Customer Reviews

Cuisinart TCS-60 Convection Steamer

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

 

 

The fan must be removed to lift the lid during the steaming process; for instance, to add the second tray for an item requiring a shorter cooking time. The is danger is steam burns while removing the fan.

After reading the previous opinions on this board and weighing my decisions very carefully about which steamer to purchase for my purposes, I decided on this one because of the large capacity for steaming vegetables. I was not looking for a "rice cooker" with veg. steamer, as many appliances are capable of doing. I returned the Aroma Rice Cooker/Veg.Steamer because the pot was enormous to clean and the bottom of the pot burned first time I used it. I purchased this one...I read all the instructions prior to use, and read this board too. The instruction booklet did not say how much water to put in the reservoir, and what should you do when the water runs down. I wrote to Cuisinart; they never responded. Most of the so-called Rice Cookers/veg.steamers require just 1 cup of water in the pot, no matter how many vegetables you put in. However, the Aroma Cooker burned very badly on the bottom. So trial and error, first and second time using it, I used 1 cup of water, then added 1 cup, because the water ran out, and I still had to put more water in the reservoir. When I emptied the whole thing, the heating element was burned and it took awhile to clean the little hole out. I thought this was going to be a problem. However, the past 2 times I filled the water tank to the top and did not have to add more during cooking. The unit was spotless after emptying the water out...but what a darn mess. The poster below who wrote there must be a defect because the water well is too shallow is correct. Twice the water slightly overflowed and made a little mess. The problem though is once everything is cooled down, and you MUST let it cool or you'll suffer burns, as I learned, the steamed water is to the top of the shallow area, that it's hard to move it to the sink without spilling water all over the place, and if it's hot, beware! Today it spilled all over the place...floor, countertop, cabinets. Using less water is better but it seems to need the full amount in the reservoir in order to finish steaming in 20-30 minutes. The fan on top, to me, is not a big deal at all. And yes, today it became a little noisier, and I guess that's its nature. Does it cook well? Yes, it's excellent. The product would be an ideal steamer if the water reservoir area was deeper to hold all the steamed water so cleanup would be just to dump the water in the sink without spilling it all over the place. However, the unit is spotless once the water is out. Just wipe it with a damp sponge and dry with a paper towel. For me, I am living with its inconveniences because the steamer does its job just fine. I wish the company would be a little more responsive to its customers and maybe a change in the design is good advice for Cuisinart.

I bought this steamer because I liked the fan on the top and the two trays can hold more food then the steamer I currently use. However, the base that collects the water that has been steamed is not deep enough and has overflowed each time I have used it creating a big mess to clean up, which makes this a useless product. It's not even deep enough to hold the same amount of water that you put in the water reservoir. I wonder how a defect like that was overlooked.....

I find this steamer a hassle to use. I purchased it primary to cook rice. The tray is big enough to cook two cups of rice - not much if you have a large family. Everytime you want to add something in, you have to take out the fan and it is a hassle, not to mention the danger involved due to the extreme hot steam!!! Everytime you are done cooking, the water needs to be empty and it makes a mess. I find that the rice cooks much faster in a convention rice cooker - a much cheaper appliance. Overall, I am disappointed in the product. If you have young children, be sure this thing is out of reach when in use.

As author of a free on-line steamer cookbook and guide (Steamer Magic), I feel the need to set part of the record straight. It is true that manufacturers don't always include all the tips, hints and instructions needed. That is NOT, however, the fault of the appliance. Some information from my guide follows. I hope it is helpful.

A WORD ABOUT SAFETY

Electric steamers are not open fire pits. We've come a ways down our evolutionary kitchen timeline. Still, steam is the cooking agent in these recipes, and steam is dangerous. A little prudence and some simple precautions can keep you safe while enjoying your almost effortless steamer meals.

If the natives aren't restless to the point of banging their knives and forks on Aunt Millie's antique dining table, consider letting vegetable based dinners rest for three to five minutes. The food stays warm in the covered basket and will be much easier to retrieve when the boiling water has cooled a bit. Grain dishes, cakes and custards all improve with resting. Grains especially need a few minutes without power to draw in the last of the steam and redistribute the moisture within the grains. So disregard the beckoning rings, and think of yourself as the ruler of the kitchen, not the slave.

Remember those not too stylish potholders that you mom, sister, or best friend gave you one holiday? You know - the ones you stuck way in the back of the bottom drawer? Well, dig them out. They will be a big help lifting water laden bowls from the steamer basket. And just think how happy Mom, Sis or Sally will be to know they are being used.

Don't move your steamer while it is cooking or when it is full of hot water. The danger is obvious, and besides - you're supposed to be enjoying yourself while the steamer does the work, remember?

Read the Care and Safety instructions that came with your steamer. The guidelines are there for your protection.

Please, keep an eye on the children when the steamer is doing its work. Better yet, do something fun together.

GENERAL TIPS AND TRICKS

It didn't take long to figure out I needed a second rice bowl, but I found I had an assortment of dishes that would work perfectly. Any glass bowl designed for the oven or microwave that sits inside your steamer basket with some room for the steam to circulate fits the bill. My personal favorites are the clear glass dishes with the extra heavy plastic lids. These are made by several companies and come in a variety of sizes. The ones with a slight lip work best; the lids of the straight sided varieties tend to pop off the dish when the steam softens them.

In doubt about how much water to pour into the reservoir? Confused over low, medium and high water lines? More is better. It may take the water a minute or two longer to heat, adding those minutes to your cooking time, but that's a safer choice than using too little and letting all the water evaporate before the cooking cycle is complete. It won't take you long to learn how to decide on the level. As a beginner, err on the side of abundance. If your steamer has only minimum and maximum water lines, the medium water line would be between the two.

Read the introductions that accompany each chapter, and don't miss the Tips and Tricks distributed amongst the recipes. You may find an idea that makes your meal even easier to prepare.

If you are looking for an fast and easy way to make vegetables for your family, buy this item. I made carrots, corn, and broccoli in about 15 minutes. No mess, nothing to clean up. I love this product and use it every day. It doesn't ever get put away. It helps with healthy quick meals for my family.

This is a great tool-especially for entertaining.We set it up, make the rest of dinner and then by setting the timer we can coordinate with the rest of the meal. Also, great for large quantities vegies such as broccoli, cauliflower, squash to prep for soup!