Cooking for a couple: 5 popular steamers

Braun MultiQuick FS 20

Braun FS 20 is the best choice if you are looking for a simple and convenient steamer and are not going to overpay extra money for additional "bells and whistles" ”, which in fact may turn out to be unclaimed.

The kit includes two main capacious bowls with a volume of 3.1 liters each, made of white plastic. It should be noted right away that this cannot be called a drawback of the model, because the transparent walls in the double boiler are practically useless - they still instantly fog up from condensate. Spacious bowls of an oblong rounded shape are perfect for such "overall" dishes as chicken or whole fish. Removable dividers (which are not included in the standard equipment of the device) allow you to cook three different dishes in one bowl. There are long slots on the bottom of the bowl, which - unlike the small round holes, as in the rest of the models in our review - are easier to clean. Many users attribute such a modest number of bowls to the advantages of the model rather than to the disadvantages: usually, a dish on the third “floor” and above is cooked for a long time, so housewives use them less often or completely remove them from sight.. p>

Each bowl is equipped with a capacious drip tray, which means that you can cook several dishes at the same time - the drip tray will prevent the mixing of tastes and smells. By the way, from the "juice" of the dishes, which is collected in this pan, you can make a delicious sauce. For coloring products (for example, beets, carrots), a dark plastic bowl is provided, thanks to which the steamer will retain its original appearance for a long time. The kit also includes a 2-liter bowl for rice and liquid products, which, based on customer reviews, cooks well not only cereals or pilaf, but also casseroles.

Possibilities for topping up water during cooking, this model does not, however, this is not a clear drawback: the steamer has a deep capacious tray and there is enough water for a full cooking cycle.

When the dish is ready, the device beeps and automatically turns off. The 850 watt heater and high steam function (steam in less than 40 seconds) ensures fast cooking.

Tefal Mini Compact VC130130

The Tefal VC 1301 is the best choice if you are looking for a steamer that can easily fit into even the smallest kitchen. In the ultra-compactness of this model, there are practically no equals among all the participants in our review. It's all about three capacious bowls that easily fold into each other and do not take up much space.

It is interesting that not the timer is responsible for controlling the steamer, but the user himself: on the body you will not find the usual on / off button to turn off the device, you just need to unplug the power cord from the outlet. The manufacturer offers to determine the cooking time of a dish with the help of an aquatimer - special markings on a pallet indicating how much water needs to be poured in order for the steamer to work for a certain amount of time. If the water runs out, the aquatimer automatically turns off the heater (which, by the way, It has a rubber anti-corrosion coating, which is an undoubted plus of the model). When the water level is low, the steamer gives a signal - based on customer feedback - quite sharp and unpleasant, which, to some extent, is also a plus, since the user is less likely to ignore such a "call for help".

Tefal VC 1301 bowls are made of durable and high-quality transparent plastic, which, as practice shows, does not become cloudy over time. The first bowl has a recess for boiling eggs. It should be noted that the bowls are not interchangeable and if you break the first one, then the second or third cannot be replaced - this is the “fee” for compact storage. The package also includes a 1.1 L rice bowl - some users consider it too small and offer to replace it with a more capacious ... silicone mold.

The manufacturer assures that the power of 650 watts is enough for simultaneous cooking in all three bowls. Users confirm that the steamer handles with its main tasks, it works quietly and the space around it does not soar much.

Kenwood FS-620

Perhaps the most performant steamer among all the participants in our review. The Kenwood FS-620 has a 2000 Watt motor that provides a special Boost function that allows you to start working instantly and produce maximum steam for 5 minutes. Users claim that the device works quickly and easily even when frozen food is placed in it. For example, unfrozen meat is cooked in just half an hour. Moreover, the steamer is able to quickly not only cook, but also reheat cooked food, while maintaining its consistency and without mixing odours.

Kenwood FS-620 is equipped with three capacious bowls made of transparent plastic, complete with stainless steel partitions-trays.

By the way, the main body of the device is also made of steel. Bowls have the following volume: 4.5 L, 4 L and 3.5 L. Metal partitions can be removed, thereby increasing the total volume of the steamer up to 12 liters. In this way, you can easily cook both corn on the cob and the whole chicken.

On the partitions of all three bowls there are special recesses for boiling eggs. Also included is an additional 1.2L rice bowl. On the side there is a compartment for adding water, and on the front there is an indicator of the fullness of the pallet (marking “max”). The device operates on a mechanical type of control, has a timer with an audible signal for 60 minutes, as well as two buttons: to turn on the maximum release of steam and heating. If the water boils away, the automatic shutdown function is responsible for the safety of working with the Kenwood FS-620.

The only drawback of the model, judging by customer reviews, is the atypical design of the heater. The heating element is located in the lowest compartment and cannot be removed and descaled. The manufacturer suggests turning on the steamer more often to work with a special washing liquid, which is not always convenient and safe.

Philips Avance Collection HD 9170

Philips HD 9170 steamer's strong point is its stylish design and digital timer with an audible signal. Otherwise, the functionality of the device largely repeats the capabilities of the previous participants in our review.

The steamer is equipped with three round bowls with a capacity of 2.6 L, 2.8 L and 3.2 L. They can be removed and cooked only on the first "floor" of the steamer. The bowls have a recess for boiling eggs. The usual rice bowl is represented here by a 2.5-liter removable container for cereals or liquid dishes. Some users speak negatively about his work - it is impossible to cook soup in it, for cooking cereals such a large volume is not always justified. Each bowl has its own number - the steamer has a special Meal Programme function that allows you to set the optimal cooking time for each bowl individually. This means that each dish is prepared exactly as much as it needs, regardless of the others. Using the Turbo Start function, you can quickly set the optimal temperature for cooking, so that more nutrients and vitamins will remain in the products.

This model has a convenient external dispenser for adding water during operation. When the water level in the sump is low, the digital moisture indicator gives a signal. There is also auto-heating when the steamer is finished, the heat is maintained for 20 minutes.

Philips HD 9170 is equipped with a container for spices and herbs, which is installed above the steam spout. Does it cope with its task? , the ambiguous one will answer - there are many opposite reviews on the network. Some users complain that during cooking, almost the entire kitchen is saturated with the aroma of spices, but not the food itself.

The features of the model include the presence of non-slip feet, cool handles and a booklet with recipes in the kit. The power of the device is 1350 watts.