• Guide

    Under pressure: the Instant Pot pressure cooker

    by Simon Balissat

Steamers + Rice cookers

Steamers and rice cookers are functional kitchen appliances designed to make meal preparation easier and healthier. Steamers utilize the power of steam to cook food, preserving nutrients and enhancing flavor without the need for oils or fats. They are popular with health-conscious individuals, busy families seeking convenient meal solutions, and cooking enthusiasts aiming to experiment with different cooking techniques. Rice cookers, on the other hand, are beloved for their ability to consistently produce perfectly cooked rice with minimal effort, making them indispensable in homes that often enjoy rice-based dishes.

The diverse range of steamers and rice cookers includes several distinct subtypes, each with its unique capabilities. Sous Vide cookers are precision tools for gourmet cooking, allowing users to maintain exact temperatures for extended periods to achieve perfectly cooked meats and vegetables. Rice cookers are the go-to for effortlessly preparing a staple in many diets, offering features like keep-warm options and varying capacities. Multicookers expand upon this functionality by combining multiple cooking methods in one appliance, including slow cooking, which is ideal for tenderizing meats and developing deep flavors in soups and stews over time. Food steamers provide a dedicated approach to steam cooking, often featuring multiple tiers for preparing entire meals at once.

When shopping for steamers and rice cookers, customers should consider the material group, with metal being a typical and durable choice. Metal units often offer excellent heat distribution and long-term resilience. Additional considerations might include size, capacity, and specific cooking functions tailored to individual or family needs. Adjusting the filters to match preferences in material, capacity, and added features helps customers find their ideal product.

Prominent brands in the world of steamers and rice cookers include Russell Hobbs, with its 'Cook at Home' model, known for multi-functionality and user-friendly design. Instant Pot’s 'Duo Plus Pressure Cooker' merges pressure cooking with multiple other cooking methods, offering versatility and efficiency. Tefal delivers convenience with its 'Convenient Steamer Deluxe,' designed for stress-free steaming. WMF stands out with its 'KÜCHENminis rice cooker,' which caters to small households or individuals with compact and efficient design. Meanwhile, Cuckoo presents the 'CRP-R0607F,' a high-end rice cooker celebrated for its cutting-edge technology and impeccable rice preparation. Each brand offers a distinctive take on these essential kitchen appliances, fulfilling a variety of cooking needs and preferences.