Karyn
Why should you buy a food steamer? Food steamers are handy when you want to prepare healthy meals at home. They can cook various foods, from meat and fish to various vegetables. These cooking devices keep your food warm and moist yet retain its natural taste, texture, and freshness and preserve your food’s nutrients.
With a wide variety of food steamers available in the market, which is the best food steamer Philippines? Our article will introduce you to the top 6 models for 2023. Each is uniquely suited to different lifestyles and budgets.
Top 6 Best Food Steamers in the Philippines
Here are our top recommendations for food steamers in the Philippines. We base this on our research and analysis of various food steamers in the market.
Kyowa KW-1902 Food Steamer
Best Electric Food Steamer Philippines
- Price: ₱2,399
- Capacity: 10.8 L
- Features: 3 layers
- Rating: 230V / 800W
The Kyowa KW-1902 Food Steamer is considered the best electric food steamer on the market because of its unique features. The steamer is made of high-quality materials that make it durable and long-lasting.
Thanks to its big capacity, you may cook many items simultaneously, saving time and energy. The timer and automatic shut-off functions make operating simple and ensure that your food is always perfectly cooked. The steamer is also simple to clean and maintain, making it ideal for any kitchen.
Kaisa Villa 3-layer Food Steamer
Best Stovetop Food Steamer Philippines
- Price: ₱279
- Sizes：26cm
- Features: 3 Layers
The Kaisa Villa steamer is the best stainless steel food steamer available. It is built of high-quality stainless steel that is both sturdy and resistant to rust.
The 3-layer design lets you steam multiple dishes simultaneously, making it perfect for families or entertaining guests. The steamer is simple and can be used with all stovetops, including gas, electric, and induction. It’s also dishwasher-safe – easy to clean!
Imarflex IST-3000S
Best Multi-purpose Food Steamer
- Price: ₱2,800
- Capacity: 9L
- Features: 3 tiers
- Power: 750W
If you’re a Filipino housewife looking for a reliable and versatile kitchen appliance, the Imarflex Steamer IST-3000S is a fantastic choice.
This multi-purpose steamer and sterilizer are perfect for preparing various dishes, from healthy steamed veggies to delicious dim sum. Plus, it’s excellent for sterilizing baby bottles and other kitchen items, making it a handy tool for busy moms.
One of the best things about the Imarflex Steamer IST-3000S is its 9-liter capacity. That means you can cook large quantities of food at once, perfect for family gatherings or meal prepping for the week. The BPA-free container ensures your food is cooked safely without harmful chemicals.
With its convenient water level and power light indicator, you’ll always know when to add more water or when your food is ready. The 60-minute timer also allows you to manage the cooking process precisely, ensuring ideal results every time.
The Imarflex Steamer IST-3000S is a worthwhile investment for Filipino homemakers who value ease, versatility, and health-conscious cooking.
Hanabishi HFS-85 Food Steamer
Best Big Food Steamer Philippines
- Price: ₱3,635
- Capacity: 24L
- Features: 2 tiers
- Rating: 230V – 1600W
The Hanabishi HFS 85 Food Steamer is ideal for those who usually cook large portions at once.
Although having two layers, each has a large capacity (12L), allowing you to steam the whole fish. This will increase your culinary productivity and allow you to prepare more nutritious and delicious recipes simultaneously.
The heating element is designed to automatically switch off when there is no water in the tank or if you run out during use. Therefore you don’t need to worry about safety when busy with other kitchen tasks.
Philips HD9140 Food Steamer
High-end food steamer
- Price: ₱4,380
- Capacity: 10L
- Features: 3 tiers
- Rating: 220-240 V / 900W
- Weight: 2.3kg
The Philips HD9140 Food Steamer is excellent for those who want to cook healthy meals without compromising taste. The flavor enhancer option on this steamer is a unique feature and is what I like the most about this magic kitchen device.
Its digital timer, preset timings, and aroma infuser all work to keep food at a perfect temperature. Its keep-warm capabilities allow steaming more oversized items like vegetables or meats without drying them out while cooking. The steamer is also simple to clean and has a dishwasher-safe plate.
Caribbean CPS-2005 Food Steamer
Best Affordable Food Steamer
- Price: ₱880
- Capacity: 3.5L
- Features: 2 layers
- Rating: 230V – 450W
The Caribbean CPS-2005 food steamer is one of the affordable, convenient ways to cook healthy meals and preserve nutrients. It features a double-layer clear steam bowl that provides extra capacity for cooking vegetables or other side dishes simultaneously as your main course.
The temperature control and timing system provides more exact results than steaming alone. At the same time, the light indicates when steam is applied so that your material can be viewed clearly.
It’s also simple to use and maintain. Just turn the knob to set your desired steam time, then listen to the bell ring when it’s over! At less than ₱1,000, this product is perfect for all health-conscious consumers!
Different Types of Food Steamers
There are three types of food steamers: Electric, manual, and microwave. Now let’s look at each type.
Electric Food Steamer
Electric food steamers are the most popular type in the Philippines. They are easy to use, energy-efficient, and help retain the food’s nutrients.
This steamer uses electricity to heat water and produce steam that cooks your food. The steam also helps lock in nutrients, which can otherwise leak out when you boil or pan-fry foods like vegetables.
Some electric steamers have multiple tiers so that you can cook many dishes simultaneously. Others have unique features like timers or built-in temperature indicators that let you know when your food is done cooking (or over-cooking).
Stovetop Food Steamer
Stovetop food steamers are a traditional and affordable way to steam food on the stovetop. They are normally composed of aluminum or stainless steel and come in a variety of sizes and shapes to meet a range of cooking requirements.
Stovetop food steamers require more supervision than electric food steamers, as they must be monitored to ensure the water does not boil dry.
However, they are energy-efficient and provide a healthy cooking option by retaining the nutrients in the food. Stovetop food steamers are also easy to clean and maintain.
So, stovetop food steamers are an excellent option for those who prefer a traditional and hands-on approach to cooking.
Microwave Food Steamer
Microwave food steamers are a popular option for those who want to save money and don’t mind using the microwave. If you have not yet had a microwave oven at home, don’t hesitate to check out our reviews for these products. We’re sure you can find the best microwave oven in no time.
Microwave food steamers use microwaves to heat water within the appliance. That creates steam that cooks your food from the inside out, helping retain nutrients and flavor while cooking your food quickly.
The food will be quickly cooked to the right temperature and easily cleaned afterward. These steamers are also known as microwavable steamers or microwavable rice cookers.
Importance and Benefits of a Food Steamer
Steam cooking helps you make delicious foods with fewer calories by eliminating oils and fats. Food steaming is a cooking method that can help you to achieve health, flavor variety, and more. Here are some additional reasons why it’s great:
Health and nutritional benefits
Food steamers help to maintain the natural nutrients in food by cooking with steam. Food is preserved more effectively because it does not come in direct contact with water.
A study conducted by nutritionists at Columbia University found that steaming preserved more than 95 percent of vitamin C compared to only 60 percent when boiled or 80 percent when fried.
Delicious
Steaming keeps the natural flavors of foods, allowing us to taste their essence. It’s perfect for fish and vegetables. The result is a delicious meal that’s packed with nutrients.
Time and energy-saving
Steaming requires less time than other cooking methods, such as boiling or frying, because you do not have to wait for the water to boil before adding your food.
No smell
You can quickly cook in your kitchen without worrying about overwhelming smells permeating your house or apartment. That makes it easier for people with allergies or asthma who may be sensitive to odors from cooking foods made with oil or butter, such as fish or chicken thighs.
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No oil needed
Steamers cook without the need for oil, making them excellent for people who wish to minimize their fat intake while still enjoying tasty meals at home. A steamer doesn’t need much water either – just enough so there’s enough moisture in the air around the cooked food.
How to Choose the Best Food Steamer in the Philippines
If you’re shopping for a steamer or want to update your current one, there are several things you should consider before buying.
Capacity: The size of the food steamer should be considered before buying it. If you often cook for a large group of people, opt for a steamer with a large capacity, 3 or 4 layers. If your family has 3-4 people, you should choose only 1 or 2 layers.
Size: When choosing a steamer, ensure it will fit in your kitchen and on the counter. If you lack space, consider buying a compact or stackable steamer.
Price: The price range varies from one brand of product to another depending on the features available in each brand’s product line. In the Philippines market, some food steamers are priced as low as ₱249, while others can go up to more than ₱5,000. In our experience, a high-quality electric steamer may cost you ₱2,000 to ₱3,000.
Features: Let’s look for important features, such as a timer, automatic shut-off, or multiple steaming baskets.
Durability: A good food steamer should have sturdy materials that withstand high temperatures without deforming or cracking. In general, you should choose stainless steel for stovetop food steamers (as they can use with induction cooktops) and glass material for electric food steamers.
User-friendliness: You should choose a steamer that is easy to use and clean. Consider the placement of controls and features like detachable trays and removable parts that make cleaning up easier.
Some Tips for Using Food Steamer Effectively
You must know how to use food steamers correctly to spend your time and money well. Here are some tips on the best ways to use food steamers:
- Don’t add too much water: Adding too much water can result in soggy and overcooked food. Only add enough water to create steam.
- Boil the water first: Boiling the water first will help the steamer reach the desired temperature faster and ensure that the food cooks evenly.
- Refrain from steaming for too long: Oversteaming can result in mushy and flavorless food. Follow the recommended cooking times for your specific steamer and type of food.
- Enhance the steam using stock & herbs: Adding flavorful liquids like stock or herbs to the water can infuse the food with extra flavor while it steams.
- Ensure the seal is air-tight: An air-tight seal is necessary for the steamer to work effectively. Ensure the lid fits tightly on your cooking container and that steam is not escaping as you cook.
Maintenance and Care of Your Food Steamer
Steaming food at home is relatively easy, but many people need guidance on maintaining and caring for their machines. We offer some suggestions below:
How to Clean Your Food Steamer
- Before cleaning, make sure the steamer is unplugged and has cooled down.
- Remove all remaining food or debris from the steamer.
- Clean the steamer’s baskets, lid, and base with warm soapy water and a non-abrasive sponge or cloth.
- Rinse thoroughly and dry all parts completely before storing.
- Some steamers may have dishwasher-safe parts, so check the manufacturer’s instructions.
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It is recommended to clean your food steamer after each use. Depending on usage, deep steamer cleaning every 3-6 months is also recommended.
Refer to the manufacturer’s instructions for specific cleaning and maintenance recommendations.
Troubleshooting Common Issues With Your Food Steamer
- If the steamer is not producing steam, check that the water level is sufficient and that the steamer is appropriately plugged in.
- If the steamer produces too much steam, check that the water is not too much and the lid is sealed correctly.
- If the steamer produces an unpleasant odor, try cleaning it with vinegar or lemon juice to remove any mineral buildup.
- If the steamer is not heating up properly, check that the heating element is not damaged and is properly plugged in.
- If you experience any other issues, refer to the manufacturer’s instructions or contact customer service for assistance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, a food steamer can also be used as a rice cooker. You can add water to the steaming basket and then place the rice in a separate container inside the basket. It usually takes around 20-30 minutes to cook, depending on the type of rice.
Using a food steamer basket is necessary or not, depending on the types of food you want to steam. However, a steamer basket can help keep different foods separate while cooking, which can be helpful if you’d like to cook different foods with different cooking times.
Yes, food steamers can cook various foods besides dumplings and rice cakes. You can cook many things, including vegetables like broccoli, carrots, cauliflower, kale, seafood like fish fillets and crab legs, and even rice with a food steamer.
The electricity usage of food steamers can vary depending on the device’s wattage. Smaller steamers typically use less electricity than larger ones, ranging from 200 to 1,000 watts.
Recap: Which is the Best Food Steamer Philippines?
Food steamers are essential kitchen appliances that help you cook healthy and delicious meals. In research, we have identified the top six best food steamers in the Philippines for 2023. These steamers have advanced features, including multiple tiers, timers, and temperature control, making it easier to prepare various dishes.
Among the six, we highly recommend the Kyowa KW-1902 Food Steamer to anyone looking for a reliable and efficient food steamer that delivers excellent results every time used.
I hope my reviews have helped you decide which food steamer to buy. Thanks for reading, and I hope you choose the best food steamer in the Philippines for your needs very soon.
