10 of the best steamers for baby food 2024
DO YOU NEED A STEAMER FOR BABY FOOD?
A steamer is very useful for cooking vegetables for finger foods or purées. It’s fine for babies to eat uncooked soft fruits but they shouldn’t eat raw vegetables as they may choke.
However, if you don’t already own a steamer, you don’t have to buy one. You could steam vegetables in the microwave or on the hob by using a saucepan and colander.
WHY IS STEAMING SO GOOD FOR BABY FOOD?
When boiling vegetables, some of the nutrients are lost into the water. When steaming, many more of these are preserved so it’s considered to be a healthier way to prepare baby food. It can also help to retain flavour.
What are the main types of steamer?
Electric steamers: These usually have three tiers for cooking a variety of foods and just need to be filled up with water and plugged in. If you live in a hard water area, some parts will need regular descaling.
Steamer pans: The heat comes from your stove, where you place a stack of pans. Put the water in the bottom pan and the steam reaches the others via small holes in their bases. A lid goes on top.
Steamer baskets: These have small legs and fit inside a saucepan. The pan has a small amount of water on the bottom and is placed on the hob. They are designed to fit most pans as they can collapse and expand.
Bamboo steamers: These are made from woven bamboo and are designed to fit in a wok.
Microwave steamer: A plastic container with a removable basket and a steam vent. They can double up as storage containers.
Baby food makers: An all-in-one steamer and blender for an easy way to make baby food purées.
What features should I look out for?
For all steamers:
Capacity: Do you want to steam complete meals with fish, vegetables and rice, for example? If so, go for a steamer with a large capacity. If you don’t have much space in your kitchen, go for a small one with tiers that can nest inside each other when stored.
Cleaning: Are they easy to clean? If you have a dishwasher, check which parts are suitable for this kind of cleaning.
Electric steamers:
Auto shut off or alarm so it doesn’t boil dry.
A visible water tank so you can see if it’s running out.
A tank with external spouts so it can be topped up while in use.
Accessories like a rice bowl for steaming rice or a dimpled base for steaming eggs.
A keep-warm function.
A digital display and pre-set programmes.
Steamer pans:
Heatproof handles.
Check it’s suitable for your type of stove (i.e. gas, electric or induction.)
Basket steamers:
It should be easy to take the basket out without burning yourself. Many have a handle with a hole where you can insert a fork to lift it out.
WHICH ARE THE BEST FOOD STEAMERS TO BUY?
This list has been narrowed down to the very best with thorough research and the following considered:
Consumer reviews
Best-seller lists
Recommendations from industry experts
Award-winning products
Personal experience and the products loved by other parents.
The list is updated annually. It was last updated on 4 February 2024.
If you buy through a link, we may earn a small affiliate commission. 5% of profits are donated to UK Baby Banks to help parents in need of essentials.
1. RUSSELL HOBBS 21140 3-TIER STEAMER
An electric steamer with three tiers and a capacity of 9 litres.
Gets to work fast and creates steam in less than 40 seconds.
Also comes with a 1-litre bowl for steaming rice.
The steaming baskets are designed so they can nest together for easier storage.
The timer dial has a maximum of 60 minutes.
The water level is visible.
Spouts on either side mean you can easily top up with water while in use.
Everything apart from the base is dishwasher safe in the top rack only.
2. SALTER 3-TIER FOOD STEAMER
An electric steamer with three tiers and a capacity of 7.5 litres.
Includes a rice steaming bowl.
The three tiers can be nested together when stored.
The timer dial goes up to 60 minutes.
It automatically shuts off if it runs out of water.
Cleaning in the dishwasher is not recommended.
3. MORPHY RICHARDS INTELLISTEAM
An electrical steamer with a digital display, which will remember your preferred cooking time for various food groups.
There is one steaming basket with a removable dividing wall. The two compartments can have individual cooking times and the device will have them both ready at the same time.
The capacity is 6 litres.
It has dishwasher-safe parts.
Visible water level and it can be topped up while in use.
There is an alarm and automatic shut off if it boils dry.
The keep-warm function can be used for up to 20 minutes after steaming.
Comes with a rice tray.
For easy storage, all accessories can be stored in the bowl and the plug and cord fit underneath.
4. MAGIMIX MULTIFUCTION STEAMER
An electrical steamer with two stainless steel baskets and a glass lid.
Capacity of 11 litres.
It has a digital display for the timer and a temperature dial with four settings: 100˚C steam, a fish setting, a yoghurt making setting and a keep warm setting.
The top basket has a removable base so you can steam larger items. The bottom basket has dimples for steaming eggs. There is also a stainless steel multi-function bowl for items like rice.
An alarm will sound if it boils dry.
The baskets, bowl and lid are dishwasher safe.
Comes with a booklet containing 50 recipes.
5. CROCKPOT EXPRESS MULTI-COOKER
This just doesn’t steam, it can also pressure cook, slow cook, sauté/brown and keep food warm.
Digital display with pre-set programmes and the option to programme it manually.
Capacity of 5.6 litres.
The non-stick bowl is removable for easy cleaning.
Comes with a recipe book.
6. TOWER ESSENTIALS STEAMER PANS
These steamer pans are suitable for any hob type including induction.
There are three pans made from stainless steel with a non-stick coating.
The lid is glass and the handles are silicone.
Capacity of 2.1 litres.
Dishwasher and oven safe up to 200˚C.
Made by a British brand that’s been around since 1912.
Comes with a five-year guarantee (if registered).
7. KITCHENCRAFT BAMBOO STEAMER BASKET
This two-tier steamer basket is made from natural woven bamboo.
It just needs to be placed over a wok of simmering water.
No capacity is specified but it is 20cm by 14.5cm.
Hand wash only.
8. VEGETABLE STEAMER BASKET
This stainless steel steamer basket can expand and collapse to fit into a variety of pots.
The ‘anti-hot’ plastic handle enables you to easily take it out. A fork can also be inserted to lift it out.
The legs and non-scratch silicone feet fold up for storage.
No capacity is specified but when collapsed it is 5 inches and it expands to a maximum of 9 inches.
Dishwasher safe.
9. JOSEPH JOSEPH BLOOM FOLDING BASKET
This can be used with non-stick pans of a variety of different sizes. The smallest pan it’s suitable for is 18cm.
It’s made from BPA-free plastic and has heat-resistant silicone feet and fins. There is also a stainless steel version available.
Lift it out of the pan by inserting a fork into the handle.
Folds for compact storage.
10. SISTEMA MICROWAVE STEAMER
This has a steam release vent and a steamer basket which can be removed by the heat-resistant handle.
It has locking clips so doubles up as storage and is fridge and freezer safe.
If using a dishwasher to clean, put it on the top rack.
BPA free.
Capacity of 2.4 litres. Other sizes are available.
