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Boiling is one of the healthiest ways of preparing your food. The complete lack of oil and high water content turns already nutrient-rich foods even better for your well-being. Despite all of its benefits, however, many people dislike boiled food. Their reasoning for this distaste involves its relatively dull taste, soft texture, and overall sogginess. Luckily, steaming your food is the perfect alternative as it offers almost all the health benefits of boiling with none of the downsides. Steamed meals are exquisitely tender, and the finest steam sets of 2024 can help you prepare them just right.
While you can steam your food with a DIY setup, including a pot with water and a mesh strainer, using a purpose-built steaming pot will make the job easier. If you're interested in getting a steam set, we've got five A-tier recommendations for you.
Comparing the Top-Rated Steam Sets of 2024
Nevlers Stainless Steel Steamer Pot Set — Best Overall
Nevlers offers one of the most well-built and efficient steamer pot sets on the market. The stainless steel construction is sturdy enough to make the pots last years without showing any signs of wear. Even the hard plastic handles are crafted from high-quality materials that will stay intact over time. Then there is the clever design of these pots that allows you to use the water container as a stand-alone cooking pot when the need arrives. Nevlers attention to little details like including a volume scale on the inside is a big reason this steam set is No. 1 on our list.
Pros
- Long-lasting stainless steel with tempered glass lid
- Works with gas, induction, and electric stoves
- Markings on the inside for easy measurements
- Fully dishwasher safe for convenient cleaning
Cons
- The lid handle can get hot
Concord Three-Tier Steamer Pot Set — Versatile Uses
Many steam sets are built with a one size fits all philosophy. This is usually fine but can cause issues when cooking differently sized food. Concord steamer pot eliminates this issue by including two different steamer inserts. One insert has larger holes for veggies and meat, while the other one cooks rice and other grains with its tiny openings. You can use them separately as needed or use them both at the same time to prepare a complete meal in one go. Its 8-quart capacity is also perfect for preparing a small-medium family dinner.
Pros
- Ideal for both rice and veggies
- Can cook a whole meal at once
- Ultra-durable and long-lasting stainless steel construction
- Easy to move around with insulated handles
Cons
- Might show black marks after extended use
Cuisinart Chef's Classic Steamer Collection — Large Capacity
The Cuisinart classic steamer is the pot that comes out when you're expecting a lot of guests. The 12 qt capacity of this pot is more than enough to cook pasta for a large household while also steaming veggies on top. The whole thing is also made of solid stainless steel with zero insulation plastic on the handles or even a glass lid, so longevity is certain. It can easily last for more than a decade if you take care of it properly, which won't be that difficult, thanks to complete dishwasher compatibility.
Pros
- Tight lid prevents any dripping outside
- Long lifespan thanks to stainless steel construction
- Easy cleaning with dishwasher-safe design
- Measurement markings for ease of use
Cons
- No insulation on the handles
EuChoiz Microwave Collapsible Silicone Steamer — Convenient Design
This unique steam set from EuChoiz takes an otherwise lengthy and involved process and turns into something you can do in 10 minutes. This silicone steamer can collapse down for easy storage, which is extremely handy in places like college dorms. To use this steamer, just open it back up and fill it up with water.
Once the water is at level, place the partition alongside your food, and close the lid. Now place this contraption into the microwave, and you will have a steamed meal in five minutes. After you've drained the steamer, just throw it into the dishwasher for convenient clean-up.
Pros
- Made from food-safe BPA-free material
- Long-lasting, nearly indestructible construction
- Very easy to store in small spaces
- Takes only five minutes to cook
Cons
- Only enough for one serving
i-PLAYLOFT Premium Handmade Bamboo Steamer — Natural Design
The handmade bamboo steamer from i-PLATLOFT is the optimal Asian food cooker. Before we get to that, though, the exceptional craftsmanship that went into the construction of this gorgeous steamer is praiseworthy on its own. In terms of functionality, this set includes a complete guidebook on how to prepare some of the most delicious Asian delicacies in this steamer.
It also includes two sets of authentic bamboo chopsticks to enjoy the meal once it's prepared. This steam set is also the perfect gift for anyone who likes Asian culture, their cuisine or cooking quality food.
Pros
- Ideal for making Asian cuisine
- Fully sustainable bamboo construction
- Great as a gift
Cons
- Needs to be cleaned manually
Steam Set: A Buying Guide
Getting a steam set can transform the way you cook your day-to-day meals. It not only changes the cooking method for many recipes you already know but opens pathways to new and exciting cuisines as well. The only thing standing between you and healthy steamed meals, however, is picking the right steamer. This might sound like a daunting task, especially if you've never bought cookware before, but fear not. Follow this guide, and you'll find a steam set worthy of your kitchen in no time.
What Capacity Do You Need?
The capacity of the steam set is the first question you have to ask yourself, and the answer depends on a lot of factors.
Use case
First off, what do you need the steam set for? If you need it for preparing personal meals with a few steamed veggies and pieces of chicken, then a small 3 or even 2-quart steamer is all you need. On the other side of the spectrum, say you need a steamer to prepare food for guests on special occasions. In this scenario, the large 10-12-quart steam sets are the right way forward.
Number of servings
The next part of determining the right size is figuring out the number of servings you'll make in one session. For example, a 5-quart set with 3-quart pot and 2-quart steamer insert is more than enough for a small to medium family dinner, depending on the exact dish.
Time
The last aspect of finding the right size is the time you'll have for meal prep. You might have to do multiple steaming sessions, one for each ingredient in a complex dish. A large steamer will let you steam all of them at once, saving you a lot of time. If you have the extra time, steaming each ingredient separately in a smaller steam set is the better option. This way, you avoid over-steaming some ingredients while under-cooking others, as each ingredient can steam for as long as it needs to.
What is the Right Material for a Steam Set?
Steel
The ideal material for almost all steam sets is stainless steel, and nothing else comes even close to it. The durability of steel is exceptional, with many steel cookware items lasting decades with ease. Second, steel is extremely safe as it does not interact or react with hot water or any other food ingredients. It is also super easy to clean. Just chuck it into the dishwasher with the right dish soap, and you have a germ-free pot for your next meal.
Silicone
Despite steel's clear dominance, other materials are not completely useless either. A prime example of this is the humble silicone steamer. These mini pots are as portable and easy to store as possible, making them ideal for college dorms and single-person apartments. You can't place them on a stove, but they can effectively steam a single serving in the microwave.
Bamboo
The other steamer material you should know about is bamboo. These sustainable steamers are often handmade with crazy good craftsmanship and are the perfect tool for authentic Asian cuisine like bao buns.
