Elite Gourmet EST250 Food Steamer: Full Review

The Elite Gourmet EST250 electric food steamer provides a healthy and convenient way to cook vegetables, seafood, eggs, rice, and more. Steaming is a cooking method that uses steam heat to gently cook foods. Foods are placed in a basket or tray suspended above boiling water. The steam rises up and cooks the food, retaining more nutrients than other cooking methods like boiling or frying. Steaming allows foods to cook thoroughly without adding any extra oils or fats. It brings out the natural flavors of ingredients in a light and fresh way. The Elite Gourmet EST250 steamer offers an adjustable steam timer and temperature settings to accommodate different foods. With its stacked baskets, you can cook a couple things at once while keeping flavors separate. This review will go over the design, features, performance, ease of cleaning, durability, value, pros, and cons of the Elite Gourmet EST250 steamer.

Design

The Elite Gourmet EST250 electric food steamer has a sleek and modern design that will look great on any countertop. It has a durable stainless steel outer housing with black accents and a clear glass inner pot.

The steamer is a nice compact size, measuring approximately 12.5 x 11 x 10 inches, so it doesn't take up too much counter space. The oval-shaped inner pot has a 5.5 quart capacity, providing enough room to cook food for several people at once.

Aesthetically, the steamer has an elegant look. The combination of brushed stainless steel and black plastic gives it a contemporary style. The all-glass inner pot also adds to the streamlined aesthetic. The digital control panel on the front has an LED display and push buttons that continue the modern styling. Overall, the design is visually appealing yet functional.

The materials used in the construction feel sturdy and durable. The stainless steel housing should hold up well to regular use without showing many signs of wear. The glass pot also feels high quality and solid. Based on the look and feel, this steamer seems built to last.

Another excellent option is the Hamilton Beach 37530A food steamer. This product features a two-tier design that allows for cooking various foods simultaneously. It also includes a digital timer and automatic shutoff for convenience. Made with BPA-free plastic, this steamer ensures safe and healthy meal preparation. With its compact size and efficient functionality, it’s a great addition to any kitchen.

Features

The Elite Gourmet EST250 electric food steamer has several notable features that make it convenient to use.

• Number of Tiers: The EST250 is a 2-tiered steamer, meaning it has two stacking baskets. This allows you to steam two different foods at once, keeping them separate. For example, you could steam fish in one basket and vegetables in the other.

• Timer and Settings: The steamer has a 60-minute timer with auto shut off for safety. There are variable steam settings so you can customize the steaming intensity. Lower settings provide gentler steaming while higher settings give more vigorous steaming action.

• Other Convenience Features: The EST250 has an easy-fill water chamber so you don't have to manually pour water into a reservoir. The see-through water chamber lets you monitor the water level. The baskets and drip tray are dishwasher safe for easy cleanup. There is also an egg holder so you can steam eggs.

For those seeking an alternative, check out the Cozeemax MK902. This steamer offers a multi-layer design for cooking multiple dishes simultaneously. It comes with a digital display and pre-set cooking programs for vegetables, meat, and grains. The quick steam function rapidly heats up to reduce cooking time. It also features a large water reservoir, enabling longer steaming periods without the need for refills. The Cozeemax MK902 is user-friendly and easy to clean, making it a practical choice for healthy cooking enthusiasts.

Performance

The Elite Gourmet EST250 steamer effectively cooks a wide variety of foods, from vegetables to seafood to eggs. Its stacked design allows you to cook different foods simultaneously by placing them in the various trays. This is perfect for preparing full, well-balanced meals.

The steamer is very easy to use. There are only two dials - one to set the timer up to 60 minutes, and one to adjust the steam intensity. Once set, the steamer does all the work - no need to monitor water levels or temperature. The trays and lid lock into place securely, so you don't have to worry about them slipping or spilling.

Operation is quiet, especially compared to boiling foods on the stove. There is some noise from the heating element and steam release, but it's minimal. You can carry on a conversation or watch TV without the steamer drowning out the sounds. This makes it great for steaming while doing other activities.

Overall, the performance is exceptional. The EST250 cooks food evenly and thoroughly, requires minimal effort to operate, and won't disrupt your household with noise. It's an ideal appliance for healthy steaming any night of the week.

Cleaning

The Elite Gourmet food steamer has dishwasher safe parts, making cleanup a breeze. The plastic tray, steaming pot, and lid can all be popped into the dishwasher after use.

One downside is the difficulty cleaning the heating element at the base of the unit. Food and water droplets can collect around the heating plate, which can be tricky to wipe down. You'll need to take care to thoroughly dry the heating element after each use to prevent any food buildup. Using a damp cloth, wipe down the base until no food residue remains.

Overall, the dishwasher safe components are a major plus for quick and easy cleanup. Just take some extra care to fully dry the heating element to prevent any messes. With regular cleaning, the steamer should continue looking like new.

Durability

The Elite Gourmet food steamer appears to be reasonably durable for a countertop appliance in this price range. The exterior housing is made from BPA-free plastic which should hold up well to regular use. The steaming trays are stainless steel which is resistant to rust and corrosion.

Users report the steamer working well for 6 months to a year of regular use before any durability issues arise. The most common problems tend to involve limescale buildup affecting the heating element or steam vents getting clogged. These issues can often be mitigated by descaling and cleaning the steamer regularly according to the manufacturer's instructions.

Some reviewers mention the plastic housing cracking or handles breaking off after a year or so. The 1-year limited warranty should cover defects like this, but the build quality may not be on par with more expensive brands. As long as the steamer is not dropped or damaged, it should last at least a year with proper care and maintenance.

Overall, the Elite Gourmet steamer appears reasonably well-made for the price, but may not have the longevity of pricier models. Paying attention to descaling and cleaning should help maximize its usable lifespan.

Value

The Elite Gourmet EST250 food steamer provides excellent value for the price. At around $50, it is very affordable compared to other electric food steamers which can cost $100 or more. Despite the low price, the EST250 still has a large 8.5 quart capacity and powerful 800 watt heating system which can cook food quickly and evenly.

The build quality is also impressive for the price. The steamer housing is made from BPA-free plastic and has a sturdy feel. The two stackable BPA-free containers are also thick and durable. Cheaper steamers often have flimsy plastic containers that can easily warp or crack.

Feature-wise, the EST250 has everything you need in a basic steamer. The digital display with 60-minute timer and auto shut off provides a lot of convenience. And the steaming tray, rice tray and egg holders provide versatility for cooking different foods. Higher priced models may offer more accessories like additional trays, but the EST250 has the essentials covered.

Overall, at around $50 the Elite Gourmet EST250 steamer offers tremendous value. You get excellent cooking performance, durability and features without paying a premium. For a budget-friendly steamer that doesn't compromise on quality, the EST250 is a great choice.

Pros

• Large 9L capacity makes this steamer ideal for preparing healthy meals for the whole family. You can steam vegetables, seafood, chicken, and more all at once.
• Powerful 800W heating element provides fast steam production. Food cooks quickly and evenly without losing nutrients.
• Easy-to-use digital touchpad with preset programs takes the guesswork out of steaming times. Just select your food type and let the steamer do the work.
• The included steaming tray, rice bowl, and steaming basket provide plenty of options for cooking your favorite foods. You can cook rice, veggies, fish, etc all at the same time.
• Keep Warm function holds your meal at the perfect temperature for up to 60 minutes after cooking completes. Ensures food is ready when you are.

Cons

The Elite Gourmet food steamer does have some downsides that are worth considering before purchase:

• The water reservoir is on the small side, holding only 350ml of water. This means you may need to refill it multiple times when steaming larger batches of food.

• There have been some reports of the steamer basket warping or bending out of shape with regular use over time. This could impact steaming performance.

• A few users have mentioned that the steaming time can run fast and food may be undercooked. Keeping a close eye on doneness is recommended.

• The lid does not seal tightly, so some steam may escape during operation. This could result in uneven steaming.

• While it has a 60-minute timer, it lacks preset steaming times or auto shut-off when water reservoir runs dry. Some monitoring is required.

• The base is made of plastic rather than stainless steel, making it prone to melting if left on a hot stovetop. Caution is needed.

Overall the cons are minor and the Elite Gourmet steamer still provides good value for the price point. But being aware of the shortcomings can help make an informed buying decision.

Conclusion

The Elite Gourmet EST250 food steamer is a high-quality appliance that performs very well for the price. It has an attractive stainless steel design and useful features like dual steaming trays and 60-minute timer with auto shutoff.

The performance is excellent, steaming foods quickly and evenly with minimal noise. It's easy to clean and seems durable enough for regular use. The 2L capacity can handle meals for a small family.

For the price, it's an excellent value compared to other brands. The main pros are the performance, easy cleaning, quality design, dual trays, and auto shutoff timer. Potential cons are the lid not sealing 100% tightly and the short power cord.

Overall, the Elite Gourmet EST250 is highly recommended for anyone looking for an effective and affordable food steamer. It steams vegetables, seafood, eggs and more to perfection. For home cooks that want fast, healthy steaming with useful features and excellent results, this model is a great choice in the under $50 price range.