Steaming is one of the healthiest and simplest ways to cook food. By using hot steam rather than direct boiling or frying, food retains more nutrients, texture, and natural flavor. Here’s a step-by-step guide to using a Steamer safely and effectively, plus tips to make your results excellent every time.
A steamer is a device or piece of cookware designed to cook food by surrounding it with steam generated from boiling water. There are many types: countertop electrical steamers, multi-tier stainless steel steamers, large commercial steamers, etc.
Key benefits:
Preserves nutrients and color
Gentle cooking method, less likely to overcook
No need for oil (or much oil)
Good for delicate foods: vegetables, fish, buns, dim sum, etc.
Choose your steamer Ensure the steamer is clean, all parts (tray, lid, base) working well. For example, a multi-level stainless steel steamer allows you to cook different items in layers without cross-flavoring.
Prepare the food Wash, trim, cut into uniform sizes so they cook evenly (smaller pieces cook faster). Blanch harder vegetables if necessary.
Add water Fill the bottom section with water. Do not let the water touch the food. Depending on the design, there may be a water level mark.
Heat the water Start heating the water before placing food, so the first steam hits quickly once you insert the trays.
| Stage | Action | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| A. Preheating | Turn on the steamer / stove to bring water to a rolling boil. | Makes sure cooking begins immediately, reduces total cook time. |
| B. Inserting food | Place food in the steaming trays. For multi-tier steamers, use higher trays for items that need less cooking time. | Allows layering so that delicate or quick-cooking items are not overdone. |
| C. Covering | Put on the lid securely. Steam escapes if lid is loose. | Maintains consistent temperature and moist environment. |
| D. Monitoring | Check occasionally that water hasn’t evaporated; refill if necessary (off-heat or carefully). | Prevents burning the base and ensures continuous steam. |
| E. Timing | Use cooking times suited to the food: e.g., 5-10 mins for leafy greens, 15-20 for root vegetables or fish. | Ensures texture is just right — tender but not mushy. |
| F. Finishing | Turn off heat, let rest a minute or two if needed, then remove food carefully (watching for steam). | Helps with carryover heat and safer handling. |
Leafy greens (spinach, bok choy): ~ 3-7 minutes
Root vegetables (carrot, potato): ~12-20 minutes depending on size
Fish fillets: ~8-10 minutes (until opaque)
Chicken pieces (thin): ~10-15 minutes
Dumplings, buns: ~10-20 minutes depending on size and dough thickness
Adjust based on how full the steamer is, how much steam pressure builds up, and the thickness of the food.
Allow cooling before cleaning, to avoid burns and warping.
Disassemble trays and lid and wash with warm soapy water. Stainless steel parts should be rinsed well.
Descale occasionally if you have hard water (e.g. vinegar solution) to remove mineral build-up.
Dry thoroughly before storing to avoid rust or mildew.
Inspect seals or gaskets (if your steamer has them) to ensure they are not cracked or worn.
Use oven mitts when lifting the lid — steam can burn.
Never let water run dry — monitor the water level.
Place steamer on stable, heat-resistant surface.
Avoid overcrowding food; steam must circulate.
Keep children or pets away when in use, due to hot steam.
High quality stainless steel construction is preferred because:
It resists corrosion and rust.
It distributes heat evenly.
It is durable and long-lasting.
It does not leach unwanted materials when in contact with acidic foods.
For those looking to purchase a reliable, well-built steamer, Junerte’s line offers several strong options. Their JetKitchenware steamer collection features commercial stainless steel models that meet strict manufacturing standards and offer robust performance.
Multi-Level Stainless Steel Steamer — great if you need to cook several items at once. Multiple trays let you layer vegetables, dumplings, or buns without mixing them.
5-Tier Stainless Steel Steamer — ideal for restaurants, canteens, or large-family kitchens. More tiers mean more capacity.
large stainless steel steamer — spacious base, solid build, excellent for batch cooking.
These JUNERTE products are built to standard international guidelines, using high-grade stainless steel and modern fabrication techniques (laser cutting, automatic welding etc.).
Using a steamer properly allows you to cook healthier meals, preserve flavor and texture, and manage cooking more efficiently. Key steps are preparing food uniformly, using clean water, preventing overcrowding, covering tightly, and cleaning/maintaining well. If you invest in a good stainless steel steamer like those from JUNERTE, you’ll get a durable tool that boosts your kitchen’s capacity and reliability.
