You can use steamers to create all sorts of meals – often at the same time. Many steamers can cook meat as well as veggies, allowing you to make dinner all at once.
This is why steamers are so great and why we compiled this list of the best bpa free steamers!
What is a BPA Free Steamer?
A BPA-free steamer is a steamer that is made with plastics that do not contain any amount of BPA.
Many electric food steamers have tiers to hold the food during steaming that are made from plastic. BPA-free steamers will be made of plastic that does not contain Bisphenol A.
The 6 Best BPA Free Steamers
Luckily, there are quite a few BPA-free steamers on the market that are very high-quality. Below are our quick top picks for the best bpa free steamers.
Our Top Picks
Below, you’ll find more detailed reviews of some of the best BPA free steamers on the market, as well as some information on choosing the best model for you.
Aicok Food Steamer — Best Food Steamer BPA Free Overall
Out of all the BPA free food steamers we reviewed, we preferred the Aicok Food Steamer the most. This steamer is entirely BPA free and has three stackable baskets, allowing you to cook multiple meals at once.
The baskets have high heat resistance and can withstand temperatures up to 284 degrees. That is far higher than your food will probably ever reach. In all, it has about a 9.5-quart capacity for cooking all your favorite foods. We believe this steamer should be big enough for even the biggest families.
This steamer is also plenty powerful. It cooks food quickly and evenly. Unlike some other steamers, it does not take forever to heat up, so your food will be ready to go as quickly as possible.
It can cook most food in under 30 minutes. It can even replace multiple pots thanks to its tiered system. You also get more nutrients out of the food, since steaming does not destroy as much nutritional value as other cooking methods.
This steamer also features a timer with an auto shut-off timer. This timer goes up to 60 minutes, which should be plenty for most uses.
PROS
- Easy to clean
- 9.5-quart capacity
- Three-tiered system
- 60-minute timer
CONS
- Recipes and recommended cooking times are not included
Hamilton Beach Digital Food Steamer – Best Budget BPA Free Steamer
If you’re on a budget or just looking to save a bit of money, this Hamilton Beach Food Steamer is a reliable option. It is substantially less expensive than other options on the market, but it still gets the job done. It is a two-tiered system so that you can cook two different items at once. This helps you get dinner on the table faster and prevents you from dirtying more dishes. Just for these reasons, we highly recommend this steamer to anyone who needs an inexpensive unit.
This steamer is not as powerful as other options. However, it only has two tiers and should be plenty powerful enough for most uses.
It has a 5.5-quart capacity overall – enough for a small family or part of a larger family’s meal. The Hamilton Beach steamer has a user-friendly digital touchpad that includes a countdown timer and a delay start option. You can also steam eggs from soft to hard-boiled in this steamer.
PROS
- Inexpensive
- Two tiers
- 5.5-quart capacity
- Digital touchpad
- Countdown timer
CONS
- Only drip tray and rice bowl are dishwasher safe
Cuisinart Digital Glass Food Steamer – Best Premium BPA Free Steamer
The Cuisinart Digital Glass Food Steamer is a large capacity steamer that is made with glass, so it is BPA-free simply by that fact alone. It can quickly cook up to 5 liters of food in one large steamer compartment. Because it’s made from glass, it will hold up long-term and is dishwasher-safe.
This steamer includes 5 food settings for seafood, poultry, grain, vegetables and manual. It includes a 60-minute countdown timer, a LCD screen, and reheat options.
The auto shut-off feature initiates after 60 minutes of use, protecting the steamer and the food inside. You can also set the timer in advance for it to start at a particular time. It is dishwasher safe and has a nested storage design so that it won’t take up too much room in your kitchen. This steamer only requires water, so you don’t have to use any oil or sauces.
This BPA-free steamer comes in two color options: white and stainless steel. The quality brand of Cuisinart and the fact that it is made from glass rather than plastic makes this an ideal choice for those that steam food regulalry and want something that will last forever.
PROS
- Made from glass rather than plastic
- Automatic shut-off
- Very large capacity
- Dishwasher-safe
- LCD screen with auto shut-off
CONS
- Higher priced than plastic steamers
Secura 2 Stainless Steel Food Steamer
The Secura 2 Stainless Steel Food Steamer is a premium steamer that comes with all the features you need and then some. This pot is made of stainless steel, which is much higher quality than most others on the market. It is 800 watts, as well, making it more potent than most steamers we reviewed. It heats up in only 15 seconds, allowing you to cook your food very quickly.
The stackable two-tier system provides plenty of room for most families. This is a bit smaller than our best overall pick, but not everyone needs a giant steamer. The handles are anti-scalding, allowing you to handle them safely.
One of our favorite features about this BPA free food steamer is that it automatically shuts off when it runs out of water. If you forget to turn your steamer off, this feature can save it and prevent a fire. Many of the other machines we reviewed did not include this safety feature.
This steamer is straightforward to clean and dishwasher safe. You won’t need to spend much time cleaning up at all – another reason we loved this steamer.
The major downside of this machine is its cost. You get what you pay for, but many people do not have tons of money to splurge on a steamer. For those with more flexibility in their budget, though, this is one of the best steamers you can purchase on the market. This steamer will last forever and will withstand regular use for those that steam their food regularly.
PROS
- Stainless steel
- Not plastic like many steamers
- Two-tier system
- 800 watts
- Easy to clean
CONS
- Pricier than some plastic models
Aroma Housewares 5-Quart Food Steamer
Aroma makes a number of steamers and the Aroma Housewares 5-Quart Food Steamer is a great option from them. However, this steamer is smaller than the other steamer they produce. It only has a 5-quart capacity, which is a bit lower than the other steamers we’ve reviewed.
Because it has two-tiers, this machine can cook two different dishes at the same time. Because of this, you could cook your whole meal in this steamer. The whole thing can be disassembled and put into the dishwasher and then store easily underneath a countertop or in a cabinet.
This machine also comes with instructions on how to cook some essential recipes, like hard-boiled eggs. While you could Google this information, many people may find these simple instructions helpful.
This steamer has a handy knob featuring 10 cook options so you can easily select the best time for cooking the type of food you want to steam.
One of the significant issues this steamer has is that the plastic pieces are loose-fitting, which could cause some of the water to leak. The pieces don’t lock together either; they simply sit on each other.
PROS
- Two tiers
- Dishwasher safe
- Recipes and instructions included
- Budget-friendly
CONS
- Less durable than others
- Loose-fitting pieces
Aroma Housewares 8-Cup Digital Rice Cooker and Steamer
This steamer holds eight cups, which is a generous size for a steamer. It is technically a rice cooker, but it can steam food as well. The components are stainless steel, making them naturally BPA-free since they are not made from plastic.
It is multi-functional and can even create a fluffy cake. It comes with a steaming tray for cooking things like veggies, but it can cook foods like soup as well. Because it is so versatile, you’ll likely be using this food steamer for a lot more than just steaming food. It will earn its place in your kitchen. Some customers even reported using it nightly.
The digital panel on this machine is straightforward to use. We consider it to be one of the most accessible machines that we reviewed. If you typically don’t cook and don’t want to spend much time learning how to use a new device, this is a fabulous model to get.
PROS
- Versatile
- 8 cup of cooking capacity
- Easy to use digital panel
CONS
- Not very easy to clean
What is BPA?
BPA is short for Bisphenol A and is often found in plastic. Many steamers on the market contain BPA, which can be released into your food when the device heats up. BPA mimics the structure and function of estrogen. While estrogen is a normal human hormone, BPA can interfere with fertility. Women with more BPA in their blood are more likely to have miscarriages and twice less likely to get pregnant.
BPA can also harm newborns. Those who are born to mothers with high levels of BPA in their bloodstream weigh half a pound less on average. They are also more likely to experience hyperactivity, anxiety, and depression.
As you can see, limiting your BPA intake is vital to ensuring a healthy reproductive system which is why selecting one of the best bpa free steamers is important.
Best BPA Free Steamers Buyer’s Guide
Surprisingly, there are a lot of factors that go into purchasing a great food steamer. Which model you should purchase depends mostly on the size of your family and how often you plan on using the steamer. Below, we’ll dive into some of the most important things to consider when purchasing a steamer
Size
Size is likely going to be the main factor you look at when making your purchase. You need a steamer that can cook enough food for your whole family. If you purchase one that is too small, you probably aren’t going to use it very often.
At the same time, smaller steamers often cost less and are easier to store. You don’t want to necessarily purchase the largest steamer you can find, as it may be too large for your situation.
Instead, carefully consider how big of a steamer you need based on the amount of food you usually cook. Then purchase a steamer that fits that size. When in doubt, aim for the larger steamer. It is always better to have too much room than not enough.
A rough guide should be a family of 2 could get away with a 2-tier, 4 cup steamer. A family of four will need something larger, like a 5 Liter or 3-4 tier steamer.
Durability
You want to get your money’s worth out of your steamer. Even if you don’t plan on using it very much, no one wants their $50 steamer to wear out after only a few uses.
How durable a machine depends on many factors. The outside material needs to be high-quality enough to avoid warping and breaking. Steamers can get pretty hot, and this heat can melt or warp the plastic of cheaper steamers. Over time, the tiers may stop fitting together, making the machine useless. Other times, the outer layers may crack after being dropped. This makes the machine useless, too.
You want the inner components to be durable as well. Spending money on a machine that stops working after only a few uses is very frustrating. These inner components take some serious wear-and-tear due to the steam and heat that these machines have made.
Typically, you get what you pay for in this situation. The most durable units are usually going to cost the most. If you plan on using your steamer a lot, we recommend spending the extra money upfront to purchase the more durable unit. This will save you money in the long run.
Timer
Most steamers have a timer. This integration is convenient since you won’t have to use an external device to time your food.
Some models even shut off automatically when the timer runs out, possibly saving your food and preventing a fire. Others don’t shut off according to the timer but do shut off after a certain amount of time. This also prevents fires and similar accidents, but you can’t rely on it to cook your food perfectly.
This isn’t necessarily a must-have feature. Many steamers work just fine without a timer, so this is only a necessary feature if you want it to be. This is really a matter of personal choice.
Versatility
Some steamers are more versatile than others. While all can steam a variety of foods, others can perform functions beyond that as well, like cooking rice. These steamers are likely going to be used more often since they can do more things. If you can afford a more versatile machine, go for it. However, the Aroma Rice Cooker on our list is quite versatile for a very low price.
Of course, if you don’t cook rice, then choosing a machine that can cook rice might not be very helpful. Consider what you cook and if you’d use the other features. Otherwise, you may be able to choose a less expensive model that doesn’t have all those extra features.
Ease of Cleaning
Some machines can be taken apart and put straight into the dishwasher. Others need to be washed by hand and can be damaged by too much water.
Preferably, you should choose one that is as easy to clean as possible. This will save you significant amounts of time and frustration, especially if you’re cooking for a large family.
However, it is essential to point out that even if a machine is “dishwasher safe” doesn’t mean the dishwasher will wear them out over time. If you want your steamer to last as long as possible, you should handwash it, even if it is dishwasher safe.
However, the Cuisinart Glass Steamer is dishwasher safe and will withstand years of running through the dishwasher simply because it’s glass. If you’re looking for a model that can withstand the dishwasher for nearly a lifetime, opt for this model.
Why is BPA-Free Important?
BPA is an industrial chemical that is used in many different containers and other plastic items. BPA is potentially dangerous because it mirrors estrogen, which can make your body do things it shouldn’t be doing.
Mostly, it is a problem with smaller babies and pregnant women. It can mess with male fertility as well.
Many studies have been done on this subject. They’re found that women who have high blood levels of BPA are more likely to have difficulty getting pregnant and more likely to have a miscarriage after they get pregnant.
Men’s sperm count is also affected. Those with higher levels of BPA in their bloodstream were 3 to 4 times more likely to have a low sperm count than those with low amounts of BPA in their bloodstream.
Children are also affected. This is most obvious among newborns when their mothers had high levels of BPA while pregnant. Children born to mothers with high blood levels of BPA have children who are half a pound smaller on average. Children born to these mothers are also more likely to be hyperactive, anxious, and depressed.
BPA can also affect childhood cancer risk, though the evidence for this is less reliable than the evidence on other effects.
Conclusion
If you’re trying to be healthy, choosing one of our best BPA free steamers can be a good step. BPA is well-known to cause health problems in men, women, and children.
There are many different BPA-free vegetable steamers on the market. We liked the Aicok Food Steamer the most and recommended it for most users. You should rely mostly on the size of the steamer when determining which model to buy, however. We reviewed many steamers of different sizes, so you should be able to find the perfect steamer in our reviews.
We hope this article helped you find the best steamer for your needs.
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References:
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