BELLA 17291 Food Steamer: Full Review

The BELLA 17291 is a digital food steamer designed to provide healthy and fast meal preparation. This 800-watt food steamer features a 5.5-quart capacity and can hold up to 5 liters of food and water combined.

The stainless steel steamer basket lifts out for easy filling and cleaning. With its intuitive touchpad controls, you can adjust time and temperature precisely depending on the food you're cooking. The digital display makes it easy to monitor the cooking process.

This BELLA food steamer delivers nutrients by ‘steaming’ food instead of ‘boiling’ it immersed in water. Steaming helps retain vitamins and minerals in vegetables, fish, chicken, and other foods better than most cooking methods. The steamer's simple design allows you to steam veggies and proteins simultaneously or separately thanks to its stackable steam trays.

Overall, the BELLA 17291 aims to provide a convenient way to prepare healthy, tasty steamed meals at home. Its user-friendly design and features make it straightforward for home cooks to steam all kinds of foods.

Specifications

The BELLA 17291 Digital Food Steamer has the following specifications:

• Dimensions: 12.2 x 9.8 x 9.6 inches
• Capacity: 8.1 Quarts
• Power: 700 Watts
• 2 Stackable Baskets with capacities:
  • 5 Quart Round Basket
  • 3.1 Quart Oval Basket
• 60 Minute Timer with Auto Shutoff
• Boil Dry Protection
• Cord Storage
• Materials: Stainless Steel with Plastic Details

The larger 5 quart round basket is good for steaming vegetables, seafood, eggs etc for the whole family. The 3.1 quart oval basket allows steaming separate foods at the same time. With 700 Watts of power, the steamer brings water to a boil quickly. The 60 minute timer with auto shutoff is a useful safety feature, as is the boil dry protection which prevents the heating element from burning out if the water tank runs dry.

For another great option, the Elite Gourmet EST250 offers a compact and efficient solution for all your steaming needs. It features a BPA-free, transparent steamer bowl which allows you to easily monitor your food as it cooks. With a powerful 800 Watt motor, this steamer quickly heats up to provide healthy, delicious meals in minutes. The easy-to-use controls and built-in timer ensure perfect steaming results every time. The Elite Gourmet EST250 is an excellent choice for those looking for a reliable and convenient food steamer.

Design and Build Quality

The BELLA 17291 steamer features a durable stainless steel housing that resists fingerprints and scratches. The steamer basket and trays are also made from stainless steel, providing corrosion resistance for long-term use.

Despite the metal construction, the steamer remains lightweight at just under 5 pounds, making it easy to move around the kitchen or store away when not in use. The exterior features an elegant brushed finish that fits well with most kitchen decors.

The control panel uses mechanical push buttons rather than digital touch controls. While not as sophisticated, the mechanical buttons are more durable and less prone to breaking over time. The buttons have a satisfying click when pressed and give reassuring feedback that the setting has been activated.

Inside, the water reservoir has visible water level markings so you can easily see how much water is remaining. The reservoir is easy to remove and refill as needed.

Overall, the solid stainless steel build gives the impression that this steamer is built to last. The materials and construction seem durable enough to withstand regular use. While streamlined, the steamer does not feel flimsy or cheap. The design focuses more on function over flashy features.

Another option to consider is the BUYDEEM G553, which offers a compact and elegant design perfect for modern kitchens. It features versatile cooking options, including steam, stew, and even brew functions, making it a multifunctional appliance. The BUYDEEM G553 is equipped with a digital control panel for precise operation and settings. Its sophisticated look and functionality make it a worthy contender for those looking to upgrade their kitchen appliances.

Steaming Performance

The BELLA Food Steamer can steam a variety of foods evenly and efficiently. Its 800 watt heating element delivers plenty of power for fast steam production.

The steamer has a 5.3 quart capacity, which is large enough to cook meals for several people. It features a stackable design with two tiers, allowing you to cook two different foods at once. This is perfect for preparing a complete meal.

The steamer heats up quickly, reaching full steam in just 60 seconds. Once it's ready, it provides a consistent steam flow so your food cooks evenly. No need to worry about some areas being undercooked while others are soggy.

The steaming basket and rice bowl included with the steamer also promote even cooking. They have small holes that allow steam to circulate fully around the food.

Overall, the BELLA Food Steamer delivers reliable performance for steaming vegetables, seafood, eggs, rice, and more. Its fast heat-up, large capacity, and consistent steam flow result in evenly cooked meals.

Ease of Use

The BELLA Digital Steamer features simple, intuitive controls that make it easy to use. There is a single dial on the front that allows you to select your desired steaming time from 1 minute up to 60 minutes. You just turn the dial to the time you want, press start, and it will begin steaming.

The water reservoir is easy to fill and has clear water level markings so you know exactly how much water to add. It has a generous 1.6 liter capacity so you won't have to refill it frequently.

Setup is very straightforward. Simply add water to the reservoir, place your food in the stainless steel steaming tray, put the lid on, and set your time. The tray lifts out easily so transferring food in and out is simple.

Cleaning up after using the steamer is hassle-free. The water reservoir detaches from the base for easy cleaning. All parts are dishwasher safe, or can be hand washed quickly after use.

Overall, the BELLA Digital Steamer scores highly for ease of use and convenience thanks to its intuitive controls, no-fuss setup, and quick cleanup after cooking. It's simple enough for beginners but also efficient for more experienced cooks.

Safety Features

The Bella 17291 steamer has several important safety features to prevent accidents and injuries.

One key safety feature is the auto shutoff function. After 60 minutes of continuous steaming, the steamer will automatically turn off. This prevents the steamer from overheating if it's accidentally left on for an extended period. The auto shutoff provides peace of mind and safety when using the appliance.

Additionally, the exterior of the steamer remains cool to the touch even during the steaming process. The body and lid stay at safe temperatures, so there's no risk of burns if you need to move or adjust the steamer mid-cooking. You can safely pick up and reposition the steamer as needed without worry.

The combination of auto shutoff and cool touch exterior makes the Bella 17291 one of the safest countertop steamers available. These thoughtful safety features let you steam foods confidently while minimizing the risks of overheating, burns or other accidents.

Noise Level

The BELLA Digital Food Steamer 17291 operates very quietly while in use. Customers note that the steamer makes minimal noise even when steaming large batches of vegetables or meat. This makes it ideal for use in settings where you don't want a noisy appliance disturbing you.

The steamer has an 800 watt heating element that brings water to a boil efficiently without loud sounds. Once the steam starts flowing into the stackable baskets, you can barely hear anything besides a soft rumbling. There is no annoying whistling from the steam release like some cheaper steamers.

Overall, the quiet performance sets this BELLA steamer apart from other models. You can use it to cook healthy meals without causing a racket in your kitchen. This steamer runs smoothly and quietly whether steaming vegetables, seafood, eggs or anything else. The quiet operation makes it a great option for dorm rooms, apartments, or anywhere that you want to minimize noise.

Accessories

The BELLA 17291 food steamer comes with two steaming baskets to prepare multiple foods at once. The top basket is a large 4.2 qt basket that can hold a good amount of food. The bottom basket is smaller at 2.5 qts.

Both baskets are made from stainless steel and have cool-touch handles so you can remove them safely even when hot. The baskets have feet to elevate the food from any condensed water in the base.

Included with the steamer is a rice bowl that fits into the top basket. This allows you to steam rice and grains along with other foods. No other accessories are included.

Some handy accessories to consider purchasing separately:

• Steaming rack - Useful for steaming foods like tamales, corn on the cob, and more. Can fit on top of the included baskets.

• Additional steaming baskets - Having extra baskets makes it easy to prepare more food in batches. The baskets are dishwasher safe for fast cleanup.

• Silicone trivet - Provides a heat-resistant surface to remove baskets and serve steamed foods straight from the cooker. Protects counters from moisture ring.

• Stainless steel cleaner - Keeps the baskets looking shiny and new after regular use. Removes water stains and food residue.

Warranty

The BELLA 17291 digital steamer comes with a 1 year limited warranty. This covers defects in materials and workmanship under normal household use for 1 year from the date of original purchase.

The warranty does not cover damage from misuse, abuse, accidents, alterations or damage from improper installation. It also does not cover cosmetic damage or wear and tear from regular use.

To receive service under this warranty, customers need to contact the Customer Experience Team at BELLA Housewares. Proof of purchase is required, so be sure to keep your receipt.

The limited 1 year warranty provides peace of mind that any manufacturing defects will be covered. But some customers feel a longer warranty period would be better for an appliance of this type. Overall, a 1 year limited warranty is fairly standard for small kitchen appliances in this price range.

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Generous 6.2 quart capacity
• Digital controls with pre-programmed settings
• Stackable steaming trays allow cooking multiple foods
• Keep warm function holds food at serving temperature
• Sturdy stainless steel interior resists corrosion

Cons

• Water tank can be tricky to fill and may leak
• No delay start timer
• Exterior gets very hot to touch
• Steam vents downward which can make counter wet
• Short power cord may require extension cord

Overall, the BELLA Digital Food Steamer has a spacious interior and handy presets but lacks some convenience features found on higher priced models. The stainless steel bowl is a nice touch but the exterior gets hot and the water tank design could be improved. This is a decent option for basic steaming needs but may leave some users wanting more.