I want to buy a food steamer. On Amazon and elsewhere I see products
by Oster, Black & Decker, Richard Simmons, Salton, Toastmaster, Deni
(stainless steel), Rival, and others.

Are they all more or less the same or are there certain features that
I should include or avoid?

The Oster 5712 (http://tinyurl.com/yo38pf) seems like a good choice
and gets good reviews on Amazon.

My purpose (at least to start with) is to cook veggies for two, so I
was inclined to get a smaller unit. But I guess the larger ones can
easily cook smaller amounts with about the same energy.

I keep reading that steaming is better than some other methods. I
thought about buying a steam cooking cookbook and maybe I would get
into more than veggies. Is steaming a good way to cook fish (salmon)?

Any suggestions for cookbooks?

Can these steamers cook rice as well as the rice cookers that are
designed just for that purpose?

--

On Wed, 25 Apr 2007 21:31:27 -0700, LurfysMa >
magnanimously proffered:

>I want to buy a food steamer. On Amazon and elsewhere I see products
>by Oster, Black & Decker, Richard Simmons, Salton, Toastmaster, Deni
>(stainless steel), Rival, and others.
>
>Are they all more or less the same or are there certain features that
>I should include or avoid?
>
>The Oster 5712 (http://tinyurl.com/yo38pf) seems like a good choice
>and gets good reviews on Amazon.

I've had my stainless steel steamer for almost 40 years and it's still
going strong. No brand that I can tell. Just a simple, round,
stainless-steel contraption with small holes (to let the steam
through). The unit sits on four S/S legs and the leaf-like sides fold
up or down so you can use it with a small saucepan right up to a large
one. It used to have a S/S handle in the middle, but it was always too
hot to handle and got turfed years ago. If I have to remove it from
the saucepan to get to the contents, I use a dish towel.

It's incredibly versatile and since my wife and I sometimes like to
steam different things for a meal, we bought a newer version that
seems to be made of a much thinner gauge of steel. Works though.

>My purpose (at least to start with) is to cook veggies for two, so I
>was inclined to get a smaller unit. But I guess the larger ones can
>easily cook smaller amounts with about the same energy.
>
>I keep reading that steaming is better than some other methods. I
>thought about buying a steam cooking cookbook and maybe I would get
>into more than veggies. Is steaming a good way to cook fish (salmon)?

I don't know. But, frankly, I don't like steaming fish - salmon
included.

>Any suggestions for cookbooks?

Try a health food or natural foods store. Best to test and err on the
side of under-steaming at first. There are few things worse than limp,
wet, over-steamed veges.

>Can these steamers cook rice as well as the rice cookers that are
>designed just for that purpose?

Never attempted to steam rice in a steamer, but they are great for
re-warming leftover rice, baked beans and just about anything that
won't fall through the holes and into the water.

On Thu, 26 Apr 2007 17:30:34 +1200, bob >
wrote:

>On Wed, 25 Apr 2007 21:31:27 -0700, LurfysMa >
>magnanimously proffered:
>
>>I want to buy a food steamer. On Amazon and elsewhere I see products
>>by Oster, Black & Decker, Richard Simmons, Salton, Toastmaster, Deni
>>(stainless steel), Rival, and others.
>>
>>Are they all more or less the same or are there certain features that
>>I should include or avoid?
>>
>>The Oster 5712 (http://tinyurl.com/yo38pf) seems like a good choice
>>and gets good reviews on Amazon.
>
>I've had my stainless steel steamer for almost 40 years and it's still
>going strong. No brand that I can tell. Just a simple, round,
>stainless-steel contraption with small holes (to let the steam
>through). The unit sits on four S/S legs and the leaf-like sides fold
>up or down so you can use it with a small saucepan right up to a large
>one. It used to have a S/S handle in the middle, but it was always too
>hot to handle and got turfed years ago. If I have to remove it from
>the saucepan to get to the contents, I use a dish towel.

Like this: http://tinyurl.com/3b7n5r

I have one of these, but I want something with a timer that I can set
and come back in 30.

>It's incredibly versatile and since my wife and I sometimes like to
>steam different things for a meal, we bought a newer version that
>seems to be made of a much thinner gauge of steel. Works though.


--

On Wed, 25 Apr 2007 23:00:24 -0700, LurfysMa >
magnanimously proffered:

>Like this: http://tinyurl.com/3b7n5r
>
>I have one of these, but I want something with a timer that I can set
>and come back in 30.

Very much like that one, but without the ring. The one I have had a
screw-in handle in the middle and the steamer tended to tip out the
contents if you used it. That ring on the side looks like an excellent
idea.

I can't imagine what kind of veges you'd steam that would take 30
minutes (even artichokes only take around 15 to 20 minutes), but why
not just invest in a good timer?

After going through several mechanical kitchen timers over the past
few years, I finally bought a Salter digital timer. Not only is it
wonderfully accurate (unlike the previous timers) and has a loud
alarm, but it may even last longer than the mechanical ones because it
doesn't have all those parts that wear out. Fingers crossed ...

LurfysMa > wrote in
:

> I want to buy a food steamer. On Amazon and elsewhere I see
> products by Oster, Black & Decker, Richard Simmons, Salton,
> Toastmaster, Deni (stainless steel), Rival, and others.
>
> Are they all more or less the same or are there certain
> features that I should include or avoid?
>
> The Oster 5712 (http://tinyurl.com/yo38pf) seems like a good
> choice and gets good reviews on Amazon.
>
> My purpose (at least to start with) is to cook veggies for
> two, so I was inclined to get a smaller unit. But I guess the
> larger ones can easily cook smaller amounts with about the
> same energy.
>
> I keep reading that steaming is better than some other
> methods. I thought about buying a steam cooking cookbook and
> maybe I would get into more than veggies. Is steaming a good
> way to cook fish (salmon)?
>
> Any suggestions for cookbooks?
>
> Can these steamers cook rice as well as the rice cookers that
> are designed just for that purpose?

I have a steamer (plastic type) made for the microwave.
Works great! (Timer is on the microwave.) :-)

On 26 Apr 2007 11:45:30 GMT, sandi > wrote:

>LurfysMa > wrote in
:
>
>> I want to buy a food steamer. On Amazon and elsewhere I see
>> products by Oster, Black & Decker, Richard Simmons, Salton,
>> Toastmaster, Deni (stainless steel), Rival, and others.
>>
>> Are they all more or less the same or are there certain
>> features that I should include or avoid?
>>
>> The Oster 5712 (http://tinyurl.com/yo38pf) seems like a good
>> choice and gets good reviews on Amazon.
>>
>> My purpose (at least to start with) is to cook veggies for
>> two, so I was inclined to get a smaller unit. But I guess the
>> larger ones can easily cook smaller amounts with about the
>> same energy.
>>
>> I keep reading that steaming is better than some other
>> methods. I thought about buying a steam cooking cookbook and
>> maybe I would get into more than veggies. Is steaming a good
>> way to cook fish (salmon)?
>>
>> Any suggestions for cookbooks?
>>
>> Can these steamers cook rice as well as the rice cookers that
>> are designed just for that purpose?
>
>I have a steamer (plastic type) made for the microwave.
>Works great! (Timer is on the microwave.) :-)

You mean something like http://tinyurl.com/2djj6h or
http://tinyurl.com/yt4aam?

I have one of those, too. I don't like it at all. The broccoli gets
fried by the microwaves in addition to getting steamed. I find it very
difficult to get it done al dente.

I used to have a steamer, B&D, I think. It was great. Broccoli came
out bright green and perfectly cooked every time. No burning or
wilting.

--

"sandi" > wrote in message
news.net...
> I have a steamer (plastic type) made for the microwave.
> Works great! (Timer is on the microwave.) :-)
>

So what keeps the microwave from cooking the veggies?



Ms P

sandi wrote:
>>> Are they all more or less the same or are there certain
>> features that I should include or avoid?

All more or less the same. Get a big one though or you will wish you had


>> My purpose (at least to start with) is to cook veggies for
>> two, so I was inclined to get a smaller unit. But I guess the
>> larger ones can easily cook smaller amounts with about the
>> same energy.

Indeed!


>> I keep reading that steaming is better than some other
>> methods. I thought about buying a steam cooking cookbook and
>> maybe I would get into more than veggies. Is steaming a good
>> way to cook fish (salmon)?

Absolutely!!!



>> Any suggestions for cookbooks?

I don't use one. I steam just about all my veggies. The flavour is so much
better

>>
>> Can these steamers cook rice as well as the rice cookers that
>> are designed just for that purpose?

Yes

Ms P wrote:

> "sandi" > wrote in message
> news.net...
> > I have a steamer (plastic type) made for the microwave.
> > Works great! (Timer is on the microwave.) :-)
> >
>
> So what keeps the microwave from cooking the veggies?
>


Or simply a steamer insert or a rack for a pan? Those steamer appliance
thingies have always struck me as patently absurd...

--
Best
Greg

"Gregory Morrow" wrote:
> Ms P wrote:
> > "sandi" > wrote in message
> enews.net...
> > > I have a steamer (plastic type) made for the microwave.
> > > Works great! *(Timer is on the microwave.) *:-)
>
> > So what keeps the microwave from cooking the veggies?
>
> Or simply a steamer insert or a rack for a pan? *Those steamer appliance
> thingies have always struck me as patently absurd...

Yeah, but sometimes ya gotta do some serious steaming... guess who's
thingie this cleans:

http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/w...4565_200324565

Sheldon

LurfysMa > wrote in

>>I have a steamer (plastic type) made for the microwave.
>>Works great! (Timer is on the microwave.) :-)
>
> You mean something like http://tinyurl.com/2djj6h or
> http://tinyurl.com/yt4aam?

Yes, mine is like the http://tinyurl.com/yt4aam

> I have one of those, too. I don't like it at all. The broccoli
> gets fried by the microwaves in addition to getting steamed. I
> find it very difficult to get it done al dente.

I don't have a problem with mine. I can't find a brand name on it
and beats me where I got it. It has a steam escape hole on top,
round, basket etc.

> I used to have a steamer, B&D, I think. It was great. Broccoli
> came out bright green and perfectly cooked every time. No
> burning or wilting.

If you want an electric one... buy and give one or two a try.
If they don't cook to perfection.. return them.

Let us know what you find. I am curious about an electric one but
never had the urge to buy one until now. :-)

Sheldon wrote:

"Gregory Morrow" wrote:
> Ms P wrote:
> > "sandi" > wrote in message
> enews.net...
>> > > I have a steamer (plastic type) made for the microwave.
>> > > Works great! (Timer is on the microwave.) :-)
>
>> > So what keeps the microwave from cooking the veggies?
>
>> Or simply a steamer insert or a rack for a pan? Those steamer appliance
>> thingies have always struck me as patently absurd...

>Yeah, but sometimes ya gotta do some serious steaming... guess who's
>thingie this cleans:

>http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/w..._6970_20032456
5_200324565


WHOA there...

cyberSQUAT should be their advertisement girl, her motto could be: "You'll
go WOO - WOO when this cleans out your HOO - HOO...!!!"

She wouldn't even have to wear underpants anymore if she used THAT for her
bidet...

;--D

--
Best
Greg

On 27 Apr 2007 02:22:01 GMT, sandi > wrote:

>LurfysMa > wrote in
>
>>>I have a steamer (plastic type) made for the microwave.
>>>Works great! (Timer is on the microwave.) :-)
>>
>> You mean something like http://tinyurl.com/2djj6h or
>> http://tinyurl.com/yt4aam?
>
>Yes, mine is like the http://tinyurl.com/yt4aam
>
>> I have one of those, too. I don't like it at all. The broccoli
>> gets fried by the microwaves in addition to getting steamed. I
>> find it very difficult to get it done al dente.
>
>I don't have a problem with mine. I can't find a brand name on it
>and beats me where I got it. It has a steam escape hole on top,
>round, basket etc.
>
>> I used to have a steamer, B&D, I think. It was great. Broccoli
>> came out bright green and perfectly cooked every time. No
>> burning or wilting.
>
>If you want an electric one... buy and give one or two a try.
>If they don't cook to perfection.. return them.
>
>Let us know what you find. I am curious about an electric one but
>never had the urge to buy one until now. :-)

I had one many years ago. I think it was a Black & Decker. At least,
it looked a lot like the B&D units for sale on Amazon. It got lost in
a move or was given to a kid or something.

It was excellent for veggies. Broccoli would come out bright green and
"perky" -- al dente. The mwave unit leaves the broccoli limp and
washed out or hard as a rock. The steamer was forgiving. I could be
off by a minute or so without damage. With the mwave, it needs to be
exact or it's ruined.

I think I'll get the Oster and a book or two and go crazy.


--

"LurfysMa" > wrote in message
...
>I want to buy a food steamer. On Amazon and elsewhere I see products
> by Oster, Black & Decker, Richard Simmons, Salton, Toastmaster, Deni
> (stainless steel), Rival, and others.
>
> Are they all more or less the same or are there certain features that
> I should include or avoid?
>
> The Oster 5712 (http://tinyurl.com/yo38pf) seems like a good choice
> and gets good reviews on Amazon.
>
> My purpose (at least to start with) is to cook veggies for two, so I
> was inclined to get a smaller unit. But I guess the larger ones can
> easily cook smaller amounts with about the same energy.
>
> I keep reading that steaming is better than some other methods. I
> thought about buying a steam cooking cookbook and maybe I would get
> into more than veggies. Is steaming a good way to cook fish (salmon)?
>
> Any suggestions for cookbooks?
>
> Can these steamers cook rice as well as the rice cookers that are
> designed just for that purpose?
>
> --

Get a cheap aluminum insert first and then see if you want to go to
something fancy. The inserts are available at stores like Linen's N Things
and cost less than $15

LurfysMa wrote:
> I want to buy a food steamer. On Amazon and elsewhere I see products
> by Oster, Black & Decker, Richard Simmons, Salton, Toastmaster, Deni
> (stainless steel), Rival, and others.
>
> Are they all more or less the same or are there certain features that
> I should include or avoid?
>
> The Oster 5712 (http://tinyurl.com/yo38pf) seems like a good choice
> and gets good reviews on Amazon.
>
> My purpose (at least to start with) is to cook veggies for two, so I
> was inclined to get a smaller unit. But I guess the larger ones can
> easily cook smaller amounts with about the same energy.
>
> I keep reading that steaming is better than some other methods. I
> thought about buying a steam cooking cookbook and maybe I would get
> into more than veggies. Is steaming a good way to cook fish (salmon)?
>
> Any suggestions for cookbooks?
>
> Can these steamers cook rice as well as the rice cookers that are
> designed just for that purpose?
>

How about bamboo? They work well and here is an example:

http://www.amazon.com/Norpro-1963-2-.../dp/B00005EBH8

George > wrote in

> How about bamboo? They work well and here is an example:
>
> http://www.amazon.com/Norpro-1963-2-...teamer/dp/B000
> 05EBH8


I have one like that and I'm going to have to try it. Seems that
type is pretty popular. ;-)

In article >,
LurfysMa > wrote:

> Are they all more or less the same or are there certain features that
> I should include or avoid?


I've been using bamboo steamers for many years. I have two different
sizes--- 10" and 12". Bamboo is great because you can stack the units
and steam quite a bit of food at once. You can use them on top of pots
or in a wok. They are also easier to store than great big electric
steamers. But not all bamboo steamers are alike. I've purchased very
high quality ones from Mrs. Lin's Kitchen:

<http://www.mrslinskitchen.com/>