Sarah Mitchell

Quick Answer: Bamboo is one of the fastest-growing plants on Earth — some species grow up to 35 inches per day. It requires no replanting after harvest since the root system regenerates the plant. It needs no… Honestly, if you asked me to pick just one thing in my kitchen that I feel genuinely good … Read more

Quick Answer: The most important thing is that your bamboo steamer sits securely over the rim of your vessel without falling in. The steam basket should rest on the rim or just above it, not submerged in water…. A wok is the traditional vessel for bamboo steaming, but honestly? You don’t need one. When I … Read more

Quick Answer: Both work great in a bamboo steamer. Fresh dumplings steam in 6-8 minutes. Frozen dumplings — do not thaw them first — need 8-10 minutes. The bamboo absorbs the excess moisture from frozen dumplings… Dumplings are honestly why most people buy a bamboo steamer in the first place. And they’re also what trips … Read more

Quick Answer: Drying completely before storage is everything. Your bamboo steamer needs to be bone dry — not just “feels okay” dry — before it goes in the cabinet. Stand the baskets separately with the open sides facing out in a ventilated spot. Two to three hours in humid summer weather, about an hour in … Read more

Quick Answer: Glutinous rice — also called sticky rice or sweet rice — is the traditional choice and gives the most dramatic results. Long-grain jasmine or basmati can also be steamed in a bamboo steamer but… Okay, so steamed rice from a bamboo steamer is genuinely nothing like what comes out of your pot or … Read more

Quick Answer: One rule runs through every single cook time on this list — always steam on medium heat, not high. High heat scorches the bamboo, burns off your water too fast, and honestly just wrecks everything. Medium and steady wins every time. The question I get more than any other about bamboo steamers is: … Read more

Quick Answer: Cut broccoli, carrots, and snap peas into bite-sized pieces. Line your basket with parchment, add the vegetables in a single layer, and steam for 5-6 minutes. Transfer to a bowl and toss with a… Honestly, the best thing I ever did with my bamboo steamer was just start cooking with it instead of … Read more

Quick Answer: New bamboo steamers can carry manufacturing residue, dust, and sometimes a faint smell from the materials used to bind the bamboo. Seasoning removes all of that and conditions the bamboo so it does… When I got my first bamboo steamer, I almost skipped the seasoning step because I was hungry and impatient. My … Read more

Quick Answer: Your bamboo steamer needs to be bone dry before it goes back in the cabinet. Bamboo is porous — it holds onto moisture like a sponge — and even a little trapped dampness in a closed space is basically a mold invitation. Honestly, the main reason bamboo steamers end up in the trash … Read more

Quick Answer: Steamed fish is silky, moist, and honestly pretty hard to mess up. Lay a fillet on a bed of ginger slices and scallions, steam for 8-10 minutes, then drizzle with soy sauce and sesame oil. It’s one of… Most people buy a bamboo steamer for dumplings and then it quietly collects dust in … Read more