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.
What To Check Before Buying Best Bamboo Steamers?
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 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 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.
10 Best Bamboo Steamers of 2021 Reviewed
IMAGE | PRODUCT | FEATURES |
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1. VonShef 07/537US (2-tier with Chopsticks) |
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2. BirdRock Home 8044 (2-tier, 100% Natural) |
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3. Trademark Innovations (2-tier, 100% Natural) |
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4. Mister Kitchenware (2-tier + Accessories) |
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5. Harcas Premium (10-inch Organic Set) |
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6. Helen’s Asian Kitchen 97009 (100% Natural) |
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7. Zoie + Chloe (100% Natural with Liners) |
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8. Joyce Chen 26-0013 (10-inch Stylish Set) |
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9. Happy Sales BMB08 (3-piece Design in 3 Sizes) |
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10. Norpro 1963 (High-quality 6-inch Compact Design) |
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1. VonShef 07/537US – Best with Chopsticks
- 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:
- The 10-inch steamer made from natural bamboo
- Its 2-tiered design allows more food
- The package includes chopsticks and liners
- Backed by a 2-year manufacturer warranty
Cons:
- It’s only available in this 10-inch size
- It’s not a 100% natural bamboo steamer
2. BirdRock Home 8044 – 100% Natural
- 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:
- The steamer comes from 100% bamboo construction
- It’s available in 8- and 10-inch sizes
- Features two tiers for more cooking flexibility
- Each tier offers a 2.4-inch depth
Cons:
- The package doesn’t include accessories
- You can get a cheaper bamboo steamer
3. Trademark Innovations – 2-tier 100% Natural Bamboo Steamer
- 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.
Pros:
- 100% natural bamboo steamer
- Features 2 tiers with a 10-inch diameter
- Includes a domed lid for best steam retention
- Offered at a low and attractive price
Cons:
- It’s only available in this 10-inch size
- The package doesn’t include any accessories
4. Mister Kitchenware – Best with Accessories
- 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:
- Set of 100% bamboo steamer
- Features a 2-tier construction
- The package includes chopsticks, liners, and a dish
- Mister Kitchenware backs it with a 60-day guarantee
Cons:
- You can get cheaper offers
- It’s only available in this 10-inch design
5. Harcas Premium – Best 10-inch
- 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:
- Dishwasher safe 10-inch bamboo steamer set
- 2-tier construction for more cooking variety
- Each basket comes reinforced with stainless steel
- The manufacturer backs it with a 90-day warranty
Cons:
- It features steel reinforcements, so it’s not 100% bamboo
- The package includes no accessories
6. Helen’s Asian Kitchen 97009 – 100% Natural
- 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.
Pros:
- The bamboo steamer from 100% bamboo construction
- It’s available in 4 sizes of 4, 6, 10, and 12 inches
- Each size comes with two tiers and a domed lid
- The offer comes from a popular brand
Cons:
- The package doesn’t include accessories
- There are cheaper comparable bamboo steamers
7. Zoie + Chloe – 100% Natural with Liners
- 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.
Pros:
- High-quality bamboo steamer construction
- Made from 100% natural bamboo
- Available in 8- and 10-inch sizes
- The package includes bonus cotton liners
Cons:
- You can get cheaper bamboo steamers
- Its 10-inch isn’t large enough for large groups
8. Joyce Chen 26-0013 – Best 10-inch Stylish
- 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.
Pros:
- Beautifully made 10-inch bamboo steamer
- Designed by a famous chef
- Features 2 tiers of stackable baskets
- Includes a domed lid for efficient steaming
Cons:
- It’s a relatively costly bamboo steamer
- The package includes no accessories
9. Happy Sales BMB08 – 3-piece Bamboo Steamer in 3 Sizes
- 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.
Pros:
- 3-piece bamboo steamer with lid
- Available in 6, 8, and 10 inches
- Each size comes with 2 tiers
- Offered at an attractive price
Cons:
- It comes with no accessories
- There are higher-quality bamboo steamers
10. Norpro 1963 – Best High-quality 6-inch Compact
- 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 tiny 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.
Pros:
- Small bamboo steamer for small meals
- Features a 100% bamboo construction
- High-quality construction
- Includes a domed lid for more efficiency
Cons:
- It only measures 6 inches in diameter
- It’s a relatively costly bamboo steamer
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.
In this post:
- What To Check Before Buying Best Bamboo Steamers?
- 10 Best Bamboo Steamers of 2021 Reviewed
- 1. VonShef 07/537US – Best with Chopsticks
- 2. BirdRock Home 8044 – 100% Natural
- 3. Trademark Innovations – 2-tier 100% Natural Bamboo Steamer
- 4. Mister Kitchenware – Best with Accessories
- 5. Harcas Premium – Best 10-inch
- 6. Helen’s Asian Kitchen 97009 – 100% Natural
- 7. Zoie + Chloe – 100% Natural with Liners
- 8. Joyce Chen 26-0013 – Best 10-inch Stylish
- 9. Happy Sales BMB08 – 3-piece Bamboo Steamer in 3 Sizes
- 10. Norpro 1963 – Best High-quality 6-inch Compact
- Conclusion