TopWit T160A-1 Food Steamer: Full Review

The TopWit T160A-1 electric food steamer offers a healthy and flexible way to cook a variety of foods using steam. This 2-tier stackable steamer includes a number of useful features and accessories to accommodate different cooking needs.

The main components of the steamer consist of a power base which houses the 800W heating element, a 3.5qt capacity bottom bowl, and a 2.5qt capacity top bowl. Both BPA-free bowls have cool-touch handles and vented tempered glass lids.

With its digital control panel, adjustable steam times up to 60 minutes, and temperature settings, the TopWit T160A-1 provides the convenience of preset or customized steaming. The dual-tier design allows cooking two different foods simultaneously, making it handy for solo cooks or families.

Design and Appearance

The TopWit T160A-1 food steamer has an attractive and modern design perfect for any kitchen. It is made from BPA-free plastic with a stainless steel steaming plate, giving it a sleek two-tone look.

The steamer body comes in either black or white, both of which look great on countertops. It has a compact footprint, measuring just 11.5 x 10.5 x 9.5 inches, so it won't take up too much space.

It features an easy-to-read LED display on the front that shows the countdown timer. This lets you easily monitor steaming progress and know exactly when your food will be ready.

The water tank is transparent, allowing you to view the water level. The steaming tray, rice bowl, and drip tray are all made from high-quality, durable materials built to last.

Overall, the T160A-1 has an excellent modern design with premium construction. The two color options and LED display give it an attractive look perfect for any kitchen.

Steaming Performance

The TopWit T160A-1 food steamer has a 7.4 quart capacity which can steam food for 3-6 people at once. It features 600W of power with adjustable temperature settings ranging from 194°F to 212°F. You can choose different steaming times from 0-60 minutes on the easy-to-use control panel.

The TopWit steamer is able to quickly steam vegetables in just 15 minutes. Tougher root vegetables and potatoes take a little longer at around 20 minutes. Meats like chicken can be steamed in 25-30 minutes to be cooked through and moist. You can also steam fish fillets in just 8-12 minutes. Rice and grains take 15-20 minutes depending on the type and quantity. Eggs can be steamed in 8-12 minutes for easy to peel hard boiled eggs.

The adjustable temperature and time settings allow you to perfectly cook various ingredients whether you are steaming, blanching or poaching. The steaming rack and baskets ensure even circulation and distribution of steam so food is cooked evenly.

Ease of Use

The TopWit T160A-1 food steamer is designed for convenience and ease of use. The control panel is simple and intuitive, with options to program cooking times up to 60 minutes. The steamer beeps when it's finished cooking to prevent overcooking.

Assembly of the steamer is straightforward thanks to the nesting tiers that stack together. The water reservoir detaches easily for refilling, and the included rice bowl can be removed to cook other ingredients like vegetables. Cleaning is hassle-free since the steaming trays, lids, and rice bowl are all dishwasher safe.

The non-stick cooking plates make food easy to remove after steaming. The exterior simply needs to be wiped down with a damp cloth if any condensation drips occur. The cord can be wrapped around the bottom for easy storage. With its user-friendly design, the TopWit T160A-1 allows you to steam healthy meals with minimal effort.

Safety Features

The TopWit Food Steamer has several helpful safety features to prevent accidents while using the appliance.

• Auto Shutoff - The steamer has an auto shutoff function that turns the unit off after 12 minutes of steaming. This prevents the steamer from continuing to heat and steam if you forget to turn it off. It's a useful protection against overheating or boiling dry.

• Overheating Protection - There are mechanisms inside the steamer that prevent it from overheating. If the heating element gets too hot, it will automatically shut off before any damage occurs. This gives you peace of mind if you ever leave the steamer on too long by accident.

• Stable Base - The base is wide and heavy, which gives the steamer a lot of stability. It's designed not to tip over easily, even when filled with food and water. The outer housing also stays cool to the touch while steaming, so there's no risk of burns if accidentally touched.

Overall, the important auto shutoff function combined with overheating protection and a stable, tip-resistant base give the TopWit steamer ample safety for worry-free use. You can operate it securely knowing the built-in features will prevent potential accidents.

Accessories

The TopWit T160A-1 comes with a few handy accessories that enhance its functionality.

• The steamer includes two stainless steel steaming trays that stack on top of each other. This allows you to cook different foods separately at the same time. The trays have holes to let steam through and a rim to prevent food from falling into the water reservoir below.

• A pair of chopstick-style tongs are also included. You can use these to easily maneuver and retrieve the trays during and after steaming without burning your fingers. The tongs lock onto the trays securely.

• For serving convenience, a deep tray with handles is provided. After steaming is complete, you can remove the steaming trays and place them directly on the serving tray for easy transport to your dining table.

• To help get you started, the TopWit steamer comes with a recipe booklet featuring dozens of healthy steamed meal ideas. The recipes specify which tray level to use and steaming time to achieve perfect doneness.

• A measuring cup is provided to conveniently fill the water reservoir without guessing. Markings on the side indicate water levels for minimum and maximum fill amounts.

These accessories included with the TopWit T160A-1 enhance its functionality and make steaming foods easy. From separate trays to conveniently retrieve and serve food, tongs for handling hot trays safely, a recipe book, and measuring cup, the accessories provide extra value.

Pros

• The steamer is easy to use with simple one-button operation. Just fill the water tank, place food in the basket, and press the start button. It steams food quickly and evenly.

• The steamer has a large 1L water tank capacity which allows you to steam food for up to 1.5 hours continuously before needing a refill. This is great for preparing multiple batches or large quantities.

• The stainless steel basket and lid are BPA-free and removable for easy cleaning. The surfaces won't absorb odors or flavors either.

Cons

While the TopWit T160A-1 food steamer has many useful features, it does have some downsides based on customer reviews:

• Small water tank capacity - The 40oz water tank is on the smaller side, requiring frequent refills if cooking larger batches or meals. This can be inconvenient compared to models with larger tank capacities.

• Long preheat time - It can take up to 15 minutes for the steamer to fully preheat. Some customers found this slower than expected, especially if cooking multiple batches or different foods.

• Only 2 tiers - Having just 2 tiers limits how much food can be cooked at once. Other models offer 3 tiers for increased capacity. You may need to cook in multiple batches for larger families or meals.

• Lid does not self-adjust - The lid height must be manually adjusted depending on ingredients. Some users found this an extra hassle versus self-adjusting lids.

Competitors

The TopWit T160A-1 electric steamer faces competition from similar products like the Cuisinart STM-1000, Aicok Food Steamer, and Hamilton Beach Digital Steamer. Here's a brief comparison between them:

Cuisinart STM-1000

• Very similar 3-tier stackable basket design as the T160A-1
• Bit larger capacity - can hold up to 5L per basket
• Comes with rice bowl and steaming rack accessories
• Temperature settings from 190-210F
• Lower price point at around $60

Aicok Food Steamer

• 7L capacity single-tier design
• Comes with rice bowl, steam rack, and cake barrel accessories
• Simple on/off control with 30 min timer
• Affordable price under $40

Hamilton Beach Digital Steamer

• Features an LED display with digital controls
• Single-tier 3.5L capacity
• Higher price around $70
• Can steam for up to 4 hours unattended
• Delay start function

The TopWit T160A-1 offers a solid mid-range option balancing price, capacity, and features compared to competitors. Those wanting basic performance may opt for the Aicok, while the Cuisinart and Hamilton Beach provide larger capacities and more controls.

Conclusion

The TopWit T160A-1 food steamer offers a solid steaming performance for its price point. It's easy to use and has a simple, straightforward design. The inclusion of accessories like the rice bowl, stainless steel trays, and chopsticks add versatility.

The main pros of the TopWit steamer are its large 8L capacity, good steaming power, and quick preheating. It steams foods evenly and can handle a variety of ingredients from meats to veggies to rice. The 60-minute timer is sufficient for most steaming tasks.

On the downside, the water tank could be larger to avoid frequent refilling. There is no keep warm function, so foods can overcook if not promptly removed. The steaming trays feel a bit flimsy. And the exterior gets hot to the touch while in use.

Overall, the TopWit T160A-1 steamer is a reasonably priced, no-frills steamer suitable for individuals or families looking for basic steaming performance. While not perfect, it competently steams foods and offers good value at this price point. For those wanting more advanced features and higher build quality, a pricier model may be warranted. But the TopWit gets the job done for regular steaming needs.