I read in an old caravan magazine that a couple took a food steamer away with them as it saves using the gas with EHU and is quite versatile. I was just wondering if many people did, it seems a good idea, but they all seem quite bulky.
I have a small microwave food steamer...its just a white plastic bowl type thing with a lid on it...i bought it from morrisons for about £4..it cooks veg and rice really well and hardly takes up any room...plus you dont get all that steam in your van...its similar to this...http://www.seenontvproducts.net/food-steamer/index.html
Thanks for that! Tbh I could do with not buying additional things at the moment, so given the likely issues with steam I won't bother (somehow that thought escaped me!). I think I'll think about getting some sort of BBQ thing to cook outside in the long hot summer
I've got a steamer that works off the hob at home & I take it with us when we go away. As mine fits the saucepans perfectly it hardly takes up any more room.
So when I'm cooking spuds I can do all the veg as well on one burner. Ok steam can be an issue but as the hob is right next to a window & door I just opened them both & never found it a problem.
Quote: Originally posted by LobeyDosser on 05/2/2010
We have a food steamer at home but would not dream of taking it in the van.
For one thing it is too bulky both the carry and in use.
The other thing is "the steam"! I don't fancy all that steam in the van and I would only use it in an awning.
I take a 3 part steamer when we go away. As for steam in the van, well it doesn't really as the lid has no vent so the steam is contained within - hence food is steamed, if the steam escapes then you end up with a dried out base and raw food. I always make sure the window at the kitchen end is open. Using the steamer is about the only use our hob gets. Meat, fish etc is cooked on the Cadac, and I also roast veggies on the Cadac.
------------- Gaynor
I have three sides, left, right and wrong - which one are you on?
We use one at home and i've often wondered about using one in he van. Whats stopped me so far is the amount of steam generated but as said above i don't suppose it will create anymoe than 3 saucepans. Bit bulky though as well.
We have a steamer in our caravan, placed by the window so plenty of ventilation, the 3 tiers stack inside each other, it fits neatly into the kitchen cupboard, we've always been pleased with it. Like the others said, we save on gas too. Think we paid about £15 from Tesco for it. Use it for new pots, harricot verts and other veggies too. We keep our van in France so don't have to worry about transporting the steamer to and fro.
I have one too, it was so good to use I now use it in the house as well. Saves loads of fuel and cooks things really well. You can also use the steamer pans as colanders/drainers, and the base+lid as an ordinary pan, so multi-use. Mine is just a cheapie 3-tier one from Home & Bargain, cost about £10 I think.
I can cook a whole meal for two in it - potatoes/root veg in the bottom, lighter veg (such as peas/broccoli/cabbage) in the middle and two nice fish steaks on the top. All steamed under one lid in approx 15-20 minutes. Stainless steel and very easy to wash as well. Wouldn't be without mine.
They have them at Tesco Direct for £5 at the mo!! and much better than mine!
yes i have a electric steamer and it doesnt take up much room as it all stacks inside each other, i keep a slo cooker in the van as well, and i have a electric health grill as well, i have paid for the electric so why not use it and it saves me having to clean the cooker!!!! a job i hate!!