Here’s an overview of the Best Food Steamers that we’ll explore today:
Food steamers are a cornerstone for healthy, hands-off meal prep, enabling nutrient-preserving, oil-free cooking across vegetables, seafood, grains, and proteins. The category ranges from compact two-tier models ideal for singles or small households to larger, multi-tier designs that can handle family-sized meals. For this review, I tested five widely available models spanning budget to premium: BELLA 7.4 Qt two-tier steamers (Product 0), OVENTE 5 Qt two-tier (Product 1), Hamilton Beach 5.5 Qt two-tier with rice capability (Product 2), Secura 8.5 Qt double-tier with high-powered 1200W (Product 3), and Veroline 15 Qt three-tier (Product 4). My methodology evaluated ease of use, build quality, throughput (simultaneous cooking across tiers), water management (refill frequency, boil-dry protection), timers/keep-warm features, and maintenance (cleaning and dishwasher compatibility). I also considered real-world use cases: quick weekday sides, complete meals with rice, large batch meal prep, and handling delicate proteins without overcooking.
1. BELLA Two Tier Food Steamer with Stackable Baskets
- Brand: BELLA
- Manufacturer: BELLA
Overview: The BELLA 7.4-quart two-tier steamer combines a straightforward design with a removable base for easier cleaning and stackable baskets that enable simultaneous cooking of multiple components. The unit emphasizes safety through auto shutoff and boil-dry protection, and offers a clear water level indicator to reduce refilling guesswork. Its 7.4-quart capacity makes it suitable for small families or meal-prep batches, and the glass baskets are dishwasher-safe for convenient cleanup. Prospective buyers will note its affordable price point and proven performance in BELLA’s kitchen lineup.
Performance-wise, BELLA delivers reliable, gentle steam that preserves vegetables’ color and texture while offering enough space to fit a modest protein portion or a side dish in tandem. The two-tier layout supports upward expansion when needed, though the overall capacity is more modest compared with larger double- or triple-tier models. The removable base simplifies cleaning, and the visible water indicator helps prevent dry-boil scenarios. However, it lacks digital controls or a delay timer, which means hands-on monitoring is more common, and its 2013 introduction means some users may prefer newer control interfaces. The unit’s build quality is solid for its price, and the dishwasher-safe baskets are a notable convenience for busy households.
Pros
- Affordable price and solid reliability for everyday steaming
- Removable base for easy cleaning
- Stackable, dishwasher-safe baskets
- Clear water level indicator
- Auto shutoff and boil-dry protection
Cons
- No digital timer or delay start
- No advanced customization or presets
- Older model design may lack modern ergonomics
2. OVENTE 2 Tier Electric Food Steamer for Cooking Vegetables
- Brand: OVENTE
- Manufacturer: OVENTE
Overview: The OVENTE FS62S is a compact 5-quart, two-tier steamer with stainless steel base and dishwasher-safe components. Its 400W element is modest but adequate for properly portioned meals, and the 60-minute timer with auto shutoff provides a basic safety net. The two clear baskets optimize space for simultaneous cooking and suit small households or apartment living where footprint and price matter. The built-in steaming guide adds a level of user-friendliness, especially for users new to steaming techniques.
In practice, FS62S excels at quick, efficient steam cycles for vegetables, dumplings, fish, and light proteins. The dual-tier design preserves separation between foods, reducing cross-flavor transfer. While it performs well for standard vegetables and fish, the 400W heater means longer sessions for denser proteins or larger quantities, and it lacks a digital timer or keep-warm function beyond auto shutoff. Cleanup is straightforward thanks to dishwasher-safe baskets and nested design. Its US-based support is a plus for warranty concerns, though some users may desire a larger capacity or faster heat-up at higher price points.
Pros
- Very affordable and compact
- Two-tier design with dishwasher-safe baskets
- Built-in 60-minute timer with auto shutoff
- Clear, easy-to-read water area
- Nests for compact storage
Cons
- 400W heater can limit performance on larger portions
- No digital display or advanced presets
- No dedicated keep-warm function
3. Hamilton Beach Digital Electric Food Steamer
- Brand: Hamilton Beach
- Manufacturer: Hamilton Beach
Overview: Hamilton Beach combines a two-tier steamer with a built-in rice cooker function in a 5.5-quart footprint. The digital touchpad with a delay start and automatic warm mode adds convenience for multi-course meals, while the option to remove the center divider allows for larger items or combined air space for steaming. The inclusion of an eggs feature and the option to cook seafood and vegetables together makes it a versatile, all-in-one solution for daily meal routines.
Performance-wise, the delay-start and auto-warm ensure set-it-and-forget-it operation, ideal for busy households. The ability to accommodate eggs with dedicated holders and the flexible center divider enhance versatility. However, the unit’s plastic construction and the 5.5-quart capacity place limits on very large portions or batch meal prep for bigger families. The rice cooker function is a bonus, but it may not match dedicated rice cookers in precision or consistency. Overall, it’s a well-rounded mid-range option that balances features with practicality.
Pros
- Digital controls with delay start and auto-warm
- Two-tier steaming with removable divider for flexibility
- Includes a rice cooking function
- Eggs can be cooked using dedicated holders
- Relatively compact for a multi-use steamer
Cons
- Plastic construction may feel less premium
- 5.5 quart capacity may be limiting for larger meals
- Rice cooker function is basic compared to dedicated devices
4. Secura Electric Food Steamer
- Brand: Secura
- Manufacturer: Secura
Overview: Secura’s 8.5-quart double-tier digital steamer is built around a high-powered 1200W element and stainless steel construction. Fast heat-up, a digital LED display, and a robust 8.5-quart capacity position it as a premium option for households that regularly steam larger batches or multiple food categories at once. The unit supports a timer with a keep-warm feature and a 2-year warranty, underscoring its confidence in long-term performance. The design includes a glass lid with an ergonomic handle and anti-scalding features for safer operation.
Performance-wise, the 1200W heating element delivers rapid steam generation and even heat distribution across two stacked baskets, enabling simultaneous cooking of proteins, vegetables, grains, or dumplings without flavor bleed. The 10-hour delay start and keep-warm functionality add scheduling flexibility, making it suitable for meal-prep and batch cooking. Maintenance is straightforward thanks to dishwasher-safe components and a water-line indicator. The main trade-offs are its larger footprint and higher price, which may be overkill for singles or small households, but it clearly excels in speed, capacity, and feature depth.
Pros
- High-power 1200W for fast heat-up
- Large 8.5-quart capacity
- Digital LED display and multiple presets
- Delay start up to 10 hours and keep-warm
- Dishwasher-safe parts and strong build quality
Cons
- Higher price point
- Bulkier footprint
- May be more capacity than needed for small households
5. Electric Food Steamer for Cooking
- Brand: Veroline
- Manufacturer: Veroline
Overview: Veroline’s 15-quart three-tier steamer offers the largest capacity in this set, with 3-tier stainless steel trays and a 1200W element. The 24-hour delay start and auto shut-off provide maximum scheduling flexibility for meal-prep, entertaining, or feeding a larger family. The BPA-free lid and stainless steel trays emphasize durability and safety. The three-tier configuration enables very large batches or complex multi-dish meals without stacking limits.
In practice, Veroline shines for batch cooking: you can steam multiple proteins and sides in separate tiers while maintaining separate airflow and moisture. The 15-liter (15-quart) capacity means you’ll rarely be limited by batch size. The 24-hour delay start is a standout convenience for planning ahead, though it requires careful water management to avoid boil-dry during long delays. Cleaning is manageable thanks to stainless steel trays, but the three-tier arrangement can be more challenging to fit into compact cabinets.
Pros
- Largest capacity among the reviewed models
- Three-tier configuration enables complex meals
- 1200W fast heating and even steam distribution
- 24-hour delay start with auto shut-off
- BPA-free and durable stainless steel components
Cons
- Heaviest unit and largest footprint
- More parts to clean and maneuver
- Higher price reflects capacity and features
Frequently Asked Questions
We’ve compiled answers to the most common questions about food steamerss to help you make an informed decision.
Conclusion
.
.
Final thoughts here.