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Looking for a healthier way to cook your meals? A food steamer could be the answer! This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about food steamers in the UK market in 2026, helping you choose the perfect one for your needs. We’ll cover different types, top picks, and essential buying advice.
Table of Contents
What is a Food Steamer & Why Use One?
Food steaming cooks food with steam rather than immersing it in water. It is useful for vegetables, rice in a suitable bowl, and other foods specified in your appliance’s instructions. You can cook without adding oil, although the nutritional result depends on the ingredients and the rest of the meal.
Benefits of Steaming:
- Cooking method: Food sits above the water rather than being submerged.
- Healthy Cooking: Requires little to no added oil, making it a low-fat cooking method.
- Ease of Use: Most steamers are simple to operate and clean.
- Versatility: Suitable for cooking vegetables, fish, poultry, dumplings, and more.
There are three main types of food steamers available: electric, stovetop, and bamboo.
Types of Food Steamers: Which is Right for You?
Electric Food Steamers
Electric food steamers are the most convenient option. They typically consist of a heating element and several baskets or compartments. Check the instructions for how to arrange different foods and manage their cooking times.
- Pros: Convenient, easy to use, often include timer functions and preset programmes, consistent cooking.
- Cons: Can be bulky, require an electrical outlet, generally more expensive than stovetop options.
- Features to look for: Capacity, timer, preset programmes, auto shut-off, dishwasher-safe parts.
Stovetop Food Steamers
Stovetop steamer baskets hold food above simmering water in a suitable pan. A basket can be a compact alternative to a separate electric appliance.
- Pros: Compact, no separate plug needed; hob compatibility depends on the pan, not the basket.
- Cons: Requires monitoring of the pan water level and a secure fit between the pan, basket and lid.
- Types: Stainless steel steamers (with insert basket), foldable steamers (for space saving).
Bamboo Steamers
Bamboo steamers are a traditional Asian cooking method. They consist of stacked bamboo baskets placed over a wok or pot of boiling water.
- Pros: Stackable baskets can be useful for dumplings and buns when used with a suitable pan or wok.
- Cons: Requires more care and maintenance, not dishwasher safe, limited capacity, best suited for certain types of food (dumplings, vegetables).
- Care: Follow the maker’s cleaning instructions, avoid prolonged soaking and dry thoroughly before storage.
Three Electric Food Steamers to Compare
Product specifications checked against manufacturer or retailer pages on 16 October 2026. This is a research-based buying guide; we have not hands-on tested these products. Prices and stock can change, so no current Amazon price or availability is promised.
Salter 3-Tier 7.5L Food Steamer — EK2726Z
For a straightforward stacked steamer, the Salter is worth comparing. Its manufacturer page describes three baskets, a rice bowl, a 60-minute timer and a water-level window. The advertised 7.5-litre total is spread across the tiers: check whether the shape of each basket suits the food you cook.
Trade-off: stacked baskets share the steam source; this is not a model with independently scheduled cooking compartments. Follow the included manual for basket arrangement, cleaning and water top-ups.
Russell Hobbs 3 Tier Food Steamer — 21140
The UK Argos listing for model 21140 specifies three tiers with a 9-litre combined basket capacity, an 800W heater, a 60-minute timer, automatic switch-off and an external water-fill feature. A rice basket is included. The baskets are plastic; match model number 21140 when comparing listings.
Trade-off: the 9-litre figure describes all three tiers together, not a single large cooking compartment. Measure the assembled height and storage space before ordering.
Morphy Richards Intellisteam — 470006
If coordinating foods with different timings is your priority, compare the Morphy Richards Intellisteam 470006. Morphy Richards specifies a synchronised finish function, eight preset timings and an automatic keep-warm function. Its published dimensions are 38.2 × 33.5 × 27.8cm, so check worktop and cupboard space.
Trade-off: the more involved controls and wider footprint may be unnecessary if you only steam one basket of vegetables. Presets are a starting point; follow the manual and check that food is cooked properly.
Choosing a Stovetop or Bamboo Steamer
If you already own a suitable pan, a stainless-steel insert or folding basket may meet your needs without another electrical appliance. Check the basket diameter, the space for water below it, the lid fit and the pan’s hob compatibility. A “universal” insert still needs to fit your particular pan.
Bamboo baskets are another option for foods such as dumplings. Check the maker’s guidance on pan size, liners, water level and cleaning. Choose by the actual basket dimensions rather than an unverified capacity or an old advertised price. For a closer fit check, see our bamboo-steamer sizing and care guide.
Food Steamer Buying Guide: What to Consider in 2026
When choosing a food steamer, consider these factors:
- Capacity: Compare the usable basket dimensions with your normal portions; a combined litre figure does not show how much food fits in one layer.
- Controls: Compare a simple countdown timer with independently timed compartments if you cook several foods together.
- Timer: Check how the timer and automatic switch-off work, and still follow the water-level instructions.
- Dishwasher Safe Parts: Simplifies cleaning.
- Material Quality: Stainless steel is durable and rust-resistant.
- Price: Set a budget and compare features within that range.
Choosing Cooking Times
Use the timing table supplied with your exact steamer. Portion size, food thickness, basket position and the number of loaded tiers all affect cooking. The Salter EK2726Z instructions, for example, describe their cooking times as guidelines and say to extend them for multiple tiers or layered ingredients. Do not rely on one generic chicken or fish time for every appliance.
Cleaning & Maintaining Your Food Steamer
Proper cleaning ensures your steamer lasts.
- Electric Steamers: Unplug and cool the appliance before cleaning. Wash only the removable parts that the manufacturer permits, and use its specified descaling method and interval.
- Stovetop Steamers: Wash with warm soapy water. Ensure all water is drained before storing.
- Bamboo Steamers: Follow the maker’s instructions, avoid prolonged soaking and allow the baskets to dry thoroughly.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Can I steam frozen vegetables?
Yes, you can steam frozen vegetables, but you may need to add a few extra minutes to the cooking time.
Is steaming better than boiling?
It depends on the food and what you want to cook. Steaming keeps food out of the cooking water; boiling can be more practical for some dishes. Neither method makes the whole meal healthy on its own.
Can I use any pot for a stovetop steamer?
You need a pot that’s large enough to accommodate the steamer basket and allow for sufficient water without the water touching the food. Ensure the pot is stable on your hob.
How often should I descale my electric steamer?
Follow the interval and method in the manual for your exact model; water hardness and frequency of use affect scale buildup.
Are bamboo steamers hygienic?
Clean them according to the maker’s instructions and dry them thoroughly before putting them away. Inspect them before use and replace damaged or mouldy baskets; do not rely on claims that bamboo cleans itself.