Russell Hobbs 15071 Food Steamer (White)

Versatile

When selecting appliances for your kitchen, getting a steamer should be in the top of your list. Steamers allow you to cook delicious, healthy food, whilst freeing up your time to do other food preparation or anything else.

The Russell Hobbs 15071 is a great value steamer, priced at the low to middle end of the spectrum. Featuring 3 interchangeable tiers, with the excellent addition that two of the tiers have removable bottom. So if you wanted to steam cook something quite tall (like a large Christmas pudding for instance) you simply pop on two tiers but one without its bottom to make a taller single tier.Russell Hobbs 15071

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A few users have also commented regarding the fitting together of the steamers tiers, which can be a little fiddly at first, but gets easier with a little practice.

Due to the price range the steamer, it doesn’t have all of the features of a modern steamer, and features a manual timer setting, rather than digital. However this can be a plus point, if you have mistimed your cooking you can easily turn the timer to let it cook for longer, rather than fiddling with digital settings.

One other great feature of the Russell Hobbs 15071, is the water inlet spout. This is quite wide, making filling and topping up the steamer really easy even in the middle of cooking. However, the large reservoir should mean topping up isn’t an issue when using for regular steaming.

Russell Hobbs 15071 spout closeup

Features

  • A decent sized 9 litre capacity
  • Three tiers, two of which have removable bases
  • The tiers stack inside each other to reduce steamers size for storage
  • 75 minute manual timer
  • Transparent water gauge for easy checking
  • Wide water inlet for mess free filling and topping up

 

Like some other steamers available, this one stores really nicely. The tier trays stack inside each other reducing the steamers footprint in your cupboards or on your workspace.

So this seems to be a great value steam cooker, suitable for most households, whats the catch? Well, the plastic used does seem to be a bit flimsy and cheap to the touch. Because of this and the fact it’s white, it can stain quite easily on the inside, especially when cooking carrots etc.

Another minor point, is that this isn’t washable in a dishwasher (maybe due to the plastic quality).

 

Conclusion

In conclusion, the Russell Hobbs 15071 is a nice entry level steamer, it isn’t perfect, but the great value of the steamer and the fact that it cooks well, more than makes up for the small complaints against it.

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Prestige Stainless Steel Multi-steamer

Family Sized

We have reviewed all metal hob based steamers before, but we needed to tell you about the Prestige Stainless Steel Multi-steamer.

This is an ideal steam cooker for you if you have a family or if you cook for your friends a lot. The 5.7 litre base pan is just huge, one of the largest out there.

Constructed from a solid stainless steel, the quality is excellent, with a glass lid to allow you to check on how the foods cooking. One word of caution though, being a hob based steam cooker the handles and lid of the Prestige steamer can get quite hot, so make sure you use an oven cloth or similar.

Prestige stainless steel 24 cm, 5.7 litre multi-steamer

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Features

  • Quality stainless steel 5.7 litre multi-steamer
  • A thick base for perfect heat distribution
  • A toughened glass lid for checking on your food
  • Dishwasher safe for ease of cleaning

 

Little Niggles

One of the things we were a little disappointed with, was the fact that this particular cooker doesn’t collapse, so with its large size you need to make sure you have storage room for it.

The middle tray of the Prestige Multi-steamer is quite shallow, measuring only 4cm high. This could be taken as a pro or con depending on how you look at it. It’s perfect for sliced vegetables, but if you tend to cook a lot of potatoes and cauliflower for example, you may find some difficulty in fitting them in unless you put them all in the bigger top tray.

On the whole, this is a solid, quality steamer, ideal for the larger families.

 

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3 Tier Stainless Steel Multi Steamer

K.I.S.S.

Most modern steamers are electric powered and digitally controlled. However sometimes simple is best. The Multi Steamer Pan is a 3 tier stainless steel steamer designed to be used on a hob (any sort!).

One of the best things about this steamer is the weight, it is really light (only 2kg or 4.4lbs), yet it is sturdy and well made.

The steamer has one main pan with two steamer inserts, and a glass lid which allows you to check on the cooking without the risk of getting scalded.

The manufacturers have used an ‘encapsulated’ base which helps spread out the heat, helping to obtain evenly cooked food. The main pan can also double up as a standard saucepan should you need it.

3 Tier Stainless Steel Multi Steamer

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Features

  • An 18cm wide stock pan with a glass lid to allow checking without releasing the steam.
  • Full dimensions: 18cm x 18cm x 25 cm
  • Two steamer inserts.
  • Suitable for gas, electric, hot plate, ceramic, halogen hobs.
  • Dishwasher safe for easy cleaning.
  • Has an ‘encapsulated’ base for even coooking.
  • Hollow handles to aid a light weight design, only 2kg.

 

Value

The Multi Steamer is hob based, which might not suit you, especially if you steam a great deal or want to use it in conjunction with cooking on the stove, but for occasionally steaming it is a great choice, and superb value.

 

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The Magimix 11580

Simply Magic!

Most modern steamers have one major drawback when compared to the older bamboo style steamers. Plastic. Even though state of the art technology is used to create plastic that is safe to use in cooking, many people nowadays are much more keen to avoid potential leeching of chemicals from plastic appliances and utensils into their food.

And this is why the Magimix 11580 steamer is ideal. Its made from sturdy stainless steel, including the inserts, so theirs never a concern about chemical residue. The inserts are of course dishwasher safe and the main body of the steamer is easily wiped clean with a cloth.

Magimix 11580

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Features

  • A simple 90 minute timer
  • Auto shut off facility
  • An excellent safety feature, the boil dry safety system
  • A keep warm function, in case your foods ready but your are not
  • Dishwasher safe parts for easy cleaning.
  • Stainless steel inners

 

Though this steamer is only a two tier, the fact the top tray has a removable bottom and the general size of the steamer means you can cook most foods in here (a chicken yes, a turkey, maybe not!).

Whilst most steamers are stackable and collapse down to conserve space, there is no option with this one. However, the power cable is removable which helps a little and the Magimix has a lovely design which means you wont mind having it displayed on your counter.

Magimax is very proud of the 11580 and offer a 3 year guarantee as standard, though this workhorse of a steamer will give you many years service.

The Magimix 11580 is not the cheapest option around, but if you are serious about your steaming and cook food this way day in, day out, the price becomes very affordable. Especially so when you realise that this sturdy, workhorse of a steam cooker will last you many years.

Why not go and have a look at the steamer and check out some of the real life user reviews, Click Here.

 

Tefal 4-in-1 RK701115 Review

Tefal 4-in-1 RK701115 Review – Slow Cooker, Steamer, Rice Cooker, & Porridge Maker in Brushed Chrome

Steamers are great and useful products, but what if you need a steamer but also need a slow cooker, say maybe because your kitchen is small or has limited worktop space?

Well that’s a situation a friend of mine was recently in, and a common problem in most households. That’s why I have looked at the Tefal 4-in-1.

Tefal 4 in 1

This steamers name might be a mouthful to say, but it is trying to show off all of its useful features. Not only does this cook perfectly fluffy steamed rice in the steamer mode, but can be used to slow cook numerous tasty dishes from stews to curries, allowing you more time to do other things.

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Tefal 4-in-1 Slow cooker and steamer features:

  • The unit has a hinged lid, with a locking mechanism, so no more spilt food in your car if you transport it to a party.
  • A keep warm setting, will keep your food warm automatically after its ready, if you yourself aren’t quite ready to eat.
  • When you use the rice cooking menu settings, you can delay the cooking start.
  • The removable cooking bowl is Tefal quality non stick, making it easy to clean.

It’s easy to see why the Tefal 4-in-1 Slow cooker, Steamer, Rice Cooker & Porridge maker, is one of the best selling items in the steamer section. Its varied uses and quality looks and design, mean it deserves its 4.2 out of 5 rating.

Why not go and have a look at the steamer and check out some of the real life user reviews, Click here.

Tefal Vitacuisine Compact Steamer VS400315 Review

Compact Design

Most kitchens have limited work and storage space, and generally steamers tend to be quite bulky products. When I was looking for a quality but practically sized steamer, I found the Tefal Vitacuisine.

Using the Tefal know how, they have managed to make a steamer that has a 10.3 litre capacity, but can be reduced in size by a whopping 35% when it isn’t in use! This means its really practical in a small kitchen.

Tefal Vitacuisine Compact Steamer VS400315

Alongside the compactness of the steamer, it has a 3 in 1 technology, which means that unlike some steamers, you can cook a mix of meat, fish and vegetables without the individual flavours affecting the other food.

Tefal Vitacuisine Compact Steamer VS400315

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Features of the Tefal Vitacuisine

  • When the steamer isn’t in use, you can reduce its size by up to 35% with the patented ultra compact system.
  • An overall capacity of 10.3 litres, more than enough room to cook for up to 4 people.
  • A delay start function of up to 1 hour.
  • An accurate digital timer system, with alarm to tell you the food is ready.
  • The steamer has a keep warm feature, should you not be ready to eat when the food is ready.
  • Warning indicator to show the water is too low, so you don’t damage the heating elements.
  • The parts are dishwasher safe, so cleaning up afterwards is a piece of cake.

The one main niggle with it is that it doesn’t have a water top up spout, which means you have to remove the water tray to fill it up. However, this is a minor issue.

The Tefal Vitacuisine compact, is a beautiful piece of kit, following the traditional 3 tier style, but with a modern metal finish, and would be a welcome addition to your kitchen.

Pick yours up at Amazon.co.uk today.

Morphy Richards 48781 Intellisteam Review

A healthier way to eat

Healthy eating and a modern lifestyle go hand in hand, and more and more people are starting to steam their food rather than boil away nutrients or coat their food in oil. I love to cook, and recently started some research into steamers and found the Morphy Richards 48781 Intellisteam.

I was really excited by some of the features of the Intellisteam, especially the intelligent digital timer. No longer would I have to guess how long the food needs or open the steamer up to great wafts of steam and potential scalding to check the food, the Intellisteam helps you to sort the timing for the different foods so they all finish cooking at the same time.

The steamers design and size, means that it will fit in with most kitchens, without being an eye sore.

Morphy Richards Intellisteam

Features of the steamer

  • A huge 8.2 litre capacity over 3 steamboxes, each having an individually controlled heater and timer so the food will be all cooked at the same time.
  • The modern intelligent timer makes sure your food is cooked to perfection!
  • It has a single tier design, which makes taking the food out when done that little bit easier.
  • A 40 minute automatic warming function means that if your not quite ready for dinner, it can wait and still stay warm.
  • The steamboxes are dishwasher safe, so cleaning up is easy.
  • Backlit LCD screen so it’s easy to see what settings your putting it on.
  • You can personalise the timer setting and it saves it, so if you prefer your veggies a bit crispier you don’t have to change the setting every time.

It’s no wonder that the Morphy Richards 48781 Intellisteam is one of the bestseller’s on Amazon and the user’s love it giving it an impressive 4.7 out of 5.

There are some issues with the steamer, most notably being that some of them have had handles fall off, but Amazon of course has replaced these. Most people who have purchased the product haven’t had this issue.

If you want to get more information about the steamer or read some of the real life reviews, Click Here.