories that improve their performance, but which also increase the price.

Other factors not to be forgotten are the materials used, the necessary maintenance and the methods of cleaning. Finally, it is important to evaluate the value for money as a whole. Let’s see everything in detail.

Here we also shared a guide about that so have a look on that also.

Capacity

As we have anticipated, the first element to be evaluated in the choice of the steamer is the capacity, which must be assessed on the basis of the number of foods that you intend to prepare simultaneously and the number of people for whom you need to cook.

Not only does the number of baskets vary, ranging from a minimum of one to a maximum of three, but also their size. In general, small steamers have two baskets, for a total capacity of 3-5 litres.

The medium steamers have three baskets and a total capacity of 6-9 litres; the larger steamers always have three baskets, but with a total capacity of 10-11 litres.

Some steamers allow you to remove the bottom of the containers, in order to obtain a single large container once stacked, to cook bulky food.

To choose the right capacity, you can adjust yourself like this:

  1. Small Steamers (from 3 to 5 litres) for 1-3 people;
  2. Medium Steamers (from 6 to 9 litres) for 3-6 people;
  3. Large Steamers (10 to 11 litres) for 6-8 people.

The capacity does not necessarily affect the price of the steamer. In fact, there are mid-range steamers with a capacity of 10-11 litres and smaller but also more expensive steamers. This is because other factors also affect the final price, which we will see shortly.

Programs and Functions

Even if the basic operation of the steamers is always the same, some have pre-set cooking programs, which help to choose the right combination of time and temperature, to cook all the food in the baskets evenly.

The most technological steamers have a timer and a series of programs to prepare several different foods at the same time, avoiding that those in the lower basket are more cooked than those in the upper basket.

In some cases the timer is automatic, i.e. it automatically chooses the best cooking temperature and time-based on the type of food, in other cases it must be set manually. The best steamers, of course, are those with automatic programs, which guarantee perfect cooking without efforts.

Do not forget, then, to check for extra functions, not essential but undoubtedly useful. For example, some models have the “keep warm” function, to keep food warm after cooking.

Another very useful function is fast heating, which allows the steamer to reach the right temperature in a few minutes, thus avoiding overcooking food.

Other additional functions widespread in the medium-high range appliances are the spice and flavour infuser, to add seasonings to flavor the dishes in the tank from which the steam is emanated, and automatic shutdown, which avoids overcooking and wasting power.

Finally, check that the steamer allows you to add water during cooking, without having to turn off the appliance.

Accessories

Accessories are not indispensable in a steamer, but they can certainly be an added value and influence the choice. In addition to the basic baskets to be stacked, some appliances have special baskets, such as the one for cooking eggs, the glass for the preparation of sweets, the basket for rice and the one for soups (or more generally for all dishes liquid).

In some cases these extra baskets are included in the package, more often they must be purchased separately, as well as the trays to put in the baskets to cook more foods in a single basket.

Other accessories often included are the recipe books, which, in addition to the actual recipes, provide instructions on how to cook the various types of food correctly.

Cleaning and Maintenance

Before buying the steamer, make sure it is easy to clean and use, especially if you plan to use it every day and, perhaps, even several times a day.

First, check that the water level in the tank is visible without having to disassemble the appliance or that there is an acoustic or luminous signal that warns when the level has gone too low.

Check that the steamer is easy to disassemble, that the baskets can be stacked for storage and, above all, that they are dishwasher safe.

Materials

Materials are very important in a steamer because its components come into contact with steam at high temperatures. Above all, food baskets must, therefore, be produced with materials resistant to high temperatures and free of toxic substances, such as Bisphenol A, which is released from some plastics in contact with heat.

As for the baskets, the glass ones would be preferred, even if those in resistant and non-toxic plastic are also very good. The base, however, can be in plastic or stainless steel and, obviously, the latter option is the best.

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