How to use a steamer

The steamer will be appreciated by people who adhere to the right diet and, therefore, often steam dishes. There will be no problems with the purchase of a double boiler, because there is a large assortment of these products from different manufacturers on the market. Problems may arise when using the unit. In this article we will try to answer the question of how to use a steamer.

Device and principle of operation

The principle of operation of the steamer is simple: at the bottom of the case, which is the main part of the apparatus, there is a heating element and a water tank, on which a basket is installed, designed for cooking. During the operation of the steamer, the liquid in the container boils, and the steam rises and through special holes in the basket gets to the products, as a result of which they are evenly heated.

This unit is easy to use, in addition, it is very beneficial for health: steamed food retains almost all vitamins and nutrients, because the cooking process does not involve the use of oil or fat. There is a water indicator on the body of the steamer, which gives an appropriate signal if the liquid level is insufficient and needs to be added.

Some devices have a special sump that collects all condensate, which prevents liquid from entering the generator. You need to know that the number of pallets should be in direct proportion to the number of bowls where food is prepared. This is necessary so that odors do not mix, because several types of food can be cooked in a double boiler at the same time.

Cooking containers are mainly made of plastic, because this material is shock-resistant, but it can stain from certain foods that are natural dyes. But sometimes materials are used that are stain resistant. Steamers can be equipped with:

1. Grill for cooking eggs.
2. Condensate trays.
3. Containers for liquid and bulk products.
4. A recipe book.
5. Operating instructions.

The efficiency of the steamer depends on its power. If this figure is 2 kW or more, then cooking meals will take a little time, but the electricity consumption will increase.

Units equipped with 2–3 bowls generally operate at a power of 900–1000 W, which is quite enough for complete processing of food with minimal electricity consumption.

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Steamer installation

Each steamer has its own instructions for use, after studying which you can avoid injuries and learn how to use the device correctly. It is necessary to pay great attention to the installation of the device, because it depends on how the steamer will work:

• Installation should only be carried out on a level and solid surface.
• The steamer should not stand near the stove, on it or near the sink, as heat and moisture can negatively affect its operation.
• The cord must be positioned so that it does not get caught.
• Do not start using the unit without liquid in it.
• No need to place the steamer at the edge of the surface.
• The steamer should not stand close to a wall or kitchen cabinet, as this can cause the appliance to malfunction and even damage kitchen furniture.

Steamer recommendations

To properly prepare the steamer for work, you must follow the following tips that will make the cooking process simple and easy:

1. For cooking, you need to use only purified water, which must be poured into a special compartment. Tap water can damage the appliance over time.
2. In order for the liquid level to be optimal, it is necessary to be guided by the mark on the sump: the water should not be higher or lower than it. Some new models have a function that notifies about the need to add water, but in older models this is not possible, so you need to add water yourself after 40–45 minutes.
3. A condensate drain pan must be installed.
4. After assembling the lower part of the steamer, you can put food in the bowl and start cooking.
5. After cooking the food, the unit will emit a characteristic sound signal.
6. In order not to be injured, do not touch the steamer before the end of its operation. The cap must be removed very carefully - hot steam can burn the skin.
7. When cooking meat and vegetables at the same time, the meat should be placed in the lower compartment and the vegetables in the upper compartment.
8. The food on the lower level always cooks faster, so you should always watch the time.
9. The time it takes to cook food can vary, so this should be monitored.
10. After each use, the steamer trays and liquid containers must be washed and wiped dry.
11. Do not use abrasive detergents for cleaning.
12. Grease must be cleaned with a brush.

Useful Steamer Cooking Tips

It's no secret that the principle of cooking different dishes can differ significantly. For the correct preparation of products, it is necessary to take into account their characteristics:

• For the meat to be juicy, it must be cooked in foil - the juice will not leak out and remain inside the dish.
• If you cook fish in foil, then the delicate aroma and taste will remain, the spices will add richness to the taste.
• The omelet prepared in a double boiler is tender and airy. It must be cooked in a rice bowl.
• Porridges are very tasty and retain all their useful properties.
• In this unit, you can also cook vegetables that retain all their useful properties. You can also prepare vegetables for a salad or as a side dish.
• Dishes made from cottage cheese are very tasty and healthy.
• You can bake a cake, but you must first wrap it in foil so that excess moisture does not get on it.
• Food cooked in a double boiler does not require stirring or turning.
• The food in this device does not burn.
• The steamer can keep warm for 20 minutes.

What not to cook in a double boiler

A steamer is, of course, a very necessary item in the kitchen, but not all products can be cooked in this appliance. If you mainly cook with steam, then you need to know that:

• You cannot cook pasta in this unit - they will get stuck together.
• You will not be able to boil mushrooms - they will become tough and lose their taste.
• The beans will not cook completely.
• You do not need to salt food during cooking, it is better to do this on a plate. If you still decide to salt the dish, then you need to use more salt, because some of it, along with the condensate, will go into the pan.

In this article, we tried to tell not only how to use a double boiler, but also the secrets of cooking and the rules for installing it. From all of the above, it is easy to understand that this device is very useful and necessary. Therefore, if you are still in doubt to buy or not - drop all doubts and buy!

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