I got this as a gift and really only plan to steam veggies....how did it work for you?
1129400
It works great as a steamer for veggies. In fact it works great for just about everything we have used it for. The recipes in the enclosed recipe booklet are spot-on delicious. We use it a lot.
1129401
I used it several times it burned my rice. Takes up too much counter space. Don't know about veggie steaming
1904358
I Ordered the portable steam over a year ago and the steam maker was nothing more than a crock pot that never got hot enough. I bought a portable steam cleaner and hooked it up to the hose and it works great. Also the chair that came with it is usless for an adult. i am saving it for my grandaughter when we go the park. Good luck.
1479748
It's not a steamer in the conventional sense. 2 pcs (lid & bowl) made of silicone. Water only used for rice, quinoa, grits & etc where the seed or grain requires water to cook -- mixed as you would in a saucepan. Veggies (broccoli, corn, carrots) require no water. Oil/butter if u like. Comes with cookbook to lead u through. Mastrad has a website that has recipes & techniques, but amazon.com had better prices. We love ours.
1434782
yes you can use a steamer basket, so long as it isn't so tall that when you put the produce on top the vegetables block the valve on top. I have a silicone basket that I use and it works fine. I let the liquid come to a boil before I put the basket in and you can find charts online that will give you approximate times for different vegetables. Check out hip pressure cooking.com.
124507
Yes you can just steam veggies without cooking rice. The holes in the steamer tray are on the large side so peas and cut corn tend to fall through the holes on this steamer basket. I haven't figured out how to steam smaller veggies in this steamer tray. It works well for steaming larger veggies and other things that don't fall through the holes. I did post a picture here of the steamer basket and smaller diameter green beans Stainless Steel Rice Cooker Model ME81 (Formerly ME8) - by Miracle Exclusives
720112
There is no rack just the liner pot so you would not be able to steam veggies as well as meat for example . You would have to cook separately . You don't really need a rack for cooking veggies, I just use about 1/2 inch of water for veggie cooking. I have used this for cooking many recipies and you can cook things like dried beans without soaking in less than an hour. I hope this helps.
1882515
As far as the quality of the veggies, I am not sure there is one for veggies like broccoli or leafy vegetables. I use both inter changeably, as I am often cooking several things at one time. I do prefer the I Pot for corn on the cob, potatoes, and other root vegetables. Particularly with the root vegetables, micro steaming can be tricky as the cooking time varies with the size. I have over baked potatoes in the microwave more than once. With the I Pot, they always come out right using the standard cooking time. Bottom line, if I had to choose only one appliance to steam vegetables, it would be the I Pot. As far as the quality of the veggies, I am not sure there is one for veggies like broccoli or leafy vegetables. I use both inter changeably, as I am often cooking several things at one time. I do prefer the I Pot for corn on the cob, potatoes, and other root vegetables. Particularly with the root vegetables, micro steaming can be tricky as the cooking time varies with the size. I have over baked potatoes in the microwave more than once. With the I Pot, they always come out right using the standard cooking time. Bottom line, if I had to choose only one appliance to steam vegetables, it would... » Read More As far as the quality of the veggies, I am not sure there is one for veggies like broccoli or leafy vegetables. I use both inter changeably, as I am often cooking several things at one time. I do prefer the I Pot for corn on the cob, potatoes, and other root vegetables. Particularly with the root vegetables, micro steaming can be tricky as the cooking time varies with the size. I have over baked potatoes in the microwave more than once. With the I Pot, they always come out right using the standard cooking time. Bottom line, if I had to choose only one appliance to steam vegetables, it would be the I Pot. « Show Less
2033428
Sorry, I do not know about steaming dim-sums. I steam veggies in mine such as asparagus, broccoli, and green beans.It works wonderfully for those foods. Hopefully, it will work for dim-sums, too.
740740
It's not good for steaming other kinds of food because the little drawer is only as high and wide as a hotdog and it's very flimsy plastic. So most veggies won't even fit. If you squeeze food in it won't cook well because there aren't enough holes. And the top level is impossible to use since there's hardly any steam there. Sadly, you can't boil corn or other things in the bottom level because there's no room at all. So you can't really use it for steaming other foods.
1738471
Hello. I honestly have never tried. I do steam rice in it and it turns out wonderful. Sorry I could not be more helpful.
1984965
If I can cook with this, anyone can, because I am an awful cook!! Nevertheless, I got this because I thought it would help me eat more veggies as I'm a bad veggie eater. You fill the reservoir with water, place the veggie holder right on top of the reservoir, plop in the veggies (including asparagus) and set the timer for about 12 minutes or so. I sprinkle on some Goya seasoning for flavor but you can do whatever you want. This is a great little steamer and I highly recommend it.
1497593
i steam only veggies but think it might work for buns . love love my steamer !
1203161
It does say in the manual (last page I think) that you have to purchase a separate steamer bowl to steal veggies.Page 12 "1. To steam veggies or fish, place 2 to 4 cups of water in VitaClay, then place veggies inside a steam tray or bowl; press "Slow cooking" key, followed by pressing "minute" key for 30 minutes, continue pressing "Hour" key until "0" hour, press "Start/Cancel" key to start steam. "
350226
put a layer of lettuce or spinach on the bottom of the steamer. it wont change the flavor and allows for easier clean up.
606548
this works great for asparagus.I have also used it for small articokes and for potatos and squash as well as for boiling eggs. great steamer. Marianne S.
1652367
It doesn't hold a lot of veggies. You could cut a potato in half and steam some green beans or broccoli. That's it. Enough for one person for a meal. Not enough for two. (Although I use it constantly as it works brilliantly at steaming dumplings.) And yes, you can cook rice and steam together.
175114
Yes, its fantastic. I use it allllllll the time, max setting low steam. You''l love it!!