Food Steamers

Steaming is a healthy, simple, and efficient cooking method that utilizes steam to cook food. It involves placing food in a steamer basket or rack suspended above boiling water. The steam cooks the food, making it tender and moist without added oils or fats.

Steaming has many benefits compared to other cooking methods:

• Retains more nutrients - Steaming better preserves vitamins and minerals which can be lost when boiling or frying foods. The food isn't immersed in water, so fewer vitamins and minerals leach out.

• Lower in calories - No oils, butter, or other fats are used in steaming so it is a very low-calorie cooking method. This makes it great for diets.

• Enhances flavor - Steaming seals in and intensifies the natural flavors of food without adding extra ingredients. Colors are also better preserved.

• Quick and easy - Steaming is a simple "set and forget" hands-off cooking method. Food can be prepared start to finish in the steamer.

• Healthier - The lack of added fats or oils makes steaming a heart-healthy way to cook. Steaming is recommended for people looking to reduce fat in their diets.

So in summary, steaming uses hot steam to gently cook foods, preserving nutrients while producing healthy and flavorful results. It's a simple cooking technique with many advantages over other preparation methods.

How Food Steamers Work

Food steamers use steam heat to cook food. They consist of a base that holds water, a perforated tray or basket to hold the food above the water, and a lid.

The base is filled with water and heated, either by an electric heating element or on the stovetop. As the water heats up, it turns to steam. The steam rises up through the holes in the tray or basket, surrounding the food.

Steam is an very effective heating method because of condensation. When the steam contacts the cooler food, it condenses into tiny water droplets, transferring heat energy in the process. This allows for quick, even heating of the food. The food is essentially cooked by the steam, not simmering in the boiling water.

Steaming cooks food through indirect, moist heat. It does not dry out the food like other cooking methods. The food is cooked gently at 212 degrees Fahrenheit (100 degrees Celsius), the temperature of steam. This allows the food to retain more nutrients compared to other cooking methods.

Types of Food Steamers

There are three main types of food steamers:

Stovetop Steamers

Stovetop steamers sit on top of a pot of boiling water. They have a perforated basket inside that holds the food, allowing steam to circulate around it. Stovetop steamers are simple, inexpensive and easy to use. However, you need to keep an eye on the water level and replenish it as needed. Stovetop steamers work well for vegetables, fish, chicken breasts and more.

Electric Steamers

Electric steamers have a heating element that boils water in a reservoir. The steam rises up into a basket that holds the food. Many electric steamers have multiple stacked baskets so you can cook different foods at once. Electric steamers are convenient since they don't require monitoring water levels. They have timers and auto shut-off features for safety. Electric steamers work great for large batch cooking.

Microwave Steamers

Microwave steamers are plastic containers with a perforated tray inside to hold food. You add water to the reservoir and microwave the steamer. The heat from the microwave creates steam to cook the food. Microwave steamers provide a quick and easy steaming option, though they have smaller capacities than other steamer types. They work well for steaming vegetables, seafood, eggs and more.

Features to Look for When Buying a Food Steamer

When shopping for a food steamer, there are several key features to consider:

Capacity

Food steamers come in a range of sizes and capacities. Consider how much food you'll need to steam at one time and choose a size accordingly. For a family, a 5-liter or larger capacity is recommended. There are also multi-tiered steamers available that allow steaming different foods separately.

Timer Functions

Many food steamers have programmable timers that allow you to set steaming times for different foods. This takes the guesswork out of steaming and ensures your food is perfectly cooked. Look for timers that have at least 60-minute ranges.

Power and Temperature Controls

Higher wattage steamers heat up faster and can reach higher temperatures. Temperature settings allow custom steaming for delicate foods. Models with 800-1200 watts offer the most power and temperature flexibility.

Accessories Included

Some steamers come with handy accessories like rice bowls, cake trays or silicone steaming baskets. These allow you to steam foods beyond just vegetables. Accessories like dual-tier stacking trays or expandable trays increase capacity.

Tips for Using a Food Steamer

Using a food steamer properly ensures your food cooks evenly and comes out perfectly every time. Follow these tips:

• Carefully read the instruction manual and assemble the steamer correctly before first use. Make sure all parts are securely in place.

• Prepare your food by cutting into same-size pieces so it cooks evenly. Place delicate foods like fish or vegetables on the top tray.

• Don't overstuff the steamer trays. This prevents proper steam circulation. Leave space between pieces.

• Keep an eye on cooking time and don't overcook. Set a timer if your steamer doesn't have one.

• Let pressure release fully before removing lid. Quick pressure release can cause food to spill out.

• Allow foods to rest a minute before serving. This finishes the cooking process.

• Disassemble and hand wash all parts after each use. Do not submerge heating unit in water.

• Descale every few months by filling with equal vinegar & water, bringing to a boil, then rinsing.

Following proper usage and care guidelines makes steaming easy and convenient. Your foods will turn out perfectly cooked each time.

Steaming Different Foods

Steamers can cook a wide variety of foods besides just vegetables. Here are some tips for steaming popular foods:

Vegetables

Most vegetables can be steamed, though denser veggies like potatoes may take longer. Cut vegetables into even-sized pieces before steaming for even cooking. Quick-steaming works well for broccoli, green beans, carrots, cauliflower, and asparagus.

Fish

Steaming is a healthy way to cook delicate fish fillets without drying them out. Place fish in a steamer basket or on a bed of aromatics like lemon slices. Check fish early and often to prevent overcooking. Salmon, cod, halibut, and tilapia work well steamed.

Eggs

Steaming eggs makes easy, peelable hard-boiled eggs. Place eggs in steamer basket and steam for 12-15 minutes. Shock in an ice bath afterward. Steaming also works to make soft-boiled eggs and poached eggs.

Rice/Grains

A steamer basket makes fluffy steamed rice easy. Add the desired amount of rice and water to the steamer pot, bring to a boil, then reduce heat, cover, and steam for 15-20 minutes, until rice is tender. Oatmeal, quinoa, and couscous also steam well.

Fruit

Steaming is a quick and healthy way to cook fruit while preserving nutrients. Try steaming apples, pears, plums, peaches, or apricots for 5-10 minutes until softened but still holding their shape. Top steamed fruit with yogurt or granola.

Steaming Recipes

When using a food steamer, you can quickly and easily make delicious recipes. Here are a few recipe ideas to try out:

Steamed Salmon with Lemon Dill Sauce

• Salmon fillets

• Lemon slices

• Fresh dill

• Butter

• White wine

• Chicken broth

• Salt and pepper

Place salmon fillets in steamer basket and top with lemon slices and fresh dill. Steam for 10-12 minutes until fish flakes easily with a fork. Meanwhile, melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Add white wine, chicken broth, salt and pepper. Bring to a simmer and cook for 5 minutes until slightly reduced. Drizzle sauce over salmon before serving.

Steamed Chicken and Vegetables

• Boneless skinless chicken breasts

• Potatoes, cut into 1-inch chunks

• Carrots, cut into 1-inch pieces

• Broccoli florets

• Garlic, minced

• Olive oil

• Salt and pepper

Place chicken breasts, potatoes, carrots, and broccoli in steamer basket. Top with minced garlic and drizzle with olive oil. Season with salt and pepper. Steam for 15 minutes until chicken is cooked through and vegetables are tender.

Steamed Clams in White Wine Broth

• Littleneck clams, scrubbed

• White wine

• Butter

• Shallot, minced

• Chicken broth

• Parsley, chopped

Place clams in steamer basket. In a saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Add shallot and cook 1 minute until fragrant. Pour in wine and broth. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 5 minutes. Pour broth over clams, cover steamer and cook 5-8 minutes until clams open. Garnish with chopped parsley. Discard any unopened clams.

Steaming for Health

Steaming is one of the healthiest ways to cook food. It has a number of benefits:

• Nutrient retention - Unlike boiling, frying or baking, steaming cooks food gently and preserves more vitamins and minerals. Studies show that steaming broccoli, for example, retains more vitamin C than other cooking methods.

• Lower calorie - No oil or butter is required when steaming, so it's a very low calorie way to cook. Steamed veggies and lean proteins can be part of a healthy weight loss diet.

• Health benefits - The fiber, vitamins, minerals and plant compounds in steamed fruits and vegetables provide a number of health benefits. Steaming green beans, carrots, spinach and more can reduce disease risk and support a healthy body.

Steaming is ideal for getting the most nutrition out of your foods. Cook your vegetables just until tender-crisp to maximize the retention of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. Enjoy steamed salmon, chicken or tofu with your veggies for a healthy, low calorie meal.

Common Steaming Mistakes

Steaming may seem like a simple cooking method, but there are a few common mistakes to avoid.

Not Enough Steam

If your steamer isn't producing enough steam, your food will cook unevenly or slowly. Make sure to use the correct amount of water for your steamer and keep an eye on the water level during cooking. If it gets too low, add more hot water. Having a tight-fitting lid is also important to trap all the steam.

Uneven Cooking

Foods stacked or crowded too closely together may steam unevenly. Leave some space around each item so the steam can circulate properly. Flipping or rotating foods halfway through can also help them cook evenly.

Overcooking

It's easy to overcook foods when steaming since you can't see them directly. Use a timer and don't exceed the recommended steaming time for delicate foods like fish or vegetables. These foods should be steamed just until tender-crisp.

Underseasoning

Steaming doesn't add a lot of flavor on its own, so it's important to season foods well before cooking. Coat foods with spices, herbs, marinades or rubs to infuse flavor. Drizzle with olive oil, lemon juice or sauces after steaming.

Conclusion

Steaming is one of the healthiest and most versatile cooking methods. Using a food steamer provides numerous benefits compared to other cooking techniques.

Steaming retains more nutrients than boiling, as vitamins and minerals are not leached out into the cooking water. It also requires no added fats or oils, keeping the food lower in calories. Steaming preserves the natural flavors and colors of ingredients better than microwave cooking.

Food steamers offer convenient hands-off cooking. You simply add water, load the basket with ingredients, set the timer, and walk away. The food steams perfectly with no monitoring needed.

Some best practices for getting the most out of a food steamer include:

• Cut ingredients into similar sized pieces so food cooks evenly

• Don't overcrowd the steamer basket

• Add aromatics like herbs or citrus for extra flavor

• Adjust steaming times based on quantity and density of ingredients

• Use the steaming liquid for sauces or gravy

With the health benefits of gentle steam cooking and the convenience of set-and-forget operation, a food steamer is a versatile appliance that can help you prepare delicious meals.