Is the insert perforated, could not be certain from the site image? Is there any reason this product cannot be used to steam veggies?
1445864
Hi Paul, the insert is perforated and I steam vegetable in it. I use it almost every day you will love it!
939653
Yea we had the same problem. I think there's a problem with the seal, so it won't steam. We just returned it and gave up on it. If you've got a pressure cooker or even just a steamer + a blender you can make your own without baby food without this overpriced piece of defective garbage.
1882513
If the only thing you want to do is steam veggies, it may not be the best appliance. I use it as a pressure cooker for beans, a rice/grain cooker, a soup pot (great because you can saute right in the pot before you put in water or stock) and a slow cooker. I really love this appliance and use it regularly. That being said, I usually steam my veggies on the stove top in a stainless steamer pot.
122491
I think I see where he's coming from - this would allow steaming different foods simultaneously and add to the available space for foods. I'm pretty new at this steaming but I've not herd of any such slotted piece. Chek with a metal worker to fabricate one.
228500
Yes you can do as described but it isn't really steaming but rather boiling the veggies. The legs on this unit are nubs and not long enough to lift veggies put of water. A steam basket would be more appropriate. There is one made of stainless with 1" legs built to open (blossom like a flower) to fit the vessel being used to cook with. BTW it doesn't take a few inches to steam veggies for most families. The less water used the faster the water will create steam.
739800
While I have not used it for this purpose a rice steamer came inside the unit. The instruction manual also talked about steaming vegetables in this unit.
2197580
Hi :)I bought this specifically to steam 1-2 person servings of veggies and it's fantastic. Yeah, you could totally warm-up or make soup in the bottom pot, and not use the top/steaming basket at all. I'm not sure if it's non-stick surface so maybe be careful with creamy soups that could burn, stick, and turn into a super mess & headache to clean afterwards. Maybe broth based soups? Just keep in mind this puppy is only 1 quart so it's pretty tiny. If you're making soup for 1 person it's probably perfect but you've got limited space. Last thing, be careful the handles get super hot. Use with care and don't burn yourself!I hope this helps a little with your purchase InvisibleCloak -Best, Katherina Hi :)I bought this specifically to steam 1-2 person servings of veggies and it's fantastic. Yeah, you could totally warm-up or make soup in the bottom pot, and not use the top/steaming basket at all. I'm not sure if it's non-stick surface so maybe be careful with creamy soups that could burn, stick, and turn into a super mess & headache to clean afterwards. Maybe broth based soups? Just keep in mind this puppy is only 1 quart so it's pretty tiny. If you're making soup for 1 person it's probably perfect but you've got limited space. Last thing, be careful the handles get super... » Read More Hi :)I bought this specifically to steam 1-2 person servings of veggies and it's fantastic. Yeah, you could totally warm-up or make soup in the bottom pot, and not use the top/steaming basket at all. I'm not sure if it's non-stick surface so maybe be careful with creamy soups that could burn, stick, and turn into a super mess & headache to clean afterwards. Maybe broth based soups? Just keep in mind this puppy is only 1 quart so it's pretty tiny. If you're making soup for 1 person it's probably perfect but you've got limited space. Last thing, be careful the handles get super hot. Use with care and don't burn yourself!I hope this helps a little with your purchase InvisibleCloak -Best, Katherina « Show Less
1020084
Use it with a microwave safe dish or bowl. Better yet, buy a 100% silicon veggie steamer unit complete with a bowl, strainer basket, and a cover. I bought one for about $12.
1365096
Absolutely. That is actually the intended use. The steamer insert is for vegetables or fish you might want to steam while cooking rice or another grain below.
1738469
Hello.I honestly have never tried. I do steam rice in it and it turns out wonderful. Sorry I could not be more helpful.
228501
Yes you can do as described but it isn't really steaming but rather boiling the veggies. The legs on this unit are nubs and not long enough to lift veggies put of water. A steam basket would be more appropriate. There is one made of stainless with 1" legs built to open (blossom like a flower) to fit the vessel being used to cook with. BTW it doesn't take a few inches to steam veggies for most families. The less water used the faster the water will create steam. I popped over and looked. Do an Amazon search for steam basket and you will see several better suited for steaming. As for this cast iron trivet, I own several and use them for braising meats on the stove top. Yes you can do as described but it isn't really steaming but rather boiling the veggies. The legs on this unit are nubs and not long enough to lift veggies put of water. A steam basket would be more appropriate. There is one made of stainless with 1" legs built to open (blossom like a flower) to fit the vessel being used to cook with. BTW it doesn't take a few inches to steam veggies for most families. The less water used the faster the water will create steam. I popped over and looked. Do an Amazon search for steam basket and you will see several better suited for steaming. As for... » Read More Yes you can do as described but it isn't really steaming but rather boiling the veggies. The legs on this unit are nubs and not long enough to lift veggies put of water. A steam basket would be more appropriate. There is one made of stainless with 1" legs built to open (blossom like a flower) to fit the vessel being used to cook with. BTW it doesn't take a few inches to steam veggies for most families. The less water used the faster the water will create steam. I popped over and looked. Do an Amazon search for steam basket and you will see several better suited for steaming. As for this cast iron trivet, I own several and use them for braising meats on the stove top. « Show Less
709786
Hi Cecelia,The holes in the steamer are too large to steam frozen peas.Aloha,Ken
1738471
Hello. I honestly have never tried. I do steam rice in it and it turns out wonderful. Sorry I could not be more helpful.
451895
not sure...I know my other veggies keep better in these containers ...sorry I cn't help you
910766
Hi J. You must use another pot beneath this one. The entire bottom of this pot is perforated, as shown in the image, and the perfs go away the way through. You set the steamer on top of (slightly inside of) a pot with a little boiling water, and the steam comes up through the holes. The concentric ridges on the bottom of the steamer allow it to sit on top of pots of several different sizes. This is why it's called a "universal" steamer. There are lots of questions and answers you can read regarding the pot diameters this will work with. No matter what size you use, though, be away that it's not a snug fit. It's stable unless you bump into it firmly.
430667
No. It is not a rice steamer. The holes are a bit too large so I think some of the rice would fall through the holes. It is a fantastic vegetable steamer. I highly recommend the steamer because we use ours all the time. We cook a lot of our veggies fresh and they taste very good. I cook my rice the old fashioned way. I watch it carefully however as most of the time it needs water adjustments.
906941
It's a Steam Canner, if you use it with can, yes you can steam can your vegetables. It's super easy Steam Canner.