How to Use a Bamboo Steamer

A bamboo steamer is commonly used in Asian cooking. In this blog, we take a look at what they are and how you can use them at home to start your own Asian cooking.

What Is A Bamboo Steamer?

Bamboo steamers are interlocking baskets that stand on top of one another and have a lid on top. The system is placed over a wok or pot of simmering water, and this creates steam that rises through the open parts of each of the baskets. It may seem like a cooking tool that you don’t need, but you’ll be surprised at how much you would use it. Steam cooking is a central part of Asian cooking and is a method used for many dishes.

What Do You Use A Bamboo Steamer For?

You can use a bamboo steamer to not only cook buns and dumplings, but you can also prepare breads, rice, vegetables, proteins, cakes and other desserts too. Furthermore, steaming is a great method to reheat food; this is because it reintroduces moisture and makes its taste fresh again. Not only are they great for cooking a variety of foods and reheating goods, but the lids also don’t collect condensation, therefore, the taste is not affected by added water that would drip from an ordinary cover.

How to Use A Bamboo Steamer?

Here is our step by step guide on how to use a bamboo steamer so you can achieve the best results.

Step One: Fill Your Wok or Pan with Water

Place the bamboo steamer in a wok or a wide and shallow pan. Fill it with enough water to submerge the bottom rim of the steamer, so about a quarter to half an inch. The correct amount of water is crucial to achieving a good cook; this is because too little water can cause it to scorch and too much can make the bubbles touch the food on the lower tier.

Using a wok as opposed to a pan is recommended because they are thin, therefore making the water boil and regulate temperature easier. Furthermore, as they have a large rim, they can accommodate bamboo steamers of all sizes.

Step Two: Line the Bamboo Steamer

If you are to place food directly on the bed of the steamer, such as with buns or dumplings, you will need to line it so that the food does not stick. There are a variety of linings to use, here is a list of some of them:

Napa cabbage leaves
Lettuce leaves
Cheesecloth
Parchment paper
Reusable cloth
Silicone liners

Step Three: Place the Food in The Bamboo Steamer

When cooking dumplings or buns, you mustn’t overcrowd them. As with baking cookies, you need to place them far apart so that they can expand as they cook. With dumplings, it is advised you place them about an inch apart, and with buns, it should be a gap of about one and a half inches. If you are steaming something in a bowl or on a plate, you will not need to line the steamer. You can place the dish directly on the steamer basket so long as the lid can fit on top and there is enough space surrounding the dish to allow steam to rise. You would use a bowl or plate when steaming vegetables, pies, cakes or other desserts.

Step Four: Place the Bamboo Steamer in The Wok or Pan

There are two ways to go about this; you can either preheat your water so that it is simmering when you place the bamboo steamer in, or you can place it in the wok or pan when the water is cold and allow it to heat up gradually. It is recommended that for the best results, you place the bamboo steamer in cold water and allow the water to warm up while it is in there.

Step Five: Steam Your Food and Check the Water Levels

Once the water is simmering, it will begin to evaporate so you will need to keep an eye on the levels. Allow the food to steam and as you add water to the wok or pan, ensure it isn’t cold as this will interrupt the simmering and affect the cooking process.

Here at Oriental Mart, we supply Asian food through an online shopping website. If you are interested in trying out some recipes, take a look at our store and purchase some authentic ingredients. While using a bamboo steamer, why not make everything traditional and buy some Chinese tableware? Get your hands on some chopsticks, rice spoons, rice bowls, teacups, and so much more!