The best steamers on test

Merely load, change on and go away till the timer pings so you may get on with different issues. Utilizing a number of baskets, it is potential to steam a complete meal and might be extra vitality environment friendly than utilizing the oven and hob.

Greatest steamers to purchase at a look

Greatest good steamer: Sage the Quick Professional multi-cooker, £179.95Best steamer multi-cooker: Ninja Speedi 10-in-1 Fast Cooker, £229.99Best high-spec steamer: Magimix steamer, £212.98Best mid-range steamer: Lakeland digital steamer, £59.99Best worth steamer: Choose three-tier steamer, £43.80Best small meals steamer: Salter meals steamer, £19.99Best finances steamer: Russell Hobbs three-tier meals steamer, £29Best designed steamer: Morphy Richards Intellisteam meals steamer, £50

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Greatest steamers to purchase in 2025

Sage the Quick Sluggish Professional multi-cooker

Greatest good steamer

The Quick Sluggish Professional is a well-liked equipment in our evaluation of the perfect sluggish cookers, nevertheless it’s additionally technically a multicooker that provides a complete vary of features. It comes with slow- and pressure-cooking features, in addition to searing, sautéing, lowering and steaming, with all of the presets displayed on the big, vivid LED display.

The machine is tall however has a small footprint. It is attractively designed with high-grade brushed metal, stable handles and ceramic-coated metal interior pot by means of to the safe detachable lid.

Rice is cooked immediately within the pot, however for the fish and greens, we use a stainless-steel rack that sits snugly contained in the detachable pot and doubles up as a stand for elevating the steaming colander above the waterline. Utilizing the charts within the instruction e book, we prepare dinner every part exactly as steered and have glorious outcomes throughout all of the meals.

The draw back to utilizing a cooker equivalent to that is that, in contrast to a conventional steamer the place you’ll be able to prepare dinner many various meals concurrently, right here they’re performed individually. However what you do get is many different features and totally different cooking strategies rolled collectively, and the Sage is a grasp at this model.

Ninja Speedi 10-in-1 Fast Cooker

Greatest steamer multi-cooker

Professionals:

3 steam settingsMostly recyclable packagingEasy to manage temperatureIntuitive controls

Cons:

Dearer to run than different steamers

Star score: 4.5/5

The Ninja Speedi is a lot greater than a conventional steamer – it has a novel rapid-cook setting that mixes steam with convection warmth to show meals round in quarter-hour. Amongst it 10 settings are ‘steam air fry’, ‘steam bake’ ‘roast’, ‘sauté’, ‘grill’, and its double-layer design means that you can prepare dinner two totally different elements concurrently.

We achieved significantly good outcomes with the steam bake setting, and tailored our flourless chocolate & almond cake by including 500ml of water to the cooking pot (as steered within the Ninja Speedi guide) – earlier than inserting the cake tin full of batter inside, then steam baking it for 20-25 minutes. As soon as performed, our cake had a fudgy, brownie-like centre with a agency prime. Learn our full Ninja Speedi Fast Cooker evaluation.

Magimix multifunction steamer

Greatest high-spec steamer

The Magimix steamer was the most costly on our check, however it’s a highly effective, sturdily constructed 12-litre steamer made with the highest-quality chrome steel. It matches collectively seamlessly and consists of a base unit, two dishwasher-safe steaming baskets, a heavy-duty glass lid with a heatproof silicone deal with and a multifunctional stainless-steel bowl with a lid for cooking rice or reheating meals.

The higher steaming basket has a detachable perforated backside for cooking giant dishes – a steamed pudding will slot in comfortably – making this a superb selection for household cooking. Nonetheless, the big footprint takes up various area, so it is not greatest for smaller kitchens or these missing space for storing.

The machine has 4 temperatures (100C, 80C, 60C, 40C). Which means that along with steaming, you’ll be able to gently prepare dinner fish and use it to reheat or preserve meals heat. The bottom temperature can be utilized for setting selfmade yogurt.

There is a boil-dry security system when the water is low, and topping up entails eradicating the hampers, which should be performed rigorously to keep away from accidents. In any other case, the steamer is straightforward to function, with one dial and 4 pre-set cooking temperatures, together with a yogurt setting and keep-warm operate.

We just like the instruction and 55-recipe e book, however we discover the directions for cooking a chunk of fish imprecise, giving timings for a fish fillet by quantity, not weight. That mentioned, all is cooked shortly and simply with stunning clear flavours – superb-quality cooking from an important machine.

Lakeland digital three-tier electrical steamer

Greatest mid-range steamer

The Lakeland steamer is a family-sized machine with a big footprint and three good-sized steamer baskets, so there is not any downside with area for meals. Nonetheless, the hampers do not stack, so it should take up a good bit of space for storing within the cabinet.

The bottom is difficult black plastic and chrome steel and the hampers, although additionally plastic, are comparatively strong – every of the three layers has a detachable perforated base.

There’s a superb window to see the water stage whereas cooking, thus avoiding boiling dry, although the steamer will shut off if that occurs. There’s a useful automated delay begin function for organising the steamer prematurely.

A superb function of the Lakeland steamer is the drip tray that sits above the water reservoir between the hampers. This intelligent function prevents water condensation and meals juices from dripping again into the reservoir, so it consistently pumps out clear water for the steam. We are able to actually inform the distinction as we cooked meals collectively within the three layers, however there was no cross-tainting of flavours.

Choose three-tier electrical steamer

Greatest worth steamer

The Choose is the most cost effective on our check, however strong because it’s constituted of sturdy plastic. The hampers are clear and all have detachable bases, so it is potential to steam outsized gadgets.

The steamer is oval slightly than spherical and at 32cm, doesn’t have an unlimited footprint, however is just not so small which you can’t shortly prepare dinner fish and greens for 2 to 4.

The bottom unit is evident and easy, with a big vivid button telling you that the machine is heating, one other to point energy and a 60-minute timer button. We discover it somewhat noisy because it involves the boil, sounding extra like a kettle boiling. That is the one steamer on the check the place the water begins to boil dry.

The instruction leaflet offers all it’s essential know to get began shortly. There are not any recipes or tips about how you can descale the steamer, however there are good timings for various weights and sizes of greens and meat.

The fish is smooth and attractive and the rice somewhat sticky, however there are not any complaints with the potatoes and beans. That is actually a good little steamer at a discount worth.

Salter EK2726Z three-tier 7.5-litre meals steamer

Greatest small meals steamer

The Salter steamer is compact however tall. It has three separate dishwasher-safe baskets that neatly stack on prime of one another utilizing a divider. For storage, these can stack inside one another, which is useful in a small kitchen.

The bottom unit is constituted of chrome steel, with a single timer button on the entrance. The three baskets are made of sunshine plastic however do match collectively nicely, and the highest basket has a good-sized safe deal with.

The Salter is undoubtedly a budget-level steamer, however that does not imply it would not do its job. In contrast to a few of the different steamers on the check, this one requires 500ml boiling water to make use of, which is a timesaver as you are not heating from chilly. It claims that quantity of water is adequate for an hour of cooking.

There’s room sufficient to prepare dinner for a small household, particularly if utilizing all baskets without delay. We prepare dinner the rice within the prime utilizing the rice bowl, veg within the center and fish on the backside. In half-hour, every thing is cooked to perfection, together with the perfect rice on the check.

The seal between the layers is superb and no steam escapes, so it’s doing its job on the within. It is somewhat arduous to see what’s going on because it steams up, however we belief the method.

Russell Hobbs three-tier meals steamer 21140

Greatest finances steamer

The Russell Hobbs steamer is one other finances machine, however a great dimension for household cooking at 9 litres. There are three dishwasher-safe baskets, every barely smaller than the opposite, so that they should be positioned accurately.

The hampers match inside one another, which is useful for storage. They’re manufactured from flimsy plastic, although, and with no detachable bases they’ll solely take smaller meals. We significantly just like the waterspout function meaning you’ll be able to prime up the reservoir throughout cooking with out unstacking the recent steaming baskets.

There’s one clear timer dial on the entrance, which is barely audible when it reaches time – at first, we miss the sign. We just like the clear base unit, making it potential to see the water stage all through the cooking. Even at this worth, it has a boil-dry operate which may be very helpful.

The instruction e book is skinny, however has every thing it’s essential know on timings and sizes for steaming totally different meals, plus tips about meals security and particulars on descaling the steamer, which it should require infrequently.

We’re fortunately stunned by the meals from this steamer – the rice is mild and fluffy and cooks in 20 minutes. The salmon is smooth, moist and has good flavour, and the veg is spot-on.

Morphy Richards compact Intellisteam meals steamer

Greatest designed steamer

Ultimate for 2 folks, this neat steamer has one basket that may be divided into two compartments, with a detachable wall. We significantly like that separate timers might be set for the 2 compartments. The steamer routinely delays the beginning for the shorter cooking time in order that each compartments end steaming collectively.

It produces good, fluffy rice and al dente carrots. It has a water inlet for filling throughout cooking and an alarm sounds if the water drops under minimal. There’s a security function to chop the machine off if the water dries out. Simple to scrub, the container (although not the lid) is dishwasher-safe and the reservoir might be descaled with vinegar utilizing a descale setting.

How to decide on the perfect steamer

Measurement and accessible area: steamers wanted for household cooking might be large, with a big footprint and deep, large baskets that can take up room on the worktop and within the cabinet. If area is at a premium, select a taller mannequin slightly than wider and one which has baskets that stack one inside the opposite.

Most steamers are round 9 litres, which is sufficiently big to prepare dinner a meal for 4. If cooking for one to 3 folks, it may be higher to go for a smaller steamer that can take up much less area.

Security: search for fashions with sturdy, well-balanced baskets and strong, simple to grip, heatproof handles. A boil-dry cut-out that can routinely change the machine off if the water runs out is vastly necessary, as is the convenience of filling up the water tank throughout use. An exterior tank with a spout is the perfect, however not all fashions have this and having to take away baskets not solely impacts cooking occasions, however you additionally danger harm from scorching steam.

Value: there’s a broad vary of costs with electrical steamers. The highest worth vary may have many additional options and be manufactured from high-quality supplies, however don’t low cost the mid and finances vary. All right here carried out exceptionally nicely within the check.

How we examined steamers

Rice – many of the steamers we examined had rice bowls included. We cooked two servings of basmati rice and appeared for dry, fluffy, evenly cooked grains.Blended load – to check the convenience of cooking a complete dinner, we steamed salmon and potatoes with inexperienced beans. This meant utilizing all the hampers and testing the producer’s steering for timings.

What we appeared for in a steamer

The instruction guide: notably, the instruction booklet could make or break for these new to steaming. Understanding the significance of meals positioning in a steamer (meals on the highest cooks extra slowly), the accuracy of steering from the guide is paramount. Realizing cooking occasions by weight and time, recent or frozen, makes a lot simpler and fewer wasteful than trial and error.

Effectivity: A steamer ought to prepare dinner meals shortly and evenly. We appeared for machines that produced steam quick for tender fish and vivid, al dente veg.

Measurement: Steamers might be space-consuming, so we thought of each top and footprint. We favoured steamers with baskets that stacked inside each other for ease of storage.

Versatility: We appeared for the inclusion of baskets for rice, grooves to carry eggs for steaming, and the convenience of cooking a complete meal within the steamer without delay.

Steamer recipes

Pork & prawn wontonsBao bunsChinese steamed bass with cabbageSteamed leeks & peas

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This evaluation was final up to date in January 2025. If in case you have any questions, recommendations for future opinions or spot something that has modified in worth or availability please get in contact at [email protected].