Black & Decker Divided Food Steamer
by Black & Decker
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Category: Kitchen See more product details |
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Kitchen and Housewares Reviews of Black & Decker Divided Food Steamer
Customer Review: Yes, it does cook rice.
Summary: 5 Stars
I read reviews of a similar model (still B&D) and there seemed to be strong disagreement over how well this cooks rice. Granted, people who eat steamed rice everyday may be better served by a proper rice cooker, but for my household, this is absolutely capable (we eat steamed rice approx 4-5 times a month).
For other foods, it's worked great. I was a little skeptical about how often I would use it, since I have a metal basket steamer insert, but now that I have a very limited space on my range, this appliance is one of my biggest helpers. I never boil any sort of vegetable anymore, since I can steam them more easily and, of course, they retain more vitamins. I'd say I use the steamer 4 or more time a week, so it's never packed away.
I haven't tried out the flavor/scenter apparatus yet, though.
One note: the recommended steaming times in the users' manual may be a little too long for your preference. As always, watch and check the first couple of times you use it.
All in all, I have been surprisingly pleased with this.
Customer Review: Perfect for Steaming Artichokes
Summary: 5 Stars
I have owned different generations of the Black & Decker (Flavor Scenter) Steamer Plus for over 11 years. In fact, I always own two of them--one to steam veggies, and one to steam rice. While the steamers are cooking my veggies and rice, I pop the main course (meat or fish) on the grill, or in the oven, for the easiest dinner prep ever. I love the Black & Decker steamer so much that it is my standby gift for wedding and new home gifts. Only once has the rice not cooked to my satisfaction, for a reason I could never ascertain. My original steamer (that did not have the flavor scenter) lasted for 8 years before giving up. I haven't found the flavor scenter to be anything more than a gimmick, but perhaps I haven't used it properly. I love the fact that you just put the food in the steamer and let the steamer do all of the work.Customer Review: My favorite kitchen appliance.
Summary: 5 Stars
I can't say enough positive things about this steamer. It works great, and is easy to clean. I use it daily to cook for our family and used it more than ever this year to steam fruits and veggies for our new baby.
I never use ANY of the extra baskets or attachments and recommend getting whichever model offers the fewest as the large steamer basket is really all you need.
My favorite thing about using this electric steamer is that you can prep your veggies way in advance, and just turn it on 10 minutes or so before the rest of the meal is ready. It has a built in timer that turns the machine off so if you forget it, it turns itself off and your veggies are waiting for you later, perfectly steamed.
Love it, love it, love it.
Customer Review: The only thing I use.
Summary: 5 Stars
This steamer is literally the most used small appliance in my kitchen. My favorite steamer recipe: steamed red potatoes and carrots tossed with 2T parsley, 1/2t rosemary, and 1/2t thyme sauteed in 2T butter. I use it for asparagus, broccoli, spinach, cauliflower, and all sorts of stuff. When I'm cooking vegetables, I just don't enjoy results as consistent as the steamer when I'm using the microwave or the stovetop.Although I can do as good a job with rice by other means, I still prefer using the steamer. It frees up the microwave to reheat something, and the cleanup is a breeze since there is only one bowl that really gets dirty. However, the timer on my steamer does run a tad slow. I have to shorten the booklet's cooking times by 10% or so.
Customer Review: Great Steamer
Summary: 5 Stars
I have owned a number of steamers and this is by far the best steamer I've used. I have been using it for quite a few months. (It makes excellent hard boiled eggs.) I've made steamed rice and keep it in the frig. Then when I am ready to steam a meal, I put some of the rice into a pyrex cup, veggies, and shrimp in the steamer at the same time. I add fresh or dried herbs to the herb receptacle. I put butter and seasoning in a small pyrex dish on top of the steamer to melt while the food steams. In about twenty minutes I have a fine, healthy meal. That is only one of many options for using the steamer. I would highly recommend it for its versatility. A healthy way to go - and the food is delicious!