Best Steamer Pots Review – 2023

My mind keeps going back to the heaps of dumplings I had a few days ago, as I write this article. I am weak and helpless when it comes to the bao buns and dumplings.

However, it is not always easy to taste authentic oriental street food if you live in an entirely different continent. This is why I have tried out many steamed pots to quench the food thirst.

It has taken a toll on me since different products had, strangely enough, variant results. But that has not stopped me from finding the best steamer pots for the cause.

There had been many comprehensive experiments – some failed while others rose to be reliable. I will give you the heads up on the trustworthy ones so you can enjoy some healthy foods right at home.

#List Of The Best Steamer Pots – Our Editor’s Pick:

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7 Best Steamer Pots Reviews

Below are the seven reliable steamer pots that I have found very helpful during cooking. Time to give yourself a break from Google searches and check these out!

1. All-Clad E9078064 Stainless Steel Multicooker with Perforated Steel Insert and Steamer Basket, 8-Quart, Silver

 

This was love at first sight. The sleek, long stockpot-style cookware was something to behold. If you add the deep strainer and the steamer insert with it, you have a whole package.

It is an 8-quart capacity pot constructed from stainless steel with an aluminum base for quick heat conduct purposes. Even the handles are sturdy and have solid grips.

This unit can make all the pasta boiling and straining hassle a breeze. As for the steamer, you can make those large batches of mounded dishes that small steamer pots fail to deliver.

Unfortunately, first-sighted love can also be deceiving. Sure, the whole thing is a piece of jewel to any experienced cook. However, upon several tests, the overall thin metal construction is hard to ignore!

As a result, the heat distribution kind of messes up the food taste. I had high hopes for stewing, boiling, steaming plenty of incredible recipes. Alas, they were postponed due to the inadequate quality of this unit.

 

2. Concord Cookware 30 CM Stainless Steel 3 Tier Steamer Pot

Here is another lovely steamer pot with three tiers. It the kind of product I often use to satisfy my hunger for bao buns or mandu (Korean dumplings).

Now, how is this a good choice? First of all, you can use it three ways – both tiered, single tiered, or simply the stockpot. I absolutely adore this unit for being this multipurpose.

You can use it to cook, steam, boil, stew, and much more. In a sense, you are getting the value of several cooking pots in a single unit. Secondly, the perforation on the steamer tray is sufficiently big to allow the foods to cook thoroughly. One has smaller openings while the other offer bigger ones to distribute heat evenly.

Thirdly, the transparent lid will not let the water condensation drip into the food, thanks to the vent hole.

And finally, the handles are an immense help to the users. They are equipped to stay cool even when the water is boiling furiously. I would still advise keeping mitten/gloves at bay.

The whole thing is a stainless steel construction – a relief to ease the maintenance. It is worth trying out for.

 

3. Farberware Classic Series Sauce Pot/Saucepot with Steamer Insert, 3 Quart, Silver

The steamer saucepot by Farberware is an award-winning versatile product. One does not just win an award through name and fame. Similarly, consumers who bought it have only shared contented remarks about the unit.

And it is one of my most favorite! Why should it not be! From the sturdy build to the overall polished touch, it is a long-lasting investment. When the users check its cost, the first thing that comes to their mind is doubt.

I mean, how do you expect anybody to believe such exceptional construction exists at this rate? Ease your heart, for it does. This steamer pot consists of a 3-quart saucepot with a steamer basket and a lid.

The handles and grips are stunningly solid – it is okay if you forget the oven gloves! You can practically cook, steam, heat, boil, or simmer any food you want. I can already picture some crabs for my dinner.

It also has an aluminum core surrounding the stainless steel body to distribute heat faster and evenly. So what you are getting is a highly durable, premium-grade unit within the price range.

Such thoughtful design only deserves to be bought by every cook or dim sum/dumpling obsessive person like me.

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4. Bear Electric Multifunctional Food Steamer

 

The Bear steamer is a 2 tier electric cookware, we thought this steamer should feature in this review since it has so many cool features.  With our busy every day lives it, cooking aids can really make all the difference.  You can set this up to steam, set the timer/program and away you go. Its relatively easy and safe to use with its auto shut off functionality. Leaving your food, piping hot and cooked through out.

This steamer comes with 2 stainless steel inserts for double layer steaming and is compact yet large enough to cater for a family.

So what makes it worth adding to this list? The obvious answers are its electric powered so leaves your cooker free for cooking other dishes. Not only that the quality design and food grade stainless steel multi functional ability makes this steamer a good choice to consider.

With the Bear Steamer the good most definitely out weigh the bad and to be fair there are not too many downsides.  We found the unit to be a solid investment although we did find it fairly hard to clean all the nooks and crannies.

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5. Cuisinart STM-1000 Cook Fresh Digital Glass Steamer, One Size Stainless steel

 

The Cuisinart STM-1000 sits in a class all by itself.  this well know brand has a reputation for quality in terms of kitchen tools and the STM 1000 is well placed to help Cuisinart continue to reign supreme!  Not only does it look the part, it provides an outstanding cooking experience.  This electric steamer makes steaming food a joy for its convenience and am I allowed to say style? I know I keep harping on about this but this Digital glass steamer really is the business.  OK lets get into the functionality.

The STM-1000 uses a 5 liter glass pot, which you will love as you watch your food steam effortlessly, large enough to cater for a family.  The timer and programmed food settings puts the STM-1000 ahead of manual steamers as you can set and perhaps use the time to continue cooking other dishes without worrying about over cooking.  The LCD screen and ability to stop/start and reheat provides easy access to control steam operation.  The STM-100 ease of use and simplicity makes it the perfect addition to your kitchens tool and is compacty.

This is a must have steamer that will make a world of difference to your steaming experience, your old manual steamer is history once you purchase this. The 5 liter model I would say is slightly on the small side, it may not hold a full large fish for example.  We also found the lid does not close flush but other than that the STM-1000 deserves its place on this best steamer review!

 

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6. Rachael Ray Cucina Nonstick Sauce Pot/Saucepot with Steamer Insert and Lid, 3 Quart, Cranberry Red

 

Do you want to own a steamer pot and add a color theme to the kitchen in the process? Rachael Ray Cucina brand has heard you and built the kind of steamer pot you wish to own.

It is a little high on the price for a single-tier steaming basket, though. On the contrary, you will not have to worry about rust, maintenance, glass cracks, hot handles, etc.

This means the perfect way to eat those delicious meals will not be an issue anymore. From lobster to the steamed desserts, there is no stopping to what you can make.

My favorite feature, besides the fact that it works like a charm, is the riveted handles. They are a fascinating bunch designed with thick grips. There is no fear of dropping the whole pot, no matter how heavy it gets.

If you are looking for a stable, reliable unit that can last for years, I say to go for this one. On top of that, the cranberry-red colored steamer pot is completely oven-safe.

Nothing can beat this product for being versatile on day-to-day cooking tasks.

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7. Lake Tian 3 Tier Multi Tier Layer Stainless Steel Steamer Pot 

The final steamer in this review is the Lake Tian 3 Tier Steamer Pot.  It is definitely a contender worth featuring in this review list for it does maintain some solid features For a start it is food grade stainless steel and suitable for induction stove cooking.  Admittedly it is a manual steamer although the two tier systems will provide you with  the choice to cook different items simultaneously.

If your looking for a manual steamer that does what it says on the tin, is budget friendly and made using fair to good materials, this is the one for you. We love the stay cool handles, needed on steamer posts as they do tend to transfer heat pretty quickly.  Aesthetically the steamer has a bright clean and shiny look of quality stainless steel.

That my friends is where all the good stuff ends.  But don’t worry, this is a steamer where the good definitely outweighs the bad.  to be fair this steamer is probably going to suit someone on a tight budget, which lets face it is pretty much everyone right now. Comparing to the likes of the Racheal Ray or the Cuisinart there really is no comparison but this steamer pot is still a very popular choice.

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Top 7 Best Steamer Pots Comparison Table

 

 

What to Look for Before Buying?

It is surprisingly easy to find the right product if you keep a few things in mind. Let me give you some pointers.

Material

The straightest answer to this is – stainless steel. It is inexpensive and rust-resistant. However, I would suggest going for it only if it has an aluminum or copper core.

Stainless steel is a sucker when it comes to heat transfer, unlike the hard-anodized or raw aluminum steamer pots. The latter two are super reactive; thus, limit them only to steaming if you choose aluminum.

Basket

Do you want a single steamer basket or a double? I personally like the double feature as I can always cook twice the amount of dumplings at once. Besides, you can easily switch from double to individual basket utilization if you like.

Remember, the upper basket takes longer than the lower basket to cook. You might have to shift their places half-way.

Pot Depth & Diameter

While the diameter determines the number of items you can steam at once, the pot depth is another matter.

Deep pots have a better advantage to the steam moving upward and cooking stacked-up foods effectively. However, they are not the best case scenario if you only steam one layer of foods, rolls, for example.

It is also difficult to remove the steamed items from a deeper basket as well.

Stove Suitability

This is for those with an induction stove. Be sure the material you choose is safe for the cooktop. Do not use the product if it does not state induction-friendly.

You cannot work with the steamer pot unless it has the induction plate and such setup.

Oven-Safe & Lid Vent

Extra features never hurt anybody, right? Having an oven-safe steamer pot means you can have versatile use of the single unit!

Now, the lid must have a vent hole to prevent building excessive pressure. This will also stop the water from spluttering and reach the food

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Is it possible to make tamales with a steamer pot?

Absolutely, but remember a lot of effort goes into making the dish. Therefore, most tamale lovers like to prepare them in large batches, which a regular steamer pot might not suffice.

If you think you will make tamale a lot in the future, I would suggest a large, deep steamer pot like a stockpot.

2. What else can I steam in a steamer pot besides dumplings?

The choice is limitless dear reader! Everything you lay eyes upon can be steamed and served on the dining table. Of course, do not forget to add aromatic herbs to enhance the flavor when steaming fish, chicken, etc.

Plus, you can make various kinds of desserts – pudding, custard, puto cake (one of my favorite Filipino sweet courses), other confectioneries, and so on!

Then there are the meat/fish-based buns, bread, like mantou that touch your soul as you relish every soft bite. The options are abundant!

3. Can I use the steamer pot as a regular pot?

Yes, the pot is like a stockpot or saucepan itself. Once you remove the basket, you can use it like any regular cooking pans.

I would not expect much heavy-duty quality from them as regular saucepans, though. Most of these are designed for steaming purposes only, so do not put too much hope into daily cooking tasks.

4. Which is better, electric food steamers or standard steamer pots?

Frankly, I like everything old-school. It helps me realize and comprehend the fruit of hard-working efforts. Therefore, I would go for steamer pots any day.

Nevertheless, both items have their ups and downs. Electric food steamers are a great innovation, but I vote for the steamer pots as far as versatility goes.

They can cook food faster than electric ones too.

5. Is a bamboo steamer better than a metal one?

Admittedly yes, they can absorb the excess moisture. The metal ones, on the other hand, condenses the steam and drips back into the food.

The problem with the bamboo steamers is that they are super slow in the process.

6. How long do I steam vegetables?

The time can vary depending on the type of vegetables and how you cut them. In any case, the standard duration should not be more than 5 to 10 minutes. Some even take less than that.

For example, broccoli/cauliflower florets, asparagus take around 5 to 6 minutes, whereas sliced carrots take about 8 minutes. Brussel sprouts are stubborn, so they take 8 to 10 minutes.

While the potatoes are tender only after 15 minutes, peas have the shortest time duration – 3 minutes tops!

7. Is it safe to use metal steamer pots?

So far the scientific studies have found no harmful toxic release during steaming in metal pots. As long as the quality is high-end at an affordable cost, you have nothing to worry about. Additionally, steamed foods are several times healthier than other means of cooking.

The steel/aluminum material does not compromise that nutrition in any way. It is entirely a different issue if the steamer pot is not cleaned thoroughly.

The leftover residue can haunt your next to-be-steamed food items unpleasantly. So I suggest focusing more on the cleaning part than worrying about the metal safety.

Final Words

My final advice is always to be cautious and patient when lifting that hot lid off. The steams rush out of the trapped pot, and the cook – such as myself on the first trial – can face burns or scalds.

Aside from it, there is pretty much nothing else you have to worry about. Think about all the delicious healthy foods you can make using the best steamer pots and make haste!

There is one thing I have learned from my rookie mistakes, though. Do not leave those ingredients/vegetables unattended. You do not want to serve mushed, soggy meals unless the guest is a toddler.

It is now time to check my steamed pudding and savor it with love. Thanks for being with me to the end!