Vegetable steamer - any good?

rock_queen

We bought an electric one from a carboot for 50p a couple of years ago. We love it! We cook fish and veg in it, dead simple to use and no faffing with pans etc, hardly any prep involved and not much washing up either! Set the timer and leave it to do its thing.

morganlefay

I've got a simple metal one with holes in the bottom and a lid (not electric which would be hopeless here as water so hard and chalk deposits everywhere) I was just thinking yesterday that I use it every day. Usually put it on top of the pan I'm cooking potatoes in and they come out cooked but not soggy at all. Never boil veg now as I hate that waterlogged thing they get if boiled. So i realised its one of my most-used kitchen things. Would not be without it now !

McKneff

???
you said you bought ready prepared veg, (really expensive this way)


Then you said you were trying to save money.....


The two really don't go together.


I have an electric one, a whole meal can be done in these instead of putting a number of hob plates on. That's a big elec/gas saving to start with.
Also, in the top tier, you can chuck a couple or three eggs in, they will hard boil for tomorrows lunch.
Saving again....

System

I much prefer steamed vegetables. I steam all mine.

SailorSam

I've got an electric steamer which doesn't get used a lot 'cos i've also got a stainless steel one that i use on the hob. I think if you're friend finds the veg tasteless she's probably cooking them for to long. Being here by myself most veg other than potatoes i get frozen and the time it needs cooking is on the pack.

Chels991

I steam my veg all the time, I find it has more taste than boiled. I use the bamboo steamer I've had for years. Hasn't worn at all, and with two separate tiers I just put the veg that takes the longest on the bottom tier and the others that take the least on the top tier. It all seams to cook evenly as are both ready at the same time. I don't know where I'd be without it! I think I picked the steamer up for a few pounds in a shop i can't now remember.

katylou6180

I must admit since my steamer died, I've been buying steamer bags from the supermarket (empty ones, approx 25 for 79p) and I always keep a selection of bags of frozen veg in the freezer, empty out the quantity of what I fancy into said bag and treat it like an expensive frozen bag for one! No clutter, no washing up pans- maybe that's the route if you don't want to clutter the kitchen, might not be as cheap as having a steamer, but certainly cheaper than ready prepared and frozen.

sillyvixen

my cooker top steamer comes 3rd on the list of items i would not be without in my kitchen - only the cooker and washing machine beat it to the top of the list - i love it.