Helen's Asian Kitchen Bamboo Food Steamer with Lid - 100% Natural Bamboo - Basket Steamers for Cooking Dumplings, Dim Sum, Veggies, Fish, Meat - Preserve Nutrients & Flavors - 12-Inch

I really like this steamer. It's great for veggies and Chinese dumplings. I discovered that for the really big dumplings that don't fit, I can get more space by turning the bottom later upside down and putting at on top of the upper layer, then the lid on top of that. It doesn't nest, but it gets the job done well.

I recently purchased Helen’s Asian Kitchen Bamboo Food Steamer, and I love it! It is made of high-quality bamboo, which not only looks beautiful but also feels sturdy and durable. I appreciate the craftsmanship that went into making this steamer. The two-tier design allows me to cook multiple items simultaneously, saving me time in the kitchen. Steaming retains and I've noticed that my dishes taste fresher when cooked in this steamer. I purchased the metal steamer ring separately which I am glad I did so because it ensures the basket will stay nice and sturdy on top of my pot. I just fill the bottom of a large pot with water, place the food in the bamboo baskets, and let the steam work its magic. The dumplings I made were cooked pretty quickly and did not stick to the bamboo. Considering the quality, versatility, and health benefits it offers, I believe this steamer is worth every penny!

I used the basket right away and was very pleased with the way it worked. I was so impressed that I’m going to order four more for Christmas gifts.

I bought this bamboo steamer because bamboo steams food better than Metal. The bamboo cover kind of absorbs the steam so there is very little water condensation, which can make the steamed food soggy. I also like the bigger size (12”), which is more versatile. I have used it to steam veggies, meat, and Chinese dim sums and the food all turned out great. However, one of the baskets is starting to fall apart, after about 10 times of usage. A layer of the bamboo is coming out. It is still good to use since I used a staple gun to staple it back. Time will tell how durable this steamer will be. I give it a 4 star for now, since it met my needs and is still working ok, with a little repair.

Adds a great addition to a dinner party. Spray with cooking spray prior fir easier cleanup.

Bought the 12” version of this steamer three years ago. And now it’s starting to fall apart. Cannot recommend this product.

Received Helen Chen bamboo steamer very quickly. It appears to be crafted well. I put it into a pan of simmering water-it just fit, so no steam coming up the outside. I put salt in the water and sprinkled salt on the insides of the baskets. I put in a bit of ginger root and scallion, and found the steam came up quickly and did not leak from the woven top or the sides. A grassy odor was noticeable as I let the baskets steam, and the basin water became yellow from the steamed out grass sap, I'm guessing. Bamboo is a grass. I dumped out the water, and switched the baskets with another round of salt and steam. Less odor, less coloring of the basin water. Removed the baskets and separated to cool slightly. Then I carefully brushed olive oil on all the surfaces, inside, out, top bottom, sides. It soaked in pretty quickly. I wiped off any excess, and restacked. I think I will steam again without food to be sure the steam water is clear. As for the steam, it was gratifying to see a good steamy environment inside both tiers, and none obviously escaping the joins or the lid. I intend to use a cabbage leaf as lining as parchment paper has its own chemical problems. I'm planning to make steamed dumplings, and veggies. I may try tamales, too! The 10 inch is rather larger than I expected. It will more than suffice for 2 people.

Very clean and my favorite utensil in the kitchen

Bamboo steamers are one of the most useful items in ANY kitchen, not just those with an Asian bent. Apart from the stock standard dim sum and steamed veg, think about everything from fresh clams to figgy pudding that needs a good steam. Cooking is of course main intent but consider a steamer for reheating things that really don't suffer the microwave well. Moist warm heat is a very good thing (especially for breads and the like) and just as fast if you have a quality steamer at the ready. Mine stays parked on my cooktop at a back burner nearly dedicated to the task. I even use mine as a frequent plate warmer and often turn the lid over as a basket to hold everything from tortillas to pitas for serving. Your kitchen will thank you for having a nice, large bamboo steamer on hand. I've used a bazillion bamboo steamers in my time sourced from all over the globe and this one from Helen Chen is of a much more solid construction than many. The temptation is to head to Chinatown and get a discount model but for the price (~$20), I think you're better off with this version that seems much more rigid to my hands. The thickness of materials used here tells me this one will hold up much longer than examples I've come across in other Asian shops. The fit (lid to rim) is also sometimes suspect on cheaper versions that are too tight or loose but this one has proportions that make the stacking a snap, even after the bamboo swells with use over hot steam which can be troublesome with ill-fitted models. Finally, the size here (12") is generous and easily fits both woks and stockpots already on my shelves without any further "kitchen engineering". The smaller diameters might be great for presentation on a dim sum cart but in my kitchen, I appreciate the extra steaming real estate. Afterall, the steam doesn't really care how much diameter it fills and in several decades of dim sum making, I've never said "I wish I had a smaller steamer." While a trip to Hong Kong might be more fun, you won't do better than this steamer for under $20. Thanks to Amazon and their free shipping, I'll have to find another excuse to head to China. A product request to the manufacturer: I'd love to see a bamboo "height extension ring" to fit this unit. Basically a bottomless ring (or two) of the same diameter to (occasionally) accomdate taller bowls and dishes or larger items for longer duration steam cooking. I've only seen such a thing once before in Hong Kong and used it often for a decade before it finally died from old age. As I recall, the extension ring had one or two support slats *at the edges* of the circle for rigidity but otherwise left unfettered access for tall items. Thanks for a quality version of a classic otherwise. EDIT: 01/2015 I just came back to this page to buy a gift steamer. The product is still just as durable and solid as I reviewed back in 2012 but I was shocked at the new price tag for the 12" model when they offered it to me for $52!! Turns out there are other suppliers that hopped in queue before Amazon somehow and that's just ridiculous. Make sure you check the other buying options and get a reasonable price. I see that even Amazon itself has almost doubled the price to around $35 (I confirmed my old price was $19) which is disappointing but it is a quality product and if they're offering you free shipping, I suppose that's fair. $19 was better, $30 is reasonable, $50+ is just silly. Happy steaming out there!

Un bonito diseño, solo que pensé que no fuera tan pequeño (culpa de mía, no de la especificación del producto en la publicación del mismo) útil para su cometido, no caben muchas cosas. Un envió muy rápido, sin problemas llego en el tiempo estipulado y sin daños, con buena protección.

Produto muito bom e funcional

Ótimo utensílio. As câmaras e tampa, fecham bem segurando boa parte do vapor. O bambu não tolera sabão ou detergente, mas não ficou com cheiro (estou lavando apenas com água e uma bucha).

It's a good size and very sturdy.