MANO S28 Food Steamer: Full Review

The MANO S28 is a stainless steel food steamer designed for healthy steaming and cooking. MANO is a reputable brand known for manufacturing high-quality kitchen appliances and cookware.

The S28 model is a 3-tier stackable steamer that provides ample space to cook veggies, seafood, eggs and more for the whole family. It features a sleek and modern stainless steel design that looks great on any countertop. The steamer comes with a rice bowl, steam rack, and egg holders to accommodate different ingredients.

With its 800W power and adjustable timer, the S28 aims to provide efficient steaming while preserving nutrients in food. The steaming tray is made of food-grade 304 stainless steel for durability. Read on to learn more about the features and performance of this versatile kitchen appliance.

Appearance and Design

The MANO S28 steamer has a durable stainless steel construction and sleek, rounded design. It has a large 8.6 quart capacity, making it suitable for cooking for families or groups. The steamer is available in a brushed stainless steel exterior which gives it a modern, minimalist look that would fit in most kitchens.

The main body of the steamer is made from 18/10 stainless steel which is rust resistant. The pan/drip tray under the steamer basket is also stainless steel. The handles on the lid and steamer basket have a comfortable plastic covering.

At 12.2 x 10.2 x 9.8 inches, the MANO S28 has a wide, oval-shaped design providing ample space for steaming vegetables, seafood, eggs and more. Its relatively compact footprint doesn't take up too much counterspace but can hold a good amount of food. The stainless steel body is fingerprint resistant to help keep it looking cleaner.

Overall, the MANO S28 has an attractive stainless steel design and generous 8.6 quart capacity perfect for steaming meals for the whole family. The rounded shape and brushed finish help it blend seamlessly into most kitchen decors.

In addition to the MANO S28, another excellent option is the VEVOR HY-4401. This steamer boasts a robust design and advanced features, making it ideal for diverse cooking needs. With a focus on performance, the VEVOR HY-4401 ensures efficient steaming while maintaining the nutrients and flavor of your ingredients. Its user-friendly controls and spacious capacity make it a great addition to any kitchen.

Features

The MANO S28 food steamer has several notable features that make it stand out.

• Number of tiers: The S28 has 3 tiers, allowing you to cook 3 different foods at once. The tiers stack on top of each other, with each tier having its own dedicated steamer basket. This is useful for cooking a complete meal.

• Capacity: Each steamer basket has a 5.5 qt capacity, giving you 16.5 qt total capacity. This allows you to steam large batches of food. The baskets are large enough to fit a whole chicken or large pieces of meat and fish.

• Digital controls: There is an LED touchscreen that allows you to precisely control the steaming time and temperature. You can set times from 0-60 minutes for each tier independently. The temperature goes up to 212°F. This gives you a lot of flexibility and control over your cooking.

• Delay cooking: You can delay the start of cooking up to 24 hours in advance. This allows you to prep ingredients the night before and have the steamer start cooking automatically at the desired time the next day.

• Keep warm function: At the end of the steaming time, the S28 automatically switches to a keep warm mode for up to 2 hours. This prevents your food from overcooking if you aren't ready to eat yet.

Another great option is the AROMA AFS-188, which offers a versatile steaming solution with a compact design. This model features a 5-quart capacity and a two-tier system, making it great for smaller kitchens. It also boasts a straightforward control panel and a quick steam function, designed to expedite the cooking process. With its lightweight design, it’s easy to store and perfect for quick meals, allowing you to prepare delicious steamed dishes in no time.

Ease of Use

The MANO S28 steamer is designed to be very easy to use and maintain.

Assembly

Assembly is quick and simple. The steamer features a 3-tier stackable design that securely locks into place with twist locks on the lid. The tiers can be stacked in different configurations to accommodate different foods. The water reservoir attaches easily to the base. Overall, it takes just a few minutes to put together.

Cleaning

The entire steamer disassembles for easy cleaning. The plastic components are dishwasher safe. The stainless steel pots can be hand washed. There are no small crevices or holes to trap food, so clean-up is straightforward. The non-stick steaming trays allow food to slide right off after cooking.

Storage

The stackable design allows the steamer to be stored efficiently. The tiers nest inside each other for compact storage. The cord wraps around the base. The components are also lightweight and easy to lift or move around.

Cooking Performance

The MANO S28 steamer cooks food quickly and evenly thanks to its circular steaming tray design that allows steam to circulate all around the food. The steam circulates upwards through the holes in the tray, enveloping food from all sides.

The temperature reaches 212°F to quickly bring water to a boil and produce steam. Food cooks in a shorter time than conventional steaming methods. You can easily adjust timing since the see-through lid allows monitoring without releasing steam and heat.

Vegetables come out crisp-tender without being overcooked or mushy. Meats retain moisture and don't dry out. The steaming process preserves nutrients better than other cooking methods.

You can cook a complete meal with different foods simultaneously. The stacked trays let you separate food types and customize timing. Delicate foods on the top tray finish sooner than heartier foods on the bottom.

Accessories

The MANO S28 food steamer comes with several handy accessories that make it more versatile for cooking different foods. It includes two stainless steel racks that allow you to stack ingredients and optimize space when steaming larger batches.

There is also a stainless steel basket that fits onto the racks perfectly and provides an enclosed space for steaming small or loose items like vegetables, seafood, dim sum, etc. The basket has small perforations to allow steam circulation while keeping food contained.

For steaming meats, fish, or larger pieces of food, the unit includes a drip tray that catches any excess liquids and oils. This keeps the base and heating element clean during the steaming process.

To safely remove hot food after steaming, a pair of stainless steel tongs are included. The tongs have silicone tips to prevent scratching or damaging cookware surfaces.

Overall, the inclusion of multi-level racks, a steaming basket, drip tray, and tongs make this steamer very versatile for handling different ingredients and recipes. The accessories are made from durable stainless steel and designed to distribute steam evenly for consistent results.

Durability

The MANO S28 food steamer is made from high quality stainless steel that is rust resistant and durable for daily use. The inner cooking pots are also stainless steel with an aluminum encapsulated base that distributes heat evenly.

Reviewers on Amazon have used this steamer for over a year with no issues of rusting, staining, or the material breaking down. The stainless steel appears to hold up well to repeated use and cleaning without any scratches or dents forming.

MANO provides a 1 year warranty on the product which covers defects and malfunctions. While most customers haven't needed to use the warranty, it provides peace of mind that the company will replace or repair the unit if any issues come up within the first year.

Based on online consumer reviews, the MANO S28 has proven to be a durable and long-lasting food steamer capable of upstanding daily use for over a year. The stainless steel design prevents rusting and staining even with repeated cooking and cleaning cycles.

Safety Features

The MANO S28 steamer has several important safety features that make it ideal for home use.

First, it has an auto shut off function that turns the steamer off automatically after a certain period of time. This prevents the steamer from continuing to heat and steam endlessly if it is accidentally left on. The auto shut off provides peace of mind and prevents potential safety hazards.

Second, the MANO S28 has cool touch handles on the steamer baskets and lid. The handles remain cool to the touch even during the steaming process. This is an essential safety feature to prevent potential burns. Users can safely remove the lid or lift the steaming baskets out of the base unit without having to worry about burning their hands on hot metal. The insulated handles give an added layer of protection and safety.

Overall, the auto shut off and cool touch handles show that safety was a priority in the design of the MANO S28. Both features help prevent accidents and make the steamer safe for unattended steaming. These safety precautions make the MANO S28 well-suited for home kitchen use.

Price

The MANO S28 food steamer has a very reasonable price point compared to similar models from other brands. It is priced comparably to other 3-tier stackable steamers in the $30-50 USD range. This positions it as a mid-range model - more affordable than some high-end brands, but with more features than the most budget steamer options.

When looking at steamers of a similar capacity and with features like timer and delayed start functions, the MANO S28 is very competitively priced. More expensive models from leading kitchen brands often cost $70-100 for comparable functionality. The MANO offers great value, delivering robust cooking performance and handy extra features while remaining easy on the wallet.

For shoppers looking for an affordable steamer from a lesser known brand, the S28 hits a sweet spot. It costs significantly less than the top models from famous brands, but lacks none of the core functionality. Its price-to-performance ratio is excellent. Overall, the MANO steamer represents a great balance of useful features and reasonable cost that make it accessible for most households.

Pros and Cons

• Pros:

  • Large 8.5 Quart capacity
  • Stainless steel construction is easy to clean and durable
  • Stackable design saves space
  • Comes with 2 steaming baskets and a rice bowl for versatile cooking
  • 60 minute timer with auto shut off for safety
  • Easy touch button controls
  • Affordable price under $50

• Cons:

  • Steam vents on lid instead of side of pot, which directs steam upwards
  • Water reservoir can be tricky to fill
  • Rice bowl not nonstick
  • No temperature or pressure controls
  • Basic manual design lacking some convenience features of pricier models
  • Short 1 year warranty

Overall, the MANO S28 electric steamer is a reasonably priced model that provides good capacity and accessories for steaming vegetables, seafood, eggs, rice and more. The stainless steel design is sturdy but may lack some ease of use and precision of more expensive steamers. For those seeking basic steaming performance on a budget, it's a decent option, but lacks some of the versatility, settings and warranties of higher-end models.