10 Best Food Steamers 2026 in the United States

The BLACK+DECKER 16-Cup Rice Cooker (RC516) is a solid choice for anyone looking to cook rice and steam food in one convenient appliance. It has a large capacity, able to cook up to 8 cups of uncooked rice, which yields 16 cups of cooked rice—great for families or meal prepping. The included steaming basket allows you to steam vegetables, fish, and other healthy options alongside your rice, making it a versatile food steamer.

Made mainly of plastic with a glass lid, it features a removable nonstick bowl that’s dishwasher safe, which makes cleaning quick and easy. Controls are straightforward with one-touch operation and two heat settings, so you don’t have to worry about complicated settings or timers. After cooking, it automatically switches to a keep-warm mode to keep your rice at a good temperature without overcooking it.

On the downside, it only has one steaming tier, so you’re limited to steaming one basket of food at a time, which might not be enough if you want to steam multiple items separately. Also, since it’s mainly plastic, it’s not as durable or heavy-duty as some other models, but it’s lightweight and easy to handle. If you want a simple, reliable rice cooker that also lets you steam food, this BLACK+DECKER model fits well, especially for everyday home use without overwhelming complexity.

The BLACK+DECKER 6-Cup Rice Cooker (RC506) offers a convenient way to prepare rice and steam food with its user-friendly design. With a capacity of up to 6 cups of cooked rice, it's versatile enough for both small and large meals. The automatic keep-warm feature ensures that your rice stays ready to serve, which is particularly handy for busy kitchens.

The included food steaming basket allows you to cook vegetables, fish, and other healthy options simultaneously, making meal preparation more efficient. The nonstick, removable rice pot is easy to clean, either by hand or in the dishwasher, simplifying post-cooking cleanup. The one-touch operation makes it easy to use, even for those who are not familiar with kitchen gadgets.

However, this rice cooker has some limitations. With a wattage of 300W, it may not cook as quickly as more powerful models, and its manual controls might lack the advanced settings some users might prefer. The plastic material, while lightweight, may not be as durable as other materials. Additionally, the measuring cup that comes with the rice cooker should be used specifically for measuring rice, as it doesn't correspond to a standard cup size. Despite these minor drawbacks, the BLACK+DECKER 6-Cup Rice Cooker is a practical and reliable option for those looking to cook rice and steam food with minimal hassle.

The Aroma Housewares Professional Plus ARC-5000SB is a versatile kitchen appliance that functions as a rice cooker, food steamer, and slow cooker. It boasts a generous 20-cup cooked rice capacity, making it suitable for large families or gatherings. The non-stick inner pot and stainless steel exterior ensure durability and ease of cleaning, although hand washing is recommended for the pot. The digital controls are user-friendly, simplifying the cooking process and automatically switching to 'keep warm' mode after cooking, which is convenient for busy users.

Additional features such as the steam tray, rice measuring cup, and plastic rice spatula enhance its functionality, making it a well-equipped device for a variety of cooking needs. However, the lack of multiple tiers for steaming might limit its efficiency when steaming multiple items simultaneously. Despite this, its slow cook and saute-then-simmer functions add unique value, allowing for a range of cooking styles.

Weighing 8.58 pounds and measuring 11.2 x 10.8 x 11.4 inches, it is relatively compact for its capacity. This product is particularly suitable for users looking for a multifunctional cooker that simplifies meal preparation and caters to diverse cooking needs.