Oster 108132.03 Food Steamer: Full Review

Food steamers provide a healthy cooking alternative by using hot steam to cook vegetables, fish, chicken and more. The steam helps retain nutrients that are often lost in other cooking methods. Oster's 108132.03 2-Tier Food Steamer is a popular model designed for steaming a variety of foods conveniently at home. This review will provide an in-depth look at the key features and performance of the Oster 2-Tier Food Steamer to help consumers determine if it is the right steamer for their needs.

Design & Appearance

The Oster 108132.03 food steamer has a classic and sleek stainless steel design that will look great in any kitchen. It has a tall, cylindrical shape with two stackable bowls that fit neatly inside the base.

The steamer is made of brushed stainless steel which gives it a modern, durable look and makes it easy to clean. The bowls themselves are made of BPA-free plastic and come in 3-quart and 5-quart sizes. They are compact enough to sit on your counter without taking up too much space.

The stainless steel base has an LED control panel with settings for steam, rice, soup, and more. The steaming tray, rice bowl, and drip tray conveniently nest inside the base for easy storage. The power cord wraps around the base to keep everything neatly contained.

Overall, the cylindrical design allows it to have a small footprint while still offering ample capacity. The stainless steel gives it a sleek look that won't clash with other small appliances on your countertop. It's an attractive option for any style of kitchen.

Features

The Oster Food Steamer has some great features that make it a versatile appliance for healthy cooking. It has a 3-tier stackable design, allowing you to cook multiple foods at once.

• The total capacity is 9.5 quarts, providing plenty of room to steam vegetables, seafood, eggs, rice and more for the whole family.

• There is an 60-minute timer with auto shut-off so you don't have to worry about overcooking your food.

• The auto shut-off safety feature turns the steamer off automatically once the timer expires.

Another excellent option for those seeking a reliable food steamer is the Bar DZG-A80A2. This model offers an 8.0-quart capacity and a sleek stainless steel design, making it both functional and stylish for your kitchen. The Bar DZG-A80A2 also features an advanced timer that can be set up to 75 minutes and includes an auto shut-off function for extra safety. Additionally, it comes with a unique water level indicator that allows you to monitor and refill as needed during cooking.

Ease of Use

The Oster 108132.03 steamer is very easy to assemble and operate. The water reservoir and steaming tray simply slide into place and lock securely with no tools required.

The control panel is straightforward with an on/off button, steam setting button, and indicator lights. There are only two steam settings - high and low. Just fill the reservoir, add food to the tray, select the steam setting, and press start. Steam will begin flowing in seconds.

Cleaning up after use is simple since the reservoir and tray are dishwasher safe. The heating element underneath can be easily wiped down. Steam may build up inside the unit between uses, so it's a good idea to occasionally wipe out excess moisture to prevent any mineral deposits from forming.

Overall, the steamer's intuitive design and lack of small parts to wash makes it one of the easiest food steamers to use on a regular basis. Both assembly and operation are seamless.

Another excellent option is the Cuisinart STM-1000, which boasts a powerful steam system and a 5-liter glass pot. It features a digital LCD control panel with preprogrammed settings for different types of food, making it incredibly user-friendly. The parts are dishwasher safe for quick cleanup, and the BPA-free materials ensure healthy cooking. For more information, visit the Cuisinart STM-1000.

Performance

The Oster 108132.03 steamer offers excellent steaming performance. The dual-tier design allows you to steam two different foods at once, perfect for making full meals. The steamer heats up quickly and reaches full steam in just minutes.

The steamer cooks food evenly and thoroughly. Vegetables come out crisp-tender, not mushy or overcooked. Meats retain moisture and tenderness. The steamer can cook a full meal in 30 minutes or less. Fish, chicken, potatoes, broccoli, carrots - everything turns out moist and flavorful.

The steaming tray ensures efficient circulation for consistent results. Foods don't end up under-cooked or uneven. You can even steam cook eggs, dumplings, tamales, and other delicate foods successfully.

The results are restaurant-quality dishes cooked right at home. This steamer delivers healthy, tasty meals without losing nutrients or flavors to excess water. The steaming process seals in the natural juices and flavors of the food.

Durability

The Oster 108132.03 steamer is built with quality materials and is designed to provide years of reliable performance if properly maintained according to the instruction manual.

The outer housing is made of brushed stainless steel, which is resistant to chips, scratches, rust, and fingerprints. The inner cooking pots are made of durable aluminum with a non-stick coating. This allows food to release easily and enables easy cleanup.

Users report very few durability issues with this steamer when used as intended for steaming foods. The most common problems stem from mineral deposits building up from tap water. This can be mitigated by cleaning regularly and using distilled water. The heating element is also reported to be quite durable with normal use.

Overall, the materials and construction quality of the Oster 108132.03 lead to a steamer that will remain functional for daily home use over an extended period of time with proper maintenance and care. Few durability complaints arise when customers follow the included instructions. This speaks well of its reliability and longevity as a kitchen appliance.

Accessories

The Oster 108132.03 steamer comes with two convenient stackable steaming baskets and a lid. This allows you to steam multiple foods at once by stacking the baskets.

Some useful accessories to consider purchasing separately:

• Additional stacking baskets - Having more baskets allows you to cook larger varieties and quantities of food. Oster sells 2-tier and 3-tier baskets as accessories.

• Steaming racks - Racks help separate foods within the baskets and optimize steam circulation. Stainless steel racks designed for the Oster steamer can be purchased.

• Rice bowl - A rice bowl insert designed to fit in the steamer baskets allows perfect rice cooking.

• Steamer liners - Reusable or disposable liners can help with cleanup and prevent foods from sticking to the baskets.

• Recipe booklet - Oster offers a recipe booklet specifically for the 108132 steamer with tips, techniques, and recipe ideas.

Purchasing extra stacking baskets and accessories like racks and liners can further maximize the usefulness of the 2-tier Oster steamer. The accessories help accommodate larger meals and different foods.

Portability

The Oster 108132.03 food steamer is relatively lightweight and compact, making it easy to store and transport for use in different locations.

The base unit weighs about 5 pounds and measures approximately 11 x 11 x 9 inches. The two stacking steamer trays add minimal weight and bulk. The feet on the bottom allow you to pick up and carry the entire unit with ease.

When disassembled, the components nest together in a compact stack that can be tucked away neatly in most kitchen cabinets or cupboards. The trays and lid stack and store directly on top of the base unit.

If you need to transport the food steamer, it won't take up much room. You can easily fit it in the backseat or trunk of a car to bring to potlucks, family gatherings, or anywhere you need a countertop cooking appliance. The rectangular shape and solid construction ensure the pieces stay stacked securely while in transit without any rattling around.

Overall, the size, shape, weight, and design of this Oster food steamer make it highly convenient for storage and transport. You'll have no trouble finding space for it in your kitchen or taking it anywhere you need freshly steamed food on demand.

Warranty

The Oster 108132.03 food steamer comes with a 1-year limited warranty. This covers defects in materials and workmanship under normal use. To receive service under the warranty, you need to contact the warranty service department directly - either through email or by phone.

The warranty has some limitations. It does not cover damages from misuse, abuse or alterations made by the owner. It also does not cover normal wear and tear. Additionally, the warranty is only valid if the product was purchased from an authorized retailer. Proof of purchase is required to make a claim, so be sure to keep your receipt.

The warranty only applies to the original purchaser and is not transferable. Refurbished models also do not come with a warranty.

Overall, the 1-year limited warranty provides decent coverage for defects, though it does exclude any damage caused by the owner. As long as you use the steamer properly and care for it, you should be covered in case of malfunction during the first year.

Summary

The Oster 108132.03 food steamer offers a convenient way to cook healthy meals. Here is an overview of the pros and cons:

Pros

• Large capacity holds multiple dishes
• Stackable trays allow for steaming different foods
• 60-minute timer with auto shut-off for safety
• BPA-free plastic housing is dishwasher safe
• Compact size saves counter space

Cons

• Lid can be tricky to align properly
• No keep warm function
• Steam basket size may be limiting for larger quantities
• Housing can get hot during steaming

Overall, this Oster food steamer provides an affordable and straightforward option for healthy steaming. The generous capacity and handy timer make it easy to cook full meals. Just be mindful of properly aligning the lid to ensure steam circulates properly. This is a great budget pick for steaming veggies, seafood, rice and more. Customers report solid performance for the price. For those seeking more premium features like keep warm or delayed start, a higher priced steamer may be preferable. But the Oster 108132.03 hits all the basics and makes healthy steamed meals achievable for most households.