Best Bamboo Steamers of 2022

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Steamed meals will get a nasty rap, when in actuality it’s one of many best cooking strategies round. With none splattery oil or oven-fussing, it delivers just-tender veggies, fish, and different staples (to not point out dumplings with delectably chewy crimped edges). There are such a lot of steamer fashions on the market, however there’s simply one thing elegant (and sensible) a couple of steamer woven from bamboo. We love their skill to be stackable, so you possibly can steam a number of kinds of meals without delay—even accommodating completely different cook dinner occasions, with the longer one on the underside. And nothing beats the “voila” second whenever you carry the woven lid like a silver cloche to unveil your dinner. Whereas most bamboo steamers are constructed similarly, we spoke with chef Joanne Chang—of Boston’s Meyers & Chang restaurant and dumpling fame—to decipher what units one steamer aside from the remainder. “Utilizing a steamer is a enjoyable solution to steam up numerous bao buns or pastries and even greens,” Chang says. “It makes for a really fairly presentation which is after I like to make use of a bamboo steamer.” Learn on for chef Chang’s intel and our full information to the most effective bamboo steamers.

Our High Picks

Greatest General: Joyce Chen Bamboo Steamer

Diameter: 10” | Tier Quantity: 2 | Included Equipment: None

Why we selected it: You may’t beat traditional and this steamer options easy, high quality building made completely of bamboo.

With Joyce Chen’s title hooked up to this bamboo steamer, we anticipated nothing however the most effective—and it really delivered. It stood aside from the opposite  steamers we examined even straight from the field. Whereas many had sharp edges poking out in varied spots, with the worst of the bunch riddled with splinters, the Joyce Chen was fairly easy, particularly within the inside portion that is available in contact together with your meals (AKA the place it issues most). We additionally love how the physique is constructed completely of wooden, with no sneaky items of metallic or plastic, so it’s also possible to use it within the microwave if that’s your cooking technique of selection. 

When taken into the kitchen, this steamer carried out nicely—it saved the dumplings completely al dente throughout their allotted cooking time (see our full testing breakdown within the methodology part beneath) and the veggies had been tender with out getting mushy, which is the hazard of over-steaming. I began the dumplings on the underside tier after which dropped on the highest tier with the veggies a couple of minutes in so they may conveniently steam collectively. Simple dinner perfection.

Greatest Worth: Helen’s Asian Kitchen Bamboo Food Steamer

Diameter: 10” | Tier Quantity: 2 | Included Equipment: None

Why we selected it: High-notch, all-bamboo building for an inexpensive value? Feels like extra dumplings for dinner.

Bamboo steamers aren’t made to final a lifetime, so it’s a clever selection to not overspend. However although this steamer clocks in at a lower cost level, it doesn’t skimp on high quality building. It’s all bamboo (similar to our general greatest choose) and feels fairly sturdy, so it’s set as much as final you a couple of months or so of frequent use. One characteristic I particularly loved about this steamer is the size of the highest loop, in comparison with the stubby rigid handles I discovered on different manufacturers of steamers. It looks as if a small factor, but it surely made the consumer expertise of this software so significantly better.

The ten-inch carried out fairly nicely and the steamer additionally is accessible in different sizes. Although, a few of these characteristic a distinct type of steamer “grate” created from thinner bamboo strips vs. the carved wooden slats. I favor the wooden choice for its sturdiness and extra measured cooking, so maintain this in thoughts should you’re interested by exploring different dimension choices.

Greatest Mini: Sur La Table 6” Bamboo Steamer

Diameter: 6” | Tier Quantity: 2 | Included Equipment: None

Why we selected it: This petite steamer is right for getting ready a small aspect of veggies or a duo of pre-dinner dumplings.

Condominium dwellers are positive to get on board with this pint-sized model of a standard bamboo steamer (myself included). Whereas even the usual 10-inch variations of bamboo steamers can really feel cumbersome and overwhelming, this little software gives comparatively the identical cooking expertise inside a smaller footprint. Plus, it’s good to not have to interrupt out an enormous sauce pan or wok (or buy one for that matter) to make use of this steamer—a typical 10-inch pan will work simply nice. 

This all-wood steamer is sturdy regardless of its small stature and options two tiers, which gives you additional vertical cooking area, so it’s preferrred for whipping up a easy meal for one or a bit of appetizer for 2. Our one qualm is that the value is excessive in comparison with the dimensions, however that shouldn’t matter a lot if that is merely the dimensions of steamer you possibly can slot in your kitchen regardless.

Greatest for a Crowd: Hcooker 3-tier Bamboo Steamer

Diameter: 10.6” (amongst others) | Tier Quantity: 3 | Included Equipment: None

Why we selected it: With three tiers, sizes as much as 12.2 inches, and deeper steamer basket choices to accommodate bigger meals, this steamer is likely to be the one software it is advisable execute a household feast.

Feeding a crowd? That’s no downside for this mammoth-sized steamer. It options three tiers, which supply ample area for giant batches of gyoza or a whole meal of fish veggies and even a bread or dessert bun should you’re feeling formidable. It’s additionally out there in diameters as much as round 12 inches and in variations with additional depth, so it may match issues like bunches of bok choy. The highest layer is nice for issues on which you’d favor a light-weight cook dinner, because it’s so removed from the warmth supply. 

We discovered this steamer to be exceptionally sturdy (made by hand, too!) due to the metal banding round every tier. Whereas usually we favor steamers made completely from wooden as a result of it’s simpler to wash and also you even have the choice to pop one within the microwave, the metallic works on this case so as to add additional stability because the steamer is so massive (I’d be stunned should you managed to squeeze this one right into a small equipment). Although, do be aware that sneaky bits of meals can get caught within the metal banding. All supplies used are top quality and contributed to an distinctive efficiency for high-volume cooking.

Greatest Sustainable: Mister Kitchenware 10 Inch Handmade Bamboo Steamer

Diameter: 10” | Tier Quantity: 2 | Included Equipment: Sure

Why we selected it: Pure supplies + included reusable liners and chopsticks = a much less wasteful cooking expertise.

Bamboo is a sustainable materials already, however the addition of a whopping 10 reusable cotton liners on this fully-equipped steamer places it a step above. Meals will persist with the underside of your steamer (to not point out the occasional chance of splinters) so utilizing a liner is extremely vital. Although we’re fairly a fan of these parchment paper versions in any other case, we discovered the smaller mesh of the cotton liners helped regulate the quantity of steam allowed to the touch the meals, on condition that the underside slats of this product are set wider and created from thinner materials than the conventional closer-together strips of wooden. 

We additionally observed how easy the wooden is on this steamer, which is a large plus when it comes to consumer expertise and high quality, in addition to the marginally taller top of every tier, which helps to accommodate a wider dimension vary of meals (since no one likes squished steamed buns). One factor to notice: there are a couple of small areas certain with metallic wire, so though the steamer seems to be all wooden, it’s not microwave pleasant.

Issues to Think about Earlier than Shopping for a Bamboo Steamer

Dimension

You’ll wish to think about the dimensions of your steamer, not solely when it comes to what number of tiers it has, but in addition when it comes to the diameter. Bigger steamers are nice for these cooking for a crowd or utilizing the steamer to cook dinner a number of kinds of meals without delay (dumplings on one layer, veggies on the opposite), but in addition are bulkier to retailer. However earlier than you select a steamer dimension, you must be certain the pan you plan to make use of can accommodate it nicely. A rule of thumb to observe is that the bottom fringe of your pan ought to be about two inches or so away from the sting of your steamer. 

Particulars

Not like other kinds of steamers, which may vastly differ from each other, bamboo steamers usually all have an analogous commonplace aesthetic and building, however there are a couple of little variations that might make or break your expertise. For instance, some steamers are handled with chemical coatings to stop mildew. Some cooks favor to go chemical free, whereas others would possibly favor the additional safety towards moisture. Sure steamers additionally use metallic items like exterior rings to extend sturdiness and be sure that the steamer will maintain its form, that are nice should you’re limiting your steamer use to the pan-based technique, however pose a hazard should you’re planning on popping it within the microwave. 

High quality vs. Worth

After all you need a high quality steamer, since decrease high quality choices will be poorly constructed and vulnerable to splintering. However don’t really feel like it is advisable overspend on a bamboo steamer, since these kitchen instruments aren’t meant to final a lifetime, however reasonably changed periodically as they deteriorate primarily based on how incessantly you utilize them and the way nicely you take care of them.

FAQs

How do I take advantage of a bamboo steamer?

A bamboo steamer consists of two or so steamer baskets that stack collectively, every with a bamboo slat backside that enables the steam to penetrate, with a lid. You should use only one basket or proceed to stack them you probably have meals with completely different cooking occasions (conserving the longer-cooking one within the backside steamer.) The hampers are historically positioned inside a big wok pan (however you may get away with a bigger sauce pan if you’re wok-less) crammed with sufficient water in order that it boils, however not sufficient that it touches the basket backside of the steamer. Chef Joanne Chang additionally says: “Ensure that to line the steamer with parchment or cheesecloth so meals doesn’t stick. In case you are steaming one thing juicy you wish to put a plate within the steamer to maintain the juice from dripping onto the bamboo.”

How you can keep and clear my bamboo steamer?

“Scrub by hand (don’t put within the dishwasher) and let it air dry,” says Chang. “Sprinkle with baking soda and rinse off periodically to assist sanitize.”

How lengthy do I soak bamboo steamers earlier than utilizing them?

Sizzling take: Chef Chang doesn’t soak her bamboo steamers earlier than utilizing them. However should you do select to go the soaking route, intention to soak round half-hour earlier than the primary use.

How lengthy do bamboo steamers final?

“Hand washed and air dried, and saved clear and freed from mildew and mildew, it ought to final six months or so relying on how typically you utilize it,” says Chang. “If it begins to mildew or scent off you must instantly discard it.”

Last Ideas

From dumplings, to dim sum, to a weeknight veggie aspect or fish filet, the most effective bamboo steamers present a simple and aesthetically pleasing cooking vessel to arrange your subsequent meal. We discovered that the ten” dimension strikes a candy spot between massive sufficient to suit an excellent portion of meals and sufficiently small that it’s not a wrestle to retailer, with our favourite mannequin being the Joyce Chen bamboo steamer for its sturdy, splinter-free building and impeccable cooking efficiency.

Methodology 

To seek out out what makes a bamboo steamer a winner, we largely thought of two elements: high quality relative to cost and general efficiency. We gathered a variety of steamers to check out primarily based on analysis and set to work steaming up a couple of batches of veggies and dumplings to see how they fared—utilizing 13 minutes as a cooking mark for the dumplings and 7 for the veggies (be aware: none had been root greens, which take a bit of longer). Though these steamers are usually used with woks, we determined to go along with a large nonstick to higher mirror what probably the most house cooks would possibly carry of their kitchens. We additionally saved the “two inches rule” in thoughts right here defined within the “what to search for” part, testing the steamers that match into this dimension vary after which later seeing if those we appreciated got here in different bigger or smaller dimension choices. For the sake of testing, we determined towards pre-soaking, since our professional defined she doesn’t usually take this step. After taking detailed notes of our out-of-the-box impressions (form, materials, and so on.), we took down our cook dinner check findings and mixed each to find out what steamers made it onto our vetted record of winners.