Dr. Weil 9817 The Healthy Kitchen 2-Tier Electronic Food Steamer

Dr. Weil 9817 The Healthy Kitchen 2-Tier Electronic Food Steamer

BPA-Free Steamer!!!
I originally bought the Richard Simmons steamer and it performed well, but then I learned of BPA (bisphenol A) plastics and their associated health concerns. I contacted Salton via snail mail and via e-mail and both times I asked if the "Richard Simmons" steamer bowls -- which featured the suspicious number "7" marking -- contained BPA. I received no response. Concerned, I threw away my Richard Simmons steamer. I waited until I found a steamer -- the Dr. Weil 9817 "Weil by Spring" model -- that was SPECIFICALLY ADVERTISED AS BPA-FREE. I was delighted when the steamer arrived and the box in which it was shipped specifically indicated the steamer was made of BPA-free plastic. It works just as well -- if not better -- than the Richard Simmons steamer. I'm a happy camper now.

Not as great as I hoped
I just received the steamer and was disappointed that it didn't include the rice basket. I called customer service and they said they're not including the rice basket anymore (strange since it's a new product...maybe it doesn't make rice very well??). Customer Service said they had a few extra and is sending me one at no charge but the place I ordered from [....].net has a 7 day return policy so it won't give me enough time to see if the rice basket works well enough before I have to send it back.

The other thing I don't like is that after the food is finished steaming and you remove it, the steamer starts up again at 99 minutes - even if you press stop. In order to get it to stop steaming I had to unplug it.

The preset menu selections for fish, eggs, rice, vegetables, duck, etc...seem great but based on what and how much you are cooking you have to adjust the times after you look up in the manual how many minutes they recommend. Then it's trial and error...

Does not hold up for the frequent user!
I bought this steamer august 2008 and had to have it replaced (under warranty) April 2009 because the lid came apart and started cracking. Now, Sept 2009, the replacement steamer is broken and the 1-800 number for customer service is disconnected. I would not buy this item again. It does not hold up for the frequent user. I use it 2-3 times per day.

The Healthy Kitchen Food Steamer is an electric steamer which steams rice, meats, vegetables, fish, eggs and shellfish. Steam brown or white rice in 40-45 minutes while retaining all the nutrients! Vegetables are steamed perfectly in 10 to 30 minutes, depending on the density of the vegetable. Even steam corn on the cob and artichokes!

• Electronic 2-tier food steamer for steaming rice, vegetables, and more
• Upper and lower steamer baskets; user-friendly LCD control panel
• 6 pre-programmed steaming options; indicator lights; automatic timer
• Secure-fitting lid; dishwasher-safe parts; instruction book included
• Measures approximately 11-1/2 by 8-4/5 by 15-1/2 inches; 1-year limited warranty