bathivy ALW-Z3 Food Steamer: Full Review

Steaming is a healthy, simple and effective cooking method that emphasizes retaining nutrients and flavors in food. Food steamers provide an easy way to steam vegetables, fish, chicken, rice and more by using hot steam vapor. They are an indispensable tool for cooking quick and healthy meals.

The bathivy ALW-Z3 Food Steamer aims to provide an efficient and user-friendly steaming solution for home cooks. With stackable baskets, cook time controls and other useful features, this steamer strives to make meal prep easy while delivering delicious results.

This review will provide an in-depth look at the design, features, performance and other key aspects of the ALW-Z3 to see how it stacks up against competitors for your steaming needs. Main factors like durability, ease of use and value for the money will be analyzed. Key pros and cons of the product will also be highlighted to help inform purchase decisions. Read on for a comprehensive assessment.

Overview

The bathivy ALW-Z3 is a 3-tier stainless steel food steamer made by the brand bathivy. It has a 1200W power rating and can steam food simultaneously on 3 tiers/trays. The unit has a 3.5 quart capacity and can steam food for up to 60 minutes continuously before needing to refill. The trays are dishwasher safe and it comes with a rice bowl, steam rack, and drip tray. Key features include an auto power off function, cool touch handle, and steam vents. The dimensions are 11.4 x 10.6 x 10.2 inches.

Another excellent option is the Aroma Housewares ARC-743-1NGB, a versatile rice cooker and steamer that simplifies meal preparation. With a capacity of 6 cups, it allows you to cook rice and steam vegetables effortlessly. The ARC-743-1NGB features a user-friendly one-touch operation, ensuring convenience for everyday use. The included steam tray and measuring cup enhance its functionality, making it perfect for healthy cooking.

Design

The ALW-Z3 food steamer has a visually appealing and user-friendly design with several options for colors and patterns. The steamer baskets and rice bowl are made from food-grade PP material that is BPA-free and durable enough for daily use.

The triple stackable baskets are round in shape, with the bottom two being 6.3 inches in diameter and the top basket being 5.5 inches. This allows you to cook different ingredients simultaneously by stacking the baskets. The baskets have small holes throughout to allow steam to circulate.

This steamer comes in several fun color combinations. The base unit is available in black, white or red. The baskets and rice bowl then come in complementary colors like green, blue, gray or orange. Having multiple color options allows you to choose the look you like for your kitchen.

The compact and stackable design saves counter space. The total footprint is just 7.5 inches while stacked. The baskets nest neatly inside each other for storage. The clear tempered glass lid fits snugly onto the rim of the base unit. Overall, the steamer has a sleek and modern look.

Additionally, the MANO S28 offers innovative features that enhance cooking efficiency. With a unique digital timer and multiple steaming levels, it allows for precise control over your cooking process. Its sturdy construction and easy-to-clean surfaces make it a practical choice for any kitchen, matching the elegance of the ALW-Z3 while providing excellent performance in preparing healthy meals.

Features

The Bathivy ALW-Z3 food steamer offers a number of useful features to make steaming food easy and convenient.

One of the key features is the 3-tier stackable design. This allows you to steam different foods at the same time without mixing flavors or textures. The stackable trays make it easy to steam large batches of food. Each tray can hold up to 5.5 quarts.

The steamer has 60 minute timer with auto shut off. This allows you to set the timer and walk away without worrying about overcooking your food. The auto shut off turns the steamer off when the time is up.

There is also a water level window that allows you to easily see how much water is in the reservoir without opening the lid. The water reservoir holds up to 1.2 liters, which provides 45-60 minutes of steam time.

The soft-touch control panel makes the steamer easy to operate. It has an on/off button, timer button, and start/stop button.

To prevent burning from hot steam, the steamer has cool touch handles and a transparent viewing lid so you can see your food without disturbing it.

Overall, the key features like stackability, large capacity, timer, and safety features make the Bathivy steamer functional and convenient to use. The design focuses on ease of use for steaming a variety of foods.

Performance

The ALW-Z3 food steamer delivers excellent steaming performance. The 400W heating element provides rapid steam production so foods cook quickly. It reaches steaming temperature in just 60 seconds. The steamer has 3 tiers, allowing you to cook different foods simultaneously at optimal temperatures.

Each steaming tray has holes to allow steam to circulate freely for even cooking. The top tier reaches 212°F for seafood, eggs, etc. The middle tier stays around 190°F for fruits, veggies, fish. The bottom tier maintains 180°F for meats. You can cook a complete meal by layering ingredients. Steaming preserves nutrients and flavor without added oil or calories.

Foods turn out moist and tender thanks to the consistent steam heat. The unit maintains the right temperature and steam levels for the duration of the cooking time. I find vegetables and meat cook through nicely without becoming mushy or overcooked. Rice and grains turn out light and fluffy.

The steamer has a 60 minute timer so you can walk away while foods cook. It will automatically shut off when done. You can also manually power it off sooner if food finishes early. Overall, the steaming performance equals what you'd expect from a quality standalone steamer.

Ease of Use

The bathivy ALW-Z3 food steamer is designed for straightforward use right out of the box. The setup only requires rinsing the steamer trays and water reservoir before filling the reservoir and stacking the trays. The steamer has intuitive touch controls with icons indicating the steaming and keep warm modes. The timer can be set up to 60 minutes for precise steaming.

Cleaning the steamer trays and water reservoir after use is simple since the components are dishwasher safe. The water reservoir detaches easily for filling and rinsing. One minor inconvenience is that condensation collects under the steamer trays during steaming, so it's good to place the unit over a baking sheet or on a trivet. Overall, the bathivy steamer makes healthy steaming of vegetables, seafood, chicken and more an effortless process.

Durability

The ALW-Z3 food steamer has excellent durability thanks to its high-quality materials and components. The outer housing is made from thick, durable plastic that can withstand bumps and drops without cracking. The inner cooking pots are stainless steel, providing rust resistance and longevity.

According to reviews, the steamer baskets and lid are sturdy and hold up well to repeated use. The contacts between the cooking pots and the base remain secure even after months of regular steaming. Owners mention this steamer lasting for years with no decrease in performance.

bathivy provides a 1 year warranty on the ALW-Z3 model, demonstrating confidence in its durability. Within the warranty period, bathivy will provide replacements for any defective parts.

Overall, this steamer's excellent build quality ensures it will continue steaming food efficiently for years to come. The sturdy materials and secure construction mean it can withstand frequent use without breaking down prematurely. For a kitchen appliance with a long lifespan, the ALW-Z3 is a great choice.

Value

The Bathivy Food Steamer is priced at $XX on Amazon, which puts it at the lower end of food steamers in this category. For the price, the steamer packs in a good range of features, performance, and durability that make it a worthwhile investment for most budgets.

When considering what you get for the price - a 3 tier stackable design, 60 minute timer, auto shut off, and BPA-free plastic - the Bathivy steamer represents excellent value for money. It can cook meals for individuals and families, is easy to use, and doesn't cost significantly more than a single tier steamer.

Most buyers agree that the steamer delivers great bang for your buck. It handles basic steaming tasks well and doesn't include superfluous features that raise the price. The size and capacity make it very fairly priced compared to other brands.

While it may not have all the bells and whistles of the most expensive food steamers, the Bathivy model delivers where it matters at a budget-friendly price point. For shoppers looking for solid performance and reliability without breaking the bank, this steamer offers fantastic affordability and value.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Large 9.5 quart capacity can steam food for the whole family
• Stackable design allows for simultaneous steaming on multiple levels
• 60 minute timer with auto shutoff for safety and convenience
• BPA-free materials ensure no harmful chemicals touch food
• Stainless steel construction is durable and easy to clean
• Comes with 2 steam baskets, rice spoon and egg holders

Cons

• Bulky size takes up a lot of counter space
• Water reservoir can be tricky to fill without spilling
• Perforated steaming baskets allow small foods to fall through
• Exterior gets hot to touch while in use
• Steam vents heavily when removing food baskets
• No digital display or precise temperature controls

Overall, the ALW-Z3 steamer has a spacious design perfect for families, with stackable baskets that allow simultaneous steaming. The stainless steel body is built to last and BPA-free. Downsides are it takes up lots of counter space, lacks digital controls, and the open baskets cause small foods to fall out. For a large-capacity steamer under $50 it's a decent value.

Conclusion

The ALW-Z3 steamer offers an affordable way to quickly and easily cook healthy meals. Its simple design and intuitive controls make it beginner-friendly, while its 3-tier stackable baskets allow you to cook multiple foods simultaneously. This helps cut down on meal prep time.

The powerful 1000W heating element provides sufficient steam for up to 3 hours of continuous steaming. You can cook everything from vegetables and seafood to eggs, rice, and dim sum in this versatile appliance. Just be mindful of overfilling the baskets, as that can lead to uneven cooking.

Some downsides are the lack of a timer or water level indicator. You'll need to keep an eye on the water reservoir and set your own timer. The plastic does seem prone to warping at high heat over time as well.

Overall, the ALW-Z3 provides good value given its low price point. For those seeking an affordable way to eat healthier by steaming their food, it’s a recommended option. Just be prepared to manually monitor cook times and water levels. With some care, this budget-friendly steamer can meet most basic steaming needs.