5 Best Tamale Steamers (Reviews Updated 2022)

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Are you a lover of Tamales? Is it a menu at the top of your menu list? If it is, then you need to get yourself one of the best tamale steamers. Tamale is a tasty recipe loved by many, but it takes quite some time to prepare. Besides the preparation time, it also requires very good steamers, but unfortunately, not all steamers are ideal for making tamales. If you use the wrong steamer, the process will become quite cumbersome, and you may end up ruining your recipe.

To help you get the very best results, we have compiled a review of some of the best tamale steamers available. We emphasized quality, efficiency, and affordability. With the choices we made, we are sure that any of the brands you pick will be worth your while. Please do have a look at our top picks.

Best Tamale Steamers

Want to learn more?

Here are our Best Tamale Steamer Reviews.

1. Oster Sangerfield Stainless Steel 3.0-Quart Steamer

Oster Sangerfield Stainless Steel 3.0 Quart Steamer

Oster Sangerfield is a stainless steel cooker and steamer set for cooking different recipes like casseroles, tamales, rice, vegetables, and meat. If you want your food to develop the right texture, it requires the right level of heat exposure, making Oster a great choice for home cooks. The lid of the steamer locks in aroma and flavors, so you get the full value of your recipe. It is also great cookware for reheating leftover food.

With Oster Sangerfield, there is almost no menu you can not prepare. This cookware is also great for steaming potatoes, asparagus, broccoli, carrots, and cauliflowers. If you love eating steamed carrots and fruits, just one try will convince you about the value that Oster offers. The interior is 8.5-inches in diameter and 3.7-inches tall. The glass lid is designed to cover the interior perfectly and to lock the heat in. The steamer and lid are stackable just in case you have limited space to keep them in your kitchen.

Lifting Oster Sangerfield is easy by holding on to the riveted handles, which are firm enough to hold the weight of the steamer. We recommend that you wash this steamer and its attachments as soon as you are done with it to maintain its structure and form.

Why do we like it?

  • Cool-touch handles
  • Even heating
  • Strong and durable
  • Flat and even base
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2. Hamilton Beach Digital Steamer

Hamilton Beach Digital Steamer

Hamilton Beach food steamer is a quick action cookware for preparing hot and tasty tamales. It has a 5.5-quart size with a rice steamer basket insert. This steamer spots a black and stainless steel body that looks quite pleasing to the eye. Also included in the mix is a 2-tier food bowl for your seafood and vegetables. With Hamilton Beach, you can easily cook a whole meal and not just tamale in quick time. The attachments included in the set make for user-friendly cookware.

To use this steamer, just fill it with your food and the required water contents and set the timer. Once the food is cooked and the timer hits zero, it will automatically switch to warm. This ensures that you get to enjoy your tamale warm at any time of your choosing. The cooking compartment is also versatile because it allows you to cook smaller quantities of food in one of the cooking chamber while using the other chamber for cooking whole meals. You can also use both compartments for cooking two different recipes at the same time.

Hamilton Beach steamer is one of the best tamale steamers for domestic and professional use. With this cookware, your tamales and other recipes will always come out in good form, just the way you like it.

Why do we like it?

  • Digital controls
  • Stackable attachments
  • Fast cooker
  • Versatile tool
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3. Bayou Classic 1136 36-Quart Stainless Stockpot

Bayou Classic 1136 36 Quart Stainless Stockpot

Second, on our list of best tamale steamers is this stainless steel stockpot by Bayou Classic. If you cook for a crowd, this is one of the best options for your tamales on the market. Bayou Classic 1136 is a 36-quart stockpot with more than enough cooking chamber to accommodate a large batch of tamales. Instead of going for cookware with limited space, you can use this stockpot to serve the needs of a large number of people. The body is made of premium stainless steel with a domed vented lid.

The dome lid allows only the required amount of steam out while preventing your food from spilling out. Bayou Classic also has a 2.5-inch basket insert sitting on top of the steamer. This basket can be used to cook small batches of food or sauce separately.  This stockpot is very versatile because it can be used to steam, boil, and fry food. So, while it can be used to prepare tamales, it can also be used to prepare other recipes too.

We recommend this brand because it represents value for money. It is accommodating, efficient, and affordable. With Bayou Classic, your cooking options are almost limitless.

Why do we like it?

  • Suits different cooker models
  • Sturdy handle
  • Durable construction
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4. Imusa USA 20-Quart Steamer

Imusa Usa 20 Quart Steamer

Tamale steaming just got a lot easier with this 20-quart steamer by IMUSA USA. Now, you can introduce new flavors to your tamale recipes and get the full taste and nothing less. Many people complain that the steamers they use for their tamales either change the taste or eliminates some of the flavors. With this steamer, however, we can assure you that your tamales will come out smelling nice and tasting great as well as they should.

IMUSA is made of aluminum with a tempered glass vent to let out excess steam. The lid is made of glass, so you do not have to open the steamer to monitor cooking progress. Through the transparent lid, you can see how your food is cooking in real-time. The steamer insert is removable, which is great as this will allow you to wash the chamber with ease after cooking.

We also like the handle and knob on this steamer. They both have cool touch features, so you do not run the risk of scalding your hand when the steamer is hot.

Why do we like it?

  • Great steamer for tamales and other recipes
  • It can be used to reheat food
  • Heavy-duty construction
  • Durable removable parts
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5. Cooks Standard Pasta Multipot Steamer

Cooks Standard Pasta Multipot Steamer

Cooks Standard is the ideal cookware for preparing hot and spicy tamales. This is one of the best tamale steamers because it is designed to distribute heat evenly. This allows your tamales to cook perfectly and on time too.  It is made with premium stainless steel with a 12-quart stockpot and a special insert pasta pot. It also has a stainless steel lid for covering the steamer when in and out of use. The quality of the construction is top class because it is made with 18/10 stainless steel. This steamer will not rust, nor would it begin to change color after extended use.

You will also find it very easy to maintain due to its aluminum body. With just soap, water, and a soft sponge, your steamer will be as good as new again. Another feature that will interest you is the way the lid works. It traps heat and moisture while letting out excess steam. If you cook with Cooks Standard, your food will not suffer from aroma loss because it traps your ingredients’ aroma. We also like the riveted handles built because they are durable and strong enough to handle the weight of the steamer even when it is loaded with contents.

Cooks Standard is induction compatible and can handle heat of up to 500 degrees Fahrenheit. It can be used over gas, electric, halogen, and ceramic burners too.

Why do we like it?

  • Cooks food fast
  • Even heat distribution with thermal qualities
  • Dishwasher safe
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Tamale Steamers Buyer’s Guide

When shopping for steamers, there are certain features you need to keep a close eye on. Buying a conventional pot or pan is not the same as buying steamers. Good steamers are designed to trap air much better than normal pots. The vented lids also play a major role in the functional quality of the steamer. This is why it is important to consider the right features and factors before making a final purchase decision. Read our buyer guide to know what to look for in a steamer.

Size

The size of the steamer matters. The type of tamale steamer you pick based on the size should depend on your consumption needs or patterns. If you have a large household, you will need a steamer that is at least 5-quart and above. However, if you live alone, a 3-quart steamer is okay. When deciding on size, you also have to factor in the storage space. Please do not buy a steamer without first considering the storage for it.

Type

The best tamale steamers are of different types. We have traditional steamers without temperature controllers and modern high-tech steamer that come with their own controls and heating elements. Modern streamers also have special attachments, but they are very expensive. We advise that you go for the option you can afford.

Build Materials

The different materials used to construct steamers include copper, aluminum, stainless steel, and cast iron. However, for tamales, you need something more flexible and heat efficient. This is why the best tamale steamers are made with stainless steel or aluminum. Steel and aluminum are ideal because they heat quickly and are much easier to maintain.