The steamer in the kitchen represents the added comfort and time-saving of the housewife. The food cooked in it retains all the minerals and vitamins that are destroyed by other cooking methods.
Steam dishes are the basis of any dietary menu. Steamed food is recommended for children, pregnant women and the elderly.
The positive qualities of a double boiler
When choosing a double boiler, first, appreciate its advantages:
- the steamer provides healthy and tasty food;
- defrosts food;
- warms up food;
- sterilizes baby bottles and dishes;
- prepares several dishes at the same time;
- food does not dry out or burn during cooking.
Steamer Specifications
There are four important criteria when choosing a device:
- shape and volume of steam baskets, the presence of pallets;
- type of steamer control;
- power;
- additional features of the steamer.
Steamer design
A steamer consists of a body, a heating element and steam baskets (bowls) for food, the number varies from two tiers or less to three tiers or more.
The volume of the steam basket ranges from 1.5 to 3.5 liters, the volume of the rice bowl is from 0.7 to 2 liters. The rice basket is not perforated, has a volume of 0.7 to 1 liter, is inserted into the main bowl with a perforated bottom and is intended for cooking rice, buckwheat, beans and other cereals.
Steamer baskets are round and oval, transparent and opaque. In many models, they differ in volume and have different bottom diameters. In working order, they are stacked one on top of the other, and the upper basket is closed with a lid. The lower the basket, the faster the food will cook, since the steam temperature is higher at the bottom of the steamer than at the top.
Large oval baskets with removable stainless steel bases and non-stick coating are convenient for preparing poultry. Due to the peculiarity of the coating, the dish does not burn, the products are stewed in their own juice.
Users prefer transparent baskets to steamers, believing that they can see the cooking process. However, the walls of the device fog up a lot during operation, it is impossible to see something inside. In terms of functionality, these baskets are no different from opaque ones.
Some steamer models are equipped with recessed baskets for placing and boiling eggs. The design of the grilles contributes to their convenient placement.
The tray is designed to collect the liquid formed during the condensation of steam and juice flowing down from the food. It must be emptied in time, so choose models with a deep tray. For ease of use, pay attention to the presence of handles. Some models have pallets for each steam basket so that smells and tastes of different dishes do not mix.
Control type
With mechanical control using the rotary knob, the cooking time is set. The time will run out, the steamer will switch off automatically. This is a convenient and simple type of control.
With an electronic type of control, steamers have a keypad and an LCD display showing the operation of the device. Equipped with many functions. The cooking time is adjusted depending on the weight of the food and the automatic keeping of the prepared dish in a warm state. Electronic control simplifies the control of the water level in the tank - when a critically low level is reached, the steamer signals the user that it is time to add water.
Steamer power
The cooking time in the steamer depends on the power. The more baskets there are in the steamer, the higher the power.On average, it is consumed from 800 W to 1300 W. For a steamer with three baskets of three to four liters, 900 W - 1800 W is optimal. A simple single-bowl steamer operates at 700 watts or less. The more baskets there are in the steamer, the higher the power. For example, the most powerful steamers have a power of 1900 watts or more.
Additional functions of the steamer
Many electronically controlled steamers offer additional functions:
- it turns off when there is no water in the steamer - an important function that protects the device from overheating;
- delayed start - the ability to set a convenient time for cooking;
- keeping the dish warm - allows you to keep the prepared dish warm for 12 hours;
- "Fast steam" - speeds up the cooking process;
- "Automatic cooking" - the steamer independently selects the desired program as soon as the product and its weight are indicated;
- timer - the cooking period is fixed and a digital display that determines the heating temperature;
- sound - signals the beginning and end of the preparation process.
We invite you to the F.ua catalog, where you can, guided by the theses of this article, choose a model to your liking.
Cooking in a double boiler is as easy as shelling pears, even a child can handle it. See overview
