Want a steamer or pressure cooker. Which is more healthy for cooking fish and vegetables. Dont know the diff ?

Answer 1

Hello,

I believe that a vegetable steamer is a more healthful method of preparing food than a pressure cooker. A pressure cooker cooks the food for longer than a steamer, and may over cook your food.

Steamer baskets, are a fast, easy way to prepare a meal. You can layer a whole meal in the basket, boil the water, and put everything right into the pot!

I have a suggestion to try, before you invest in a steamer basket, to see if you enjoy steamed food.

The "non-steamer, steamer method": Put about 5cm or 2 inches of water in the bottom of the pot. Cover the pot, bring it to a rapid boil, then remove the cover, put in your veggies, then the fish, a few herbs for flavour. Try to replace the cover quickly so as to not lose the heat/steam. Some foods will need a minute or too longer to cook, than others, (carrots, or potatoes for example, will take longer than green beans or cabbage ), however in about 5 minutes you will have a fast, healthy meal!

I prefer the steamer method to the pressure cooker, because you can test the food by inserting a fork whilst it is cooking. The pressure cooker doesn't give you that option, as it is sealed until the pot cools.

One caution when using the non-steamer method, have the kettle boiled, in case you need to add a bit of water to the bottom of the ban, so it doesn't burn.

If you do decide to purchase a vegetable steamer, a stainless steel one is best.

I have listed a few links below that might be helpful with more information and to purchase. Good luck! :o)

Answer 2

A steamer is good for cooking things such as vegetables and fish and some chicken dishes. Many people think that steamers are more healthier as they do not allow the nutrients in the food to leach out into the cooking water. Some things do cook quicker in a steamer but the thicker, more dense foods take a bit longer as it takes a while for the steam to penetrate the food - like potatoes etc.

A pressure cooker cooks things like soups and curries and stews really really well. The are great for cooking things like beans and pulses as their cooking times are greatly reduced.

I have both and would say that for cheapness it would be better to go for a steamer and see if you get on with that. The bamboo ones from cookshops are cheap (about a fiver) and fit over a pan of boiling water. A pressure cooker is more expensive and take greater maintainence - you can get them second hand but watch out to make sure the seals are okay.

Answer 3

i have both but prefer the steamer altho the pressure cooker is quicker. Food is cooked in the pressure cooker with a minimal amount of water and because it is sealed tightly, food is cooked 'under pressure'.
A pressure cooker is brilliant for doing stews and soups which would otherwise take ages on the cooker top or in the oven.

Answer 4

A steamer is great for cooking lots of things. I've used mine a lot, and the vegetables taste a lot better from that than they do from being boiled. Not to mention I can cook whole meals in it: I put the rice in the bottom, and the meat and vegetables in the basket. It doesn't take much longer than a microwave would.

Pressure cookers are chiefly used to preserve food. I daresay they're good for making assorted vegetable-based sauces too.

Answer 5

steamer pressure cooker healthy cooking fish vegetables dont diff

Answer 6

Steamer.

Tastes better, cooks fast, cheap to run....can't go wrong.

You'll wonder why you boiled anything once you taste veggies cooked in a steamer

Pressure cookers rely on pressurising the chamber and so increasing the temperature of the steam. Its like superheating your carrots...why would you do that ?

Answer 7

You need a steamer. A pressure cooker is a device for cooking things quickly ie stews. Get a bamboo one and just put over pan. Cheapest and easiest.

Answer 8

Steamer everytime. Pressure cookers are cr*p. If you put herbs and lemon in your steamer water when you steam fish its lovely.

Answer 9

Both do the same but steamer easier to use, although pressure cooker is quicker!!

Answer 10

Easy one Steamer