Steaming your food is one of the best ways to cook and one of the healthiest too. It’s especially great for vegetables, as it helps them retain more of their nutrients, and it keeps them moist and tasting fresher.
Steaming your food is also one of the easiest ways to cook, as all you need is a good steamer pot (or a set of them to cook more things at once.)
They can come in especially handy when cooking large meals, such as a Christmas dinner or Thanksgiving, where you can have a tower of steamer pots cooking various different vegetables at once!
Steaming also doesn’t require any oil, making it cheaper, and it can be left unsupervised without becoming dangerous like other cooking methods are. Steamer pots are also highly accessible and easy to come by, so really, it’s all benefits!
There are plenty of different steamer pots available in today’s market, ranging across many different brands and designs to suit different needs and preferences.
In fact, there are so many options that it can become a bit overwhelming to try and determine which steamer pot is the best possible option for you.
It needs to cover all the basics, efficiently retaining the steam and heat so the food can be cooked properly and at a decently fast pace, as well as having any other handy features that are offered with different options.
To help out, we’ve compiled a list with our top five picks for the overall best steamer pots, to ensure you have a pick of high-quality and reliable products.
In a hurry?
Are you switching to a healthier cooking style? Are you cooking a large dinner and need to multitask many vegetables at once?
Whatever the reason, getting a steamer pot is an excellent idea that will make cooking certain foods a lot easier. If you’re in a hurry to get the best possible steamer pot, we recommend you check out our number one top choice: the Oster Sangerfield Stainless Steel Cookware Steamer.
The Oster Sangerfield Stainless Steel Cookware Steamer is our top choice for many reasons, but it is also an Amazon bestseller with plenty of positive reviews and ratings that single it out as a favorite amongst customers.
Efficient, convenient, and highly durable, and long-lasting. It comes as a set of three pieces, allowing you to multitask a meal by cooking and steaming at the same time, on the different layers.
Extremely easy to use, it is also super fast to clean and is dishwasher safe. It has been designed to be slightly smaller than traditional stock pot steamers, making it more convenient when the time comes to store it, and saving you some valuable kitchen space.
Here are some of the main features:
- Best Selling product, highly recommended
- Set of 3 pieces: stainless dutch oven, steamer basket, and G-type vented glass lid
- Ideal for multitasking, cook, and steam at the same time
- Encapsulated stainless steel base for even heating
- Made from stainless steel with riveted handles
- Smaller design - saves space
OUR TOP PICK
The Oster Sangerfield Stainless Steel Cookware Steamer is an excellent option that has made it to the top of our list thanks to the overwhelming amount of positive reviews and ratings that have turned it into an amazon bestseller product, and for good reason!
It is absolutely ideal for steaming your food and cooking your vegetables to perfection.
Made from stainless steel, it is highly durable and long-lasting, which is needed for kitchen equipment in order for it to withstand constant use.
It comes as a set of three pieces, which includes a stainless dutch oven, a steamer basket, and a G-type vented glass lid. This allows it to have a double use, as a stovetop steamer and as a dutch oven with a glass lid.
It’s perfect for multitasking so that you’re cooking an entire meal at once, with minimal effort and minimal mess. For example, you could cook some quinoa or rice in the bottom pot, while you steam different vegetables at the top, at the same time!
It features an encapsulated stainless steel base to ensure even heating, and it has riveted handles for enhanced strength and even more durability.
It has been designed to be slightly smaller than traditional stock pot steamers, which saves space both when cooking and when it comes to storing the pots away.
It is also completely dishwasher safe, so you can easily wash it when you’re done using it!
Overall, it is highly efficient and practical, perfect for your healthy meals!
Pros
- Best Selling product, highly recommended
- Set of 3 pieces: stainless dutch oven, steamer basket, and G-type vented glass lid
- Ideal for multitasking, cook, and steam at the same time
- Encapsulated stainless steel base for even heating
- Made from stainless steel with riveted handles
- Smaller design - saves space
Cons
- The entire pot, including the handle, becomes hot while steaming - needs to be handle with care
EDITORS CHOICE
The Mockins 3 Piece premium Steamer Pot Set is another highly popular and recommended option, with plenty of positive reviews and ratings to back it up as a favorite amongst customers.
It is another set of 3 pieces, which consists of a 3 quart pot, a steamer basket, and a tight fitting vented glass lid. Made from high-quality, heavy-duty stainless steel, it is highly durable and long-lasting.
It also has an aluminum core at the bottom of the pot and at the base, which is capped by induction stainless steel to ensure an even distribution of the heat for perfect cooking results.
This steamer pot also features rolled pot rims, giving you a spill and drip-resistant pouring that just makes life a lot easier.
The Bakelite handles stay cool while you’re cooking, making them safer to use. It can also be used on any and all cooking surfaces, so it is highly convenient for any kitchen!
Mockins is very proud of this product, so it also offers a customer satisfaction guarantee, with a lifetime hassle-free replacement or money back guarantee!
It’s incredibly useful and efficient for all of your stemming needs when it comes to food, and it will be perfect for cooking vegetables and others!
Pros
- Highly recommended and popular product
- Set of 3 pieces: 3 quart pot, steamer basket, and tight fitting vented glass lid
- High-quality heavy-duty stainless steel with an aluminum core at the base for even heating
- Rolled pot rims for easier pouring - spill and drip-resistant
- Bakelite handles remain cool while cooking - extra safe to use
- Lifetime hassle-free replacement or money back guarantee
Cons
- Some customers have reported a bad smell coming from the handles when they are exposed to the heat of cooking
BEST VALUE
If you’re looking for a highly practical and functional design that saves space and is highly efficient when it comes to steaming vegetables, meat, and other foods...then the Yamde 2 Piece Stainless Steel Stack and Steam Pot Set might be the product that you are looking for.
It’s made from all stainless steel construction, for high durability and a long-lifespan that withstands regular kitchen use.
The set consists of a bottom pot, a steaming pot, and a clear tempered glass lid.
The smaller design makes it ideal for cooking smaller meals and makes it a lot easier to store as it can save a considerable amount of space on your kitchen shelves or cupboards.
It’s very easy to use and can be easily cleaned after use as it is dishwasher safe.
Although normally used over a stove for steaming, it is also oven safe up to a temperature of 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
Lightweight and convenient, it’s perfect for people that need to get their meals done fast and easily. It’s all you really need for your basic steaming needs!
Pros
- Practical and functional design - smaller size for easier storage
- Set consisting of a 3 quart bottom pot, a steamer pot, and a clear tempered glass lid
- Stainless steel construction for durability and long-lasting lifespan
- Dishwasher safe
- Oven safe up to 350 degrees Fahrenheit
Cons
- Not high quality
RUNNER UP
The Nevlers Stainless Steel 3 Quart Steamer Pot is a great addition to any kitchen and a great choice for those that want to start steaming their food for fast and easy meals that are also healthier and delicious.
It comes as a set of three, including a 3 quart sauce pot, a 2 quart steamer insert basket, and a glass lid with an air vent.
Made from stainless steel, it is highly durable and long-lasting, suitable for any and all stovetops. It is also oven safe up to a temperature of 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
The handles of this steamer pot are made from Bakelite, which allows them to remain cool while you cook, making it a lot safer to use.
Ideal for steaming vegetables, meat, and other foods. You could even use this steamer pot as a baby food maker! It is truly a versatile product that will find multiple uses within your kitchen.
The product also comes with a lifetime of satisfaction guarantee, with a lifetime warranty and hassle-free money back guarantee if you aren’t happy with it. Spoiler alert: you will be very happy with it.)
The size is absolutely perfect, as it is small enough to be convenient and easy to store, and has enough space to hold a sizable meal so you don’t go hungry!
It also includes a strainer, to help you finish off the meal when it’s done steaming!
Pros
- Set of 3 pieces: 3 quart pot, steamer insert, and a glass lid with an air vent
- Made from stainless steel, suitable for all stovetops
- Oven safe up to a temperature of 350 degrees Fahrenheit
- Highly versatile and convenient - perfect for multiple kitchen needs
- Lifetime warranty and hassle-free money back guarantee
Cons
- Not as lightweight as other options
RUNNER UP
Last but not least on our list of top picks is the Costway 3-Tier Stainless Steel Steamer Pot Set.
This is another great option that is ideal for multitasking and for getting many components of a meal done at once, fast and easy.
The 3-tier set consists of three steamer pots that can be stacked, plus a lid. When fully stacked, that’s three layers of steaming for you to cook multiple things at once! Perfect for bigger meals.
It is made from high-grade stainless steel, for a high-durability and allowing for an even distribution of the heat while cooking.
This set is designed to be a lot bigger, with the bottom layer holding up to 8quarts, and the other 2 layers having a capacity of 3.6 quarts. The lid is also slightly arched, giving you that extra space in case you need it.
It is also equipped with two steaming grades which have a special reflux design, making the food cook faster and saving you energy costs and time.
Convenient and efficient, it is also dishwasher safe for you to easily clean it after use.
All in all, it is the ideal choice for big meals and multitasking, covering all the basics for a great steamed meal in no time!
Pros
- Bigger capacity and design - ideal for big meals and multitasking
- 3-tier set consisting of 3 steamer pots and an arched lid
- Made from high-grade stainless steel for durability and even heating
- Equipped with 2 streaming grades with special reflux design - saves time and energy costs
- Dishwasher safe and ideal for all stovetops
Cons
- Harder to store away due to the bigger size
Best Steamer Pot Buying Guide
Getting a steamer pot is a great idea, and it will become one of your most versatile and used tools within the kitchen.
Steaming food is also highly recommended, as it is a lot healthier, cheaper, and usually faster with less mess to clean up afterward. There are plenty of steamer pots available in the market, so you are guaranteed to find one that suits your cooking needs and preferences.
However, you should always ensure it is as high-quality as possible, and that it covers some of the basic features that will come in handy. To help you out, we’ve summarized a few basic factors that we like to take into consideration when determining whether a steamer pot is worth it or not:
Size and Capacity
Steamer pots come in many different sizes and capacities, and choosing one or either is completely up to you and your needs.
However, you should try and balance having enough capacity for cooking larger meals, with it being convenient and small enough to store away in your kitchen easily.
Material and Construction
Most steamer pots nowadays are made from stainless steel. This makes them highly durable, and it also helps keep an even distribution of the heat on the pot.
It’s important to ensure the materials used are high-quality, because kitchen equipment receives quite intense and regular use, and you want it to last as long as possible without being damaged easily.
Handle Design
A good handle design will help you move and lift the steamer pot a lot easier. However, when it comes to the handle, what we recommend you look for is a material that will remain cool while you are cooking.
After all, a handle that heats up and becomes too hot to touch can be quite dangerous and impractical.
Sets and Stacking
A lot of steamer pots are sold as sets, with different amounts of pot layers that can be stacked to make tall and multitasking kitchenware.
If you’re looking for a steamer pot that will help you get all of the different food steamed in time for a big family meal, then you should definitely look for a stackable set that comes with plenty of differently sized steamer pots to use simultaneously.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do you steam vegetables for?
The amount of time you should steam vegetables can vary from vegetable to vegetable, however, they all become done incredibly fast. Most vegetables will be done in between 2 to 5 minutes.
Broccoli and cauliflower will take a little longer, steaming for around 8 to 10 minutes. And root vegetables such as potatoes, carrots, and turnips will be amongst those that take the longest, as they will need to be steamed for around 10 to 15 minutes.
What are the disadvantages of steaming?
With so many advantages being thrown at you when it comes to steaming food, you might be wondering whether there are any disadvantages whatsoever.
Rather than disadvantages, we like to refer to them as limitations, because it’s to be expected that a single cooking method can’t handle all foods perfectly.
Steaming is perfect for vegetables, and it is also great for poultry and fish. However, when it comes to meat such as beef or pork, it is likely that the steam won’t be enough to suitably cook the food.
This is because steam isn’t as high heat as normal cooking, and it would take far too long for the meat to be done properly.
My love for cooking started early in my life. My dad owns a restaurant and I will frequently help out in the kitchen since a very young age.
My aim on this website is to provide you with quality content on food, kitchen and dining. I strive to give the most detailed and honest reviews on products, definitive guides and the best recommendations. I am not here to make a quick buck by providing you with inaccurate information.
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