The MicroSteamer is a new innovative solution that allows true steam cooking in the microwave oven in an easy, efficient and healthy way.

Nutrition experts tell us that steamed food is healthy food.  However, steaming food is often cumbersome - requiring a pot and separate steamer attachment, and cooking times have been difficult to estimate. The preconception of steamed food is that it is bland, vegetables are too hard and meat and fish are too wet.

Tupperware's MicroSteamer is going to change all that.  Combining compact design with the cooking efficiency of the microwave, The MicroSteamer brings ease and certainty back into steam cooking.  Your food will have more flavour, more colour and a better texture than you have been able to create at home before.

Why is steaming ‘better’ for food?

Cooking methods such as frying, grilling and roasting, seal the outside of the food so the composition of the outer and inner layers of the food is different.  Foods boiled in water cook unevenly – the outer layers being exposed to the water will cook quicker and more thoroughly as it requires time for the heat to penetrate to the middle of the food.

Heat provided by steam is gentle; it respects the cellular structure of food tissues as well as their aromatic composition. Steam does not seal, it does not aggress, but slowly diffuses throughout the food. The food is wrapped in steam and cooking takes place through convection.  Fish for example will not break down or ‘crumble’ as can often happen when it is poached.  Vegetables will not be soft outside yet uncooked in the middle, as can happen when they are boiled.

Foods steamed in the MicroSteamer are gently and evenly cooked.  Clear guidelines are provided for cooking times to achieve optimum results with ease.

Why is steamed food ‘better’ for you?

During boiling, vital minerals, soluble sugars and proteins are leached into the water and discarded at the end of the cooking process.  Chlorophyll, which gives greens their distinctive brightness, is shown to be significantly reduced by the boiling process[1], resulting in duller vegetables.

Steaming food, particularly vegetables, helps to retain more of the vital minerals and nutrients than many other forms of cooking.  In a 2009 study comparing the effects of different cooking methods on broccoli, steaming had “minimal effects on chlorophyll, soluble proteins and sugars, and vitamin C as well as glucosinolates. On the other hand, stir-frying and stir-frying/boiling...caused great losses of these compounds.”[2]

Foods steamed in the MicroSteamer retain their nutrients and flavours – they are not washed away.  Colours remain bright, the texture is even and foods do not dry out.

How does the MicroSteamer work?

The MicroSteamer is composed of a Water Tray, a Steamer Base, a Colander Tray and a Cover.

The Steamer Base and the Cover have an inner shield not permeable to microwaves, so the microwaves bounce back to be directed to the water in the Water Tray.

The water in the Water Tray turns to steam, which goes through the bottom of the Steamer Base. The steam then cooks the food placed in the Steamer Base and the Colander Tray.

The MicroSteamer is very easy to use: fill with water, place food inside, stack and steam – yet it gives extraordinary gourmet results.  You can steam any type of food, such as fruits, vegetables, meat or fish – either fresh or frozen – or simply reheat a meal, with no loss of texture, colour or flavour.

You can stack two different types of food or prepare one whole meal at once, thanks to the removable Colander Tray.  Ideal for steaming chicken or fish on the Colander Tray, whilst steaming the accompanying vegetables in the Steamer Base below.

Using the MicroSteamer

Family meals, party treats, a quick lunch or delicious puddings – all can be easily created using the MicroSteamer. The accompanying Cook Book will see you steaming dumplings and wontons, cooking eggs to perfection, enhancing chicken and fish with delicate herbs or complex spices AND creating the most decadent chocolate cupcakes.

A comprehensive steaming guide takes the guess work out of cooking – simply set the microwave timer and let the MicroSteamer do the work.

Vary the flavours you can achieve by adding spices, herbs, low fat stock, essential oil or wine to the water in the Water Tray. Try cinnamon or nutmeg when steaming fruit, or lemongrass when steaming chicken.

A set of eight Ramekins complement the MicroSteamer.  Use them to steam individual serves of vegetables, create delicious individual puddings, and prepare single serves of eggs for a light lunch or supper.

The MicroSteamer is perfect for gently reheating foods without overcooking them, or keep foods warm after steaming by keeping the hot water in the tray.  Pouring out the hot water will stop the cooking process (advisable for green vegetables) – however food will still be kept warm up to 30min.

Serve from the MicroSteamer directly at the table, keep the Steamer Base on the Water Tray or reverse the Cover and use as a trivet.  The MicroSteamer is safe to use and carry, easy to clean and dishwasher safe.

Try the NEW MicroSteamer today and experience better tasting, better looking food that is better for you too.