Total volume
The volume of all steam baskets is indicated. The larger it is, the more food/dishes can be cooked at the same time. Meanwhile, do not forget that this parameter also affects the dimensions and price of the device. Therefore, it is worth specifically looking for a capacious steamer if you cannot do without it.
For a family of 3 – 4 people, the volume of about 6 – 7 L is considered optimal. At the same time, we note that most steamers are equipped with several baskets, and it is not necessary to use them all at once when cooking. Therefore, for the same family of 3 – 4 people, a
larger volume model may be suitable, for 10 – 11 L: for everyday cooking, you can use part of the baskets, and the reserve by volume can come in handy if you have to cook in large quantities (for example, for the holiday).
Rice bowl
The presence in the delivery set of a special bowl designed for cooking porridges from cereals that need to be filled with water, in particular rice and buckwheat. The bottom
of the rice bowl has no openings, which allows you to pour the right amount of water into it. Heating occurs due to the steam produced by the steamer.
Power
The maximum power consumed by the steamer during the cooking process; in many modes, the actual power consumption may be lower, but you should focus on the maximum power. The
more powerful the device, the more intense heating it provides, the faster the water in it will heat up to the desired temperature and the more powerful the release of steam, which is useful for large volumes of cooking. On the other hand, high power usually affects the cost, and power consumption increases accordingly.
Steam basket material
All kinds of materials can be used in modern steamers - from
steel to heat-resistant glass. Most low-cost (and not so) steamers use heat-resistant
plastic. Models with stainless steel baskets are also common - they are more durable, practically not subject to corrosion and usually are more expensive than "plastic" sets. On the other hand, modern household appliances are not designed to be used for decades, so options with plastic baskets are optimal for most users.
