Electric Steamer Buying Guide: Top Picks and What to Consider

Want to eat healthily without sacrificing flavour or spending hours in the kitchen? That's the promise of steam cooking. Renowned for preserving nutrients, vitamins, and flavours without a drop of fat, it's an excellent choice. But with the vast array of models available, finding the right electric steamer can quickly become a headache.

This guide is here to help you clarify your options. We'll break down the essential criteria and present our selection of the best appliances, whether you're cooking for one or for a hungry tribe.

How to Choose Your Electric Steamer?

Before you dive in, a few questions are in order to define your needs. Here are the key points not to overlook.

1. Capacity and Number of Tiers

Capacity, expressed in litres (L), is the first criterion to consider. It should match the size of your household and your habits.

• For 1 to 2 people: a 5 to 6-litre model is generally sufficient.
• For 3 to 4 people or more: opt for a large-capacity steamer of 9 litres or more.

A 3-tier steamer offers excellent flexibility. It allows you to cook all the elements of a complete meal (vegetables, fish, rice, etc.) at the same time without the flavours mixing. A real time and energy saver.

2. Basket Materials: Stainless Steel or Plastic?

The choice of basket material is an important consideration: it affects durability, ease of cleaning, and even the cooking process itself.

• Stainless steel steamer: Stainless steel is prized for its durability and neutrality. It doesn't transfer any substances to food, won't stain, and doesn't retain odours. It's a durable and hygienic investment that also ensures excellent heat distribution.
• Plastic baskets: Lighter and often transparent to help you keep an eye on the cooking process, plastic baskets are a practical alternative. The crucial point: ensure they are guaranteed bisphenol A-free (BPA-free steamer basket) for completely safe and healthy cooking.

3. Features and Programmes

Options and programmes can really simplify your daily life.

• Programmable steamer: A delayed start or a precise timer are huge advantages for juggling a busy schedule.
• Keep warm: Essential for latecomers, this function keeps your dish at the right temperature after cooking is finished. No more stress about the meal getting cold!
• Specific accessories: Some appliances go a step further by offering dedicated accessories, like a rice bowl or a special semolina basket, turning your steamer into a true electric couscoussier.

Our Recommended Steamers

Let's get down to business. Here is our selection of appliances that caught our eye, each with its own strengths, to help you find the perfect model for your kitchen.

KitchenCook Multi Steam 9 Stainless Steel Electric Steamer

What sets it apart: Versatility is the watchword for this model. With its 3 tiers made of 18/8 stainless steel, it juggles the function of a classic steamer and an electric couscoussier thanks to its dedicated fine-holed basket. Its 2?L reservoir promises up to 100 minutes of cooking autonomy.

We love:

• The quality of the stainless steel steamer baskets.
• The automatic keep warm function (up to 2 hours).
• Its programmable timer (100 min) with an LED screen.
• The special couscous basket and its anti-odour rod.
• The removable parts (baskets, lid) are dishwasher-safe.

Who is it for? For world cuisine enthusiasts and families who want a versatile, robust, and easy-to-maintain appliance for preparing complete meals.

Aigostar 9L Electric SUS Food Steamer 800W

What sets it apart: The Aigostar plays the elegance card with its stainless steel base and focuses on safety with its three large, guaranteed BPA-free baskets. Its 800?W of power and total capacity of 9?L make it an effective ally for family meals. The included rice bowl is a welcome bonus.

We love:

• The food safety of its BPA-free steamer baskets.
• The modularity of the 3-tier steamer.
• The included rice bowl, practical for complete meals.
• The modern design and the durability of the stainless steel base.

Who is it for? For health-conscious families who prioritise material safety and the simplicity of an all-in-one appliance for their daily meals.

Bear DZG-304 3-Tier 10 L Electric Steamer

What sets it apart: With its XXL 10?L capacity, this Bear model thinks big. Its stackable transparent baskets are perfect for monitoring the cooking and adjusting the space as needed. Simple and efficient, it gets straight to the point with its 60-minute timer and dishwasher-safe parts.

We love:

• The large-capacity steamer format (10 litres).
• The flexibility of the 3 stackable baskets.
• The simplified cleaning thanks to removable parts.
• Its ultra-simple timer (up to 60 minutes).

Who is it for? The obvious choice for large families or fans of batch cooking. Its simplicity also makes it an excellent first steamer.

Tefal Convenient Series DeLuxe XL Steam Cooker

What sets it apart: Tefal puts technology at the service of healthy cooking. This model is controlled via an intuitive touchscreen and offers 8 automatic cooking programmes that adjust the time to perfection. Its three stainless steel baskets and its 1.2?L removable water tank make it as practical as it is elegant.

We love:

• The 8 automatic programmes of the programmable steamer.
• The robustness of the stainless steel baskets.
• The modern and intuitive touchscreen control panel.
• The removable water tank, easy to refill during cooking.

Who is it for? For those who want perfect results without any guesswork, benefiting from guided cooking and the durability of stainless steel.

Looking for Other Options?

Our selection is just a preview. To discover other models, capacities, or features, feel free to explore our full range.

? Discover all our models of electric kitchen steamers

Frequently Asked Questions about Electric Steamers

1. Can you cook everything in an electric steamer? Almost! A steamer is the king of vegetables, fish, white meats, eggs, rice, and grains like semolina. However, steer clear of red meats that need to be seared, or anything that needs to be browned and crispy.

2. How do you clean your appliance effectively? Good news: most recent models are very easy to clean. Baskets, lids, and juice collectors are almost always removable and dishwasher-safe. For the base, a wipe with a damp sponge after the appliance has cooled is sufficient. Remember to descale it regularly with white vinegar to ensure its longevity and performance.

3. What is the difference between a steamer and an electric couscoussier? A traditional couscoussier is a two-part utensil where the semolina steams above the broth of vegetables and meat. An electric couscoussier, like the KitchenCook in our selection, is actually a multifunctional steamer. It includes a special basket with finer holes, ideal for semolina, while cooking the rest of the ingredients in the other tiers. It's simply the modern, all-in-one version of the traditional utensil.