A little kitchen helper that does BIG things

Ah, cooking. I really, really dislike it. It's just not my thing. The timing, the presentation, the dish washing...ugh. Anything that makes it pleasant is a definite plus in my eyes. Maybe someday, I'll "get" it and will look forward to preparing meals for my family (dream on LOL) but for now...convenience, convenience, convenience.

I heard about this steamer on a major retailer's website...it had stellar reviews and the cost was very low for such a gadget. As we're into healthy eating, my husband and I eat a LOT of fish, rice and veggies. Also, I wanted a more accurate way to time the vegetable steaming process so it would be done in conjunction with the other components of the entire meal. I gladly purchased one online a few months ago from the date of this review and have been using it ever since.

Before I purchased the steamer, I was using a double boiler with a steamer insert...I could never get the timing right and would either end up with raw veggies or those gray mushy numbers that wouldn't even do baby food proud. Very unpredictable indeed and as we usually eat a medley of a few vegetables at one sitting, it was stressful having to add broccoli/brussels sprouts/squash during a certain stage or keeping track of the time while juggling two other things.

The steamer is a tiny thing (8" H x 9" Diameter and weighs 4 lbs.)...I was a little concerned with it's size, since both my husband and I are "big" people. Not overweight, just big...big feet, big hands, tall...and we eat a lot when we eat. I'm talking super-size me. This little baby only holds 4 cups of whatever. It turns out to be the perfect amount, really. In fact, we've used it for ourselves and a guest and it's held the perfect side portion.

It also comes with a separate stackable compartment that has a small mesh screen. The screen holds any type of fresh or dried herb that will complement whatever you happen to be steaming (the included instruction manual outlines this nicely).

The parts of this "miracle with a plug" are:

-a white plastic cover with interlocking tabs (to attach it to the next level) and a few vent holes to let steam out;
-a white plastic rice bowl;
-a transparent plastic steaming bowl with vents in the bottom to let the steam in;
-a drip tray that catches the hot steam as it converts back to water drop form and runs down the top and sides of the steamer (this tray also holds the flavor-scenter screen);
-the base (everything above stacks onto this part) with an attached polarized plug, timer, light (indicates the machine is "on") and also has a water reservoir with fill-to marks and a heater element (to boil the water);
-And last of all, the instruction manual.

The separate layers stack onto each other. They basically just get placed onto one another and don't require snapping on, screwing on, or latching, which is nice in itself!

The only beef I have is that the 32-page 5 1/2" x 8 1/2" instruction manual is that it includes cooking times/herb flavoring tables for different fresh or frozen vegetables, seafood and fish, poultry, frankfurters, eggs, some types of fruit and rice. It sounds nice, but this needs to be referred to often and is printed on plain 'ol white paper(like a thin copier bond). It looks kinda yucky after being on a prep surface time after time...a company-produced reference card would have been a nice plus. I plan to copy the appropriate pages with the cooking time/flavor-scenter tables, reducing them to a manageable size. After copying, I'll laminate them and keep them on my fridge or on a cabinet for even easier reference, as I use this item a lot. There is a steaming guide that looks like it's been screen-printed onto the back of the machine, but it's not as detailed, nor does it include all items listed in the instruction manual. The English portion of the manual is 11 pages long (also includes instructions in Spanish and French).

The way it works is this: Refer to the manual for cooking times for whatever you plan to prepare in the steamer. The manual's table (in neat, easy to read columns) shows the type of food, weight/# of pieces, how much water to put in (using the fill line in the base of the steamer), suggested flavorings for the flavor-scenter and how much to add, approx. time in minutes and tips and comments. Prepare the vegetables for steaming, add lukewarm water (if desired, a little wine, broth or lemon juice can be ADDED to the water) to the fill line as recommended, add any herbs to the flavor screen (optional) If you're cooking more than one type of veggie, just remember to add it at the right time, according to the table...that's the only catch, but I find it easy to do, as the steamer has a timer with minute increments right on it. The little bell goes "DING" at the end (aww, isn't that cute LOL). Time for dinner.

As steam rises out of the top of the machine through the vent holes in the lid, it helps to place this on an open spot on your countertop so the steam doesn't get blocked or soaked up by the bottoms of the cupboard (allow the steam to freely dissipate into the air).

Just do what the manual instructs you to do (the items in the book have instructions on how to trim/chop/prep food for steaming) and time your food just right and I guarantee that you will smell AND taste success! Veggies come out perfectly done, still have that bright color, a semi-firm bite and are flavorful. The added herbs not only smell great as the scent wafts through the kitchen, they add a whole new taste dimension to your steamed goodies (there are even herb suggestions for meats). I find it nice to flavor food with natural ingredients such as herbs. Who needs all of that salt and artificial gunk flavoring someone cooked up in a lab! Yuck!

While this item also steams other types of food besides vegetables, I have not used it for that purpose...we prefer to cook our seafood and poultry using other methods (usually in the oven or on the grill) than steaming. When I do decide to steam meats in the steamer, I will definitely update this review, although the timing on certain meats seems like it would take too long to prepare them that way.

I've found that chopping the vegetables thinner will result in less cooking time and as little experiments, I've toyed around with timing. On a related note, when I steam vegetables, I sometimes add cubed (about 1" cubes) firm tofu to the mix...it's delicious. Although the manual doesn't state cooking times, I find about 10 or so minutes is sufficient and it's hard to overcook tofu. The supermarket I shop also has flavored tofu, or it can be marinated in soy or teriyaki sauce beforehand for an extra flavor boost before adding to the steamer. It's like a meal in itself, really and so quick & easy to do.

Speaking of, on steaming rice: I've tried it with an 8-blend whole grain rice mix (not enriched) that really took about 10 minutes longer to fully cook than the time given in the manual (I referred to the brown rice cooking times). A 1 2/3 yield cup of white rice takes 29-32 minutes in the steamer On the stove, it takes 20 minutes tops. If I use jasmine rice, I can further reduce the cooking time to ten minutes (a quick rinse prior to cooking and 5 min. setting time after cooking is normal).

A quick note on rice: Jasmine rice (typically a long-grain variety) is convenient to make, separates nicely (not sticky), has a firm texture, nutty flavor and is naturally aromatic. Most rice of this variety is non-enriched and organic (rain/stream-fed). The brand I buy states that it's grown in the Himalayan region. It can be often found in Asian and East Indian markets and is normally sold in a zipper-top burlap bag with a thin plastic lining (I buy 4 lb. bags for easy storage). The 8-blend whole grain rice mix I bought comes in a 5 lb. bag and cost a whopping $17.00 but it's really healthy because the bran layer is left intact and it's rich in fiber, essential oils and numerous nutrients that are normall "stripped" out of enriched brands. It's also chewier, heartier and a lot more filling than white rice. A little goes a long way with the 8-grain, believe me.

In addition, I discovered that this can't be used to simultaneously cook rice, vegetables and meat all at once because there's just not enough room to fit everything in the steamer basket once the rice pot is fitted in there. Also, in order to cook rice, the drip tray with the flavor-scenter screen can't be used. Again, I think I'll stick to cooking my rice and meats separately from now on and keep this as a vegetable steamer from now on, unless I buy another steamer (which I might very well do to cook other items at the same time)...they're cheap enough!

An added note: Be REALLY careful when removing the lid from this when it's cooking or when you add something. The steam is VERY hot, so grip the side handles of the lid with two potholders, and lifting the lid, tilt it away from your face. If your hands get burned by the steam, rinse them immediately under the coldest water you can find, from the tap or otherwise for a good thirty seconds or more for fast relief.

Do not add water that's really cold or from the fridge to the reservoir as it takes longer to heat up and can throw the timing off. Lukewarm/room temp will work the best.

I've found this item easy to wash. Also, since it's small and the interlocking trays are stackable, I've also found it easy to store. I kind of wish the cord somehow folded up into the machine, but it's fine as the cord isn't very long. Every now and then the base section with the heating element may need a vinegar bath where the steamer is turned on to remove deposits...full instructions on this procedure are in the manual. The drip tray and the interior may discolor due to the repeated use of herbs and spices, which is normal.

In a nutshell, this is worth it. Whether you're into healthy eating, are dieting, into convenience, or are busy and on-the-go (I think this would be a GREAT college student or graduate gift) you will enjoy this item and it might even make cooking (dare I say it) fun.

Shop around...although this steamer is priced low, you can find further discounts, such as FREE shipping! We all love a sweet deal so take your time and you'll find a real bargain!!!

Thanks for taking the time to read my review!!! Take care!