COOKS: Which cooking method is faster?

Question

Steaming vegetables in a steamer basket versus boiling them in water?

There are disagreements, hm...

I'll have to turn to the Scientific Method to answer this question.

Stay tuned...

What we call "steam" is usually condensed water vapor. Steam is invisible. If you see it - it's not steam.

Answer 1

Steaming you use less water and it take less time to cook the veggies plus they don't come out soggy - stir fry is just as quick.

Answer 2

OK. I've looked at ALOT of the answers to this dilemma, and here's my take. If you are short on time, then it takes a while to boil water! Especially a whole potfull! The veggies cook about the same amount of time either way. 1" of "steam" water boils ALOT faster. No big draining step and waste of all the nutrients, and color as with boiling alone. You can also add flaver, like onion powder, garlic powder, or boulion cubes to steam water. Sooooo... If you need QUICK then STEAM. Hope you find this helpfull!

Answer 3

IT depends on the quantity to be cooked, and the facilities available. If you have insufficient pot space to steam the quantity needed, then you must boil.

Steaming is faster. Steam is actually a bit hotter than the water.

As long as the water remains water, even though it is boiling, it has not reached the temperature at which it becomes steam. .

Answer 4

Steaming vegetables in a steamer basket retains the flavor. I also believe that the cooking method is faster.

Answer 5

each method cooks them differently.
if you "steam" or vaporize, you cook the outside more and the inside stays crispier (or rather, the cooking is slower and more under control).
if you boil them they cook more thoroughly and there's less control over the moment of "readyness".
cooking in water mixes the flavours of different vegs and steaming allows them to retain their specific taste.
timewise you wont be saving many minutes either way.

scientifically... the water will be faster because it is hotter, the steam cools as it goes into the steaming chamber. also the water has better contact with the veg than steam that hits it and falls.

Answer 6

Boiling is faster - the hot water is surrounding the vegetables constantly, where as in steaming the water (steam) is in gas form and not as dense,,,,

But steaming is more nutritious - it keeps the vitamins in!!

Answer 7

There pretty close to the same usually, boiling is a little faster, but steaming tastes better and retains more vitamins and minerals.

Answer 8

It may be a little faster in the boiling water, but I think they have much better flavor when steamed.

Answer 9

I would have to say steaming vegetables are alot quicker than boiling them and it makes the vegetables taste alot better if you steam them too! You don't lose all of the important vitamins and minerals when you steam veggies! I LOVE to put melted cheddar cheese sauce on my steamed broccoli or cauliflower,YUMMY! ;-)

Answer 10

Steaming is faster because you would usually cook the vegetables aldente'.