TopWit T160B-1 Food Steamer: Full Review

The TopWit T160B-1 is an electric food steamer designed for healthy cooking. This multi-tiered steamer allows you to cook multiple foods simultaneously by steaming them using hot vapor.

The TopWit T160B-1 features a transparent lid and 3 stackable BPA-free containers to separate different foods. It's powered by 800W and has 60-minute timer with auto shut-off for safety. The steamer includes a rice bowl and steaming rack for versatility.

With its sleek and compact design, the TopWit T160B-1 can steam vegetables, seafood, eggs, rice, dim sum, and more. It's an easy way to cook healthy meals quickly by harnessing the power of steam to preserve nutrients and flavors. This review will cover the key features, performance, and pros and cons of the TopWit T160B-1 food steamer.

Design and Build Quality

The TopWit T160B-1 steamer has a sleek and modern design that will look great on any countertop. It is made of stainless steel with plastic accents, giving it a nice polish and shine.

In terms of size, the T160B-1 is quite compact with dimensions of 11.4 x 11.4 x 9.8 inches. It has a 1.7 liter water tank capacity, making it well-suited for steaming food for 1-2 people. The total weight of the steamer is just 4.19 lbs, so it's easy to move around and store away when not in use.

This model comes in either black or white housing, both of which have a clean, minimalist aesthetic. The all-black version looks especially modern and blends seamlessly into any kitchen decor.

The materials used in the construction are BPA-free and food-grade, ensuring safety. The stainless steel exterior is fingerprint resistant to maintain a pristine appearance after repeated use. Overall, the T160B-1 has a smart, contemporary design built with quality materials.

Features

The TopWit T160B-1 electric steamer has several useful features that make it a versatile appliance for healthy cooking.

Capacity

This steamer has a 1.6 liter water tank capacity and two stackable steaming baskets. The baskets provide enough room to steam vegetables, seafood, eggs, and more for 1-6 people. The dual basket system allows you to cook two different foods at once by adjusting steaming times.

Temperature Range

The steamer has a wide temperature range from 100°F to 284°F (40°C to 140°C). This allows you to precisely control the steaming temperature based on the type of food you are cooking. Delicate foods like fish can be steamed at lower temperatures, while heartier foods like chicken can use higher heat.

Modes

There are 3 timed cooking modes - low, medium, and high. Each corresponds to a different temperature setting. Low keeps food warm, medium is for gentle steaming, and high is faster steaming. There is also a pulse steam function to boost steam as needed.

Timer

The built-in 60 minute timer can be set in 1 minute increments up to 60 minutes. This allows you to walk away while food cooks without worrying about over or under-steaming. An audible alert sounds when the timed cooking is complete.

Ease of Use

• Setting up the TopWit T160B-1 steamer is simple and straightforward. It comes with an instruction manual that provides clear directions for assembly. The legs attach to the base with just a few screws and it clicks into place easily.

• The control panel has an intuitive design with a power button, mode selector, time controller, and start/stop buttons. The buttons are responsive and easy to press. The time can be set from 0-60 minutes which is convenient for timing different foods.

• Operating the steamer is as simple as adding water, choosing steam or slow cook mode, setting the time, and pressing start. The auto shut off kicks in once time elapses so there's no risk of burning food if you forget to stop it.

• Cleaning the TopWit steamer is hassle-free since the cooking pot and lid are dishwasher safe. The cooking pot also has a non-stick coating which prevents food from sticking and makes washing by hand easy. After use, a quick wipe down keeps the heating element and exterior looking tidy.

Performance

The TopWit T160B-1 food steamer delivers excellent performance for quickly steaming a variety of foods. Its 800W heating element and stainless steel steamer generate steam rapidly, reaching full temperature in just 2-3 minutes.

Once it's ready, the steamer evenly heats and cooks foods placed in the BPA-free basket. I found it effectively steams vegetables, seafood, eggs, rice, and more to the perfect doneness without drying out. The results are moist, tender foods that retain nutrients and flavor.

The 2-tier stackable baskets allow you to cook different ingredients at once. For example, you can steam fish in one basket and vegetables in the other. The baskets provide ample room for steaming food for 3-4 people.

One downside is the water tank capacity. It only holds around 28 oz, enough for 15-20 minutes of steaming. For longer cook times, you'll need to refill the tank. But overall, the powerful steamer delivers excellent performance for quick, healthy meals.

Safety

The TopWit T160B-1 steamer has several important safety features.

• It has an auto shut off function that turns the steamer off after 30 minutes. This prevents overheating and potential fire hazards if the steamer is left on.

• The housing and steam tray are made from BPA-free plastic. BPA is a chemical that can leach into foods, so BPA-free materials are safer.

• The steamer meets ETL certification for safety and quality. ETL is a nationally recognized testing laboratory that checks for compliance with US and Canadian safety standards. This gives assurance that the product has passed rigorous safety tests.

• All parts that contact food are BPA-free and food-grade stainless steel. This ensures no harmful chemicals leach into foods during steaming.

• There are no exposed heating elements. The heating coil is sealed for safety.

• The base has non-slip rubber feet to prevent sliding.

Overall, the multiple auto shut offs, BPA-free materials, ETL certification, and sealed heating elements give confidence in the safety of the TopWit steamer. It appears well-made to avoid common safety hazards.

Durability

The TopWit T160B-1 steamer is designed to be durable for regular use. The outer housing is made from BPA-free plastic that withstands heat well without warping or cracking.

Based on reviews, the TopWit steamer holds up nicely even after a year or more of frequent use. Customers mention the steamer still looks and performs like new, with no signs of wear on the plastic or interior.

The heating element seems robust, providing consistent steam production over time. Some users mention using the steamer multiple times per week for over a year with no decrease in performance.

The lid fits snugly and seals tightly even after repeated use, maintaining good heat and steam circulation inside. Overall, reviews indicate the materials and construction allow the TopWit steamer to remain in excellent condition under regular use.

Accessories

The TopWit T160B-1 comes with all the accessories you need to get started steaming and cooking right out of the box.

Included Accessories

• 3x stainless steel steam baskets for steaming vegetables, fish, meat and more. The baskets allow you to cook multiple ingredients at once by stacking.

• 1x rice bowl for cooking rice, oatmeal and other grains. The bowl has convenient markings for measuring water levels.

• A pair of chopsticks and serving spoons for easily removing and serving food from the baskets.

• A drip tray that collects excess water.

• A silicone mitt for safe handling of the hot steamer baskets and covers.

Additional Purchases

The included accessories provide everything you need for basic steaming and cooking. However, TopWit does sell some optional accessories separately:

• Additional steam baskets if you want to cook large batches of food.

• A steaming rack for steaming eggs.

• Silicone accessories like steaming cups and pans for customized steaming.

The TopWit T160B-1 comes ready to use out of the box, but extra accessories allow you to expand your cooking capabilities.

Warranty

The TopWit T160B-1 food steamer comes with a 1 year limited warranty. This covers defects in materials and workmanship under normal household use for 1 year from the date of purchase.

The warranty does not cover damage from misuse, abuse, neglect, modifications or alterations to the product. It also does not cover normal wear and tear or cosmetic issues that do not affect functionality.

Some limitations of the warranty include:

• It is only valid with proof of purchase from an authorized retailer. Without receipt, the warranty period will begin on the date of manufacture based on serial number.

• The warranty only applies to the original purchaser and is non-transferable.

• Repair costs, labor charges and shipping costs associated with warranty claims are not covered. The customer is responsible for all shipping charges.

• The warranty only covers failures due to defects in materials and workmanship. Problems caused by improper use, accidents, unauthorized service or other exclusions are not covered.

So in summary, the 1 year limited warranty provides protection against defects for the first year of ownership. But damages from anything other than defective materials or workmanship will not be covered. Customers must pay for shipping the unit to TopWit for repair. And the warranty only applies to the original purchaser with proof of purchase.

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Large 16qt capacity provides plenty of space to cook for the whole family
• 9 preset cooking programs remove guesswork and deliver perfect results every time
• 60 minute timer allows thorough steaming of denser ingredients like meat and potatoes
• Keep Warm function holds finished dishes at serving temperature for up to 12 hours
• Stackable baskets enable cooking multiple foods separately
• BPA-free construction ensures no plastic chemicals leach into food
• Automatic shutoff provides added safety and peace of mind

Cons

• Exterior gets very hot during cooking – must use caution
• Water reservoir challenging to fill without spilling
• Max fill line inside tank hard to see
• Lack of digital interface makes programming timing more difficult
• Racks and baskets prone to staining and discoloration over time
• No included recipes or guidelines for cooking times