Healthy steamed food: how to choose a steamer?

What to look for when choosing a steamer

Modern steamers are different, their main differences are:

• Control method , which can be mechanical or electronic. In both cases, set the cooking mode, time, and temperature manually. However, in the first case, you will need to twist/twist the round switches, and in the second, you will need to press the buttons. Mechanical models are more affordable (budget models), electronic ones are more convenient and accurate.
• The volume of the container and bowls, as well as their number. According to this criterion, a steamer should be selected depending on the number of people for whom steamed dishes will be prepared.
• Options . The richer the equipment, the more functional and expensive the steamer.
• Manufacturer's brand or trade mark. Note that steamers of almost all brands are produced in the Middle Kingdom; they are somewhat cheaper than similar devices produced by one or another European or American famous brand.
• Power . The higher the power, the faster you can cook a dish. In a number of cases, high power and fast cooking allows you to save money on electricity bills.
• The materials from which the steamer is made. Almost all materials are resistant to high temperatures, including plastic. For the production of steamer bowls, heat-resistant polymers are usually used.
• Number of additional functions . We are talking about delayed start, the possibility of heating, the thermos effect, remote start, sound signals, lights, and so on. The more such functions, the more convenient and expensive the steamer.

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Healthy steamed food: how to choose a steamer?

The design of the steamer and the principle of its operation

Different models of steamers may differ from each other in the presence of additional functions, the volume and number of cooking tanks, as well as the control method.
However, in design, almost all models are the same: 1. Cover. There is a hole in it for steam to escape.

2. Containers for cooking.

3. Separator (bottom with holes).

4. Reservoir for clean water. A tray is placed on top of it to collect condensate.

5. Hole for pouring clean water into the tank.

6. Base with steam generator.

7. Control panel with temperature modes and additional functions. This model has a rotary switch, but it can also be push-button or touch-sensitive.

The operating principle of the steamer is as follows: a steam generator (heating cylinder), which is located under the body and combined with a water tank, begins to heat up and turn the water into steam.
The fumes pass through the separator, processing the lying products. It penetrates very deeply into foods, so there is no need to turn them over during cooking or add oil or fat. Steam escapes through a hole in the lid, and its residues settle on the walls of the food trays and then flow into the tray. Using the regulator, the operating time of the device is set depending on the products being prepared. The steam temperature is approximately 102 degrees. Thanks to this relatively low temperature and comprehensive processing, the product retains more nutrients than, for example, when frying. Tip from E-Katalog:
Thanks to several tiers (cooking containers), we can cook a whole range of dishes at the same time. The lower tier usually contains foods that require more cooking time, such as meat and fish. Hard vegetables, such as potatoes, carrots or beets, are placed on the middle one. The topmost container is for products that require a minimum of time.

Popular steamers

Tefal Convenient Series VC 1451 from RUR 5,207 Braun Tribute Collection FS 3000 from RUR 5,998 Tefal Ultra Compact VC 1006 from RUR 5,099 Morphy Richards Intellisteam 470006 from RUR 13,899 Tefal Mini Compact VC 1301 from RUR 2,490 GFGRIL GFS-5MPP from RUR 2,950 Braun FS 5100 from RUR 5,980 GFGRIL GFS-7DSS from RUR 3,549 Tefal Steam N'Light VC 3008 from RUR 9,999 Endever Vita-160 from 1,880 rub. Centek CT-1457 from RUR 2,756 Russell Hobbs Cook and Home 19270-56 from RUR 3,290 LUMME LU-1403 from 1,300 rub. Marta MT-1909 from RUR 1,325 Russell Hobbs MaxiCook 23560-56 from RUR 5,490

Steamer control

There are three types of device control:

• Mechanical
  . It is represented by a rotary switch that sets the operating time of the device. Some models are additionally equipped with another regulator responsible for heating the dish or a timer. The mechanical type of control is usually used in inexpensive models, mainly made of plastic and with a minimal set of functions. However, there are also expensive devices with a display that shows the time, such as Philips Avance Collection HD 9170, but there are relatively few such models.

• Push-button
  . The device is equipped with an electronic unit with function switching buttons. Most push-button models, such as the Laretti LR7701, have an LCD screen that displays device performance indicators, such as remaining operating time, timer or heating. This panel is more convenient than mechanical adjustment.

• Touch
  . Control is carried out using buttons located directly on the touch screen. It is worth noting that fingerprints remain on the sensor, so it needs to be wiped from time to time.

Steamers with three baskets

Tefal Ultra Compact VC 1006 from RUR 5,099 Tefal Mini Compact VC 1301 from RUR 2,490 GFGRIL GFS-5MPP from RUR 2,950 GFGRIL GFS-7DSS from RUR 3,549 Tefal Steam N'Light VC 3008 from RUR 9,999 Centek CT-1457 from RUR 2,756 Russell Hobbs Cook and Home 19270-56 from RUR 3,290 Russell Hobbs MaxiCook 23560-56 from RUR 5,490 Endever Vita-170 from RUR 2,858 Endever Classic Vita-175 from RUR 3,020 Endever Classic Vita-165 from RUR 2,170 First FA-5100-3 from 4,490 rub. Ariete Healthy Steam 0911/00 from RUR 3,890 Leran FS-355 from RUR 3,790 Endever Classic Vita-173 from 2,040 rub.

What to look for when choosing?

Before purchasing a device, pay attention to the following indicators and additional functions that the steamer may be equipped with:

• Power
  . Please note that, unlike multicookers, it is impossible to change the temperature in steamers, so here the power only affects the speed of cooking depending on the number and volume of containers. For example, to service one 2-liter container with steam, a device of 500–650 W is sufficient. If you are planning to purchase a steamer for 2 - 3 containers with a volume of 2.5 - 3 liters, then it is best to pay attention to devices with a power of 850 to 1300 W. If you take a low-power model, but with a large volume of tanks, then the products that are in the upper trays will take longer to cook.
• Number and volume of trays
  . The more trays, the more different dishes you can cook at the same time. However, if you rarely cook more than three dishes at one time, it is better to take a closer look at models with two trays - this is the most popular option among consumers. The volume of trays depends on specific dishes. For example, if you need to prepare 5 liters of Olivier, then you need three 2 liter trays: one will contain potatoes and carrots, the second will contain eggs, and the third will contain sausage. Select a steamer in such a way that it can accommodate the ingredients for the largest dish you are preparing. Please note that the product card usually indicates the total volume of all tanks, so you can calculate the volume of one tray by dividing the total volume by the number of trays.
• Boiling eggs
  . Although there are individual models of egg boilers, many steamers are capable of boiling eggs. Such devices in the bottom (separator) of the tanks have special recesses into which eggs are placed. Practice shows that, in principle, even in those steamers where there are no such recesses, you can steam eggs, the main thing is to place them so that they do not roll around.

• Material for manufacturing the body and trays
  . Plastic models are lighter and more fragile than metal ones, and therefore cheaper. Metal models are strong and durable. However, they need to be washed more often, as they quickly get dirty and lose their attractive appearance, and the cost is much higher than that of plastic ones.
• Rice bowl
  . This is a plastic container without holes into which water is poured and cereal is placed. It is smaller in size than the main tank, so steam still gets into it. Buckwheat and rice in a double boiler produce a richer, more pronounced taste.

Steamers with rice bowl

Tefal Convenient Series VC 1451 from RUR 5,207 Braun Tribute Collection FS 3000 from RUR 5,998 Tefal Ultra Compact VC 1006 from RUR 5,099 Morphy Richards Intellisteam 470006 from RUR 13,899 Tefal Mini Compact VC 1301 from RUR 2,490 GFGRIL GFS-5MPP from RUR 2,950 Braun FS 5100 from RUR 5,980 GFGRIL GFS-7DSS from RUR 3,549 Tefal Steam N'Light VC 3008 from RUR 9,999 Centek CT-1457 from RUR 2,756 Russell Hobbs Cook and Home 19270-56 from RUR 3,290 Russell Hobbs MaxiCook 23560-56 from RUR 5,490 WMF KITCHENminis Steamer from RUR 16,900 Tefal Ultra Compact VC 1001 from RUR 4,299 Ariete Healthy Steam 0911/00 from RUR 3,890

• Temperature maintenance (thermostat)
  . The mode turns on immediately after cooking is completed, so that the food is always warm. The temperature maintenance function can be started either for a certain time (it will turn off on its own) or at the moment when the user switches it off independently.
• Fast heating
  . When it starts, the steam generator heats up in a short time (in some models, steam formation begins after 5 seconds), and cooking begins almost immediately. This saves cooking time, especially when there are several trays and they are large in volume.
• Off/on timer
  . The on timer will start the device at the time required by the user. For example, you can load all the necessary ingredients in the evening, and the dish will be ready for breakfast in the morning. The shutdown function will turn off the device when food is cooked. This is convenient when you need to leave home (for example, to work or pick up a child from kindergarten) and it is impossible to control the cooking process.
• Water level indicator
  . The indicator will notify the user that the water in the pan is running low and it’s time to add more. This is especially useful when you have to cook foods with a long cooking time, such as corn or beets.
• Autocooking
  . This is a set of preset recipes that you can use to prepare foods. The housewife just needs to set the type of product (for example, vegetables) and its weight, and the device itself will select the optimal mode (time) of operation. Please note that the steamer does not take into account other characteristics of the food, such as its hardness. So new potatoes will require less cooking time than old potatoes. Please take these factors into account when setting up automatic cooking.
• "Chief" function
  . This function includes several programs that can be selected manually, for example, cooking meat, fish, vegetables or fruits. In this case, opposite each program is written the amount of time for which the dish will be prepared. If you don't know how long a certain product takes, this feature will be a good help.
• Capacity management
  . Some expensive models are square in shape, and the containers are not placed vertically on top of each other, but horizontally, one at a time. You can set your own time for each depending on the product being prepared. In this case, upon completion of operation of any container, the steam supply automatically stops. This function is very convenient when you need to cook several different products with different cooking times.

• Spice compartment
  . The compartment is a small plastic cylinder with a sieve (or without it, but with holes), which is installed on a steam generator in a tank with clean water (point 4 of the steamer design). Spices are poured into it and during cooking the products are saturated with their aroma. The manufacturer rarely writes about the availability of this option in the product card, so you should check this information directly with the store consultant.
• Display
  . The display is found in models with all three types of control and greatly simplifies working with the device. On it the user sees the remaining cooking time and a list of additional programs.

Conclusion

If you need an inexpensive model, then it is best to take a mechanically controlled device for 1 - 2 containers for products. For a large family of five people, a steamer with three containers with a total volume of 7 to 9 liters is suitable. For those who don’t want to worry too much about cooking recipes, devices with a “chef” or auto-cooking function are suitable, which themselves set the cooking time for the dish. If you are a busy person and every minute is important to you, then a steamer with an on/off timer function will prepare food at exactly the appointed hour, without wasting precious time. The choice of other additional functions can only be determined by your preferences and special needs.

Built-in steamers

Siemens CD 634GAS0 from 78,090 rub. Bosch CDG 634AB0 from RUR 80,706 De Dietrich DOV 1145 X from RUR 52,180 Zigmund&Shtain EN 100.511 B from RUR 36,101 Bosch CDG 634AS0 from RUR 79,660 Hotpoint-Ariston MS 998 IX from RUR 69,899 GRAUDE DEG 45.0 SG from RUR 64,990 Kuppersbusch EDG 6551.0 J1 from RUR 79,900 Beltratto VFMC 4500N from RUR 39,900 Miele DG 6010 OBSW from RUR 89,900 Kuppersbusch CD 6350.0 S1 from RUR 161,990 KitchenAid KOQCX 45600 from RUR 219,090 Neff C 17DR00N0 from RUR 117,350 Miele DGM 7440 OBSW from RUR 239,000 Miele DG 7440 GRGR from RUR 205,000

The best steam oven manufacturers

Many manufacturing brands, the names of which will be mentioned below, are well known to a wide range of buyers and users of modern household appliances. As a rule, all of them do not specialize in the production of steamers exclusively, but supply the market with a variety of truly high-quality equipment, which many of us already have on our households. However, when choosing a steamer, you should pay special attention to products from brands such as:

• Tefal - this French manufacturer does not need any special introduction, since it has been producing household appliances since the middle of the last century. Today, his steamers can be bought in literally any multi-brand household appliance store.
• Endever is a Swedish brand that appeared on both the global and Russian household appliance markets relatively recently. However, this did not stop it from becoming quite famous today, especially among those who prefer to save on their purchases.
• Braun is a manufacturing brand from Germany, what can we say about the highest level of quality in the products it produces.
• Happy Baby is a Russian brand that specializes in supplies from China to the domestic market of household appliances that make feeding babies easier.
• Beaba Babycook is a French manufacturing brand that uses not only European but also Chinese facilities to produce its products. Its main specialization is also the production of equipment for parents of small children.
• Philips is the largest manufacturing brand from the Netherlands, producing, among other things, steam cookers.
• Panasonic - this Japanese brand does not need any special introduction or advertising, just like its products.
• Bosch is another German manufacturing brand whose products are of amazing quality and relatively low cost.
• Smeg is a young manufacturer of household appliances from Italy, its main specialization is stylish premium products.
• Zigmund & Shtain is a Russian brand that appeared less than 20 years ago and today supplies the domestic market with kitchen appliances produced in the Middle Kingdom.

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