Features

Not tiered, 2 or 3 cooking areas. Timer, rice bowl, drip tray, water gauge. Auto switch-off at end of cooking time, auto switch-off if water runs outs, non-slip feet. H32cm x W43cm x D22.5cm

Comments

Good points: Reversible cooking plate allows you to cook meat and fish in a sauce or to drain fat and juices off. The two baskets in the bottom can be removed to give one large steaming area. The Vitamin+ touchpad reduces cooking time by increasing the quantity of steam, you press it after you have opened the lid to check the food, to get the level of steam back up. It can fit a large 900ml pudding bowl, comes with lots of recipes and is simple to use.

Drawbacks: Louder than the other steamers, it sounds like a kettle boiling. It is bulky to store and not dishwasher safe. Water gauge on the outside doesn't have a minimum marking.

Stockist: 0845 602 1454 www.tefal.co.uk

GHI Test Report - Jan 09

Features

3 tiers. Timer, rice bowl, drip tray, water gauge, flex storage, non slip feet. Keep warm function at end of cooking time. If water runs out the heating element cycles on and off. H51cm x W33cm x D20cm

Comments

GH GOOD DEAL. Good points: Simple to use, large baskets have a good capacity. The baskets pack down into each other, making it compact to store. The bottom of each basket can be removed, to allow space for a large 900ml pudding bowl. There is an area to place herbs, to infuse the flavour into whatever you are cooking.

Drawbacks: Not dishwasher safe. Water gauge can be difficult to read.

Stockist: 0800 525 089 www.breville.co.uk

GHI Test Report - Jan 09

Features

Not tiered, 2 or 3 cooking areas. Timer, rice bowl, food plinth, 2 sauce trays, drip tray, water gauge, flex storage, non-slip feet. Keep warm function at end of cooking time. Boil dry alarm. H24.5cm x W35cm x D31cm

Comments

Good points: This steamer has 3 sections that can each be programmed to start steaming at different times so that all the food is ready at once. It is easy to programme and the removable divider in the front tray means it can either be a 2 or 3 section steamer. Lots of good cooking charts. Produced the best rice of all the steamers. Can save cooking times for future use.

Drawbacks: It's bulky to store and can't fit a large 900ml pudding bowl

Stockist: 0870 060 2614 www.morphyrichards.co.uk

GHI Test Report - Jan 09

Features

Dishwasher safe, water gauge, non-slip feet.

Comments

Easy to use and had a detailed and accurate instruction booklet.  This steamer has a good range of symbols and cooking times on the facia to give you a guide when you do not have the instruction booklet handy.

Stockist: 0845 602 1454 www.tefal.co.uk

GHI Test Report - Oct 06

Features

3 tiers. Timer, rice bowl, drip tray, water gauge, flex storage, non slip feet. Keep warm function at end of cooking time. Delayed start timer. H40cm x W31.5cm x D23.5cm

Comments

Good points: The bottom of each basket can be removed, to allow space for a large 900ml pudding bowl. Dishwasher safe. The baskets pack down into each other, making it compact to store.

Drawbacks: If you try to top up the water through the side holes during cooking, some of it leaks out. The lid is very difficult to remove during cooking, it gets stuck when the steamer heats up, there is a risk of scalding yourself on the hot steam if you force the lid. Water gauge on the outside doesn't have a minimum marking

Stockist: 01227 740 066 www.wahl.co.uk

GHI Test Report - Jan 09