When you think about steaming food, what do you think of? The juice that comes out of the vegetables and seeping into the rice? The scent of the food as it heats up?
Or maybe just how it tastes? Whatever your thoughts are, I’m sure they’ve all got to do with the food. But what can you use to steam your food?
Bamboo or wood steamers both offer different benefits. Read on to see which one will be best for you!
What are bamboo and wood steamers?
A steamers is a cooking utensil that you use to cook food by steaming it. They are typically made up of bamboo or wood, but there are other materials that are used too.
There are many differences between the two, but one main difference is that wood steamers have an even distribution of heat, whereas bamboo steamers come in two sections with one hot and one cold.
Wood steamers also produce more water vapor than bamboo which allows for less flavor loss in the food.
Wood produces less condensation in the food because it has a drier heat. The water vapor in the bamboo steamer however, can make the food wetter. However, moist foods like bok choy will be much better when cooked with a bamboo steamer because it will allow for more exposure to water vapor.
How to choose the right steamer
Picking the right steamer can be a little tricky. Even if you’re not sure, there are a few things you should know before you make your decision:
– How often will you be using it?
– What kind of food will you be cooking in it?
– How much space do you have to store it?
– Are you planning to use it for other purposes, like taking hot dishes to potlucks and parties?
All of these factors will help determine which type of steamer is best for your needs. You’ll also want to think about how often the steamer will get used. Is this going to be an item that’s only going to get used every now and then or is it going to be something that gets a lot of use?
These considerations will help determine what type of material the steamer is made out of. If it’s a kitchen utensil that you’re going to use all the time, bamboo might not be the best option because bamboo doesn’t hold up well when it’s being used all the time. Wood would probably last longer when being used more often.
Which type of food should you steam in a bamboo or wood steamer?
Bamboo steamers are best for hot foods, like soups or stews. They are also great for vegetables and seafood.
Wooden steamers are best for moist, cold foods, like desserts or sushi. You can also use them to steam vegetables, but not as well as bamboo steamers.
Why is bamboo better than wood?
A bamboo steamer can be a good choice if you’re looking for a natural and authentic way to steam your food. It is made out of natural bamboo and can reach higher temperatures than wood steamers.
This means your food will steam faster and more thoroughly, as well as giving it more flavor. Bamboo steamers also make it easier to cook different types of foods at the same time, since they’re stackable.
Conclusion
There are a few different types of steamers to choose from, but the main two you’ll be faced with are a bamboo or a wood steamer. When deciding which one to purchase, there are a few things to keep in mind.
Wood steamers are aesthetically pleasing and can be used for all types of food, but they can also be difficult to clean. Bamboo steamers are less expensive and easier to clean, but they can’t be used to cook all types of food.
Ultimately, the choice is up to you. A bamboo steamer may not provide the steaming performance you need, but it is still an economical option if you primarily cook vegetables.
