Preparing a proper meal is a critical part of maintaining a healthy diet. Even if you hit the gym for hours, you will not get the full benefit of your workout without a clean diet. Preparing vegetables or rice on a stovetop can get you rid of some essential nutrients beneficial to your health.
Some health enthusiasts swear by the effectiveness of eating food prepared in a steamer. Although the jury is still out on it, the number of people switching to preparing vegetables and poultry in the microwave should give you an idea of the potential health benefits.
If you look forward to jumping on the health train, there is no better time than today. By investing in the best microwave steamer, you can cook your vegetables, fish, and poultry far more healthy and nutritious. Your body will never starve for the essential vitamins once you eat steamed food.
In this article, we will give you a quick rundown on some of the best units you can buy to help yourself prepare a healthy and nutritious meal in a matter of minutes using your microwave. So, without further ado, let us get started!
Editor’s Recommendation: Top 5 Microwave Steamer
How We Know?
Microwaving is the most convenient method of cooking vegetables. It is a fast and effective way to cook vegetables. However, this cooking method may lose some nutritional value and taste.
Hence, if you want to retain both the taste and the nutrition, it is better to steam the vegetables rather than microwave them.
Microwave steaming is a nutritious way to cook vegetables that prevents nutritional loss. Because of the contact with water, boiled vegetables may lose nutrients.
Much of the nutritional loss is included in the wasted water after boiling. Steaming vegetables softens and enhances their texture, making them easier to digest.
We summarized some of the test results and put the findings down. In this detailed review, we also mentioned all the pros and cons of each model.
Read on to learn more about each product, the benefits, and limitations, and pick out some terrific value-based choices perfect for your kitchen!
Microwave steamers are among the most popular items in any kitchen. You can use them to steam vegetables, fish, poultry, etc.
This article aims to help you choose a product that can work for your needs and is helpful in everyday cooking.
How We Tested our Best Microwave Streamer for Vegetables?
First, we tested five different microwaves to ensure that they all had the same amount of power and heat output. After that, we started trying all our mainly chosen microwave steamers.
We used each of them in multiple tests, steaming diverse types of foods, like broccoli, potatoes, and even fish, using various individual methods, times, and temperatures.
While testing for the best microwave steamer for vegetables, we have used several popular microwaves to test the products. We have tried to use an oven thermometer to get the temperature right before starting with each product.
Our test reports provide all the information you need to know about the best microwaves for steaming vegetables. We primarily researched 5 of the top-rated microwave steamers and tested them to see which one was the best.
Testing microwave steamers can exceptionally be an arduous task. Our experts have tried out as many products as possible, and they have found the bests of all.
5 Best Microwave Steamers’ Reviews
Investing in a microwave steamer is not something you should take lightly. Since this unit is responsible for the quality of food you consume, it never hurts to do some research. Considering the number of cheap knock-off models floating around the marketplace, you need to know which units are worth buying.
Here are our recommended picks for the best microwave steamers that you can buy today.
1. Sistema Microwave Collection Rice Cooker
- Microwave rice steamer designed to cook rice, polenta, and couscous
- Steam release vent on lid allows for splatter-free heating
- Cool-to-the-touch, easy-lift tabs for easy opening of the rice cooker
- 100% virgin plastic; phthalate- and BPA-free
- Top-rack dishwasher-safe; fridge- and freezer-safe; microwave-safe with the vent open
We will be starting up our list with an excellent unit by the brand, Sistema. It comes in a neat design giving you an effortless way to cook rice, polenta, or other similar food instantly in the microwave. In addition, it features BPA-free, virgin plastic construction, ensuring the food you eat is safe and healthy.
Cooking rice in this unit is extremely easy. You have to add the proper amount of water for the rice you take. Then, fit the lid on the steamer using the clip-on lock, and put it in the microwave. Finally, just turn on the instant cook option, and within minutes your rice will be ready to eat.
It has this steam-release vent on the lid. So, you do not need to worry about splatters or anything else as you heat your food up. The handle always stays cool regardless of how hot it gets inside the oven. This is an excellent feature for handling issues. On top of that, the unit is safe to put in both the refrigerator and the dishwasher.
- Vibrant red color
- BPA free, virgin plastic construction
- Cooks rice in a matter of minutes
- Easy to clean and handle
- May melt if you turn up the heat too much
2. OXO Cooker Good Grips Microwave Bacon Crisper
- Large-capacity steamer basket can be filled to the top with veggies, fish and more
- Handles stay cool to the touch for easy and safe lifting and transporting
- Lid opens from the middle with a push of the handles to keep Hands away from hot steam
- Inner steamer basket features convenient tabs for easy lifting
- Top vent is adjustable to control steam for different types of food
If you cook from time to time, the name of OXO should be pretty known to you. It is one of the most popular brands regarding kitchen products. The microwave bacon crisper by this brand is a must-have if you love the taste of crispy slices of bacon every morning.
Cooking bacon with this steamer is a piece of cake and takes only a few steps. It has a silicone cooking surface that you can remove and clean easily by hand. Furthermore, this unit does not contain any BPA, so you can easily clean it up even in the dishwasher.
This product also comes with an adjustable kickstand that you can use to help the grease drain away to the grease trap. Thanks to the removable drain lid, you do not need to worry about the grease splashing out of the trap! In addition, the foldable nature of this unit makes it highly convenient to store when not in use.
- Adjustable kickstand
- You can fold it flat.
- Comes with an excellent grease draining feature and grease trap
- Dishwasher friendly
- Not very versatile
3. Sistema Microwave Collection Steamer
- Microwave steamer designed to cook vegetables, fish, and poultry
- Steam release vent on lid allows for splatter-free heating
- Cool-to-the-touch, easy-lift tabs for easy opening of the steamer
- Middle stalk of steamer basket stays cool so you can lift food out after cooking
- 100% virgin plastic; Phthalate- and BPA-free
Another unit by Sistema has made its way to our list of reviews. Although the final product is an excellent unit, the versatility and the space you get from this one cannot be matched. It is the perfect choice for people who want a large microwave steamer to cook various items like fish, poultry, or vegetables.
It features a steam release vent on the lid, ensuring that the inner compartment does not get splattered with condensed vapor. Thanks to the easy-lift tabs! You can close the lid tightly to provide the best heating inside the container. Taking off the top is also relatively more effortless because of these tabs.
Once done cooking, the steamer stays cool, allowing you to handle it easily. This unit comes with a 100% virgin plastic construction that does not contain any phthalate and BPA. As a result, you do not need to worry about any health issues.
Next up, we will be looking at a steamer for not one but two people. If you prepare food for yourself and a partner, then the Lekue 1-2 Person steam case might be what you need. It allows easy steamed food cooking preparation to drastically minimize the hassle. It has an excellent steaming capacity allowing you to keep the optimal temperature between 200 to 212 degrees Fahrenheit. As a result, you will be able to get the most nutrition and vitamins out of your meal. In addition, this unit also comes with a handy cookbook to help you get started on some delicious recipes. The steam tray also features a pure steaming function so that you can cook food that has higher water content. It comes in with an exciting shape that provides faster heat circulation. This feature, moreover, allows you to cook quicker and more efficiently. As the cherry on top, you can even clean it in the dishwasher. To wrap up our list of reviews, we will be looking at one of the best microwave vegetable steamers on the market. With the Rapid Veggie Steamer, you can prepare steamed vegetables like never before. If you want a stovetop-cooked flavor with a microwave-cooking level of speed, this unit will undoubtedly be a perfect choice. Preparing veggies on the stovetop can be time-consuming since you must wait for the water to boil first. However, with this steamer, you can simply fill the tray with water, place your vegetables, and let the microwave take care of the rest. It is faster, more efficient, and allows you to enjoy a healthy meal in minutes. Furthermore, this unit’s handle cools itself once all the cooking is done. As a result, you can move the streamer without worrying about getting heat-burnt. The unit features a BPA free construction and can be cleaned using a dishwasher, saving you from a lot of scrubbing. Title Metarial Brand Color Capacity Rating Sistema Microwave Collection Rice Cooker Plastic Sistema Red 2.6 Liters OXO Cooker Good Grips Microwave Bacon Crisper Ceramic Polypropylene White 1.4 Liters Sistema Microwave Collection Steamer Plastic Sistema Red 3.1 Liters Lekue 1-2 Person Steam Case With Draining Tray Plastic Insert Steam Red 1.4 Liters Rapid Veggie Steamer Plastic Rapid Brands White 2.5 Liters Now that you have seen our recommended products, you might be wondering how we picked them. Well, a microwave steamer is typically a simple product. There is not much you can be wrong with when making your selection. However, paying attention to a few basic details can help you get more out of your investment. Here are some aspects that you want to check when buying the best microwave steamer for yourself. Size The first element you want to check with any microwave steamer is the size. If the steamer is too small, you will have to prepare the same meal multiple times while steaming a small portion at a time. It can become quite a hassle when cooking for more than one or two people. Moreover, the size requirement of a steamer varies from one person to another. Before settling on a specific size, you want to think about how many people you prepare a meal for. Investing in a more giant steamer for one person is not a clever idea either, as you will have a more challenging time storing it in a cramped kitchen cupboard. In addition, you also want to think about the size of your oven. Some people even make the mistake of investing in a steamer that does not fit inside their oven. Although this seems like a silly mistake, it never hurts to think about your oven size before investing in a more giant microwave steamer. Vented Lid Some microwave steamers come with a vented lid that allows some steam to escape to ensure minimal condensation. Although it reduces heating efficiency to a certain extent, it might be worth it for certain types of meals. Before you pick a vented lid or closed lid, consider the kind of food you will be preparing in the steamer. For instance, if you are cooking rice, a vented lid will ensure the texture of the rice is smooth. On the other hand, a fully closed lid might be better for fish or meat gravy dishes as it traps the entire flavor inside the steamer. It ultimately comes down to what you are cooking in the unit. Durability and Construction Durability is always a concern with anything that you plan to buy. When it comes to the steamer, it is the durability that you have to think about and its construction materials. Most steamers come with plastic construction, and there is nothing wrong with that. However, some types of plastics are more durable than others. It is on you to assess the sturdiness of the plastic and determine whether it will break on impact. In addition, some plastics come with BPA construction, which is not healthy for food preparation. So, you need to ensure your unit features a BPA-free construction. Versatility Versatility is an essential element to the best microwave steam oven. If you want to prepare a specific type of food, you can probably get by with a steamer that only works well for that food. However, to maximize your value, you should get a unit that allows you to prepare multiple dishes. Getting a versatile steamer will help you cook any food you want. Even if at that moment you do not want to cook anything else, with a versatile steamer, you will be essentially future-proofing yourself. After a few months, if you want to cook a different meal, you can do that with your own steamer without buying a new one. Extra Functions Some microwave steamers come with a few extra functions to get more out of your cooking experience. Although these features are not essential to your meal, they can drastically enhance your diet’s quality. With some units, you can even control the steam pressure. With some units, you also can control the lid vents. Although these steamers might cost a few bucks extra, it is often worth investing in these extra features. That way, you can adjust the functions of the steamer depending on the type of food you are cooking. You can set up the steamer for optimal performance, whether cooking fish or vegetables. Nothing to worry about if you have never cooked in a microwave steamer before. Preparing vegetables in a microwave becomes way more manageable if you have a microwave steamer. The first step is to clean your vegetables obviously. If your vegetables were refrigerated, you might want to let them sit for a few minutes to bring them down to room temperature. After cleaning the veggies, chop them into pieces you want to consume. Then all you have to do is take them on the container of the steamer and put it in the microwave. Remember to put the lid on before placing it in the oven. Moreover, the timer you set on the oven depends on several factors. The first thing you will have to decide is how well done you want it to be. Typically, 2 minutes should be enough to prepare veggies only for one person. However, if you cook in a more significant portion, you might want to extend the timer by a minute. When the timer goes off, your food is ready for you to enjoy. Frequently Asked Questions Yes. Microwave steamers minimize the loss of nutrition and vitamins while preparing your vegetable or meat. In addition, if your unit comes with a timer, you do not have to worry about overcooking your meal and losing all the nutrition. It depends on the type of dish you are cooking. Vegetables, for instance, takes little time to cook in a steamer compared to meat. You can prepare a lot of dishes in a microwave steamer. The most common use of this device is to prepare rice, vegetables, poultry, and fish. Apart from cooking, it also works well as a food heater. The primary benefit of steaming vegetables in a microwave is obviously the speed. You only need to wait two minutes to enjoy your food in most cases. Additionally, you do not need as many pots and pans to prepare your veggies. Furthermore, by steaming vegetables in the oven, you can prevent the loss of nutrients from your food resulting in a healthier meal. You really shouldn’t. Although some people opt to steam their vegetables by sealing them with a Ziploc bag and putting it in the oven, it is generally not a promising idea. The plastic in the bag can contain BPA or other harmful elements that negatively impact your health. Final Thoughts If you want to enjoy a healthy and delicious meal, investing in the best microwave steamer is essential. With our handy review of the top products and buying tips, you should now have no trouble picking out the suitable unit for your requirements. We hope you enjoyed our extensive article and could benefit from the information we gathered for you.
4. Lekue 1-2 Person Steam Case With Draining Tray
5. Rapid Veggie Steamer
Top Microwave Steamer for Vegetable Comparison Table
Things to Consider when Buying the Best Microwave Steamer
How to Prepare Steamed Vegetables in a Microwave Steamer?
Is it healthy to prepare food in a microwave steamer?
How long does it take to cook food in a microwave steamer?
What can you cook in a microwave steamer?
What are the benefits of preparing vegetables in a microwave?
Can I use a plastic bag instead of a microwave steamer?