I much prefer electric steamers. Saves hob space for something else. I have a Morphy Richards one with three layers and I'm happy with it.” - brand recommended by Mumsnet user, Sapphire387 Our verdict We steamed frozen broccoli and fresh carrots in the Dutch oven and its steamer, and they were ready in about 15 minutes. Just note that the lid handle gets hot during use, so you'll want to keep an oven mitt or kitchen towel handy. Once the cookware has cooled and you've given it a wash and dry, the steamers can be nested into their respective pots, with only a small amount of extra space needed for vertical cabinet or cupboard clearance.

The PowerPac Food steamer 2.5L Multifunction 2 Tier Steamer (PPS706) is another personal food steamer and space-saving solution in a cramped kitchen. Yes, absolutely and a lot of food steamers come with a rice bowl. Simply place the rice in the steamer filled with cold water (the water should not be boiling when the rice is placed into the steamer). Turn on the heat to high, cover and cook for 10-20 minutes. Turn off the heat, and let the rice sit in the steamer with the lid on for at least five more minutes. What is the best food steamer to buy? Regardless of what you're cooking, it's important to keep tabs on your food and not let it cook for too long, at the risk of your food becoming soggy and overdone.

Sometimes steamer components begin to develop a cloudy appearance, which is from the mineral content in water. Regular cleaning won't remove this mineral buildup. To descale a steamer, run the steamer filled with white vinegar instead of water and rinse thoroughly. You can also soak the pieces in a mixture of hot water and vinegar for several hours to overnight and then wash by hand. Note: Between the two products, the Tefal Stainless Steel Convenient Steamer VC1451 has the longer warranty (2 years vs 1 year) SAVE TIME AND MONEY – Have the flexibility of cooking multiple dishes in the steamer in one go and save time and money, up to 73% when using Daewoo’s 3 tier food steamer verses a convectional electric hob. Also save yourself the dishes of multiple pots

And for comparison, the steaming trays of the IONA 6L Food Steamer, GLMC1830 have a diameter of 26cm whereas the Tefal Stainless Steel Convenient Steamer VC1451 can only fit plates of up to a diameter of 22cm. Because we know that there’s nothing like a real recommendation, we first headed to the Mumsnet forums to find out what food steamers were being recommended. There are several things to consider before buying the best food steamer. Here are some simple tips.

What are the benefits of steaming food?

The Tefal Stainless Steel Convenient Steamer VC1451 is a practical and easy-to-use food steamer for households of 3 to 5 pax. Who don’t have time to supervise the cooking! With stove-top steamers, it’s a little inconvenient since you can’t see what’s going on inside the pot! And there’s no timer, so if you forget about it, the water will evaporate completely and you will risk burning your food! 2. Capacity

Larger pieces of food, such as dumplings or fillets, should be arranged in a single layer, leaving a little room between each piece to allow the steam to circulate. Vegetables like broccoli or green beans can be piled loosely in the steamer. Tamales can be nestled close together, but make sure to follow your recipe carefully to know when to turn off the heat.

6. Best quality food steamer: Morphy Richards Compact Intellisteam Food Steamer

Each material type has its own advantages and disadvantages. Naturally, plastic food steamers are lighter and cheaper. But can become brittle over time and may even leach unwanted chemicals into your food. A balanced diet with plenty of veggies is important and surprisingly achievable with the right tools. The best food steamer can be trusted to perfectly steam cook your grub without any help or assistance. They’re not just for vegetables, though. With tiered food steamers, you can cook meat, fish, rice, dumplings or potatoes all in one go. This means less time fussing over the hob and more time spent relaxing. Most steamers have a capacity of around nine litres, which is big enough to cook a meal for four. If cooking for one to three people, it might be better to opt for a smaller steamer that will take up less space. A six-litre capacity is a good option for preparing tasty mains or sides, and for cooking for two. Stainless steel and glass food steamers are more durable, eco-friendly (recyclable) and safer (i.e. no chemical leaching).