A bamboo steamer's versatility makes it such a helpful tool in the kitchen. You can steam food using almost any type of vessel, whether a metal steamer basket or a standalone bowl. However, to fully utilize your bamboo steamer, you need an adapter ring. You should know that it is different from a bamboo steamer with stainless steel banding.
A bamboo steamer ring adapter enables you to stack multiple vessels on top of one another and create different steam levels. Each level acts as a separate layer that allows the steam from the bottom layer to rise and cook your food from above and below. These small but helpful accessories are available at most Asian grocery stores for about $2 per piece. They are sold in pairs, with one for each side of the steamer basket. Let’s take a closer look at how you can use them to get more out of your bamboo steamer!
What is a Bamboo Steamer Ring Adapter?
A bamboo steamer ring adapter is a small accessory that makes it possible to stack multiple vessels on top of one another to create different levels of steam. Each level acts as a separate layer that allows the steam from the bottom layer to rise up and cook your food from above as well as below. This makes it possible to cook a variety of different dishes with a single steamer basket — you can even cook rice and vegetables at the same time!
The ring is designed to sit on top of the bamboo steamer basket and uses the holes in the steamer as a guide to ensure a snug fit. There are usually two rings included in each set, one for the left and one for the right. The rings are made from bamboo and have been sealed together at the edges with a wooden dowel rod at the bottom to create space for your food.
Why You Should Use a Bamboo Steamer Ring Adapter
A bamboo steamer ring adapter is a great way to get more out of your steamer. It helps you cook more in less time by creating multiple layers of steam in a smaller space. The additional layers of steam help your food cook faster and more evenly. You will also be able to use your bamboo steamer for cooking more types of food — you don’t need a different steamer basket for rice and vegetables.
It also makes it easier to cook large portions — you can cook multiple dishes at the same time in one steamer basket. This also makes it easier to share your food with friends and family members since everyone can just take what they want and leave the rest. With a single layer of steam, you don’t have this option!
How to Use a Bamboo Steamer Ring Adapter
Most bamboo steamer ring adapters are very easy to use. Just follow the instructions below:
- First, clean the bamboo steamer basket to remove any debris or grease lingering in there.
- Line the bottom of the bamboo steamer basket with a suitable separator.
- Place your bottom vessel on top of the separator and ensure it sits securely.
- Place your bamboo steamer ring on top of the vessel and ensure it sits securely.
- Fill your bottom vessel with food and fill your bamboo steamer ring with water to create steam.
- Cover the entire bamboo steamer basket and start cooking!
How to Cook Soup With a Bamboo Steamer Ring Adapter
If you like to cook soups, this is an excellent opportunity to use a bamboo steamer ring adapter. Make sure to line the bottom of your bamboo steamer basket with an appropriate separator so that your soup doesn’t touch the basket. Then, you can use a small pot inside the bamboo steamer to cook your soup.
This will create a second layer of steam inside the basket and help your soup cook faster and more evenly. When cooking soup using a bamboo steamer ring adapter, make sure to add enough water to the bamboo steamer ring to create a layer of steam inside the basket. This will help to cook your soup more evenly and faster than if you were just to use one layer of steam.
How to Cook Rice With a Bamboo Steamer Ring Adapter
To cook rice with a bamboo steamer ring adapter, you can use a small pot inside the bamboo steamer. You can use an Asian rice pot or any other small pot that will fit inside the bamboo steamer. If you are using an Asian rice pot, you will need to add a steamer ring inside the bamboo steamer to sit your pot on. Alternatively, you can use a small chopping board as a separator to sit your pot on top of.
How to Cook Chicken Using a Bamboo Steamer Ring Adapter
If you want to cook chicken using a bamboo steamer ring adapter, you can use a wok inside the bamboo steamer. If you aren’t using an Asian rice pot, you will need to add a steamer ring inside the bamboo steamer to sit on your wok.
Make sure to add enough water to the bamboo steamer ring to create a layer of steam inside the basket. This will help to cook the chicken more evenly and faster than if you were to just use one layer of steam.
How to Cook Vegetables Using a Bamboo Steamer Ring Adapter
If you want to cook vegetables in your bamboo steamer, you can use a pan inside the bamboo steamer. Just make sure to add a steamer ring inside the bamboo steamer basket so that your pan sits securely on top.
You can put them on top of the pan if you are cooking leafy greens or vegetables that need little to no cooking time. Make sure to add enough water to the bamboo steamer ring to create a layer of steam inside the bamboo steamer basket. This will help your vegetables cook faster and more evenly.
Conclusion
A bamboo steamer ring adapter is a beneficial tool for anyone who likes to cook using a bamboo steamer. It allows you to quickly cook more in less time, which is especially useful if you want to make large portions of food. It also makes it easier to cook multiple dishes at the same time.
This can be especially helpful for households with many mouths to feed! You can use a bamboo steamer ring adapter for cooking soups, rice, chicken, and vegetables. You can also use it for cooking desserts like dumplings, spring rolls, and more.
