Advantages of a steamer / myLot

United Kingdom

October 15, 2021 3:56pm CST

I’ve often seen steaming vegetables touted for its health benefits, as apparently fewer of the nutrients are lost to the cooking water compared to boiling. But an added benefit that I have never seen mentioned is that you can cook different vegetables in the same pan without them getting mixed together, because they don’t move about during cooking. Cooking several different vegetables each in a different pan obviously uses more energy and water (and space, so it isn’t always possible anyway). This may seem unimportant - after all they will probably get mixed up on your plate, and certainly once they get to your stomach! But since gaining family members who each have different likes and dislikes regarding food, this has turned out to be a blessing. Now each of the girls can get the vegetables they approve, without them being ‘contaminated’ with any ‘undesirables’! All rights reserved. © Text and image copyright Fleur 2021.

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13 responses

Anna

@LadyDuck (502573)

• Italy

16 Oct 21

I like to use the steamer, the food tastes better than boiling, as it is not "watered". I even have several Chinese bamboo steamers, you place one on top of another and over a boiling pan, you can cook different kind of food not mixing them.

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Anna

@LadyDuck (502573)

• Italy

17 Oct 21

@Fleura Not that I noticed. I also have a metal steamer that I use all the time to cook the potatoes.

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Fleur

@Fleura (35055)

• United Kingdom

17 Oct 21

@LadyDuck For some reason I never steam potatoes, I must try it.

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Fleur

@Fleura (35055)

• United Kingdom

16 Oct 21

Do the bamboo steamers have a different effect compared to metal ones?

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Judy Evans

@JudyEv (382258)

• Rockingham, Australia

18 Oct 21

I hadn't thought about that but you're absolutely right. I don't use our steamer much. Maybe I should start using it more.

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Fleur

@Fleura (35055)

• United Kingdom

18 Oct 21

I never thought about it either until I had to try and prepare vegetables for a small person who won't eat things she likes if they have accidentally got mixed with other perfectly tasty vegetables such as peas!

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Fleur

@Fleura (35055)

• United Kingdom

19 Oct 21

@JudyEv They certainly do!

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Judy Evans

@JudyEv (382258)

• Rockingham, Australia

19 Oct 21

@Fleura Some little people have very decided opinions!

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Notlilie

@prinzcy (32299)

• Malaysia

24 Oct 21

I have a steamer and use it quite a lot. I also love to steam frozen buns and rice. Since I have no oven, I only make steam cake.

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Kayla Tsukino

@kaylachan (84823)

• Daytona Beach, Florida

15 Oct 21

I do love steamed food over boiled. But, if you can, that is great. My parents had one, but didn't have a trayl like that.

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Fleur

@Fleura (35055)

• United Kingdom

15 Oct 21

Do you think it tastes significantly different?

Fiacre Banks

@xFiacre (14786)

• Ireland

15 Oct 21

@fleura steamers, I find, don't always accommodate any great quantity of vegetables which is a pity.

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Fleur

@Fleura (35055)

• United Kingdom

15 Oct 21

Ours has two tiers, it seems to manage enough for the four of us.

Taylor Casper

@t100068 (289)

•

29 Oct 21

I really like steamed vegetables, steaming gives the vegetables a lot more flavor. Broiled vegetables have a different taste, it’s hard to describe, broiled vegetables are good as well. Personally, I prefer steamed vegetables over broiled vegetables. Yes, I completely agree with you that steaming vegetables helps them retain more of their nutrients. Do you prefer boiled or steamed vegetables? What vegetables do you like? Maybe, I should start having more steamed vegetables.

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Fleur

@Fleura (35055)

• United Kingdom

29 Oct 21

I can't say I've noticed a big difference, maybe I'm doing it wrong! I think I like roasted vegetables best. Or stir-fried.

Always smiling

@allknowing (153529)

• India

16 Oct 21

I steam left over food. Just keep some water and place a collander over it and then place the dish that has food in it. Let it heat up for about 15 minutes. I make bread pudding and a few other goodies steaming as well

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Juliaacv

@Juliaacv (56322)

• Canada

16 Oct 21

I prefer my vegetables steamed and not boiled. They taste better steamed.

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@DaddyEvil (174558)

• United States

15 Oct 21

We have a steamer but haven't ever used it. I haven't seen it since we moved, actually... I wonder if it went to the thrift shop with the other things we "didn't need" anymore? I'll have to ask Pretty about it.

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