Steamers & Cooking Baskets

Steaming equipment can be a complete pot, a stackable bamboo basket or a compact insert placed inside cookware you own.

Shop the collection

Related reading

Steaming equipment can be a complete pot, a stackable bamboo basket or a compact insert placed inside cookware you own. Accessories such as liners support those systems but do not replace the vessel and lid. Choose the format first, then use the specialist selections to compare materials and the food you intend to cook.

An insert makes use of an existing pot

Folding metal and flexible silicone baskets are useful when storage is limited. Their working diameter, feet and handles must fit inside the pot while the lid closes. An insert should sit above the water rather than relying on food to hold it in place.

A complete system adds matched components

A tiered pot provides a base and food levels designed to work together. More tiers allow separation, but increase the stack’s height and weight. Decide whether separate dishes need that space or whether one basket suits your normal serving.

Choose the accessory for the system

Bamboo baskets, stainless tiers and silicone inserts do not all use the same liners or cleaning routine. Find an accessory with the correct shape and intended use. A basket described as stackable should still be paired with compatible supporting components.

Further reading: OXO — Silicone steamer design

Useful answers

Questions about steamers & cooking baskets

Should I choose a complete steamer or a basket for my existing pot?

Choose a basket if your pot can support it above the water with enough room for the food and a closing lid. A complete system provides matched cooking components but takes more storage space. Compare the whole setup rather than buying an insert on diameter alone.

Can steamer tiers from different brands be stacked together?

Only when their fit and support are explicitly compatible. Similar diameters do not establish a secure rim connection or a correctly closing lid. Treat additional tiers as components of a particular system, especially when the stack will hold several loaded dishes.

Is a silicone steamer liner the same as a silicone basket?

No. A liner rests on a supported steaming surface, while a basket provides its own food-holding shape and support arrangement. Check whether the item is an accessory or a cooking insert. Its material does not tell you which parts of a steaming setup are included.