Steamers lock in flavour and nutrients as they gently cook vegetables, rice and fish. Read our review of the top electric food steamers.
Though not strictly a kitchen essential, for some, electric steamers are an indispensable tool. Often, steamers are bought for health reasons on the grounds that steaming preserves more vitamins and nutrients than boiling.Advertisement
Its a far gentler form of cooking than most, retaining the flavour and texture of all foods. Steamers aren’t just for veg, either – they can also be used to cook meat, fish, shellfish, eggs (in their shells), pasta, grains and even puddings.
Steaming can be as simple as a colander over a pan of boiling water. That method, though, is an inexact science and led more by guesswork. An electric steamer comes into its own by cooking in a controlled environment with a steady, even flow of steam, constant temperature and a timer.
Simply load, switch on and leave until the timer pings so you can get on with other things. It frees up hob space, too, especially when cooking for a lot of people, for example at Christmas.
Good steamers include a rice bowl and can produce particularly well-cooked, fluffy rice. Using multiple baskets, its possible to steam an entire meal and it’s more energy efficient than using the oven and hob.
Read on to discover which steamers are best. For over 200 buyer’s guides, visit our product review section and find guides to everything from the best food processors and best kettles to the best slow cookers.
Steaming is widely acknowledged as one of the healthiest ways to cook your vegetables. It keeps in many more nutrients than boiling, and is just as simple to do – especially if you invest in a purpose-made electric steamer. And these days, buying a steamer doesn’t have to break the bank either.
Best steamers to buy at a glance
- Best overall steamer: Cuisinart Cookfresh steamer, £156.95
- Best steamer for smart functionality: Sage Fast Pro multicooker, £199
- Best high-spec family steamer: Magimix steamer, £199.00
- Best multicooker steamer: Crockpot, £89.99
- Best mid-range steamer: Lakeland digital steamer, £49.99
- Best bargain price steamer: Judge three-tier steamer, £28.50
- Best steamer for small spaces: Salter food steamer, £31.99
- Best budget steamer: Russell Hobbs three-tier food steamer, £29.99
- Best steamer design: Morphy Richards compact Intellisteam food steamer, £74.99
Cuisinart Cookfresh professional steamerSQUIRREL_TEXT_458309
Best overall steamer
The Cuisinart is a lovely looking piece of equipment made of high-quality stainless steel and grey trim. The footprint isnt too large, so it should fit on most worktops nicely.
The Cuisinart CookFresh introduces steam from the top and claims to circulate around your food better than steam introduced from the bottom, and we find this to be true. The food does cook more evenly, without any pockets of soft or dry food and in only 20 minutes.
We are impressed by the main cooking chamber – a large rectangular glass bowl meana you can see what is happening inside. The bowl also has heatproof handles, so can be used as a serving bowl to take straight to the table.
Another stand-out feature was the sealed water chamber at the back, which unclips easily to fill and refill if the boil-dry alarm shuts off the steaming.
Operating this steamer couldnt be simpler; the cooking is quiet with just a gentle hum and all alarms are very clear.
It will not serve a large family, but is ideal for a small family, couple or single household and is the best steamer on the test for the quality of the machine and the cooked food.
The BEST food steamer money can buy
FAQ
Are electric food steamers worth it?
Are electric steamers efficient?
Which is better electric or gas steamer?
Is electric steamer good for health?
Are electric food steamers good?
Versatility: From vegetables and grains to poultry and seafood, electric food steamers can handle a wide variety of foods. Some models even come with special attachments for steaming eggs or rice, making them a truly versatile kitchen tool. Ease of Use: Most electric food steamers are incredibly user-friendly.
Are food steamers worth it?
Furthermore, food steamers are easy to use and allow you to cook a large number of foods simultaneously. Thus, if you want a cooking method that is precise, easy, and fast, then food steamers are absolutely worth it. On the other hand, food steamers are unnecessary if you are simply looking for different steaming options or boiling food.
Should you buy a steamer or an electric steamer?
If you’re enticed by the nutritional value of steaming your food, and if you enjoy the aesthetic of a snazzy set sitting on the stove, try a classic on-hob steamer. For fancy features, like cooking functions, temperature controls and pre-set timers, opt for an electric food steamer instead.
Are electric food steamers expensive?
Especially if they are BPA-free plastic electric food steamers. As for metal electric food steamers, they are usually more expensive than plastic ones, yet you can still find steamers ranging from fifteen pounds up to as expensive as three hundred or more.