Advantages: cooks all sorts of foods; veggies don't get overcooked
Disadvantages: cleaning takes a bit of time

...In my never ending quest for a healthier lifestyle, especially with my eating habits, I have recently added a steamer to my kitchen. Always one for a bargain and a little bit tight on spending loads on something which I might get fed up with, I purchased a Cookworks model. Having bought several Cookworks goods before and never having a problem, I found myself with yet another bargain at 11.99 (from Argos) which does the same job as the more expensive options at a smidgen of the price! The steamer itself is white which is handy as it goes well in any kitchen and is round in shape. It has a little light which glows orange when on and cooking and a timer switch so you can choose your setting and forget about it until its finished. The timer can be set for up to 60 minutes and has an auto switch off which is handy for the likes of me... Read review

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Advantages: As Good as the expensive ones
Disadvantages: blocking the holes causes uneven steaming

...i think this steamer is good all round and does the job as good as an expensive one. but i have to say if you put more vegatables then the manual recommends then it does take a little longer to cook. another thing i noticed was that if you block all the pores from of the bottom container then the steam is not disterbuted equally. in fact very little steam the top container if you have the other container on top! so my advice is not just this, i assume it with the all steamers make sure that at least 3-4 holes at the bottom of the container are not bloced by the food you put in it! the mannual says not to add flavouring to the (e.g) vegatables/meats or it could effect the performance of the cooking. i ignored this and still marinated the boneless bitesize chicken. the only thing i noticed was that in the drip tray the fat was more... Read review

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Advantages: Easy to use and maintain, cheap.
Disadvantages: I always cook to much!

...Cookworks 3 Bowl Steamer. What is it? What does it do? Cookworks 3 Bowl Steamer is an electrical device designed to steam cook food. It runs off electricity and has a heating element that rapidly heats tap water to the required temperature for producing steam which rises up through small holes in three clear plastic bowls steam cooking the food on it’s way. Steaming is an ideal way to cook potatoes and vegetables, it minimises nutrient loss and prevents them from becoming soggy by absorbing the water that they are boiled in. Meat can be steamed as opposed to being grilled, boiled or fried and this too has obvious health benefits. The same goes for fish and seafood. However, the steamer does not ‘roast’ joints so Sunday dinner is still better off done in the oven. Included with the 3 Bowl Steamer is a rice bowl which can be used... Read review

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Advantages: very cheap, healthier meals
Disadvantages: doesn't stack away for storage, no water guage

...Last June I moved into a new flat. At that point I didn’t have a cooker, just a microwave and a George Foreman grill, and to be honest couldn’t afford a proper cooker at that point, what with everything else I had to buy. So what I decided, was to buy an electric steamer, so I could cook vegetables and rice, as well as everything else that could not be microwaved or grilled. I went to ASDA and purchased a Pacific 3 tier steamer for the reasonable price of £12.99 - now before you click ‘Off Topic’, I know I’m reviewing a Cookworks steamer, just bear with me and the point will become clear (I hope!) Anyway, so there’s me, in my new flat, cooking with my Pacific steamer almost every night for 3 weeks, until that is, it broke. Basically boiled dry. I didn’t realise the water level had gone down to zero, therefore knackering the element bit... Read review

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Advantages: steams veggies, healthy, very cheap. Easy to refill with water mid use.
Disadvantages: longer cook times than guidelines, beware of heat at end of cooking

...Readers to my Health Grill review will know im having my kitchen done at the moment, so Ive been trying to get ways of cooking our dinners healthily & easily & not having to use microwave meals all the time. Well I decided a steamer may be of use after cooking my veggies in the microwave one at a time, the first being cold when the last was done, nothing several microwaves would have sorted! I only wanted something cheap, as im not sure how much it will be used when the kitchen is finished. So I browsed through Argos & found the Cookworks 3 bowl steamer in silver at only £12.99. Nowhere on this is a model number, not even on the instructions, but thats the title of the product. The picture at the bottom represents my model. It has 3 big bowls & a unit at the bottom with the controls to generate the steam from water you put... Read review

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Advantages: Quick, cheap, easy to use
Disadvantages: only makes 1 decent sized cappucino at a atime

...longer if you are making cappucino and have to froth the milk. The milk steamer and frother is very efficient and does its job very quickly. You simply turn the control knob to the steam position and place steaming nozzle under the surface of milk. It is easy to clean as all parts detach. I think for the price I paid it really does do its job. If however you can afford to pay more then I suggest you do so, here comes the downside: The arm for the steaming nozzle is non-adjustable so you need to place the machine on a table edge to get the milk jug onto the nozzle. The filter/coffee holder is stiff and difficult to get on and off You can only make 1 cappucino at a time (it says 2 but I find that the size is too small for too...or am I just greedy?) If you need to re-use immediately (say if more than one person wants a cappucino... Read review

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Advantages: Cooks faster than conventional steamers
Disadvantages: None

...I just love this steamer... I have got a basic steamer but my mum has got this model and having tried it out, I really will get one soon... It's not a cheap steamer but it really does cook food quickly and evenly. There are three good-sized bowls including a 1.1 litre rice bowl and it even has an integrated egg rack. It also looks stylish with a visible water level guage and a water spout to make filling the steamer easy. Like I said, it is not cheap, but if you are someone who uses a steamer regularly, then it really will pay for itself...... Read review

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Advantages: Simple, easy to use, the best way to cook!
Disadvantages: Timer not 100% accurate

...And this review is coming from someone that thinks cooking is putting something in the microwave! I cooked a roast last night and used this steamer in order to cook the vegetables. We had brocolli and sweetcorn. I was astounded at how easy it was to use and the value for money that it offers you. This is definately the most nutrious way to cook vegetables to keep the goodness locked in. This is definately a really good steamer for someone that doesn't cook. Just having it out on the side definately gives your guests the right impression. The aroma from the steam that this machine creates is remarkable. Such a homely smell. Steaming is the way forward, and the way forward is with this steamer.... Read review

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Advantages: Easy to clean, cheap and effective.
Disadvantages: Glass jug is quite heavy and sometimes it doesn't blend efficiently

...After my previous, very expensive, blender blew up, I decided to go for a cheaper model and opted for the Cookworks blender with glass jug and, considering it came in at just under £20, it's a very effective blender. This has 2 speeds plus a pulse option. The glass jug is very simple to clean, unlike plastic ones which may be lighter but have the disadvantage of material clinging to the sides. With the glass jug, everything is washed away very quickly. The lid is rubbery/bendy plastic which gives a very tight fit so no chance of the lid flying off and splattering all over the kitchen and the stopper is one of those that is push and twist to secure. Drawbacks are that the glass jug is really quite heavy and obviously breakable if dropped. I use mine for smoothies, sauces and soups and have found that sometimes, even on the top... Read review

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Advantages: Cheap, stores away neatly
Disadvantages: None

...I had my eye on this steamer for a few months before i actually bought it,but was'nt sure if to buy a relatively good make one ranging between £ 20 -£30 or go for a cheap one and see how i got on with it,as i have never had a steamer. I decided to go for the cheap one this one is from tescos and it cost me £9.97( now that is a bargain in anyones eyes) . This steamer is so easy to use,it is easy to put together,easy to clean and easy to store away. all you have to do is put the steamer together (which is simple) and the water at the bottom of the base unit put the drip tray on top of that then your steamer bowls. The 3 steamer bowls are numbered 1 -3 with number one being the biggest one, ideal for larger veg. It has a timer on it which goes as long as 60 mins and will ping when the time is up,It then automatically switch's off... Read review

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