Food steamer recommendations

lostinrates

I've never had an electic one but use a hib stemer all the time. To the degree I'm always suprised at the possibility of boiling most veg. Its easy to use an clean. I do occasionally boil something like potatos in the bottom pan (Its also one of my ''main'' saucepans) but very rarely, where as we have steamed veg regularly. Sometimes we boil pasta in a bottom pan, then instead of putting broccoli in with the pasta for a studenty pasta dish italian style, steam it above and combone on the plate.

maman

I have an electric one but I find (except for Christmas when hob space is at a premium) that it takes up space on the worktop and is a faff to clean. I'd go for the hob one as it doubles up as normal saucepan and goes in the dishwasher.

I've got one of these:


I only paid 50p in Asda (reduced and discontinued) for mine and it does brilliant carrots and asparagus.

McKneff

Vote here for the electric one, a whole meal in one go is great. I dont even have a hob anymore.
I have a electric steamer, a microwave, an oven, the only time I would need a hob is to fry an egg so
just have scrambled from the microwave.

No hob also means more work space.

Broomstick

Hob, definitely. Ours is used almost daily. We cook all veggies this way. I've never used an electric one but it makes sense, I think, to still be able to use the steamer in power cuts (on our gas rings) or on the camping stove (just incase we have another winter of discontent).

I presume it's the same with electric ones but do save the water from the bottom pan. It makes great stock for soup.

B x

savingforoz

maman wrote: »

I'd go for the hob one as it doubles up as normal saucepan and goes in the dishwasher.

Yes, forgot that benefit - the hob ones also double as saucepans. I can cook a whole meal in one so it's convenient as well. I have the Argos one.

alex21

I vote hob. I have had mine for almost 20 years. I never boil potatoes. I do my potatoes in top, tip out water from bottom and do my mash in the bottom. It stays hot with the lid on. My pot for the bottom is ideal for a big batch of homemade soup. Just wouldn't be without mine.

Jojo_the_Tightfisted

Used to have electric steamers - best thing was taking the base out of one and steaming a whole cauliflower in one.

My favourite gadget now is a rice cooker instead. Steams, boils, does fine.

MRSTITTLEMOUSE

I've had both but gave the electric one away and kept my hob steamer.

Northern_Princess

Gas hob here too. I found the electric one I had so difficult to clean.

NP x

terra_ferma

maman wrote: »

I have an electric one but I find (except for Christmas when hob space is at a premium) that it takes up space on the worktop and is a faff to clean. I'd go for the hob one as it doubles up as normal saucepan and goes in the dishwasher.

I've got one of these:


I only paid 50p in Asda (reduced and discontinued) for mine and it does brilliant carrots and asparagus.

I agree, these are the best (metal or silicone, I used to have a 2-tier metal one and it was great).
Personally I would buy an electric one if I was steaming at least 2 portions every day, and had worktop space, the timer would be a bonus for me.
Now I have an intellichef that can do that, with a plastic basket, but also a million other things (rice cooker, slow cooker, boiling etc etc).

HTH