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Tom Douglas by Pinzon 10-Inch Bamboo Steamer Basket
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| List Price: | $30.00 |
| Price: | $27.13 & eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping on orders over $25. Details |
Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours
Ships from and sold by Amazon.com
Average customer review:
Features
- 2-tier bamboo steamer for preparing vegetables, fish, dim sum, and dumplings
- Requires no oil and preserves more nutrients; controls texture and color of foods
- 2 baskets stack to accommodate different foods in each level
- Domed lid traps steam efficiently; loop handle
- 10-inch circumference and 6-1/4 inches high; hand wash only
Customer Reviews
better than Norpro; would recommend
I like Chinese cooking and I actually own Norpro Deluxe 3-Piece Bamboo Steamer Set for five years prior to adding this newer bamboo steamer to my kitchen, courtesy of the Amazon Vine program. While you are right to think nothing can go wrong in a low-tech item like a bamboo steamer, there are actually a few things that may affect your purchase decision.
First is the size. The diameter of this steamer is 10 inch and is quite generous. Make sure you have a stockpot that is wide enough (11in) and tall enough (you need at least 8in in). The steamer itself is only six and a quarter inch high, but since you don't want water to touch the bottom of it during steaming, you need to raise it an inch or two above the bottom of the stockpot using a rack.
Second is the construction quality. I am happy to report that this is a high quality item. Kudos to Amazon for coming up with this. In comparison to the Norpro steamer, I find this one MUCH sturdier. In fact, I don't think anyone will pick the other if the two were compared in person. Things like Chinese steam cake can get heavy. While I don't think my old one will break under the weight too easily, there is no reason to want a light bamboo steamer.
Third is the lid of the steamer. One critical feature of a bamboo steamer is to avoid condensation dripping back into the food because it would dilute the taste. Bamboo is usually quite good at this BUT your stockpot lid may not. In other words, the bamboo steamer's lid must shield the water dripping down from the lid of the stockpot. This steamer's lid works well in this regard because it is tightly weaved and so any water dripped on top of it will get dispersed into the weaving. Again, a good design.
The bottom line is I consider this a better buy. Congrads to Amazon for coming up with this quality item at a competitive price.
Recommended, despite a few splinters
I would have given 5 stars except for two small issues
> Splinters and small cracks in the bamboo on the bottom of the steamer trays
> The steamer does not seat tightly in my wok - either the steamer or my wok is out of round. However it fits nicely over a 10-inch straight-sided saute pan.
I've had several steamers in the past, both bamboo and metal. The Chinese-style metal ones are made of aluminum and steam tends to condense on the lids and fall back onto the food, compromising flavor and probably adding traces of unwanted aluminum to the food. The stainless steel metal ones that unfold can be useful but they are designed to hold food directly and they usually have a stem in the middle preventing you from using a plate or large pieces of food. The Chinese-style bamboo steamers are designed not to directly touch the food. You use a plate or leaf or parchment paper under the foods to be steamed. The woven bamboo lid absorbs some of the steam and prevents condensation from falling onto the food. The steamer stays clean and the taste very pure.
This set has two stacking trays and a lid. The construction appears to be of good quality and the bottom is sturdier than usual (although a little splintery). The splinters are not really a problem, especially since the food does not touch the basket. I brushed off most of them and expect it will become smoother with age.
This size is probably best when cooking for one or two. Note that you should not put a plate larger than 8 inches in this steamer because you need to allow room for the steam to circulate freely and for you to be able to remove the steamed food safely. The plate will be very hot after steaming. The steamer is not large enough for most whole fish but a couple of fish slices will fit nicely. It does have two layers so you can cook two completely different things at once. Apparently you could even buy two sets and stack up to four trays - I have not tried doing that so I can't report on the results.
