How to choose a steamer for your home

Only with a couple is it possible in the shortest possible time to cook food that will be healthy and tasty. You will not need oil or a lot of water, which takes valuable elements from the products during cooking that are not destroyed during the heat treatment. A good steamer is used for this purpose. To know how to choose a steamer, you need to read these recommendations.

The principle of operation and the device of the steamer

The question often arises as to which steamer is better to choose. The current steamer is not just a pan with a grid, but a full-fledged electric appliance with good functionality that fully controls food preparation. However, its construction is quite simple.

The main components here will be:

• case with containers for food and a lid;
• container for liquid;
• Heating element;
• control unit - in electric models, it is supplemented with an external monitor;
• drip tray for collecting juice and accumulating condensation (in some cases absent).

To prepare the product for work, it is required to mount a moisture collector, trays with products on the case and close them with a lid. Then you will need to pour the liquid inside the boiler and select the cooking mode.

The integrated heating element immediately heats the liquid in the container, and the hot steam rises through the special openings to the food. Such heat treatment will make it possible to cook food in the shortest possible time - without the use of fat and with the preservation of the greatest amount of useful elements.

Which steamer to choose

When the user has decided to buy a steamer, one should decide on the parameters that the device in question should have so that it is comfortable to use:

• For many families who appreciate variety in the menu, an ordinary model with 2-3 large baskets and auxiliary bowls for cereals and cooking large portions of meat and fish is enough. It is optimal to purchase a product with electrical control, but when there is a desire to save money, it is possible to do with mechanics. It is necessary to select products with a capacity of about 1 kW and without fail with a deep pan in order to collect the juice.
• Those making the full switch to a healthy diet should have a more functional and roomy integrated device with at least 1800 watts. Of course, such products can only be purchased on condition that there is enough space in the kitchen to install another dimensional device.
• Young mothers and those who eat alone diet food will be helped by a steamer-blender with a capacity of 400-600 watts. It is optimal to find a product with a bowl volume of at least 1 liter. The option to keep food warm and an auxiliary basket for cooking cereals will also not be superfluous.

The best steamer manufacturers - which company to choose

Often the question arises of how to choose a steamer for your home. Small household appliances are mainly chosen according to the recommendations of sellers or focusing on popular names.The latter option is optimal, however, when the buyer has not found “his” manufacturer, it is recommended to limit the search to a list of the highest quality developers according to the characteristics of other consumers:

• Tefal;
• Moulinex;
• Braun;
• Kenwood.

Steamers from Vitek and Delta are also high quality products available.

The devices of such brands are in high demand. They are distinguished by functionality and variety of style.

In the list of popular manufacturers, you can find steamers for any amount. However, when a device is required that meets any requirement, the general guidelines should be consulted.

Steamer selection options

Regardless of which steamer is chosen, it must be remembered that only soft water should be poured into the device. When using tap water, it is optimal to run it through a filter. Hard water contains dissolved calcium and magnesium salts, which turn into steam during boiling and settle on the wall of the device during condensation.

The body of the fixture is sometimes covered with limescale, which is removed from time to time. It is optimal to do this by pouring a vinegar solution into the product and turning the steam cooker into operation. Expensive devices have an option to remind you to clean the walls of the product. There are products where an electronic monitor will display data on the number of cooking cycles before cleaning the device. In addition, products are available for purchase that dry themselves at the end of all cooking cycles of the dish wall of the device.

Power

This parameter will determine how quickly the device enters the operating mode. The rest depends on the characteristics of the products that are in the baskets.

Experts recommend purchasing devices with a capacity of 800-1000 watts - this is enough to make the food ready after 20 minutes. It is possible to take a more powerful device, however, even a 2-fold increase in the parameters of the heating element will give a temporary gain of only 5 minutes, and much more electrical energy will be consumed.

In addition, the capacity must be related to the capacity of the liquid container. The more water needs to be heated and evaporated in a short period, the more electricity is consumed by the device.

Control type

In modern steamers, it is possible to distinguish 2 main types of control: mechanical and electronic.

Mechanical products are suitable for people of mature age and for those who, in principle, do not want to “bother” with technology. To exercise control, ordinary rotary controls are used here, which make it possible to set the temperature indicators and the cooking period on a scale. A fairly reliable method, in addition to this, the mechanic will have a budget price. However, you cannot count on a large number of auxiliary functions here.

Electronic models are more functional and give access to more possibilities of the steamer. These include:

• timer;
• delayed launch;
• support of the set temperature indicators;
• defrosting;
• steam boost;
• auto-programs for cooking specific dishes;
• regulation of the residual liquid volume;
• children's castle.

The presence of a monitor in electric models will greatly simplify the work with the steamer. Here it is possible to notice how much time remains until the end of cooking, which mode to choose, data on the volume of liquid inside the boiler, etc.

Equipment

Each type of steamer is equipped with a variety of bowls, cups, nets and trays. Their quantity and size will determine what and in what quantity can be cooked in the device.

The complete set must include at least 1 steam basket with a perforated bottom, other details will depend on the specific device and the user's wishes:

• Auxiliary baskets.They are the same in volume or differ in size. In the first situation, the user will receive interchangeable cooking containers, in the second - a compact storage system.
• Cups for cooking cereals. Tanks with a solid bottom or an extremely fine mesh work well for cereals and chopped vegetables. Usually, their volume will not exceed 1-1.5 liters.
• Glasses. They are used for the preparation of portioned pate, omelet and other desserts.
• Auxiliary pallets. Shallow inserts are intended for cooking meat and fish in their own juice, as well as containers for bulk products, they are completely suitable. It is optimal when each such “plate” has a side spout in order to drain the water.

For a multi-tiered product, a deep pallet must be present. Without it, the flowing juice gets into the boiler, which is difficult to clean. Optimally, the height of the sides of such a water collector is at least 2-2.5 cm.

In addition, auxiliary trays for each of the baskets will be useful - in view of this, the juice from various dishes does not mix. Other accessories are not considered essential, but they will make using the steamer more comfortable.

Such useful elements include:

• measuring spoons;
• a grate to boil eggs;
• holder of portioned glasses.

Bowl material

There are only 2 variations: heat-resistant plastic or stainless steel. Walls made of metal are more reliable, hygienic and durable, but through transparent plastic it is easier to control the progress of cooking.

For small blenders, steamers, glass is used - it is the optimal material for preparing healthy and completely safe dishes. However, when the user breaks such a bowl, it is unlikely to be replaced.

How much does a double boiler cost

Products of the same brand are made in different versions, have different prices and different consumer parameters. The cost of the model sometimes differs significantly:

• Regular ones with mechanical control can be purchased for 1000-6500 rubles. Electric steamers are much more expensive - in the range of 1.3-15,000 rubles.
• Integrated equipment is not affordable for everyone - the price of such products will be 28-265,000 rubles.
• A steamer-blender costs 4-12,000 rubles.

The cost of the device in question will also depend on the brand and style. Dimensions, performance and build will not affect the price too much.

Types of steamers

When a consumer decides to buy a double boiler, one should decide on the parameters that such a product must meet. This will provide comfort in use.

Conventional steamers

The best solution for a family of several people is a standard full-size steamer. It is equipped with 2-3 bowls, where it is possible to place a large enough volume of food and cook several dishes at once.

There are also mini-models in which only 1 basket is purchased by those who live 1 or go on vacation with children.

Pros:

• capacity;
• cooking several dishes at once in order to save time and electricity;
• good functionality with the option to set the required performance or period of operation;
• protective systems - from boil-over, overheating, sudden start;
• comfortable storage, regardless of the parameters of the device - baskets, as a rule, come in different sizes and can be folded like nesting dolls;
• a significant selection of products in the store and a variety of prices.

Minuses:

• many devices do not have a compartment for adding liquid - it is necessary to remove the baskets, there is a risk of scalding from the vapors;
• Inexpensive products are leaky and can allow vapors to pass through cracks.

Built-in products

This technique is suitable for those who constantly and a lot of steam. Outside and in terms of their own parameters, such products are similar to integrated ovens, cabinets or a kitchen cabinet.

They are distinguished from analogs by the method of steam supply.Here the food will be placed not in baskets with perforations, but in ordinary baking sheets. The liquid will be poured into a separate removable tank, steam will be fed into the chamber through holes in the walls.

Pros:

• large volumes inside;
• the option of cooking several dishes at once, without mixing with the released juice;
• easy maintenance;
• there is auto-cooking.

Minuses:

• extremely large dimensions;
• overcharge.

Blender steamer

To date, the developers are adding the function of steaming to various household appliances for the kitchen: oven, multicooker. However, blender steamers are considered to be the most interesting and popular among such hybrids.

Mostly they are used for the preparation of baby food, since here in 1 bowl the products will be cooked and crushed to a puree state. However, in combined devices it is possible to successfully prepare certain dishes for adults.

Pros:

• small dimensions;
• easy use and maintenance;
• a full cycle of cooking mashed potatoes and cream soups in 1 dish;
• the liquid top-up system is comfortably implemented;
• functional - most of the devices under consideration can be used for defrosting food, heating baby bottles;
• it is often possible to notice the function of maintaining the temperature indicators of the prepared dish;
• even the most simple products have an automatic shutdown option.

Minuses:

• small volumes - usually, bowls in "children's" devices come with a reservoir of up to 1 liter.

Additional device functions

In addition to the indicator of the amount of liquid and the option of adding it when cooking a dish, most models of steamers have the following auxiliary options:

• shutdown if there is no liquid in the device (the device is protected from overheating, provides convenience and safety during the use of the device);
• delayed start - the option to set the time after which the device will start functioning (an extremely useful option when you need to cook dishes for a specific period of time);
• keeping food warm (Keep warm) - this option will make it possible to not turn off the device at the end of cooking (the dish is kept warm for 12 hours, which is extremely comfortable);
• “Fast steam” is an option that makes it possible to speed up the cooking of food to the maximum (steam is formed extremely quickly - taking into account the model of the product, in 30 seconds, and therefore more vitamins will be retained, and when this option is enabled, the dish will be cooked 2 times faster );
• the option “recipes” or “auto-cooking” (available only in electronic control devices, which is extremely comfortable for those who do not cook well: you must specify the weight and product, and the product will select the required program by itself);
• device operating status sensor (this option is available in every model, in addition to the most budgetary products of unpopular developers from China);
• an indicator of the time required for cooking a dish and a digital monitor that shows the temperature indicators of heating (the option is present only in electric cookers);
• sound notification about the start and end of cooking.

Different models of the considered devices can be completed in different ways. In addition to standard bowls for cooking food, the scope of supply mainly includes:

• a container for a side dish, a grate or a stand for boiling eggs;
• a special bowl to cook rice;
• a special grill to cook whole large foods;
• a tank for cereals and liquid products, trays to collect juice or fat flowing out of food during cooking;
• a stand to steam products that color the rest;
• a probe that helps to control the temperature indicators of food during the cooking period (it is possible to buy it separately at the service center);
• a cookbook with recipes and tips for cooking in a specific appliance (books are present in the complete set for a large number of steamers, but they are the most voluminous in Tefal appliances).

Often the question arises, which steamer to choose for the house. In order to buy a high-quality multicooker double boiler, you must familiarize yourself with these recommendations.