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Cheap, stackable and the only way to do dumplings properly at home. The one thing people get wrong is the size.
Which bamboo steamer should you buy?
Buy a two tier bamboo steamer with a lid, sized so it sits inside your wok or widest pan rather than on top of it. For most UK kitchens that means 25 cm. Look for a stainless steel reinforced rim, a tight fitting woven lid, and slats close enough together that dumplings do not fall through.
Getting the size right
This is the mistake almost everyone makes. The basket is meant to sit down inside the pan so the sloping sides hold it above the water. A steamer the same width as your wok balances on the rim, wobbles, and lets steam escape around the edge.
- Measure your wok or pan across the top, then go two to four centimetres smaller.
- A 30 cm wok takes a 25 cm steamer comfortably.
- If you only have straight sided pans, buy a metal steamer ring so the basket has something to rest on.
- Water should sit two to three centimetres below the base of the bottom basket.
Two tiers or three?
Two is plenty for a household. The top tier cooks slightly slower than the bottom, so three tiers means the top layer lags behind and needs swapping halfway. Two tiers also fit in a normal cupboard, which three often do not.
Bamboo or metal?
| Bamboo | Metal | |
|---|---|---|
| Condensation | The lid absorbs it, so nothing drips | Drips back onto the food |
| Dumplings | Stay dry on top | Go soggy without a cloth |
| Price | Cheap | Dearer |
| Lifespan | Years, with care | Indefinite |
| Cleaning | Rinse and air dry, never soak | Dishwasher |
The woven lid is the whole point. It soaks up condensation instead of raining it back onto your buns.
What to look for
- A steel reinforced rim. The rim is what splits first on cheap steamers.
- A domed woven lid. Flat lids trap less steam and hold less condensation.
- Tight slats. Wide gaps mean small dumplings drop through.
- No glue or varnish. Plain bamboo, tied rather than bonded.
- A ring adapter if your pans are straight sided.
Lining it
Dumplings will weld themselves to bare bamboo. Line the base with perforated parchment liners, a square of muslin, or cabbage or lettuce leaves, which is the traditional answer and adds a little flavour. Leave gaps for the steam to come through.
First use and care
Soak a new steamer in warm water for half an hour, then steam it empty for about ten minutes before you cook in it. That drives off the raw bamboo smell.
Afterwards, rinse rather than soak, never put it in the dishwasher, and let it dry completely in the open before it goes in a cupboard. Bamboo put away damp grows mould, which is what kills most steamers rather than heat or use.
Frequently asked questions
What size bamboo steamer do I need?
Two to four centimetres narrower than the pan you will use it in. For a standard 30 cm wok, buy 25 cm. Sizes are usually given in inches, where 10 inch is 25 cm.
Can you put a bamboo steamer in a normal saucepan?
Yes, if the pan is wide enough and you use a metal steamer ring to hold the basket clear of the water. Without a ring, a straight sided pan gives the basket nothing to rest on.
Will a bamboo steamer burn?
Only if the pan boils dry. Keep an eye on the water level during long steams and top up with boiling water from the kettle so the temperature does not drop.
How long does a bamboo steamer last?
Years, if you dry it properly. Mould from being put away damp is the usual cause of death, followed by the rim working loose, which is why a steel reinforced rim is worth looking for.
Where to buy
Options on Amazon UK that match what is described above. These are affiliate links, so we may earn a small commission if you buy through them. Stock and prices change, so check the listing before ordering.
- ASelected 2 Tier Bamboo Steamer 25cm. Two tiers and a lid, with a stainless steel reinforced rim. 25 cm sits inside most woks.
- More bamboo steamers. Measure your wok or pan first. The basket needs to sit inside it, not on top.
