How to Clean and Sanitize Bamboo Steamers

Frequently overlooked but a highly effective method of cooking, steaming is one of the oldest and most revered methods of food preparation. It allows water to become steam, which cooks and locks in the nutrients of the food you prepare while avoiding the use of oil, which is healthy for you and the environment.

When preparing a meal using a bamboo steamer, the first thing you need to do is make sure it’s clean and sanitized before you begin. This is because there’s a chance that leftover food particles or residue may get stuck to the bamboo baskets.

Once you’ve finished cooking your meal, it’s also important to wipe the bamboo steamer clean and sanitize it before you store it away. This is because any remaining food residue may attract mold and mildew, which could be harmful to you or your family.

The first step is to take the steamer out of the container and dry it with a soft towel. It’s also a good idea to place it on a surface where it can dry without being damaged by direct sunlight.

After removing any food residue, rinse the bamboo steamer with warm water and wipe it clean. This will remove any leftover food residues and make it easier to store your bamboo steamer for future use.

You can also wipe your steamer down with a lemon, which is an inexpensive, natural disinfectant and will help to get rid of any lingering smells from your dishes. This is especially helpful if you’ve used the bamboo steamer to cook a dish with meat, as it’s an easy way to get rid of any meaty or fishy residue that might be left in the steamer afterward.

Another way to clean your steamer is to soak it in a mixture of one-to-two cups of white vinegar and water for 15 minutes. After this, you can gently scrub the steamer with a nylon brush to remove any mold or mildew that might have grown on it.

Alternatively, you can try to rub the steamer with a half of a lemon to help it to deodorize and disinfect. This is a great option if you have a very old steamer that has begun to develop a smell you don’t want.

If you’re using a new bamboo steamer, you can wash it in hot water and soap before use. This will make it more pliable for steaming later, and it will help eliminate any dust that might be inside the bamboo steamer.

After washing the bamboo steamer, it’s important to make sure that you don’t put any items on top of it that could cause it to crack or break. This is because the weight could weaken the bamboo.

To avoid this, it’s a good idea to line the bamboo steamer baskets with vegetable paper or butter before placing your food in them. This makes it easier to lift the food out when you’re done and helps keep it from sticking to the baskets. This is especially useful for sticky foods like dumplings and bao buns that tend to stick to the bottom of the steamer basket.