Customer Reviews

Black & Decker Handy Steamer® and Rice Cooker

5 star:		(25)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

We received the larger steamer as a gift many years ago, and used it until we burned out the heating element! But I always felt that it was too large for just the 2 of us. I couldn't find one locally in any store to replace it, but I found one on Amazon.com and purchased it. This time I got the smaller HS800 version, which was a perfect size for a family of 2. I use it almost daily and couldn't live without it! I use it to steam veggies, cook brown rice (comes out perfectly!) and even hard-cook eggs. The eggs are perfectly cooked, peel easier than traditional boiled ones, and never have that green ring around the yolk! Best of all, you set the timer and walk away and 35 minutes later the eggs are perfectly hard-cooked! We prefer brown rice to white, but since it takes so long to cook the traditional way and leaves a sticky mess in the pot, I use the steamer to cook the maximum amount the cooker will hold. It takes about an hour (but again you don't have to watch the pot!) and then I portion individual meal servings into storage containers and freeze them for later meals.

I don't know why this product isn't readily available in retail stores. But as long as I can get a replacement on-line, I won't worry about ever being without my steamer!f

I love this steamer. Simple to use. Seems well made. As far as the complaint of some about no handle in the center of the cover. It is true the design is poor so the steam can burn your hands when you remove the lid. I went to the hardware store and bought a white plastic cabinet knob for $1.99. There is a dimple in the center of the cover where I drilled a small hole and installed the knob. It works great and you would think it came that way from the factory. I hope this helps people with that complaint. Also a quick note, the screw that comes with the knob is too long so make sure and get a shorter one while at the hardware store.

I got this as a gift. I have been steaming just about everything...chicken, veggies, fruits. I am even making my infant daughters baby food with it! So far, I have not screwed up anything in the steamer (which I apparently do when cooking quite often). The only complaint I have is that there is not an easier way to remove the lid to get the food. If there is still steam in there, you have to be VERY careful when removing the lid so as not to burn yourself. You have to wear potholders. It would be nice if it had some sort of handle on top or something like that. Other than that, perfect! And very reasonably priced.

I got one of these, well the old model, about five years ago. I've used it three or four times a week for everything from rice to chicken to veggies. It works great.

After all this time my little steamer is starting to leak.... not too bad considering how heavily I've used this thing. I won't hesitate to buy another (which is why I'm here today) and highly reccommend it for anyone... especially busy moms. I've got two young kids and this thing has made getting dinner ready when there's a lot of distractions so easy.

It's also great for steaming foods to prepare your own baby food.

We bought this based on our satisfaction with a smaller version that we have had for years. It is still going strong, but was too small to use for things like an ear of corn. This is essentially the same, but it's oval shape makes it much more useable. This is an outstanding product and is so easy to use. We use it all the time, and there is no better way to cook vegetables. You cannot go wrong with this steamer in every way -- price, performance and healthy cooking! Buy it without hesitation if you are thinking of a steamer.

I love these steamers! It can be used to steam vegetables or rice. It is so nice because they cook to perfection and are so easy to use.

Delivered when promised. Had our old handy steamer for 15 years until the element burned out. We loved it. This is a little larger. Still makes perfect rice every time and great fresh steamed vegetables. Haven't really used the flavor screen. Could do without it.

Three things:
1. The product works very well with a multitude of uses.
2. The product seems terribly flimsy. I am assuming the parts are as tough as shrink-wrap and hope that is the case.
3. There should be a strong and obvious warning that when one removes the lid while any steam is present, extreme caution should be utilized and oven mits should be worn. I was careless and did not do this and received painful 2nd degree burns on my fingers that took weeks to heal.

Very good steamer, small and easy to use. Holds enough food for

a family of 4.

I have to return this item. The containers are too small to cook enough portions for a four person family and the cooking time is too long. A pressure cooker with an average steamer rack and a fitting container does the same type of cooking in half the time.