How Do You Clean A Food Steamer?

The food steamer is a great way to cook healthy meals for your family.

To maintain the quality of the appliance’s performance you need to incorporate maintenance practices such as proper cleaning and storage.

How you clean a food steamer depends on what you’re trying to eliminate. If it’s after use, simple cleaning with soap and warm water will do.

If you’re trying to eliminate limescale or odor, you may need to incorporate other cleaning supplies.

Another factor that affects how you clean a food steamer is the type.

How you clean a food steamer with plastic components will differ from how you clean a bamboo or stainless-steel steamer.

In this blog post, we will discuss the best ways to clean your food steamer depending on the level of cleaning.

How Do You Descale a Food Steamer?

There are many different ways to descale your food steamer. Some people will use vinegar, while others prefer using lemon juice or ketchup.

It’s important to use what you prefer or consider what you have easily available.

We recommend trying all of them until you find the one that you are most comfortable with.

The steps to clean a food steamer are relatively simple.

First, you will want to make sure that the steamer is unplugged and has cooled off before cleaning it out.

Then, simply wipe down your food steamer with a damp cloth or sponge on both sides of the machine.

However, do not submerge your entire product in water because this can cause issues further down the line.

If the baskets are removable, then they should be hand-washed.

In case the baskets are not removable, then you will want to wash them on the top rack of your dishwasher.

You may also use a toothbrush or small brush to clean any excess food off of the individual tray holes.

After cleaning both sides and washing out each basket, return it to the base and plug it back in.

Let the steamer run for a few minutes to ensure that all of the water has evaporated from inside of your food steamer before putting it away again.

How to Clean a Food Steamer with Baking Soda

Steamers should be cleaned and dried well after each use.

If you have a food steamer with holes in the bottom, it’s important to clean them well before storing them.

This will prevent mold from building up inside your device.

Cleaning a food steamer with baking soda helps to eliminate odor and remove limescale.

To do so: fill a sink or large container with water and add about four tablespoons of baking soda.

The baking soda will get rid of any remaining food particles and deodorize your steamer at the same time.

Let it soak for about 15 minutes.

Then place a colander over the sink to drain off excess water before you store it away in a dry area such as on top of your refrigerator or pantry shelves.

Can You Clean a Food Steamer in The Dishwasher?

Yes, it is possible to use your dishwasher to clean a food steamer.

First, remove any removable parts such as baskets or trays, and place them on the top rack of the dishwasher.

You should also turn off heated dry so they don’t get too hot and warp.

Please note that not all food steamers can go in the dishwasher. It depends on what type of steamer you have.

Only dishwash a food steamer that has removable parts that are dishwasher safe.

Normally, the removable parts include the tray or steamer basket.

If the steamer basket is too large for your dishwasher, you can always wash it by hand with warm soapy water as well.

Always be sure to remove excess food particles or debris from these parts before placing them in the dishwater to prevent clogging and damage.

Read: Why Is My Food Steamer Not Working?

How Often Should You Clean a Food Steamer?

A food steamer should be cleaned after each use to prevent mold from building up inside the device.

This is especially important if it has holes in its base or sits on top of your stove as this will allow for more moisture which can cause mold growth.

If there are too many particles left on the steamer after each use, you might want to consider placing it into a sink or large bowl filled with warm soapy water and letting it soak for about 15 minutes.

In case any tough stains remain afterward, you can always scrub them away using a soft-bristled brush such as an old toothbrush.

When the steamer has a paper towel lining the bottom of your pot or any other removable parts such as trays, you should also wash these by hand with warm soapy water and dry them well before each use.

If there is too much food left on one of these pieces, mold can easily form inside the steamer which will transfer to your next meal if it’s not cleaned.

How Do You Clean a Bamboo Food Steamer?

The bamboo food steamer can be cleaned by hand. When cleaning, make sure to use warm soapy water and a soft-bristled brush to remove all the food particles.

Be careful not to press too hard when cleaning these types of materials because they are delicate, and this could cause them to bend, scratch, or even crack.

Examine the food steamer components to ensure that there is no food left inside the steamer.  

Also, dry the appliance thoroughly before storage to prevent the growth of mold.

Read: What Does a Food Steamer Do?

What Causes Limescale in A Food Steamer?

Limescale could be the result of using hard water inside your steamer, which is why it’s important to clean this appliance properly after each use.

If too much limescale builds up over time, it may transfer to the next meal you prepare if not cleaned off before cooking.

You should always check for limescale or any other materials in a food steamer.

Also, check that all parts of the appliance are intact to prevent leakages or malfunctions.

How To Store a Food Steamer

When the model of your food steamer sits in the bottom of your pot, it’s best to store this type inside its original box.

It will prevent mold from growing if there is an accumulation between uses and will keep dust or other particles out while also protecting your device.

If you lose the original packaging for any reason, be sure to line your pot with paper towels or clean kitchen linens before you store it away.

This will absorb any excess moisture and prevent mold from growing too.

Mold can grow in food steamers if they are not cleaned properly after each use, so be sure to follow these tips for the safe storage of your device.

Also, check out, What Can You Cook in A Food Steamer?