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The 10 best food steamers to buy in the UK

Picture of a food steamer

Finding the best food steamer results in fresh tasting and nutritionally packed food for your meals, making it a great investment for most kitchens. However, choosing the right food steamer can be difficult, if you don’t know what to look for. So check out this handy buying guide for the info you need to know:

What are food steamers?

A food steamer is a kitchen appliance used to steam cook food. It includes a multi-tiered container where you can place various types of foods, which are then cooked by a constant supply of steam generated from the bottom unit. The food is enclosed to contain all the steam, resulting in quick and efficient steam cooking.

Why should you buy a good food steamer?

The best food steamers are convenient and versatile. They can be used to quickly steam all kinds of foods, perhaps working best for steaming vegetables. This method of cooking vegetables helps to retain flavour, texture, and nutritional value, with very little effort required by the user.

Moreover, the steamer can be used to prepare rice, meat, pasta, fish, and even boiling an egg! Plus, because everything is done in a self-contained unit, there’s less cleaning up to do.

How to choose the right food steamer in 2024?

Another picture of a food steamer

Unsure of what to look for in a good steamer? Here are a few things to think about to help you find the best food steamer:

  • Material: Food steamers are available in various materials including bamboo, steel, aluminium, and plastic. While it won’t impact the overall functionality of the steamer, the material will determine the price and how easy it is to clean. Plus, some materials will better match the decor of your kitchen.
  • Size: Think about what size of food steamer is best-suited for your needs. The container size can vary significantly, with some holding just a few portions of food and others that can hold much more. Consider how many people you are cooking for at any given meal, with larger models better for families or people doing lots of meal preparation.
  • Features: There are certain additional features you may find useful in a food steamer. For example, a digital timer is a great way to ensure you don’t overcook anything, while many come with preprogrammed settings for convenient steaming of different foods. The best food steamers come with interchangeable containers for different food types, such as a rice bowl or a roasting rack.

What is the best kind of food steamer in the UK?

There are several types of great food steamers available including:

  • Bamboo Steamers: This is a specialist food steamer designed to steam cook dumplings but it can also double as a traditional tiered food steamer. Made from bamboo wood, it consists of several baskets stacked on top of each other and is placed over a pot of boiling water to steam cook food.
  • Metal Steamers: This is a classic type of steamer that is placed on top of an induction hob, working like a large cooking pot. Inside the pot are several tiers for placing different food, with water being added to the base and then heated to produce steam. They are usually made from aluminium or steel.
  • Electric Steamer: Electric steamers are the most common type of steamer. Just add some water and plug in the device, with steam rising into a multi-tiered container above to cook the food. These food steamers are very affordable, simple to use, and can come with various extra features.

Top 10 list of food steamers in the UK (2024)

The bestseller list compares brands and their food steamers. Which food steamer is the best?
Best choice TOP 1
Image of Salter EK2726Z food steamer
Salter 3 Tier Electric Food Steamer - 7.5L, Stackable Steaming Baskets,…
  • AUTO SHUT-OFF: For added safety whilst cooking, this steamer has an automatic shut-off…
  • EASY TO USE: The easy view water level lets you know exactly how much water is needed…
  • SAVE ON YOUR ENERGY BILLS: Using this steamer can save you up to 69% on your energy…
BUY NOW
TOP 2
Image of Russell Hobbs 21140 food steamer
Russell Hobbs 3 Tier Electric Food Steamer, 9L, Dishwasher safe BPA…
  • Requiring no oil and giving off no smoke, steaming your food leaves very little mess…
  • With two water inlets, one on each side you can easily refill your steamer, regardless…
  • Three separate basket layers provide a generous 9 Litre capacity ideal when entertaining…
BUY NOW
TOP 3
Image of Daewoo SDA1338 food steamer
Daewoo SDA1338 3 Tier Family Size Food Steamer, Use for Variety of…
  • 3 YEARS WARRANTY – Cook worry free knowing we’ve got you covered with…
  • FEATURES – The 3 tiers are all removable and dishwasher safe along with the…
  • 9 LITRES – With a large capacity the foods you can steam are endless, steaming…
BUY NOW
Offer TOP 4
Image of Russell Hobbs 14453 food steamer
Russell Hobbs 3 Tier Electric Food Steamer, 7L, Stackable baskets…
  • Product dimension: (L x H x W) 240 x 378 x 192 mm
  • Rice bowl is included
  • 60 minute timer lets you know when food is ready
BUY NOW
TOP 5
Image of BELLA 17705 food steamer
BELLA Two Tier Food Steamer with Dishwasher Safe Lids and Stackable…
  • AUTO SHUTOFF and BOIL DRY PROTECTION: The auto shutoff and boil dry protection will…
  • EASY TO READ WATER LEVEL INDICATOR: No more guessing when it's time to refill…
  • STACKABLE BASKETS and REMOVABLE BASE: The removable base makes it easy to clean your…
BUY NOW
TOP 6
Image of Morphy Richards 48755 food steamer
Morphy Richards 48755 3 Tier Food Steamer Three Tier Stainless Steel…
  • Visible water gauge
  • Large 9 litre capacity
  • Instant steam production - immediate cooking
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TOP 7
Image of Morphy Richards 470003 food steamer
Morphy Richards 470003 Intellisteam Plastic Food Steamer
  • Dishwasher safe - Dishwasher safe containers, accessories and drip tray
  • Healthy eating - Cook a healthy meal all in one
  • Auto keep warm function - Automatic keep warm function ensures food is kept perfect…
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TOP 8
Image of Russell Hobbs 26530 food steamer
Russell Hobbs 3 Tier Electric Food Steamer, 7L, Dishwasher safe BPA…
  • 2 Year Manufacturer's Guarantee - Plus 1 extra year when you register the product…
  • Rice Bowl Included - With a separate, dishwasher safe, BPA-free rice bowl you can…
  • Compact 7 Litre Capacity, Three Tier Cooking - Its 500ml (max fill) water reservoir…
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TOP 9
Image of Aigostar 305KHM food steamer
Aigostar 3 Tier Food Steamer, Electric Vegetable Steamer with BPA…
  • Quality AssuranceIf you have any questions about our products, you can always contact…
  • Easy to CleanJuice accumulating plate to prevent dripping, dishwasher-safe tiers…
  • Humanization DesignThere are water level gauges on the side of the base to indicate…
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TOP 10
Image of Cuisinart STM1000U food steamer
Cuisinart Professional Glass Steamer | 5L Capacity | Stainless Steel…
  • Dishwasher safe parts.
  • Pause feature allows you to pause cooking to check your food, season, or add additional…
  • Keep warm, reheat and pause functions.
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