Tesco ST10 - 3 Tier Steamer Manual

ASSEMBLY

Place the drip tray in the base. Make sure it sits securely.

ADDING FOOD
Fill one or more bowls with the food you wish to steam. Do not overfill the bowls or some food will only be partially cooked.

FILLING THE BOWLS
Use one or more bowls as needed. Place the bowls in the correct order. The bowl with one mark on the handles should be at the bottom, the bowl with two marks above it and the bowl with three marks on the top. Cover the uppermost bowl with the lid.
The bases of the steamer bowls are detachable if you need to steam items in a high vessel. Hold the bowl as shown, press the base out from the bottom and then assemble the steamer. The lowest basket must always be used with the base in place.

OPERATION

Plug the unit into the mains and switch the power on.

• Set the timer for the required time. The steamer light will come on. The maximum time you can set is 70 minutes. If you need to steam for longer periods, you can add time whenever you wish.
  
• After about 3-4 minutes steaming will begin.
  (Condensation will occur during steaming - this is normal.)
• When steaming is complete: the timer will give a single ring. The Power indicator light will go out and the appliance will automatically switch off.

NOTE: The timer operates whether the steamer is plugged into the mains or not. Be sure the light comes on when setting the timer.

during use do not touch the base, bowls or lid as they get very hot.

to prevent burns, always use oven gloves or a cloth when removing the lid or steaming bowls as hot steam will escape. Remove the lid slowly with the inside of the lid pointing away from you and let the steam escape gradually. Hold the lid over the unit to allow any condensation to drain into the steamer.
DO NOT reach into the unit while steaming. If you need to check on cooking progress or to stir the food, use a long handled utensil.

DURING COOKING

NEVER allow the water to fall below the MIN mark. When the water level falls to the MIN mark you must add water to the steamer. Add water up to the MAX level. Do NOT overfill. You may use lukewarm (but not hot) water if you wish.

WHEN YOU HAVE FINISHED

To prevent foods from being overcooked, remove the steamer bowl immediately, using a cloth or oven gloves and place it on a plate or on the reversed lid.

• If you have placed any food utensil in a steamer bowl, remove it carefully, holding it by the sides. If necessary use a kitchen implement long enough for this. Empty the water basin and change the water after each use.
• After use, unplug the appliance and allow it to cool completely before emptying the water basin.

USING TWO (OR THREE) STEAMER BOWLS

Always place the largest pieces or food with the longest cooking time in the lower bowl.
You may place different foods in the upper and lower bowlS, but as condensation will drip from the upper bowl be sure the flavours complement each other.
When steaming meat or poultry and vegetables, place the meat or poultry in the lowest bowl so juices from raw or partially cooked meat cannot drip onto other foods.
Steaming times for food in the upper bowls are usually slightly longer so allow an extra 5 minutes.
If foods with different cooking times are being steamed, start steaming with the food with the longest cooking time in the lower bowl. When the remaining steaming time reaches that of the food with the shorter cooking time, carefully remove the lid with oven gloves and place the next bowl on top. Cover with the lid and continue steaming.

STEAMING EGGS
Stand eggs upright in the special recesses provided in the trays.

STEAMING CHARTS

• Steaming times are for the quantity stated in the chart or recipe. For larger or smaller quantities, adjust the time accordingly. Times may vary depending on the size of food pieces, spacing of the food in the steamer basket, freshness of food and personal preference. As you become familiar with the steamer, adjust cooking times.
• Steaming times are all based on food cooked in the lower basket, unless stated otherwise. Food cooked in the upper basket may take slightly longer to cook.
• All times stated in the charts and recipes are based on the use of cold water. To slightly reduce the steaming time you may start with warm (but not boiling) water.
• For best results, use pieces of food similar in size. If pieces vary in size layering is required. Place smaller pieces on top. A single layer of food steams faster than several layers.
• Do not crowd food in the steaming bowl. Arrange the food with spaces between pieces to allow for maximum steam flow. When steaming large quantities of food, remove lid about halfway through the steaming time and stir using a long handled utensil, protecting your hands from the steam with oven gloves.
• Save the liquid in the drip tray to use in soups, sauces and gravies. Do not use fatty stock from steamed meat and poultry if you are on a low fat diet or counting calories.
• Never steam meat, poultry or seafood from frozen. Always thaw completely first.
• Rice, fruit, vegetables, vegetable pates, puddings, etc. should be steamed in heatproof utensils designed for use with steamers. Ensure there is ample room for steam to circulate throughout the steamer.

STEAMING FISH

• Fish is cooked when it is opaque and flakes easily with a fork.
• Frozen fish may be steamed without defrosting if the pieces are separated before steaming and the cooking time is extended.
• Add lemon wedges and herbs while steaming to improve flavour.
• Fish should be opaque and flake easily.

STEAMING VEGETABLES

• Cut off thick stems from cauliflower, broccoli and cabbage.
• Steam leafy, green vegetables for the shortest possible time as they lose colour easily.
• Salt and season vegetables after steaming.
• Frozen vegetables should not be thawed before steaming.

STEAMING MEAT AND POULTRY

• Steaming has the advantage of allowing all the fat to drip away during cooking. Due to the gentle heat only choose tender lean cuts of meat and trim off all fat. Meat suitable for grilling is ideal for steaming.
• Serve steamed meat and poultry with flavoursome sauces or marinade before steaming.
• Thoroughly cook all food before serving. Pierce with a knife or skewer to check that the centre is cooked and juices run clear. Use fresh herbs while steaming to add flavour.

STEAMING RICE

• Place the rice bowl in the top tier of the steamer.
• Place the rice in the rice bowl or an oval heatproof bowl specially designed for steamers and add the required quantity of liquid together with the rice.
• There must be ample room around the bowl for steam to circulate freely through the steamer.

BOIL DRY CUT OUT

if the steamer is accidentally switched on empty or boils dry, the thermostat turns off and the heater element stops working. When you refill the water tank after the thermostat has switched the unit off, the thermostat turns on and the heater element begins operating. Whenever the heater element is operational the lightis illuminated.

CLEANING AND CARE

These steps should be taken after every use.

• Unplug the appliance at the wall socket and leave it to cool completely before cleaning.
• Do not clean any part of the unit with abrasive cleaners, washing soda, or bleach.
• Do not clean the bowls or appliance body with the abrasives or abrasive cleaners.
• Wash the lid, steamer bowls and drip tray in hot water and washing-up liquid. Rinse and dry thoroughly.
• Fill the water basin with warm, soapy water and wipe with a cloth. Rinse thoroughly and pour out all the residual water.
• Wipe the base with a damp cloth. DO NOT immerse the base of the unit in water
• Store the unit correctly assembled, in a safe, dry place out of the reach of children. The steamer may be stored in the storage or assembled position.

DESCALING

The steamer must be descaled regularly to maintain steam production and extend the life of the unit. The frequency with which you need to descale the steamer will vary as scale build up depends on the hardness of the water in your area and the amount of use.

• Fill the water basin with a strong solution of white vinegar and water up to the maximum mark. Do $Assemble the steamer and plug into the mains.
• Set the timer for 20-25 minutes.
  
  if the vinegar begins to boil over the edge of base, unplug and switch off the timer. Reduce the quantity of vinegar slightly.
• When the timer bell rings, unplug from the wall socket and allow to cool completely before pouring out the vinegar.
• Rinse the water basin several times with cold water.

WARRANTY

Your appliance is covered by a warranty for 12 months from the date of purchase. If a fault develops during this period, please return the unit to your nearest Tesco store together with the original receipt as proof of purchase. This warranty in no way affects your consumer rights

SPECIFICATIONS

UK: Waste electrical products should not be disposed of with household waste. Separate disposal facilities exist, for your nearest facilities see www.recycle-more.co.uk or instore for details.
ROI: Produced after 13th August 2005. Waste electrical products should not be disposed of with household waste. Please recycle where facilities exist. Check with your Local Authority or retailer for recycling advice.