Can you cook pasta in this steamer, if so approximately how much, (1/2 lb, 1 lb?), and would the holes be small enough to cook spaghetti?
297060
The LOWER part is an excellent pasta cooker and the steamer top can maybe even be used as a collandar to drain the water afterwards. Pasta needs to be cooked in lots of water so it can absorb water and make it soft and edible. The steamer top is great for cooking vegetables but not pasta. This is a great multi-purpose pot!
297061
I frequently use the pot to cook pasta both 1 lb and 1/2 lb, it works great. I have a separate collander to strain the pasta so I don't use the steamer for this particular application.
2193358
Sure, it's a steamer.you can boil anything in it, I just like keeping it saved for rice. Some things like broccoli can leave a smell in the plastic, pasta w/sauce can stain your items (especially if they are clear or white. If it's just the noodles, it should be ok.
2125075
I don't think it would work very well for that purpose, but I've never used a pasta pot before so hopefully someone else will answer your question better. It's an awesome steamer! ;)
133918
Yes, that is what I use it for, and I am satisfied given the price. However, the legs keep the strainer well above the bottom of the pot, so your pasta pot should be deep. Also, your pot lid will not fit tightly on the pot, which was not a problem for me.
1580146
I purchased the bowel and returned it because it was way larger than my previous pasta bowl. I typically would cook one pound of spaghetti/linguini. Based upon estimation, I would say it could hold two pounds of pasta.
430666
I have never done so, but I don't think the holes would be too large. You might lose a tiny amount rice, but not much, I wouldn't think. I would put the steamer in the pot first, then when the water comes to a boil, add the rice to the steamer. I don't know how long the process will take, however. The best rice I've ever had was made in a rice cooker. It wasn't mine, so I don't have a brand recommendation. Hope this helps. Jay
1525813
Too big for spaghetti. Try a Pasta Pot. I have one of those. They work great.
1524142
My guess is that it isn't. I asked that prior to my purchase and didn't get a real answer about it. I bought it anyway, and think it sucks for making the supposed max amount~ which is the only reason I'd bother boiling "the perfect" pasta in the microwave. I need less mess, not more. I can't say that I'd recommend this for pasta, but it might be the best thing ever for steamed vegetables or something else!
404382
Not really. I make it work for a small serving by putting the spaghetti in and as it starts to soften keep pushing it in until it's all submerged in the water. For family size servings I use the 5 1/2 qt Farberware pan for unbroken spaghetti.
627978
Probably, if larger (Israeli) couscous. I admit I have never steamed couscous before - have simply used boiling water. The holes are likely unsuitable for the tinier grains of pasta. Since it is stainless, it acts like...stainless as far as heat conduction.
767771
I use mine for brewing about 7 to 8 gallons of "beer" at a time. Thats all liquid. I would base your amount of water required to boil that much pasta at a time by this. I could probably fit another gallon in my pot with no worry of boil over, if it was closely watched. Hope this helps
2201004
You could cook up to 3lbs of spaghetti without having to brake it. I would reccomnd this pot it is top quality in my opinion.
1852636
It doesn't fit the top pasta basket, but if you remove that, you can place the steamer on the stock pot. However, because of the 7qt pot's height, you would probably want to add more water to the pot so that it's closer to the steam holes . . .and would take longer to boil. I really think it's better suited to use with a sauce or 3qt soup pot.
430664
I have never done so, but I don't think the holes would be too large. You might lose a tiny amount rice, but not much, I wouldn't think. I would put the steamer in the pot first, then when the water comes to a boil, add the rice to the steamer. I don't know how long the process will take, however.The best rice I've ever had was made in a rice cooker. It wasn't mine, so I don't have a brand recommendation. Hope this helps.Jay
1853417
It would depend on how much pasta you want to cook. If 1-2 servings, yes, I've actually done that with mine. But once the water level gets too high in the bottom, you end up sort of boiling/steaming what's in the top. I suppose it wouldn't make that much of a difference, but when I like my veggies lightly steamed, I use very little water. A larger version of this would do more servings nicely I'm sure!
505162
No, the holes would be too big for that purpose, I use it for pasta and veggies only.
199894
My microwave is large enough, and because it is water boiling to cook the pasta, I would think that was necessary. By the way.. I LOVE my pasta n more!!