15 Best Tamale Steamers And Buying Guide 2022

Tamale is a traditional Mexican dish that is mouth-watering and delicious. It is made using the best tamale steamer. The healthy dish is filled with minced meat and cornmeal dough. It is later steamed using banana leaves or corn husks. Making a tamale can be time-consuming, as it involves many skills, patience, and a steamer that can give you some delicious ones. The steamer provides the right temperature to cook the dish to perfection. Here is a list of some tamale steamers available in the market that you can consider looking at. Read on to pick the one that suits your needs.

Top Picks

Best With Encapsulated Base:Oster Sanger field Stainless Steel Steamer Basket

$24.7 on Amazon

Best With Digital Touchpad:Hamilton Beach Digital Food Steamer

$40.43 on Amazon

Best Lightweight:Imusa Enamel Steamer Pot

$34.99 on Amazon

Best Easy-To-Clean:Rachael Ray Sauce Pot With Steamer Insert

$64 on Amazon

Best Chip-Resistant:Granite Ware Tamale Pot with a Steamer Insert

$41.84 on Amazon

Best Heavy-Duty:Chef’s Star Steamer Pot

Price on Amazon

Best User-Friendly:Bayou Classic Stainless Stockpot With Basket

$122.29 on Amazon

Best Induction-Friendly:Kenmore Broadway Steamer Stock Pot

$55.54 on Amazon

Best Dishwasher-Safe:Vasconia Aluminum Steamer with Lid

$42.99 on Amazon

15 Best Tamale Steamers

1. Best With Encapsulated Base:Oster Sanger field Stainless Steel Steamer Basket

The 3.0-Quart Oster stainless steel Dutch oven comes with a tempered glass lid. This can be used to steam potatoes, asparagus, broccoli, and carrots. You can also cook rice and reheat leftovers. It has an encapsulated base for even heat distribution. The product has a riveted handle to make it more user-friendly and durable. It is dishwasher-safe, and the vented tempered glass lid ensures that you can monitor your cooking process. The casserole measures 8.5 inches.

Pros

• Lightweight
• Small size makes it a space saver

Cons

• The handles get hot; you will need mittens to hold them
• Does not work on an induction cooktop

2. Best With Digital Touchpad:Hamilton Beach Digital Food Steamer

The Hamilton Beach tamale steamers have a stackable 2-layer steaming system that is versatile and can be easily placed in your cabinet. It has an automatic heating mode that can be turned on when preparing food. The steamer is equipped with a digital touchpad to enhance its functions. It also has a delay timer that allows you to fill the steamer first and do the steaming later. The product has a black and silver body with a very compact appearance. You can check out this YouTuber’s review of the product if you require more convincing.

Pros

• The plastic body ensures that you see how your food is cooking
• Easy to clean and use

Cons

• Not dishwasher-safe
• The plastic steamer basket trays may not be durable

3. Best Lightweight:Imusa Enamel Steamer Pot

Imusa steamer has a removable steamer insert, which is suitable for cooking larger batches of tamales. It is lightweight and easy to handle with a unique bright blue spotted enamel finish for a stylish look. You can also use it in an oven or a gas burner. This tamale steamer pot has a matching lid to lock the flavors while cooking. You can use the steamer pot for stocks, lentils, pasta, sauces, corn, lobsters, etc.

Pros

• Lightweight and budget-friendly
• Easy to clean

Cons

• The color may peel off
• The pot may not be sturdy

4. Best Easy-To-Clean:Rachael Ray Sauce Pot With Steamer Insert

Rachel Ray’s 3-Quart Nonstick tamale steamer pot is made of aluminum. It has a stylish agave blue enamel exterior and is easy to clean. The steamer basket is polished with stainless steel, and the shatter-resistant glass lid allows you to see how the food is cooking inside. The three-piece steamer set made of glass is perfect in size, and its modern appearance blends with the home decor. It is oven-safe and suitable for all kinds of stovetops.

Pros

• The handles have a rubberized covering, which ensures easy grip
• It can be used as a saucepot

Cons

• Cannot be used on induction
• The non-stick coating may peel off

5. Best Chip-Resistant:Granite Ware Tamale Pot with a Steamer Insert

The Granite Ware Tamale pot has a stylish black design that will catch your attention immediately. This model is enormous, allowing the whole family to cook quickly. It also has a strong structure and is easy to clean. The steamer pot is durable and chip-resistant.

This tamale cooking pot can be easily washed with warm soapy water and has a glass-like structure. The pot is about 10.5 inches tall (without lid) and suitable for home use. It has a capacity of approximately 6.8 liters and weighs 0.42 pounds and can undoubtedly be considered one of the best tamale steamers.

Pros

• Has good thickness for proper cooking of food
• The large size makes it worth the price

Cons

• This tamale steamer cannot be used on a glass stovetop
• The coating may chip

6. Chef’s Star Steamer Pot

Chef star’s steamer pot has a tempered glass lid, and the body is made up of high-quality stainless steel. This food steamer is heavy-duty cookware, suitable for home or professional cooking. The kit includes a stainless steel stockpot with a basket and an adjustable thermostatic handle. It is easy to stack and has the ultimate space-saving design, making it user-friendly. The steamer is also dishwasher safe, oven-safe, and easy to clean

Pros

• The steamer pot has a non-slip feature
• Dripping is prevented because of its rolled pot rim

Cons

• The rubber handles might heat up and melt
• The steam might leak from the sides

7. Best User-Friendly:Bayou Classic Stainless Stockpot With Basket

Bayou’s stainless stockpots are 36 Quarts in size and are equipped with a vented lid. You can cook and steam lobsters, crabs, vegetables, oysters, etc. This user-friendly steamer is suitable for campsites, backyard activities, scouting, or any other occasion. The product, weighing 13.00 pounds with a depth of 14 inches, is durable and ensures even heat distribution to prevent food burning.

Pros

• Sleek and stylish look
• High-quality stainless steel used

Cons

• You cannot use it on a propane burner
• Might leak at times

8. Best Induction-Friendly:Kenmore Broadway Steamer Stock Pot

The Kenmore 16-Quart steamer has an exquisite design and a close-fitting tempered glass lid, saving energy and allowing you to see the food cook. The vibrant metallic glacier blue enamel coating makes it easy to clean and adds color to the kitchen. You can place the steamer insert into the pot seamlessly to make the cooking process even. You can use the steamer pot to boil water, vegetables, rice, or steam tamale. This cookware will last a lifetime and is suitable for chefs or even families.

Pros

• The Glacier Blue color of the steamer pot gives it a contemporary look
• Induction cooktop-friendly

Cons

• You may need mittens to use the handles

9. Best Dishwasher-Safe:Vasconia Aluminum Steamer with Lid

Vasconia’s super large steamer has an aluminum body and lid, perfect for soups, stews, and tamales. It is dishwasher-safe and can easily be washed by hand. It comes with a lid and includes a steamer rack with holes so that the handle and the lid remain cool even when heated. It has an oxide coating on the inside, which retains the original taste of cooked food.

Pros

• Can also be used for brewing beer at home
• Has a good capacity and size

Cons

• Might give out a metallic taste when first used and needs cleaning with boiling water

10. Best Easy-To-Use:Smart Cook Tamale Steamer Vaporera Stock

Smart Cook’s tamales and seafood steamer pots have a 24-Quart capacity. They come with a removable steamer insert with holes, offering the best way to steam tamales. The steamer has an aluminum lid to retain heat and nutrients in the pot when cooking the food. You can also use this riveted pot on a glass stove, and it is easy to clean and easy to use. Besides, you can make countless batches of tamales thanks to their enormous size.

Pros

• The handles remain cool even during the cooking process
• Budget-friendly
• Perfect gifting option

Cons

• Cannot be used on induction

11. Best Multifunctional:ARC Stainless Steel Stock Pot

ARC’s stainless stockpot with a basket is equipped with a divider to ensure that you can cook up to three kinds of foods at a time. The 52-Quart steamer insert has holes to ensure even heat distribution, while the stainless steel interior ensures even heat conduction to achieve a perfectly cooked dish. The product is an excellent choice for tamales and vegetables, seafood, and other dishes. The multifunctional product is an ideal substitute for steamer cookware, indoor or outdoor.

Pros

• Comes with five parts – perforated strainer basket, pot, steamer insert rack, a lifting hook, and a steel divider
• Heat is distributed evenly

Cons

• May not be suitable for stovetop
• Cannot be used on induction

12. Best For Even Cooking:ShopSupa Tamale Steamer Vaporera Stock Pot

ShopSupa’s 12-Quart aluminum pot has a capacity of four gallons. It has a steam rack and a lid. You can also use the product for cooking and steaming tamales, vegetables, and seafood. The percolator is made of high-quality aluminum and is easy to clean. You can use this durable product for backyard parties or daily use. This tamale cooking pot is simple and easy to use.

Pros

• The aluminum body ensures even distribution of heat
• Lightweight and budget-friendly

Cons

• Not dishwasher-safe
• The handles and the lid get too hot while cooking

13. Best Durable:Smart Cook Tamale Steamer Vaporer a Stock Pot

Smart Cook tamale steaming pot, made of aluminum, comes in a set of five stockpots in sizes of 52 Quarts, 40 Quarts, 32 Quarts, 24 Quarts, and 20 Quarts. It has a coordinating lid that keeps the nutrients and the heat well-packed inside. You can stack one pot on top of the other, making it ideal for large gatherings like parties. The product weighs 29 pounds, and the pots are riveted. The product weighs 29 pounds, and the pots are riveted.

Pros

• Highly durable
• Ideal for everyday use and can cook and steam multiple items at a time

Cons

• Cannot be used on induction
• The handles and the lid may get hot, making it difficult to hold

14. Best With Riveted Handles:MDS Stainless Steel Steamer Pot

The MDS stainless steel steamer can cook tamales, soup, sparkles, crab, lobster, seafood, or canned food. With a capacity of 40 Quarts, the product can be used as a standard pot for daily cooking. The product is made of heavy commercial materials and weighs about 10 pounds. It has a removable steamer insert that can hold heavy items and can also be used on a gas stove.

Pros

• You can also brew beer in this Steamer Pot
• Handles are riveted for extra strength

Cons

• The base of the steamer pot may be thinner than the body

15. Best Three-Layered:MV Trading 3-Tier Aluminum Steamer

This food steamer is made of high-quality aluminum and has a unique three-layer system. The product weighs 6.99 pounds, and all three pots are of good depth, ensuring that you can cook large amounts of food. It is also ideal for steaming vegetables, seafood, lobster, crabs, and tamales. The kit includes two stackable perforated layers, and a pan, making it up to 14 inches high.

Pros

• Easy to clean
• Can be stacked as needed

Cons

• The pots may be thin
• On high flame, steamer may come in direct contact with fire

How To Select The Right Tamale Steamers?

Before choosing a steamer, you must consider the budget, size, capacity, and quality of the tamales in the steamer.

1. Cook ware material: The best tamale steamers are made of aluminum or stainless steel and are compatible with most stovetops. However, electric tamale steamers offer optimum convenience and work much faster.
2. Size of the steamer:  The size of the tamale steamer must be considered when buying. To determine the ideal purchase size, consider the number of people you want to serve. If you’re going to serve many people occasionally, you will need a larger capacity steamer. For everyday use for a small family, a smaller steamer should do.
3. Handle and lid material: The best steamer for tamales should have a heavy lid that can be tightly secured. A tight lid prevents heat and steam from escaping, thereby reducing cooking time. The steamer with a tempered glass lid allows you to view the food while it is cooking. Some steamers have aluminum or steel handles, while others have rubber coatings.
4. Steamer basket: Tamale pots come with perforated steamer baskets that ensure that the steam is distributed evenly. Choose a high-quality, rust-proof tamale pot that lasts long.

Even seasoned cooks may find it a little tricky to make the perfect tamales at times. The right kind of steamers will turn the process of making tamales easier. Whether you need a tamale steamer for domestic or commercial use, you can find one among the products listed above. Pick the right one using our buying guide and get the best value for your money.

Why Trust MomJunction?

Sakshi John is a product writer and researcher adept at reviewing home and kitchen appliances. In this post, she has compiled a list of the best tamale steamers. The preparation of this healthy dish requires a good steamer made of good material. Sakshi has also described the pros and cons of each product and included a buying guide to help you select the product best suited to your needs.

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