What to buy Electric Steamer or Steamer Pan

SuiDreams

Whats the best item to buy an electric steamer or a steamer pan, and which brand/model would you recommend. Its for 2 adults (but cooking extra veggies for lunches etc). We have a gas hob if that makes a differnce. Thanks

oh and if I get an electric one is one costing between £10 - £25 ok or is it better to get the more expensive ones.

Churchmouse

Hi SuiDreams. I had an electric steamer and couldn't get on with it at all. I couldn't get used to having to start it so early to do the various veg. I know many people love them, but for me the conventional steamer like this is much better.:D I like the greater flexibility, and the speed.

Is it possible for you to borrow an electric steamer from someone, or perhaps you could try freecycle, just to see how you get on with it?

recovering_spendaholic

Churchmouse wrote: »

Hi SuiDreams. I had an electric steamer and couldn't get on with it at all. I couldn't get used to having to start it so early to do the various veg. I know many people love them, but for me the conventional steamer like this is much better.:D I like the greater flexibility, and the speed.

Is it possible for you to borrow an electric steamer from someone, or perhaps you could try freecycle, just to see how you get on with it?

I have an electric steamer and quite like it, but it is a bit of a pain to clean. That M&S one is lovely for £9.99 but I can't see the size - is it really small, because if it isn't I might be persuaded to get one!

ka7e

Have you considered a small pressure cooker? It effectively steams veg under pressure and would be much quicker than an on-the-hob steamer. Once it has reached the required pressure, veg is nicely al dente in under 2 mins.

Penelope_Penguin

Hi there :beer: We have an existing thread - food steamer. It has several recommendations.

I'll add this thread to that one later to keep ideas together.

Penny. x

McKneff

i have an electic steamer and wouldnt be without it. its healther, the colour of the foods stays, the electricity savings mus be phenominal.
A whole meal cooked,in steamer for half an hour,
chicken legs on the bottom, then potatoes, then veg in a steamer as apposed to using 3 or 4 hob rings . We use ours on a daily basis.
you can even boil eggs in them. Wouldnt be without mine

cady

I dont like the electric ones i prefer the 3+ tier ones for the hob will prob last longer too!!

Larumbelle

I prefer hob ones too. I had an electric one and ended up passing it on. Pan ones are cheaper, longer lasting, more versatile and take up less room. I can still cook a whole meal in it, but then again, there is only two of us and I have a very small kitchen! I do have a pressure cooker too, but probably use the steamer more often.

Churchmouse

recovering_spendaholic wrote: »

I have an electric steamer and quite like it, but it is a bit of a pain to clean. That M&S one is lovely for £9.99 but I can't see the size - is it really small, because if it isn't I might be persuaded to get one!

Just been out and measured it:D Each pan is about 19 cms diameter. Doesn't sound that big, but is ample now there's just two of us, and I did cook for 4 using the same ones. With two tiers we had no problem doing 4 different veg ( big meat-eaters but we love our veg:D ) and if we were having frozen peas or something they went in the bottom pan so 5 veg. I don't steam potatoes, prefer to boil separately or roast. HTH

They usually have them instore, so why not check it out? I've had mine a couple of years or so, and am really pleased. Just remember to use a cloth, the handles get quite warm.

Larumbelle

If you have a pasta pan (one of those ones with an outside pan and an inner one with holes in) they are okay for steaming too.

sillyvixen

i have a pan steamer and i love it, a previous housemate had an electric steamer and i did not get on with that and it took loads of cleaning.