Bamboo vegetable steamers

ue2b

Hi All,

I was going to get a metal steamer basket for steaming vegetables,
but someone recommended that I go for a bamboo steamer like this:

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0001VQIYU/

Does anyone know how a bamboo steamer works? Do you put it on
some kind of a stand, or do you put it directly on the pot/wok? Wouldn't
it burn since it's made of wood? Or do you just have to make sure that
it's always sitting in the water?

whynot_31

As per Mrs Whynot:

If your steamer has a lip such that the vegetables aren't resting in the water, then you put the steamer right into the water in the pan/wok.

The bamboo won't burn. Even if you put it in a wok where it touches the metal, the steam will keep it from burning.

mikedevice

Mine fits over the top of a saucepan that I have, so I just use it like that. It just fits on like a lid, it doesn't go into the water and it doesn't burn. I have no idea if this is the right way, but it works so it's good enough for me.

julius orange

Just get a pot of water, rest one of the bamboo steamers on top of the pot - obviously use the one that best fits your pot. Put whatever you want steamed in the bamboo steamer, put the bamboo steamer cover on top and then turn on the stove and boil.

But I've found that bamboo steamers can get a little charred if you have the flame on too high. Overall this is a very simple process, you won't have any trouble. And i think bamboo is the best way to go - I think metal would be too hot to handle - bamboo doesn't conduct heat as efficiently as metal.