The Best Food Steamers of 2024

Buyer’s Guide: Food Steamers

Steamers serve multiple uses, but depending on the type of kitchen and stove you have you’ll need a specific type of steamer. Narrowing in on the features that matter most to you will save you time and money. Let’s take a look at the most important factors to consider when buying a food steamer and make sure you purchase your perfect product.

Types of Food Steamers

The type of steamer you choose hugely impacts what foods you cook and how you cook them. It also determines how the steamer will fit into your kitchen and lifestyle. Here are the most common steamers to choose from:

Electric steamer

Electric steamers are usually more advanced and feature many compartments, trays, or baskets for steaming food. They plug into the wall and usually offer a variety of different cook settings and controls. These steamers are a great multi-purpose cooking option and they free up space on the stovetop.

Stovetop steamer

Stovetops steamers feature a lower pot with an upper pot, which is removable and functions as a tray or basket. Together, the bottom of the steamer pot and upper steaming pot are then placed on top of the stove. The heat from the flame or induction boils the water in the lower pot and turns it into steam, which steams the food in the upper pot/basket. Keep in mind that stovetop steamers are different from stovetop pressure cookers.

Steaming basket

Steaming baskets fit inside any pot or pan. Add water to the bottom of the pan and place a lid on top and you’ve got a steamer. These meshy baskets cradle the vegetables or food while the basket legs raise the food up out of the boiling water beneath. Steam baskets are great for converting any cooking pot or pan quickly into a steamer and they take up minimal space.

Bamboo steamer

Bamboo steamers are circular bamboo boxes that are usually placed inside pots with boiling water and steam. The bamboo allows the steam to enter the steaming chamber and cook the food while keeping the food moist and warmer for longer.

Choosing the Right-Sized Food Steamer

A steamer’s size impacts how much food can be prepared at once. Usually, electric and stove-top steamers come in 3-quart and 6-quart capacities. If you’re looking for a smaller steamer, some can be as small as 2-quarts.

Both bamboo steamers and steaming baskets can accommodate at least one cup of food, such as vegetables or dumplings, at once.

Choosing the best sized steamer for you depends on the size of your kitchen and the amount of food you prepare on a daily basis. Large steamers are best for bigger families that have spacious kitchens, while smaller ones are great for a compact space like an apartment or student dorm.

Electric or stovetop?

It’s important to consider what type of heat source or power makes the most sense for you, your home, and your kitchen when choosing what type of steamer to buy. If you live in a home with a large stovetop or in a place where gas is significantly cheaper than electricity, then we recommend going with a steamer that works on the stovetop, such as a traditional steamer or steamer basket. Alternatively, if you don’t have a stove and electricity is ample, electric steamers are a great choice. Lastly, keep in mind that some stovetop steamers may work on an open flame, such as a gas stove, but they might not work on an electric induction top stove.

Safety of Food Steamers

Most food steamers are quite safe and work similarly to a pot on a stovetop. However, some high-tech steamers function more like pressure steamers and pressure cookers can be potentially dangerous when not used correctly or with caution. If you want a safe, easy-to-use steamer, we recommend choosing a standard, conventional stovetop steamer or steaming basket. Ultimately, when purchasing a steamer, you should prioritize your safety and comfort level with whichever model you choose.

Storage Requirements for a Food Steamer

The storage requirements of a steamer play an important role when you consider your kitchen space. Electric steamers can be difficult to store as they tend to be large, bulky, and sometimes awkwardly shaped; they often take up valuable counter or table space.

Alternately, stovetop steamers are usually smaller than traditional cooking pots and pressure cookers. They are easy to store as the lids come off and, in most cases, they compartmentalize well. If you’re looking for a steamer that stores well and takes up the least amount of space, bamboo steamers, and steaming baskets are our top pick.

Compartments of a Food Steamer

Steamed meals can be tricky since different foods have different cooking times. For example, potatoes can take longer to cook than carrots or peas; however, vegetables in general often take much less cooking time than meat. If you plan to cook a variety of foods at once in your steamer, having a steamer with separate compartments is essential.

Electric steamers have the greatest option for compartmentalization; they often come with several trays, cooking molds, and steaming boxes allowing you to divide food based on type and cook time within the steamer. The foods that take the longest to cook take the bottom tray while those that cook quickly can take the upper tray.

Stovetop steamers can steam vegetables in an upper tray while cooking grains, such as rice, in the lower pot. So your veggies can steam while your rice boils, making it easy to cook two elements of your dinner at once. Plus, some stovetop steamers feature more than one steaming tray adding to their functionality. On the flip side, bamboo steamers and steaming baskets have little to no room for compartmentalizing food.

The Water Gauge

Water is essential for steaming food and it’s important to have just the right water levels throughout the steaming process. Because of this, many steamers have a water gauge so chefs can check water levels and add more water throughout the cooking process if needed. If you’re using a bamboo steamer or a steaming basket in a pot, try to use a pot with a transparent lid so that you can monitor the water levels as your food cooks.