Eating is healthier with the Oster Food Steamer 5712 Rice Cooker

OK, I admit it, I can be influenced by people hawking healthier eating gadgets. So on my Christmas list is a steamer/rice cooker. My obliging hubby buys me a steamer of sorts, but it was a steamer/fryer! Not exactly what I had in mind. So with his permission, I took that one back and bought the Oster Food Steamer 5712 Rice Cooker.

What's in the box?

* The Oster Food Steamer 5712 Rice Cooker base unit holds the water. It is marked with 2 fill lines that are primarily used as a guide for how much water you need when steaming a variety of items. There is also a water inlet with the same measuring lines as in the interior that tells you how much water you have in there on the base.

* A removable heating element sleeve adjusts itself over the heating element of the Oster Food Steamer 5712 Rice Cooker in the center of the base. When scaling builds up due to hard water on the heating element, it can later be cleaned by pouring 3 cups of vinegar in to the water reservoir up to the HI level and turning the timer on for 20 minutes without any of the other items on top of it including the drip tray.

* The drip tray fits next over the base. The tray catches the condensation from the food.

* 2 large clear plastic steamer bowls with slotted bottoms for the steam to get through are included. The bowls hold a total of 3 quarts of food each and can be used separately or together for multiple steaming of food items. The bottom steamer bowl should be used to steam the largest piece of food (say fish on the bottom with veggies on the top.)

* The clear rice bowl fits inside of the steamer bowls. Make rice according to directions provided with the rice. (I like to make rice with other flavorings like chopped onion and seasonings, so I don't use this for my rice.)

* The steamer lid is slotted to allow a certain amount of steam to escape during the cooking of your food.


A few warnings:

* Make sure you use your steamer away from cabinets or anything susceptible to warping from steam, this includes wallpaper. It can even make paper towels close by damp.

* When taking off the steamer lid, be careful to direct the steam away from your face and hands. It also wouldn't hurt if you used potholders to avoid any possible burns.

* The Oster Food Steamer 5712 Rice Cooker produces steam automatically in 35 seconds. So unless you're looking for a face peel or drippy makeup, keep from hovering over the top of it until you're ready to serve.


What's steaming in the Oster Food Steamer 5712 Rice Cooker?

* Well rice of course. Try not to season it until after it's cooked. Check for doneness at minimum time by stirring.

* My favorite food to steam is veggies. I LOVE Broccoli! It is still such a deep green compared to a dull green when boiling or microwaving when cooked. Smaller pieces steam faster than larger ones, so trim off the stems if you don't eat them. An average of 12 minutes for about pound of broccoli is good.

The manufacturer recommends putting frozen veggies in the rice bowl and covering with a piece of aluminum foil and stirring to separate after 10-12 minutes.

Experience has taught me to use maximum time on some vegetables depending on thickness. Cauliflower takes longer than broccoli.

* If steaming meat and poultry, make sure they are completely thawed before steaming them in the Oster Food Steamer 5712 Rice Cooker.

* Like steamed clams? I know I do. This is the way to do it, and quickly too! I plan to experiment with other fish soon.

Things good to know:

When turning on the timer up to 75 minutes, a light will come on to indicate that the steamer is heating up. There is also a mini-time guide next to the timer for a variety of foods.


Clean up is easy with all the plastic bowls in hot soapy water. Don't immerse the base though, kind of rough on the electrical parts.

I love my new kitchen gadget. I feel a sense of satisfaction that I am providing my family healthier eating by steaming some of our meal. When time allows I plan to experiment with a whole meal as there is recipes available on their web site.


You can go to www.oster.com or phone 1-800-334-0759 for consumer service and all different recipes to steam.
The Oster Food Steamer 5712 Rice Cooker comes with a one year limited warranty.