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).
Capacity
The number of separate baskets in the steamer or the number of places for eggs in the egg cooker (see "Type").
In the first case,
2 —
3 baskets are most often provided, depending on the volume of the device. A larger amount is unjustified from the point of view of cooking efficiency — in "multi-storey" structures, the products in the upper baskets would not be able to cook normally, they would not reach enough heat. There are steamers for
4 baskets, however they are rare and usually have a 2x2 layout — 2 stacks of 2 tiers. The other extreme — one basket — is typical for the most compact devices with small volumes, up to 3 – 4 L.
In the case of egg cookers, everything is simple — you should choose based on how many eggs you need to cook in the device at a time. The most popular option is 6 – 7 eggs, this is quite enough, for example, to prepare breakfast for an average family. The minimum number of places for eggs is 3, these are devices for one or maximum two people. And in the most capacious egg cookers of these data, the indicator can
exceed 12.
Functions
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Fast heating. Allows you to start cooking almost immediately, without wasting time on waiting and preparing.
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Thermostat. Many dishes require cooking at a stable temperature, in strict accordance with the instructions of the recipe. The presence of a thermostat allows you to maintain a constant temperature in the steam baskets or change it at a given time in accordance with the cooking program in some steamers.
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Autocooking. Allows you to cook according to the programs built into the steamer. At the same time, the duration of operation, temperature conditions (including temperature changes at different stages) and other parameters are controlled by the steamer, and you do not have to monitor the parameters and change them manually.
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Auto-off timer. A special device that turns off the steamer after a predetermined time. The presence of a timer will allow you not to worry about the quality of cooking and eliminates the need to monitor the time: the steamer will turn itself off at the right time.
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Delay start timer. A timer that allows you to turn on the steamer not immediately, but after a certain specified time. This provides additional convenience: for example, you can load the device in the evening and set the start time for the morning — in this way, the porri
...dge will be ready for breakfast, and you will not have to get up earlier to “load” the steamer.
— Water level indicator. It allows you to constantly monitor the water level in the steamer and as a result, ensure that the necessary cooking conditions are correctly observed. Many steamers provide for adding water if it is not enough.
— Possibility of adding water. The lack of water during cooking can lead to disastrous consequences - in particular, the dish will be cooked in a completely different way than the owner of the steamer expected. The possibility of adding water allows you to correct the mistake in a timely manner.
