Richard Simmons EST7 Steam-Heat Electronic Food Steamer

Steam Heat has so many features that can't be found on a standard vertical steamer. The best feature is that I can program different times for differnet types of food so that each is steamed to perfection and they are all ready at the same time. The steamer switches to keep warm mode for 60 minutes after the food has finished steamer so that is really cool too.
Another plus, because of the horizontal design, the flavors stay in their own bowl and don't mix with the other foods being steamed.
I made a deliciously decadent chocolate cake in the steamer too. Yes, you can make desserts in the Steam Heat as well as healthy breakfasts, lunches, dinners and appetizers too. If you thought steaming was just for fish and veggies, think again.

I bought the steamer to cook vegetables to live a healthier life. It certainly cooks vegetables in a convenient manner, but I looked at the bottom of the hard plastic food trays included with this unit and I observed the number "7," which suggests the plastic food trays might contain Bisphenol A, a chemical that has been the subject of numerous recent news media reports that raise questions about heating and the possibility of Bisphenol A leaching into foods where it might be linked to potentially serious health issues. I wrote Salton, the company that manufacturers this unit and I asked if the company could confirm if the food trays contained Bisphenol A. Several weeks have passed and there has been no response to my letter. In my letter, I also asked Salton to consider providing alternative trays made of a different material. I wish the company would answer my letter.

I love this steamer. The only reason I gave it 4 stars is because there are so many parts to clean and dry after using it. I used it the first time tonight, and made steamed salmon using the recipe in the book that came with it with a couple of modifications, basmati rice with my usual herbs and spices, and baby asparagus. Each food went into a separate container and the timers were set for each. The only problem I had was that I didn't allow more time for the asparagus because it was frozen. After I started the steamer, I had time to make fresh salads for my husband and I, and actually had time to sit down and enjoy it. Each of the foods started steaming at the appropriate time so that I didn't have to keep jumping up from the table to start something cooking like I normally do. Everything was done and ready to serve at the same time.

There was a little more to clean-up than usual because I normally line baking pans with foil to eliminate having to clean them, and most...Read more