Food steamer recommendations

timmmers

I used to use a steamer...then I got some Ziplocks....brilliant things.
http://www.ziploc.com/?p=b9

Chop vegs into equal sized chunks...whack into bag, whack bag into microwave...a couple of minutes and they're done. Steamed and microwaved...and all nutrients still there since theres nowhere for it to go and usually little or no liquid.

I make chip like this...chop spuds into chips, ziplock them for 3 minutes in the MW...meanwhile set a wok to high heat for that 3 minutes with shallow oil in it....remove chips when almost cooked and quickly crisp in wok until brown. Big fat chips are healthiest, bug hard to get just right frying...easy this way and really tasty and healthy.

Normal vegs are easy, and you can add butter or herbs in the bag if you like...I cook multiple vegs together and the flavours don't transfer much if at all as far as I can tell.

The saving on gas by not needing to boil water is nice, and it's easy to check how well things are cooked since you can take it out and give it a poke to chck...if not done, another 30 seconds until it is.

I'm no sure they intend us to re-use these but I have been using the same 3 or 4 for a year now with no problems...although they can be a little tricky to clean if you use sauces in them or add butter.

Mashed spuds in 5 minutes ....that's heavenly for me but I do use a pan to mash and add the butter and milk as it works better.

I think they can be found in pound shops...but they are really cheap and can be used for storage too...just don't burn yourself if you try them, they need a little care when hot.

t

pete375hnh

I have always steamed stuff supported on something or other in a sauce pan. I bought a steamer from tesco recently and it is the biggest piece of junk I've ever bought. Steamed some steak and kidney puddings, it took 1 hour that's normal but the pile of junk sounded like a boiling kettle all the time. I had to top it up 3 times, I never had to do that with the pan. I haven't worked out the cost of the electricity yet but I would recommend everyone to use an old fashioned pan steamer.
Do any electric steamers have a temperature controller?
How much does 0.7kWh of electricity cost these days?
Pete.

pete375hnh

Re my comments on electric steamers. 0.75 kWh costs about 15p.
Bought a stacking steamer for use on a gas hob a couple of weeks ago (Judge) brilliant. Cooked potatoes in the bottom and the rest of the stuff above, no noise and no topping up.:j

MrsE_2

calleyw wrote: »

Sorry to say that not all steamers are the same. Rather like bread makers a Panasonic is the rolls royce of them all.

Again the same can be said about steamers. If you have to buy an electric steamer go for a Tefal even if it is the cheapest one them have. As they are the best.

I have had three so far over the last 9 years as they do wear out over time. But I did get a good 3/4 year use out of them. And I do use them at least 3/4 times a week.

I don't have a tefal one at the moment and it is the biggest pile of steaming poo I have ever wasted money on. I have had it just over a year and keep hoping it will break so I can get another tefal one :rotfl:

It just does not seem to fit together well. Tefals are great seem to fit well together and are robust.

And you have got a good one there with the Tefal one you bought.

Yours


Calley

I love to buy the best I can afford with kitchen appliances & equiptment & would agree with you on most things - except steamers.

I had a mid range one, loved it. Then a good one was reduced in the Jan sales, I gave away my old one & had my new digital one.

I HATED IT:(

To fiddly, a pain in the bum.

So I bought the Tesco value one (2 tier for about £7) & its the best ever.
Sturdy little baskets that the bottom doesn't fall out off:T
A simple dial, no messing about with setting digital:T

Just want another for my DD

JillS_2

timmmers wrote: »

I used to use a steamer...then I got some Ziplocks....brilliant things.
http://www.ziploc.com/?p=b9

These look as though they're American. Did you get yours in UK?

Looks like a brilliant idea.

zenmaster

I'm thinking of getting a (cheap) steamer.

Which is best - electric like this or hob like this?

Thanks.

savingforoz

Having used both, I prefer one that goes on the hob. They take up less space and are more durable, being made of metal. The plastic ones start to crack after a while. Plus there's nothing to go wrong with a hob one, unlike an electric appliance.

Shalva

another one for the gas one here..... agree they take up less room , the pan can be used alone..........just got back from the uk and used my mums one while there..... That one seems a good pice too..If I had had room in my bag I would have bought one home with me......

Must start looking for one here.

smileygill

If price is an issue, the stove-top type should cost a lot less. I bought a stainless-steel one on impulse (shiny!) a few months ago and use it all the time now. My veggies taste much nicer, cook more quickly and cleaning-up afterwards is painless. Very glad I have it.

MandM90

We have both but I must say we never use the metal one. We just shove a whole meal in (though at different times) for instance salmon, new pots and green beans then make up a sauce. Also v. little water needed and it starts to steam almost instantly, whereas when I tried the hob one it took a while to boil and a bit more water (but I suppose you could have something boiling beneath if your timing is right).