Healthy steamed food: how to choose a steamer?

The design of the steamer and the principle of its operation

Different models of steam cookers may differ from each other by the presence of additional functions, the volume and number of cooking tanks, as well as the control method. However, by design, almost all models are the same:

1. Cover. There is a hole for the steam outlet in it.

2. Cooking containers.

3. Separator (bottom with holes).

4. Clean water tank. A condensate collection tray is placed on top of it.

5. A hole for pouring clean water into the tank.

6. Base with steam generator.

7. Control panel with temperature modes and additional functions. On this model, the switch is rotary, but it can also be push-button and touch.

The design of the steamer.

The principle of operation of the steamer is as follows: a steam generator (heating cylinder), which is located under the body and is combined with a water tank, begins to heat up and turn water into steam. The vapors pass through the separator, processing the lying products. It penetrates very deeply into the products, so they do not need to be turned over during cooking, as well as add oil or fat. Steam escapes through a hole in the lid, and its residues settle on the walls of the food trays, and then drain into the pallet. With the help of the controller, the operating time of the device is set depending on the prepared products. The steam temperature is approximately 102 degrees. Thanks to such a relatively low temperature and comprehensive processing, the product retains more nutrients than, for example, when frying.

Advice from E-Katalog: Thanks to several tiers (cooking containers), we can cook a whole range of dishes at the same time. Products that need more cooking time, such as meat and fish, are usually placed on the lower tier. Solid vegetables, such as potatoes, carrots or beets, are placed on the middle one. The topmost container is designed for products that require a minimum of time.

Popular steamers

Steamer control

There are three types of device management:

Mechanical. It is represented by a rotary type switch that sets the operating time of the device. Some models are additionally equipped with another regulator responsible for heating the dish or timer. The mechanical type of control is usually used in inexpensive models, mainly made of plastic and with a minimal set of functions. However, there are also expensive devices with a display that displays the time, such as Philips Avance Collection HD 9170 , however, there are relatively few such models.

Rotary switch.

Push-button. The device is equipped with an electronic unit with function switching buttons. Most push-button models, such as Laretti LR7701 , have an LCD screen where the device's performance indicators are displayed, for example, the remaining operating time, timer or heating. Such a panel is more convenient than mechanical adjustment.

Push-button control.

Touch. The control is performed using the buttons located directly on the touch screen. It is worth noting that fingerprints remain on the sensor, so it needs to be wiped from time to time.

Steamers with three baskets

What should I pay attention to when choosing?

Before purchasing the device, pay attention to the following indicators and additional functions that the steamer can be equipped with:

Power. Note that unlike slow cookers, it is impossible to change the temperature in steam cookers, so here the power only affects the speed of cooking, depending on the number and volume of containers. For example, a 500 – 650 watt device is quite enough for steam maintenance of one capacity with a volume of 2 liters. If you plan to purchase a steamer for 2-3 containers with a volume of 2.5 – 3 liters, then it is best to pay attention to devices with a power of 850 to 1300 watts. If you take a low-power model, but with a large volume of tanks, then the products that lie in the upper trays will take longer to prepare.
The number and volume of trays. The more trays, the more different dishes you can cook at the same time. However, if you rarely cook more than three dishes at one time, it is better to look at models with two trays — this is the most popular option among consumers. The volume of trays depends on the specific dishes. For example, if you need to cook 5 liters of olivier, then you need three trays of 2 liters: one will have potatoes and carrots, the second will take eggs, and the third sausage. Select the steamer in such a way that the products fit into it for the most voluminous dish that you are cooking. Please note that the total volume of all tanks is usually indicated in the product card, so you can calculate the volume of one tray by dividing the total volume by the number of trays.
Cooking eggs. Although there are separate models of egg cookers, many steamers are able to cook eggs. Such devices in the bottom (separator) of the tanks have special recesses in which the eggs are placed. Practice shows that, in principle, even in those steamers where there are no such recesses, you can cook eggs for a couple, the main thing is to lay them so that they do not roll.

Tray with recesses for eggs.

The material of manufacture of the housing and trays. Plastic models are lighter and more fragile than metal ones, which is why they are cheaper. Metal models are strong and durable. However, they need to be washed more often, as they quickly get dirty and lose their attractive appearance, and the cost of them is much higher than that of plastic ones.
Rice bowl. This is a plastic container without holes, where water is poured and the cereal is placed. It is smaller in size than the main tank, so steam still gets into it. Buckwheat and rice in a steamer get a richer pronounced taste.

Steamer with rice bowl

Temperature maintenance (thermostat). The mode is turned on immediately after cooking is completed, so that the food is always warm. The temperature maintenance function can be started both for a certain time (it will turn off on its own), and from the moment the user turns off on its own.
Fast heating. When it starts, the steam generator heats up in a short time (in some models, steam formation begins after 5 seconds), and cooking begins almost immediately. This saves cooking time, especially when there are several trays and they are large in volume.
Off/on timer. The power-on timer will start the device at the time that the user needs. For example, you can load all the necessary ingredients in the evening, and in the morning the dish will be ready for breakfast. The shutdown function will turn off the device when the food is cooked. This is convenient when you need to leave home (for example, to work or pick up a child from kindergarten) and it is impossible to control the cooking process.
Water level indicator. The indicator will notify the user that the water in the tray is running out and it's time to add more. This is especially useful when you have to cook products with a long cooking time, for example, corn or beets.
Auto-preparation. This is a set of pre-set recipes that you can use to cook food. It is enough for the hostess to set the type of product (for example, vegetables) and its weight, and the device itself will choose the optimal mode (time) of operation. Please note that the steamer does not take into account other features of the products, for example, their hardness. So for new potatoes, it will take less time to cook than for old potatoes. Consider these factors when installing automatic cooking.
The "Chef" function. This function includes several programs that can be selected manually, for example, cooking meat, fish, vegetables or fruits. At the same time, the amount of time for which the dish will be prepared is written in front of each programme. If you don't know how long a certain product takes, then the function will be a good help.
Capacity management. Some expensive models have a square shape, and the containers are located not vertically on top of each other, but horizontally, one at a time. You can set your own time for each one, depending on the product being prepared. At the same time, at the end of the operation of any container, the steam supply automatically stops. The function is very convenient when you need to cook several diverse products with different cooking time.

Steamer with capacity control function.

Spice compartment. The compartment is a small plastic cylinder with a sieve (or without it, but with holes), which is installed on a steam generator in a tank with clean water (item 4 of the steamer design). Spices are poured into it and during cooking the products are saturated with their aroma. In the product card, the manufacturer rarely writes about the availability of this option, so this information should be clarified directly with the store's consultant.
Display. The display is found in models with all three types of control and greatly simplifies working with the device. On it, the user sees the remaining cooking time and a list of additional programs.

Conclusion

If you need an inexpensive model, it is best to take a device with mechanical control for 1-2 containers for products. For a large family of five people, a steamer with three containers with a total volume of 7 to 9 liters is suitable. For those who do not want to "bother" about cooking recipes, devices with the "chef" or auto-cooking function will suit, which themselves will set the cooking time of the dish. If you are a busy person and every minute is important to you, then a steamer with an on/off timer function will prepare food for exactly the appointed hour, without wasting precious time. The choice of other additional functions can be determined only by your preferences and special needs.

Built-in steamers