10 Best Tamale Steamers 2025 in the United States

The Nostalgia Taco Tuesday Tamales Steamer is a vibrant, two-tiered food steamer available in red and green, suitable for steaming a variety of foods beyond just tamales. It can comfortably steam up to 10 tamales at a time, making it ideal for small to medium gatherings. The design also includes a warming tray on top, which is perfect for heating sides and toppings such as cheese and veggies, enhancing the meal experience. Its ease of use is a highlight, featuring a 3-position cooking dial that allows users to switch between high, warm, and off settings effortlessly. Additionally, the water level window ensures you add the right amount of water without guesswork, which can be particularly handy for achieving consistent steaming results.

The steamer's cool-touch handles provide safety by preventing burns, and the hidden cord storage makes it neat and easy to store when not in use. Cleaning is straightforward as the unit can be disassembled easily, which is a significant advantage for daily use. Considering the material is primarily plastic and metal, some users might prefer a more durable construction. With a weight of 5.3 pounds and dimensions that fit well in most kitchens, it strikes a good balance between portability and capacity.

While it excels in versatility by allowing you to steam various foods, the single-load capacity may be limiting for larger families or those who entertain frequently. This steamer is best suited for individuals or small families who enjoy tamales and other steamed foods, and appreciate a convenient and versatile kitchen appliance.

The Hamilton Beach Digital Electric Food Steamer is a versatile kitchen appliance ideal for anyone wanting to steam healthy meals quickly. Its 8.25-quart size with three stackable clear plastic bowls offers plenty of space to cook vegetables, seafood, meat, or even tamales all at once. The bowls are designed to stack compactly for easy storage, and you can remove bottom dividers to fit taller foods like corn.

Made mostly of plastic with a black and stainless steel finish, it’s lightweight at just 4.47 pounds, making it easy to handle. The digital touchpad is simple to use, letting you set cooking times, delay start up to 24 hours, and keep food warm for an hour after cooking. This steamer also doubles as a rice cooker and can cook up to 24 eggs, which adds to its versatility. Cleaning should be straightforward since the clear bowls are removable, although the plastic material might require gentle care to avoid scratches.

While the plastic construction may be less durable compared to metal steamers, the convenience and multifunctional design make it a reliable choice for everyday use. If you want a steamer that handles a variety of foods while being easy to operate and store, this model is a good fit. However, if you prefer a more heavy-duty or metal construction specifically for tamales, you might want to explore other options.

The Secura 2 Stainless Steel Food Steamer offers an 8.5-quart capacity, which is quite generous for steaming large batches of tamales or other foods. Made from durable stainless steel, it promises long-term use and better heat retention. The design includes a double-tiered stackable basket system, allowing you to steam multiple types of food simultaneously. This is particularly useful if you enjoy cooking a variety of meals at once.

The 'keep cool' handles and non-slip upper lid knob are thoughtful touches that enhance safety during operation. The steamer is powered by an 800-watt motor and heats up quickly, steaming food evenly in a short time. Additionally, it features an analog panel and a timer, making it user-friendly even for those who are not tech-savvy. The clear water line helps in monitoring water levels easily, and the anti-dry protection with auto shut-off feature assures safe use.

However, it is worth noting that while the steamer is easy to clean and dishwasher-safe, its large size might require significant storage space in your kitchen. The stainless steel material, though sturdy, can be prone to water spots and may require regular polishing to maintain its shine. Some users might also find the analog controls less precise compared to digital ones. This steamer is a versatile and robust option for those who need a reliable appliance for making tamales and steaming various foods, but it could be a bit bulky for smaller kitchens.