Recently discovered all the wonders of a food steamer? You’re in good company. Cooking with a food steamer is a great way to make healthy meals!
However, as soon as you are done using your steamer to prepare your favorite foods, you will then need to make sure that you are giving it a thorough clean so that all of the leftover food residues can be effectively washed away. Read on for our top tips on how to clean a steamer.
Table of Contents
Make Sure That You Are Emptying The Steamer After Each Use
First things first, after each and every use, you should make sure that the first thing you do is empty your steamer of all leftover food. By doing this as the first step, you will be ensuring that all large chunks of food have been disposed of.
If you have some cooked food leftover that you do not wish to throw away, put some of your leftover food inside a storage container so that you can eat it at a later date.
Once you have finished doing this, you should then proceed to disconnect your steamer from its power source, and then give it plenty of time to cool down.
Even though it might seem time-consuming, don’t skip this step! Doing so could be a safety hazard. it is very important to make sure that you are giving your steamer enough time to cool down before proceeding to the next step, as the last thing you want to do is get a burn!
Best Tip on How to Clean a Steamer: Soak It!
After you have removed all of the leftover food from your steamer and you have given it enough time to adequately cool down, you will then be ready to soak your steamer.
To do this, you will first need to make sure that the electrical components (if there are any) of your steamer have been removed and set aside.
Then, you will then be able to fill your sink with warm water mixed with dish soap and allow your steamer to be submerged for around 5-10 minutes.
As a side note, if your steamer comes with a power cord and base that cannot be detached, then you can still soak your steamer, but you will just need to make sure that you are being extra careful.
To do this safely, we recommend that you set a five-minute timer on your phone, and then submerge the non-electrical part of your steamer into the water.
Once you have done this, keep hold of your steamer until the timer goes off, as this will help to prevent the chances of the electrical components of your streamer accidentally becoming submerged in the soapy warm water.
Thoroughly Wash Your Steamer
After you have given your steamer enough time to soak in the warm soapy water, you will then be ready to move on to the main event: cleaning your steamer!
Even though soaking your steamer will help to loosen up and remove any stubborn bits of residue left over from steaming your foods, you will still need to make sure that you are thoroughly cleaning it in combination with soaking, as it is still possible for small bits of food to stay stuck to the inside of the steaming bowl.
With a warm, wet cloth, gently begin to wash away all of the leftover residues that you can see in your steaming bowl. If you are lucky enough to have a steamer that is dishwasher friendly, then you can then go ahead and remove the electrical components and place your steamer in the dishwasher for a thorough clean, including the lid, container, and anti-drip tray.
If you do not have a steamer that is dishwasher safe, then you can alternatively take some warm water and dish detergent, and then scrub it with a bristle brush and sponge until it is clean.
Finish Up By Wiping The Steamer Until It Is Dry
Last but certainly not least, after you have finished washing your steamer, you will then need to finish up by giving your steamer a thorough wipe until it is completely dry.
Even though many people might leave their steamer to dry naturally, we recommend that you opt to wipe your steamer dry with a clean dishcloth, as this will help to pick up any leftover debris and residue that you might not be able to detect.
Plus, besides being able to get rid of any stubborn bits of food residue, thoroughly wiping your steamer with a clean dishcloth will also help to ensure that all moisture is removed, which will help to lower the chances of any mold or bacterial growth caused by the remaining moisture from the water.
To make sure that you have effectively wiped your steamer dry, wipe each part of the steamer individually with separate dishcloths, as this will ensure that each part of the steamer has been thoroughly dried.
Pay extra attention to the corners, edges, and “harder to reach” spots of your steamer, as this will help to make sure that all moisture has been effectively removed from the surface of your steamer.
After you are happy that your steamer has been thoroughly dried, all you will then need to do is store your steamer in a dry and cool place until you are ready to use it again.
