10 Best Bamboo Steamers of 2020
Photo: Pixabay
A bamboo steamer is a relatively affordable kitchen utensil for cooking foods and maintaining their flavors, nutrients, and texture.
Coming from Asian cuisine, it has developed and spread all over the world. This has led to its increasing popularity among lovers of healthy eating for its many advantages.
Bamboo steamers produce authentic flavors in food that you can't get from either boiling or frying. If you've had Chinese delicacies like Dim Sum, then you should know how amazing they are.
This bamboo steamers review takes you through the list of the top offers in the market and includes a buying guide to help you make the right choice.
10 Best Bamboo Steamers – Review
IMAGE | PRODUCT | FEATURES | |
|---|---|---|---|
 | 1. VonShef 07/537US (2-tier with Chopsticks) | ||
 | 2. BirdRock Home 8044 (2-tier, 100% Natural) | ||
 | 3. Trademark Innovations (2-tier, 100% Natural) | ||
 | 4. Mister Kitchenware (2-tier + Accessories) | ||
 | 5. Harcas Premium (10-inch Organic Set) | ||
 | 6. Helen's Asian Kitchen 97009 (100% Natural) | ||
 | 7. Zoie + Chloe (100% Natural with Liners) | ||
 | 8. Joyce Chen 26-0013 (10-inch Stylish Set) | ||
 | 9. Happy Sales BMB08 (3-piece Design in 3 Sizes) | ||
 | 10. Norpro 1963 (High-quality 6-inch Compact Design) |
PRODUCT |
|---|
1. VonShef 07/537US (2-tier with Chopsticks) |
2. BirdRock Home 8044 (2-tier, 100% Natural) |
3. Trademark Innovations (2-tier, 100% Natural) |
4. Mister Kitchenware (2-tier + Accessories) |
5. Harcas Premium (10-inch Organic Set) |
6. Helen's Asian Kitchen 97009 (100% Natural) |
7. Zoie + Chloe (100% Natural with Liners) |
8. Joyce Chen 26-0013 (10-inch Stylish Set) |
9. Happy Sales BMB08 (3-piece Design in 3 Sizes) |
10. Norpro 1963 (High-quality 6-inch Compact Design) |
1. VonShef 07/537US – 2-tier Bamboo Steamer with Chopsticks
Photo: VonShef
- Size: 10 inches
- Number of Tiers: 2
- Bamboo Quality: Includes steel banding
- Lid: Domed lid
VonShef offers you the best bamboo food steamer package here with this 2-tier steamer for all your authentic Chinese cuisines. You can use it for rice, vegetables, Dim Sum, and much more.
The package additionally includes two sets of chopsticks for the ultimate Chinese experience, plus 50 wax paper linings for your cooking convenience.
One downside of this offer is that it comes in only this 10-inch size. It also includes steel bandings, which means it's not a 100% natural bamboo steamer.
On the positive side, these steel bandings make the steamer last longer and VonShef also backs the set with a 2-year warranty.
Pros:
Cons:
2. BirdRock Home 8044 – 2-tier 100% Natural Bamboo Steamer
Photo: BirdRock Home
- Size: 8 & 10 inches
- Number of Tiers: 2
- Bamboo Quality: 100% natural
- Lid: Domed lid
Manufactured using 100% bamboo, this set gets made exactly like the best Chinese bamboo steamers. It's available in two sizes of either 8-inch or 10-inch diameters and will fit most woks or pans.
The package is also two-tiered, so you can cook different types of food at a go to save time. Each tier is also well-measured at 2.4 inches of depth, so it will always fit most of your food items with ease.
Unlike the VonShef offer above, this one doesn't come with any accessories and it's also not the cheapest offer in this review. It's, however, a great package to anyone who appreciates authentic Chinese bamboo steamers.
Pros:
Cons:
3. Trademark Innovations – 2-tier 100% Natural Bamboo Steamer
Photo: Trademark Innovations
- Size: 10 inches
- Number of Tiers: 2
- Bamboo Quality: 100% natural bamboo
- Lid: Domed lid
Here's another interesting bamboo steamer offer. It's from Trademark Innovations this time and it's both 100% natural and comes at a very attractive price.
The steamer measures 10 inches across and comes in two tiers for more cooking variety. It also includes a domed lid with a tightly-woven mesh for optimal steam retention.
One disadvantage of this package is the lack of accessories and availability in only this 10-inch size. But as one of the cheapest bamboo steamers in the market, it's still a very attractive offer.
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4. Mister Kitchenware – 2-tier Bamboo Steamer + Accessories
Photo: Mister Kitchenware
- Size: 10 inches
- Number of Tiers: 2
- Bamboo Quality: 100% bamboo
- Lid: Domed lid
When considering which steamer you should get, the food you intend to serve with it should also matter. So, if dumplings or something else that needs serving with a sauce is on the list, then you may want to consider this offer.
The package includes a set of chopsticks, mesh liners, and a dish for serving dumpling dipping sauces. This makes it a very complete set and probably the best bamboo dumpling steamer package around.
On its downside, however, it's the costliest steamer package so far on this list. But if you consider its accessories and the 60-day warranty, then it's not a bad offer after all.
Pros:
Cons:
5. Harcas Premium – 10-inch Organic Bamboo Steamer Set
Photo: Harcas
- Size: 10 inches
- Number of Tiers: 2
- Bamboo Quality: Includes steel reinforcements
- Lid: Domed lid
If an authentic Chinese cuisine look is less important to you than the quality and longevity of the bamboo steamer, then you may want to give this offer a try.
Made from organic bamboo, the steamer also features stainless steel reinforcements to make it tougher and more durable. Everything else is from bamboo and beautifully hand-made.
This bamboo steamer is also for those who want a dishwasher-friendly steamer set. It features a 2-tier construction and comes backed by a 90-day warranty.
Pros:
Cons:
6. Helen's Asian Kitchen 97009 – 100% Natural Bamboo Steamer
Photo: Harold Import Company, Inc.
- Size: 4, 6, 10, 12 inches
- Number of Tiers: 2 tiers
- Bamboo Quality: 100% natural bamboo
- Lid: Domed lid
If you're the type that prefers brand names, then Helen Chen offers you one of the best bamboo steamers you can get for authentic Asian cuisine preparation and service.
Here you get a set of 2-tier bamboo steamers that are from 100% bamboo, no stainless steel fittings or any other attachments. They are also available in different sizes ranging from 4 to 6, 10, and 12 inches in diameter.
You don't get any accessories with this offer and there are cheaper bamboo steamers out there. But if you want a bamboo steamer with a brand name on it, then this is a good product.
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7. Zoie + Chloe – 100% Natural Bamboo Steamer with Liners
Photo: Zoie + Chloe
- Size: 8 & 10 inches
- Number of Tiers: 2
- Bamboo Quality: 100% natural bamboo
- Lid: Domed lid
Zoie + Chloe makes stylish culinary products, so the brand is also a great one for anyone looking for the best bamboo rice steamers, silicone steamers, and microwave pressure cookers.
The company offers this bamboo steamer in two sizes of 8 and 10 inches, each with two stackable baskets with an internal depth of 1.5 inches.
This steamer is well made using 100% natural bamboo, features a domed lid for effective steam trapping, and the package additionally includes two reusable cotton liners for your convenience.
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8. Joyce Chen 26-0013 – 10-inch Stylish Bamboo Steamer Set
Photo: Joyce Chen
- Size: 10 inches
- Number of Tiers: 2
- Bamboo Quality: 100% natural bamboo
- Lid: Domed
Joyce Chen was a popular chef, restaurateur, and TV personality, so, naturally, her bamboo steamer will make the list of the top products in the market.
She was the mother of Helen Chen, whose bamboo steamer is on number #6 of this review. So, it is little wonder that both steamers look very much alike.
This one measures 10 inches in diameter and it comes gift-boxed. It's made using 100% bamboo by expert-craftsmen and to the highest standards. A quality you can also sense from its price.
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9. Happy Sales BMB08 – 3-piece Bamboo Steamer in 3 Sizes
Photo: Happy Sales
- Size: 6, 8, 10 inches
- Number of Tiers: 2
- Lid: Domed
This BMB08 bamboo steamer from Happy Sales is another of the best bamboo vegetable steamers which allow you to choose your desired size.
It's available in three sizes, including 6, 8, and 10-inch diameters. Each size features a 2-tier basket construction and includes a domed lid for an effective steaming process.
There's a slight difference between the 10-inch version and the smaller ones though. The larger version is better made than the smaller versions and this seems to result from the properties of working with bamboo.
Still, if you feel like choosing either a 6- or an 8-inch bamboo steamer, then this is one good offer to check out.
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10. Norpro 1963 – High-quality 6-inch Compact Bamboo Steamer
Photo: Norpro
- Size: 6 inches
- Number of Tiers: 2
- Bamboo Quality: 100% natural bamboo
- Lid: Domed
This Norpro 1963 is one of the best bamboo steamers for those who want a really small steamer for small amounts of food at a time.
Norpro has been around for decades making great products and you can see this from the high-quality construction of this steamer. It also features well-fitted parts made using 100% bamboo.
For its downsides, this bamboo steamer is both small and relatively costly. Its 6-inch size might make it impractical for steaming for a large group of people, however, but it's perfect for one or two persons.
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How to Buy the Best Bamboo Steamers
Photo: Harold Import Company, Inc.
Bamboo steamers are very special utensils because there are different types of steamers out there but none compares to the quality and efficiency of the classic Chinese bamboo steamer.
If you're interested in getting a set but you're just not very sure about which offer, it will help a lot if you take a look at the following guide. They show you what matters the most and what to look out for when making your choice.
1. Your Cooking Needs
This is a major decision that's important and depends entirely on you. Bamboo steamers come in different sizes, designed to cook a range of food quantities.
You'll find steamers measuring 10 inches up to 14 inches. And you should know that the wider they are is the more food they can cook at a go.
You'll also find bamboo steamer sets in two, or more tiers. And of course, more tiers also means more food-cooking capacity.
So, you need to know how much food you'll be making, then get a bamboo steamer set that's a little larger because you need to keep things flexible.
2. Safety
One of the reasons that lots of people prefer bamboo steamers is because they are very natural and do not contain any unsafe materials. Keep in mind, however, that this only refers to steamers made from 100% bamboo.
For this reason, you should always make sure that you get a high-quality bamboo steamer that's made from 100% bamboo. It shouldn't contain plastic, metal, or any harmful substance, such as BPA in any way.
3. The Lid
A bamboo steamer's lid is important for many reasons. Firstly, you need to make sure that the lid is also made from 100% bamboo because this guarantees the overall quality of the steamer.
Secondly, the lid needs is better tightly woven to trap as much steam as possible inside the steamer. It should also fit the rest of the steamer perfectly for optimal steam retention.
4. Cleaning & Maintenance
All bamboo steamers are best washed by hand. You need to remove any food pieces first and then clean the steamer under running water. You should brush off any food pieces with a soft nylon brush and let the steamer dry completely before storage.
The reason that bamboo steamers are not dishwasher safe is that bamboo is a very porous material that will easily absorb dish-washing soap or the odors from all kinds of foods.
5. Durability
If you want a bamboo steamer that's as durable as possible, then you need one that's made from thick and high-quality reeds. This is simply the how it is with bamboo: The thicker the reed, the tougher its product.
6. Your Budget
Most bamboo steamers are relatively affordable, with good quality offers being offered from around $20 upwards. If you're the type that likes fancy stuff and money isn't a problem, then you'll also find other interesting offers. Else, most bamboos steamers are reasonably priced.
Conclusion
We've reached the end of this bamboo steamers review and you've seen the top 10 offers in the market. You've seen the large and small bamboo steamers, as well as the budget options and those from big-name brands.
You'll have to choose by yourself, however, because we all have different needs and you are the only one that knows exactly the type of bamboo steamer that will best fit into your lifestyle.
- 10 Best Bamboo Steamers – Review
- 1. VonShef 07/537US – 2-tier Bamboo Steamer with Chopsticks
- 2. BirdRock Home 8044 – 2-tier 100% Natural Bamboo Steamer
- 3. Trademark Innovations – 2-tier 100% Natural Bamboo Steamer
- 4. Mister Kitchenware – 2-tier Bamboo Steamer + Accessories
- 5. Harcas Premium – 10-inch Organic Bamboo Steamer Set
- 6. Helen's Asian Kitchen 97009 – 100% Natural Bamboo Steamer
- 7. Zoie + Chloe – 100% Natural Bamboo Steamer with Liners
- 8. Joyce Chen 26-0013 – 10-inch Stylish Bamboo Steamer Set
- 9. Happy Sales BMB08 – 3-piece Bamboo Steamer in 3 Sizes
- 10. Norpro 1963 – High-quality 6-inch Compact Bamboo Steamer
- How to Buy the Best Bamboo Steamers
- Conclusion
