As an Amazon Associate, AYTXX earns from qualifying purchases.
A good steamer basket is a simple, low-cost way to cook vegetables, fish and dumplings with minimal fuss. This guide compares four popular steamer basket options—two OXO models (stainless and silicone), a KitchenAid 10″ stainless insert, and a budget LTWQLing folding basket—to help you pick a steamer basket that matches your pot size, cooking needs, and storage preferences. Read the quick comparison, product breakdowns, buyer’s guide and care tips to choose the best steamer basket for your kitchen.
Quick comparison: how these steamer baskets differ
- OXO Good Grips Steamer Basket – Stainless Steel, 8 Inch (OXO) — Best overall: classic stainless insert, collapsible with elevated feet and an extendable handle; fits pots 8″ diameter and up.
- OXO Good Grips Silicone Steamer (OXO) — Best for beginners: single-piece flexible silicone with high walls and flat center; rolls up for compact storage and is listed as dishwasher safe.
- KitchenAid Universal Steamer Basket, 10-Inch, Stainless (KitchenAid) — Best premium: larger 10″ stainless steel insert with an extendable, locking handle; marketed for use in pots, pressure cookers and multi-cookers.
- Vegetable Steamer Basket, Stainless Steel Folding Steamer Insert (LTWQLing) — Best budget alternative: affordable expandable stainless-steel folding design that adapts to different pot sizes and stores compactly.
Why choose a steamer basket?
Steaming is a gentle cooking method that helps preserve color, texture and nutrients in vegetables and seafood. A steamer basket gives you a simple way to elevate food above simmering water without needing a separate appliance. Choose a steamer basket when you want fast, lower-fat side dishes, steamed dumplings, or to cook delicate items like fish that benefit from indirect, moist heat.
OXO Good Grips Steamer Basket — Best overall
Short reason
Classic stainless-steel steamer insert from OXO with an extendable handle and fold-flat design that fits a range of pots.
What it offers (features)
- Stainless steel construction
- Collapsible / folds flat for compact storage
- Extendable/adjustable handle
- Elevated feet to keep food above water
- Fits pots 8″ diameter and up
Who it’s for
- Home cooks who want a reliable stainless insert that stores compactly and works in a variety of pots.
- People who prefer metal construction for a neutral cooking surface and potential longevity.
Pros
- Stainless steel construction for a metal steamer option.
- Folds flat to save cabinet space.
- Extendable handle makes placing and removing the basket easier.
- Elevated feet keep food clear of simmering water.
Cons
- 8″ model may be small for very large batches.
- Metal handle and construction mean it’s not flexible for odd-shaped pots.
See full product details on Amazon: OXO Good Grips Steamer Basket – Stainless Steel, 8 Inch (Best overall)
OXO Good Grips Silicone Steamer — Best for beginners
Short reason
Flexible, single-piece silicone steamer that fits many pots, is gentle on cookware and stores compactly.
What it offers (features)
- Flexible silicone petals fit many pots
- Collapsible / rolls up for compact storage
- Listed as dishwasher safe
- High walls and a flat center suitable for longer items
- Suitable for steaming vegetables, fish and dumplings
Who it’s for
- Beginners and those with nonstick or delicate cookware who want a cookware-friendly steamer.
- Cooks who value easy storage and dishwasher-safe cleanup.
Pros
- Flexible shape adapts to many pot sizes and contours.
- Rolls up for very compact storage.
- Dishwasher safe for easy cleanup.
- High walls and flat center accommodate longer items like asparagus or fillets.
Cons
- Silicone is flexible rather than rigid—may be harder to lift a full load without support.
- Not stainless steel, so if you prefer metal construction this isn’t the choice for you.
View the flexible option for easy storage: OXO Good Grips Silicone Steamer
KitchenAid Universal Steamer Basket, 10-Inch, Stainless — Best premium
Short reason
A larger 10″ stainless universal steamer insert from KitchenAid with an extendable, locking handle for use in pots and multi-cookers.
What it offers (features)
- 10-inch stainless steel steamer insert (product title)
- Adjustable/extendable handle that extends and locks in place
- Marketed for use over boiling water in pots, pressure cookers, and multi-cookers
- Large capacity for bigger batches
Who it’s for
- Those who regularly cook larger batches or use larger pots and multi-cookers.
- Cooks who want a larger stainless insert with a locking handle for secure handling.
Pros
- 10″ size offers a larger cooking surface for bigger batches.
- Extendable handle that locks provides more secure lifting and placement.
- Marketed for use across pots, pressure cookers and multi-cookers for versatility.
Cons
- Larger size requires more storage space than smaller inserts.
- Stainless construction means less flexibility for odd-shaped cookware.
Check the larger premium insert for big batches: KitchenAid Universal Steamer Basket, 10-Inch, Stainless
Vegetable Steamer Basket, Stainless Steel Folding Steamer Insert (LTWQLing) — Best budget alternative
Short reason
Affordable folding/expandable stainless-steel steamer insert that adapts to different pot sizes for basic steaming tasks.
What it offers (features)
- Stainless steel folding / expandable design
- Intended as a steamer insert for vegetables, fish and seafood
- Fits a range of pot sizes (expandable)
- Compact storage when folded
Who it’s for
- Shoppers on a budget who need a simple, expandable stainless insert for occasional steaming.
- People who want a basic steamer that adapts to different pot diameters.
Pros
- Stainless steel folding design adjusts to different pot sizes.
- Compact storage when folded, useful for small kitchens.
- Intended for steaming vegetables, fish and seafood.
Cons
- Budget options can be basic in fit and finish compared to premium models.
- Expandable design may not provide the same stability or handle functionality as models with extendable locking handles.
Explore the budget folding insert: Vegetable Steamer Basket, Stainless Steel Folding Steamer Insert (LTWQLing)
Buyer’s guide: what to look for in a steamer basket
When choosing a steamer basket, consider these practical points:
Material
- Stainless steel: a durable, neutral surface popular for metal inserts (OXO stainless, KitchenAid, LTWQLing).
- Silicone: flexible and cookware-safe, gentle on nonstick surfaces (OXO silicone).
Fit and diameter
- Check which pot diameters the insert is designed to fit. For example, an 8″ model is intended for smaller pots while a 10″ model provides a larger cooking surface.
- Expandable designs adapt to a wider range of pot sizes but consider stability when fully expanded.
Handles and lifting
- Extendable or locking handles make it easier and safer to lift a loaded basket (models described here include extendable/adjustable handles).
- Silicone steamers may require tongs or a spoon to lift when full since they’re flexible.
Storage and shape
- Collapsible or roll-up designs save cabinet space (these models fold or roll compactly).
- Consider whether you prefer fold-flat metal or roll-up silicone for your storage preferences.
Capacity
- Match capacity to your typical batch size. A 10″ insert is positioned for larger batches, while an 8″ model is better for everyday portions.
- If you often cook for a crowd, prioritize larger diameter models.
Intended foods
- Some designs have higher walls or flat centers that are better for fish, asparagus or dumplings (silicone designs often list these as features).
How to use and care for your steamer basket (basic tips)
Using a steamer basket is straightforward:
- Put a couple of inches of water in the pot—enough to produce steam, but not so much that it touches the food.
- Place the steamer basket in the pot, add food in an even layer, and cover with a lid to trap steam.
- Check doneness periodically; steaming times vary by ingredient and thickness.
Care and cleaning tips
- Silicone models: many are listed as dishwasher safe and are easy to roll up for storage.
- Stainless steel models: wipe or wash after use; folding/collapsible designs fold flat for compact storage.
- For any model, ensure the basket is completely dry before storing to prevent trapped moisture.
Which one should you choose? Final recommendation and use cases
- Best overall (everyday multi-purpose): OXO Good Grips Steamer Basket – Stainless Steel, 8 Inch — choose this if you want a classic stainless insert that folds flat, has elevated feet and an extendable handle, and is intended for pots around 8″ diameter and up. See full product details on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000HCBDF2?tag=aytxx-20
- Best for beginners / cookware-friendly: OXO Good Grips Silicone Steamer — pick this if you cook on nonstick pans or want a dishwasher-safe, flexible option that rolls up for storage and accommodates longer items like asparagus or salmon. View it here: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00A2KD8IY?tag=aytxx-20
- Best premium / larger batches: KitchenAid Universal Steamer Basket, 10-Inch, Stainless — ideal if you need a larger 10″ stainless insert with an extendable, locking handle and broader multi-cooker compatibility. Check the larger premium insert: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09K15XW6Y?tag=aytxx-20
- Best budget alternative: Vegetable Steamer Basket, Stainless Steel Folding Steamer Insert (LTWQLing) — choose this if you want an affordable expandable stainless steel option that adapts to various pot sizes and folds compactly. Explore it here: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08DLJL7R4?tag=aytxx-20
Match your choice to your usual pot sizes, batch needs and storage constraints: stainless-steel options work well for those who want a rigid insert and potential longer life; silicone works for delicate cookware and compact storage.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which steamer basket is best for vegetables?
Any of these baskets can steam vegetables effectively; silicone steamers are often recommended for delicate items and nonstick cookware, while stainless models work well depending on pot size and capacity.
Can I use a steamer basket in a pressure cooker or multi-cooker?
The KitchenAid Universal Steamer Basket, 10-Inch, Stainless is marketed for use in pots, pressure cookers and multi-cookers. For other models, check your pot or appliance instructions and ensure a proper fit before use.
Which steamer basket is easiest to store?
Both OXO models fold/roll compactly—the OXO silicone rolls up and the stainless OXO folds flat—and the LTWQLing folds for compact storage. Silicone typically offers the most flexible storage shape.
Are silicone steamers dishwasher safe?
The OXO Good Grips Silicone Steamer is listed as dishwasher safe.
Final Verdict
Recommendation based on buyer type and compatibility:
- Buy the OXO Good Grips Steamer Basket – Stainless Steel, 8 Inch if you want a reliable, collapsible stainless-steel insert with an extendable handle that is intended for pots around 8″ diameter and up—good for everyday cooks who value durability and compact storage. See it on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000HCBDF2?tag=aytxx-20
- Choose the OXO Good Grips Silicone Steamer if you need a gentle, dishwasher-safe, roll-up option that fits many pots and is suitable for vegetables, fish and dumplings. View the silicone option: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00A2KD8IY?tag=aytxx-20
- Pick the KitchenAid Universal Steamer Basket, 10-Inch, Stainless for larger batches and broader multi-cooker compatibility—its extendable, locking handle and 10″ size make it suited to bigger cooking tasks. Check it here: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09K15XW6Y?tag=aytxx-20
- Opt for the LTWQLing Vegetable Steamer Basket if you want a budget-friendly, expandable stainless insert that folds compactly for occasional steaming. Explore the budget option: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08DLJL7R4?tag=aytxx-20