Andrew James 9L Three Tier Digital Food Steamer

The base and the tiered containers of this steamer are the same as my previous Cookworks steamers I bought from Argos but with some major and important differences.Unlike the much cheaper Argos Cookworks steamer, the water level window on this version is central and much bigger allowing much easier visual check - very important on any steamer if you don't want a burnt out element!. The lower part of the base (below the water container) is deeper to accommodate the digital timer section (The Cookworks timer is a simple 60 minute clockwork timer).On this steamer, when cooking is finished the audible beeps sufficiently loud enough (Clockwork timers tend to simply give a not very loud ping).This steamer also commences a 'Keep Warm' function when cooking is finished which is very useful.Just because the presets have symbols for various foods of course they are not set in stone and so can be used for anything requiring that preset time.From experience, I recommend topping the water level up after no more than 45 minutes and as some foods may require a long time and this is where (for me at least) the 'Rice' preset is useful as it's 45 minutes.Pretty much most steamers give some sort of cooking guide but pretty much most can be optimistic for some things. For vegetables as an example, particularly those that are dense (carrots, Broccoli stems and such) will generally require longer than the 25 minute preset unless you like your veg hot but crunchy.Important! I like some other reviewers fill mine from a Brita water jug as I live in a hard water area. Limescale can eventually wreck any device (steamers, kettles, irons etc.) if not remedied so don't blame the device.Thus far this steamer is a vast improvement over my older ones and I'd recommend it to anyone.Update! 25th Jan 2016I'm on my second Andrew James steamer as the first was replaced because it simply stopped steaming but whatever way there is a MAJOR design flaw with the model in general!The front Digital panel is by no means sealed - if you are simply topping up the reservoir no matter how careful and slowly you do it, from time to time a small amount of water will get onto the from panel. This often leads to the machine simply not responding to any setting and from a few experiences with this, I have to leave it overnight before it has dried out enought to function again. If your in the midst of preparing a meal as I have been, this is not only inconvenient..it's a serious pain in the bum. I have hopefully remedied the fault by cutting out s rectangular piece from a strong clear plastic bag, sticking the upper edge with a stip of Gaffer tape to an area over the readout in a manner where it can be simply lifted from the bottom to use the settings and see the timer.I used to own what is effectively the same machine (Different Branding) but without the extra digital controls and in a nutshell...no such problem.I feel very sure that I'm not alone in experiencing this problem and it really does need addressing!!

love this gadget. Was afraid it will be fragile as the reviews on most steamer states so...but it's fine for me. It is fragile as in it is not very thick plastic, BUT this particular model I got, I have to say the clear plastics is thicker than I was expecting. The plastic- the closest i can describe it is plastic champagne flutes.I don't have an electric steamer before so I cannot compare but I have to say, judging from what others have written elsewhere, I will say this clear trays is sturdy DUE to the design of its bottom. It is a whole piece of plastic with holes on it. Not plastic mesh. It is quite rigid and solid BUT will crack if you drop it. It is that kind of plastic where I just cannot see it surviving a drop to the floor.Other than that, it works really well for me. It is small enough as I'm running out if kitchen counter top space. It steams up fast and since I don't have a microwave, I used it to reheat food. It takes 10 minutes to heat up a leftover dish of rice, meat and vegetables.And for a portion of beef pie, I only had to use one tray (the lowest tray) and put a lid on. 9 minutes and the pie is piping hot.Plus a two year guarantee, it is a very good buy for me.

Excellent customer service. After 15 months of frequent use the display panel stopped working, a quick call to customers services, which are open until 9pm, and I had a new steamer within 2 days at no delivery costs and no hassle. Exceptionally prompt delivery. Well-packaged. Looks very stylish. Large capacity baskets and rice bowl. Although the lid fits all of the baskets, only one basket fits snugly on the base and the other two are a little large and wobbly (-1 star). Controls are clear and easy to use, and the timer and presets work well. Cooks beautifully in the recommended times for both rice and a variety of vegetables. Equally effective when using two baskets at the same time, although we haven't tried all three at once yet. The keep warm function is particularly useful and effective; keeps warm without turning everything to mush / drying everything out. One month since it arrived, used many times already (roughly alternate days) and very happy with the product.

Its a bit bigger than I expected and takes quite a while to cook things BUT on the absolute upside - everything tastes fabulous as you don't lose any of the flavour, if anything it enhances the taste AND you can simply chop up want you want to eat. Pop it in the various trays, fill up the water tank, set the timer and walk away. No faffing about with pots and pans on an oven. So more likely to eat a healthy meal after a long day at work or school - instead of defaulting to pizza delivered on a bike............Can't comment on durability as I have only just bought it BUT it looks pretty robust.

This works very well although I tend to just use the timer rather than any of the programs. It's handy that the 3 compartments are sized so that they stack together to save storage space. Of course this means that you have to place them on the steamer in correct order to maintain a steam proof seal but they're clearly labelled 1,2 & 3. The instructions are a bit vague but then you don't really need them.

I'm very pleased with my new steamer and especially like the way the sections fit inside one another and then sit over the base, making it much more compact for stowing away. The sections are strong with fixed bases, which I prefer to my two previous steamers - they both had loose bases. The lid has an integral handle - again a huge improvement. In fact, I bought this steamer to replace my previous one which I have given to my son as the lid handle had come off theirs and the loose bases had cracked. I love the red, as it matches my other kitchen equipment, but if it comes out in blue or black I will upgrade them to an Andrew James model as well! I haven't used the digital pre-sets, preferring to set my own timings, but this is very easy to do, and the keep-warm function is efficient.