He will cook a dish no worse, but it will take more time. It would be wrong to consider the power of the steamer separately from its volume, because for a small steamer with one basket, 600 W may be enough, while for a three-tier structure with a total volume of 10 liters, this power will clearly not be enough.
Volume
The total volume of the steamer is the sum of the volumes of all baskets. For an average family of 3 to 4 people, the optimal volume is from 6 to 6.5 liters. The removable bottom will allow you to increase the capacity of any basket.
Material
As a rule, steamer baskets are made of transparent and opaque plastic, but models with stainless steel bowls can also be found.
Opaque plastic is more practical and durable. Transparent plastic partly allows you to observe the cooking process, although the picture will be clear only until the moment when steam starts to form, and this is literally a few minutes. When buying a steamer with metal bowls, it should be borne in mind that the metal is very hot, so it is better to look for a model with silicone handles, then the risk of getting burned will be much lower. The undoubted advantages of the metal bowl are its strength and durability.
Design
Water evaporates during cooking and sometimes needs to be refilled. With a water filling hole, you don't have to turn off the device and remove hot baskets from the base. Water can be added directly during the process.
Multi-deck steamers allow you to cook several dishes at the same time. It is very convenient when baskets are interchangeable, that is, they coincide in shape and size of the bottom. In this case, the tiers can be swapped or removed those in which the dish is already ready. Baskets with different bottom diameters are more convenient to store, since the rest can be put in the widest container.
When choosing a steamer, you should also pay attention to the pallets. There are models in which a separate pallet is provided for each basket. This option is preferable to those in which one common pan, since the liquid from the upper baskets will not drain into the lower ones. Optimal height such a pallet is 2 cm.
Equipment
Almost all steamers are equipped with bowls for cooking cereals. There are models available with portioned cups, basket dividers, spice containers and egg coasters. Before buying, it is advisable to decide whether you need certain additional accessories and choose the package that is optimal for you.
Useful functions
One of the main functions affecting the safety and duration of the appliance is the automatic shutdown in the event of a lack of water. It is advisable not to save on this function. Any steamer, regardless of the type of control, is equipped with a timer. In order not to miss the readiness time, it is better to give preference to models with a ringing sound signal. Electronic steamers have functions such as delayed start and maintain temperature. If you do not need these functions, it may be worth paying attention to steamers with a mechanical type of control. With the "quick steam" function, you can significantly shorten the cooking time.
Care
In general, baskets and other accessories of steamers can only be washed by hand. There are very few devices that can be washed in a dishwasher, although there are also some.
Baskets with removable bottom are easier to care for, and this is another argument in favor of buying a double boiler with collapsible baskets.
Beauty, brilliance, overseas names - integral elements modern steamers. They are the ones that buyers most often look at, instead of scrupulously studying the main performance characteristics and useful features. We suggest choosing a device by its filling, and not by a shiny "wrapper" ...
When choosing household appliances, you need to remember one rule - how more possibilities, all the better. And this rule automatically "cuts off" all steamers that are intended for cooking on the stove. Therefore, we will only choose from electric steamers.
The complete list of "talents" of modern steamers is long enough, but this is not a reason to miss anything. You need to know at least about their existence, otherwise you risk soon to be disappointed in your purchase.
Steamer operation algorithm
The lower part of the steamer is reserved for the control unit, which can be represented as an ordinary regulator, as well as a real mini-computer with an LCD display. The first option only allows you to turn on the device and set the cooking time, and with the second you can almost fly into space. Naturally, it is better to choose an electronic control unit with an LCD display (if the money allows).
A more advanced version of the control panel makes it possible to set the cooking mode and time, start time and timeout. In addition, in the best models, you can add water to the tank during cooking, as well as keep the dish warm for a long time (in the keep warm mode). By the way, a double boiler must be able to automatically turn off if there is not enough water in it.
And now more about each function ... 
Useful and enjoyable features
Not all elements of a steamer are vital, some are just nice additions and add only a little convenience. It is impossible to do without others. But let's point by point:
- Adding water during cooking - convenient in that you do not need to interrupt the process in order to add water to the tank, if necessary;
- Overheating protection is a vital piece, without which the device will surely burn out one day;
- The water level indicator in the tank is a nice feature, but in the presence of protection, it is not very relevant;
- The keep warm function is very useful for business people, as it allows you to keep food warm for long hours;
- Delayed start - saves a lot of time, as the steamer can cook while you are away;
- Function "Fast steam" or its equivalent - speeds up the cooking process (sometimes 2 times);
- The preset "recipes" are convenient, and for some they are extremely necessary, since they do not need to have the gift of a culinary specialist (you only need to indicate the name of the product and its weight).
Important characteristics
There are only four defining parameters:
- Power. The lower bar is 400 W, the upper one is about 2000 W. The higher the power, the faster the food is cooked. However, it is important to choose the optimal ratio of power and number of bowls (it would also be nice to take into account the volume of each bowl). For example, a 900 watt steamer will work just fine with three 3 liter bowls.
- The number and capacity of bowls (baskets). The more bowls, the more food you can cook at one time. At the same time, it would be nice to also get a bowl for rice in which you can cook any cereal. The volume of baskets is different - from 1 liter or more. Here, look at the needs of your family.
- The number and volume of pallets. During cooking, the juice from each dish is collected in the trays. If there is only one pallet (at the very bottom), then the juice of the upper ones will drip onto the lower dishes, if there is a pallet under each bowl, then the smells and juices will not mix. Well, the deeper the pallet, the more convenient it is to work with it.
- The format and cost of the steamer. The price of the device can range from $ 20 to $ 5,000, depending on its functions, characteristics and dimensions. Steamers can be built-in and tabletop. Decent built-in options cost at least $ 1,000, while desktop options start at $ 20.
Finally
Pick up perfect option it is possible, but for this you need to objectively calculate the needs of your family. Well, as for the manufacturers, it is difficult to guess here. Whom you believe, from those and buy ...
In fact, you can cook with a steamer delicious dishes, without a single drop of oil, which will please the most pampered gourmets. For baby food steamer - irreplaceable thing, it prepares the first complementary food for the baby. Which steamer to choose so that it does not disappoint and become a real helper in the kitchen? We will tell you about this right now.
Types of steamers, the advantages of each of them
Most oldest species steamers are like a water bath in Russian cuisine. A lid with holes was installed on a pot of boiling water, on which food was laid out for cooking. "Manual" steamers can be purchased to this day, they are very cheap in price, easy to operate.
If you are not averse to buying a more expensive and more interesting device, then you should pay attention to electric steamers for the home.
These steamers differ in the way they are operated. How to choose the right steamer so that the first use does not become fatal? There are two types of control system, choose the most optimal one for yourself.
Mechanical control
Uncomplicated control panel. It has a power button, rotary levers for setting time and power as standard. Very simple and intuitive, quite practical. The price for such a device does not bite. You can get it within reason. Such a steamer does an excellent job of its main task - steaming without unnecessary hassle.
Electronic control
Electronically controlled steamers are not cheap. Display, touch control, built-in cooking programs, all this will allow you to properly cook favorite dish practically without interfering with the process. Your task is only to prepare the food, and the electronic steamer will automatically calculate the cooking time, the strength of the steam, and upon completion it will give a signal that the dish is ready and turn off.
Steamer device: pay attention to the details
Before choosing an appliance for your home, you should know what kind of object it is and what parts it consists of. This knowledge will help you to navigate easier when choosing. An electric steamer consists of 3 parts:
- The basic element is designed to heat water and convert it into steam. Base power above 1000 W - your food will be ready faster, large quantity dishes can be cooked at the same time;
- A water tank, usually just above the base. The deeper the tank, the less often you need to add water to it;
- Condensation drips into it, which forms during cooking. There is usually one pallet, but there may be several pallets under each steam basket. You can choose a suitable pallet with simple logic - if you plan to cook several dishes in a double boiler at once, then it is better to take a device with a pallet under each container, so that the juice from the upper baskets does not fall on the products from the lower ones;
- The steam basket is an installation designed directly for placing food on it. Several basket-to-basket settings allow you to cook 2-3 dishes at the same time. Choose baskets of at least 1 liter so that you can cook food for a family of 3 with one start of the appliance.
Steamer functionality
This is the most important point for potential buyers, who is already on the doorstep of the store and is about to make a purchase of a double boiler. The manufacturer can integrate more than 20 functions into a particular model, but the most valuable ones will be those that will bring you positive emotions, thanks to which the steamer will become the really necessary appliance for you. We list the most important characteristics, which in the kitchen unit will be completely superfluous.
1. Function of filling water into the tank
If all of the water in the steamer suddenly evaporates, the device will automatically turn off and all modes will have to be set up again. But if the steamer has a function of adding water right during the cooking process, you can safely add 100-200 ml each, the device will continue to cook your lunch without stopping.
2. Overheating protection
This function was given Special attention in the program "Test purchase" on 1 channel. Safety comes first, especially in the kitchen. Steamer - household appliance which at long work gets very hot. If you do not have time to turn it off in time, then the next time the steamer may refuse to work. It is worth choosing a steamer with overheating protection, and then at the slightest risk it will turn off from the network.
3. Food heating function
The steamer has prepared a dish a long time ago, but you missed the moment and now a cold lunch is waiting for you. This can be avoided by choosing a device with a food warmer function. After cooking the food, the steamer will automatically turn on the food heating mode and keep the food warm for the time that you define.
4. Delayed start
Need to steam vegetables for breakfast? No problem. A steamer with a delayed start function will give you the opportunity to choose exactly the time to start cooking, which you set yourself.
If you are aware that the chef is planning an important meeting today, then you can prepare a simple dish for your loved ones, even without being at home. Just cut into cubes in advance and put potatoes and mushrooms in the basket of the device, salt. Turn on the delayed start function, for example, at 17.00. And in an hour your family will be able to dine at delicious potatoes with steamed mushrooms.
5. Rapid cooking function
This will probably be one of your most used functions. When you are pressed for time, quickly preparing a meal is not an easy task. Some steamers have a Quick Steam function. It doubles the cooking time by raising the heat and producing more steam. It is important to remember here that water with this function will also evaporate faster, and it is worth adding it more often.
In conclusion, we note that the choice of the optimal steamer is largely influenced by the number of your family members.
It's a good idea for a large family to choose a steamer for a home with three tiers, a large water tank, and multiple trays. For a family of 2 people, or for one, a steamer with 1-2 baskets, mechanical control is suitable, and the size of the pallet does not matter here.
Choose a steamer to your liking, and it is not so important which company is indicated on the label - the main thing is that the device is a joy to you and will serve you well for many years.