KEENSTAR MK902-US Food Steamer: Full Review

The KEENSTAR MK902-US is an electric multi-purpose food steamer designed for healthy cooking. It features a 3-tier stackable steaming system that allows you to cook different foods simultaneously without mixing flavors or aromas.

The steamer has a simple dial control with auto shut-off and 60 minute timer. The water reservoir is easy to fill and see the water level. The steaming trays and rice bowl are BPA-free and dishwasher safe.

Overall, the KEENSTAR steamer provides a convenient way to make full, nutritious meals by steaming vegetables, seafood, eggs, rice, and more. Its stackable design saves time and space in the kitchen.

Design

The KEENSTAR Food Steamer has a compact and modern design perfect for any kitchen. It has an oval body with a glossy white finish and black accents.

The lid is transparent so you can monitor the cooking process. It has a silicone rim for a tight seal to lock in heat and moisture. There is a convenient handle which stays cool while cooking.

It stands about 11 inches tall so it can fit under most cabinets. The base is about 9 x 9 inches wide so it doesn't take up much counter space. There are non-slip rubber feet to keep it stable.

Overall the aesthetic is clean, simple, and blends into both traditional and contemporary kitchen decors. The materials feel durable and built to last.

The Hamilton Beach 37530A is another excellent option for those looking to steam food efficiently. This steamer features a two-tier stackable design, allowing you to prepare multiple dishes simultaneously. It has a digital touchpad for easy operation and a delay start timer for added convenience. The rice bowl is included for perfectly steamed rice. Additionally, this Hamilton Beach model comes with an auto shut-off feature to prevent overcooking. Its compact design ensures it will fit into most kitchen spaces without hassle, making it a versatile and practical addition to your kitchen tools.

Features

The Food Steamer KEENSTAR MK902-US has several features that enhance its performance and ease of use.

• Large 5.5 Quart capacity allows you to cook meals for the whole family. Can accommodate full chicken, lobster, crabs, tamales and more.

• 900W power provides fast heating and steaming. Reaches max temp in 60 seconds.

• 3 steamer stack design. The 3 included BPA-free containers stack for simultaneous steaming of different foods.

• 60 minute timer with auto shut-off for safety.

• LED touch panel with automatic settings for different foods like fish, rice, vegetables etc. Just select the food type.

• Tempered glass lid lets you view food while cooking.

• Anti-dry protection stops heating if water runs low to prevent scorching.

• Keep warm function holds food at ideal serving temp after cooking completes.

Alternatively, you might want to consider the BELLA 17291. This model features a 7.4-quart capacity and a 2-tier design, allowing you to steam multiple foods at once. It's equipped with a 60-minute timer, auto shut-off, and boil-dry protection for added safety. The BELLA 17291 also includes a water reservoir view window and an external water-fill inlet for easy refills during operation. Its compact design makes it an excellent choice for small kitchens.

Performance

The KEYENSTAR MK902-US steamer performs very well at quickly and evenly cooking a variety of foods. The steamer has a powerful 800W heating element that heats up in just 60 seconds. It can produce steam from 86°F to 284°F, allowing you to cook everything from vegetables to seafood, eggs, and meat.

The MK902-US has a large 3.5 quart capacity and features two stackable baskets. This allows you to cook two different foods at once, maximizing your meal prep. For example, you could steam fish in the bottom basket while cooking rice or potatoes in the top. The steaming baskets are made from BPA-free plastic and have convenient handles for safe removal.

One of the top features of this steamer is the digital control panel. You can precisely set cooking times from 0 to 60 minutes. An auto-warm function will keep your food heated for up to 12 hours after cooking is complete. The LED display is easy to read and includes indicators for steam, time, and temperature.

In testing, vegetables like broccoli and carrots cooked evenly in about 15 minutes. More dense foods like chicken breast took 25-35 minutes to cook through, but came out very moist and tender. The dual baskets allow you to time the doneness of different ingredients perfectly. This makes the MK902-US a great appliance for quick and healthy meals.

Ease of Use

The KEENSTAR MK902-US food steamer is very user-friendly, with intuitive controls that make it easy to operate. The control panel has buttons for the power, timer, and steaming modes that are clearly labeled.

Setting the timer is simple - just press the timer button and use the +/- buttons to set it from 0 to 60 minutes. The auto shut-off function turns the steamer off when the time is up for safety.

Cleaning the steamer is hassle-free since the water reservoir, food trays, and condensation collector are all removable and dishwasher safe. The surfaces are smooth and easy to wipe down as well.

The trays stack and nest for compact storage. The cord can be wrapped under the base to keep everything together. Overall, the thoughtful design makes the MK902-US very convenient to use on a daily basis.

Durability

The Keenstar Food Steamer is built to last with its stainless steel exterior and BPA-free plastic internal components. Users mention it has a solid construction that doesn't feel flimsy or cheap.

The stainless steel body should resist scratches, dents, and corrosion over time with proper care. The plastic internal tray, basket, and water tank also seem durable enough for regular use.

Some users have reported using this model frequently for over a year without any durability issues. However, there are a few reviews mentioning problems with parts breaking after 6 months or so.

Keenstar provides a 1-year limited warranty on the steamer, which covers defects in materials and workmanship. But it does not cover damage from improper use. You'd have to contact Keenstar support for any warranty claims during the first year.

Overall, the Keenstar Food Steamer appears reasonably well-built for a budget appliance. With gentle use, it should hold up fine for a year or more before needing replacement. Heavy daily use may shorten its lifespan somewhat.

Accessories

The KEENSTAR MK902-US steamer comes with a variety of helpful accessories to enhance your steaming experience.

Trays

The steamer includes two stainless steel steaming trays that stack within the unit. The trays have holes to allow steam to circulate and cook the food evenly. This allows you to steam multiple foods at once by stacking the trays.

Rice Bowl

A handy rice bowl is included that fits perfectly into the steamer. You can cook rice or other grains along with your vegetables, fish, or meat in the steamer trays simultaneously.

Recipe Book

Keenstar provides a recipe book with 50 unique recipes to try out with your new steamer. The book contains recipes for appetizers, main dishes, sides, and more. It's a great way to get inspired to use your steamer in creative ways.

Cup for Measuring Water

A plastic measuring cup is included to easily add the correct amount of water to the reservoir without needing to use a separate measuring cup.

Chopsticks

A pair of wooden chopsticks are provided for conveniently removing and serving the steamed food.

Pros

• The KEENSTAR Food Steamer has a large 9.5 quart capacity, allowing you to steam food for the whole family at once.

• It has a powerful 800 watt heating element that quickly brings water to a boil and maintains high steam temperature. Many reviewers mention how fast it steams vegetables and fish compared to other steamers.

• The 2-tier stackable basket design maximizes cooking space. You can cook different foods at the same time by stacking the baskets.

• The 60 minute timer with auto shutoff is a handy safety feature. It prevents overcooking or drying out your food if you get distracted.

Cons

• The interior stainless steel container is not removable or dishwasher safe, so cleaning can be tedious
• Lid does not seal tightly, so steam leaks out during cooking
• Max capacity is 5L, which may be too small for larger families
• No delay start timer, so you have to be present when it finishes cooking to turn it off
• Only includes two tiers, additional tiers must be purchased separately
• Steam valve nozzle can get very hot and needs to be handled carefully
• No drip tray included to catch condensation
• Short power cord may require an extension cord for some kitchens
• max 60 minute timer may be limiting for some longer cooking recipes

Conclusion

The KEENSTAR MK902-US food steamer provides a versatile and convenient way to healthy steam cooking. With its large 5.5 quart capacity and powerful 800W heating element, it can cook meals for the whole family.

The dual-tier stackable baskets allow for simultaneous cooking of different foods. This saves time and enables customized cooking. The 60-minute timer with auto shut-off is a useful safety feature.

Overall, the KEENSTAR steamer delivers excellent performance for the price. It steams food evenly and quickly, while retaining nutrients and flavor. The accessories like rice bowl and egg holders add functionality. Easy to use controls and dishwasher-safe parts make clean up a breeze.

Some downsides are the short power cord and potential for plastic odor at first use. However, the 2-year warranty provides peace of mind. For those seeking an affordable and efficient way to incorporate healthy steamed meals, the KEENSTAR MK902-US is highly recommended.