I use this almost every day. It's expandable, so you can fit more veggies in it since the middle rod isn't there!

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Product Description

Crunchy, delicious, healthy steamed veggies.Boil small quantity of water. Set steamer in saucepan.No center post -- more room for veggies. Easier to scoop out, too.Loop handles on side for lifting.Expands from 7 to 10.Dishwasher safe. Lifetime Guarantee. Free Shipping on Orders over 30.

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Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #2495 in Kitchen & Housewares
• Brand: Norpro
• Model: 177
• Dimensions: 8.50" h x 1.00" w x 5.00" l, .25 pounds

Features

• Diameter of large-capacity vegetable steamer expands from 7-inch to 10-inch
• Made of heavy-duty stainless steel with a three-pronged base
• No center post means extra room for more food, easier scooping
• Two side-handle loops for lifting
• It is Safe to use in dishwasher

Amazon.com Review
It's less what it includes than what it lacks that makes this Norpro vegetable steamer a cut above your average steamer insert. Without a bothersome center post, there is plenty of unobstructed room to steam entire heads of broccoli or cauliflower or full-length cobs of corn--and finished vegetables are easier to remove with a spoon or a spatula as denser veggies keep steaming. No need to slice carrots or pole beans beforehand--just plop them whole into the basket, which expands from 7 to 10 inches, depending on the size of the pot you set it in.

The three-pronged base provides stability equal to models with center posts, but instead of one central handle there are two ring-style side handles. This is another improvement, as you don't need to reach into the middle of the steaming-hot food to remove the basket, and using the side handles supports the basket's shape rather than allowing its "petals" to pop open flat upon lifting. The heavy-duty waffled segments hold tightly together during use and fold inward for compact storage. --Carol Gnojewski

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Customer Reviews

A Little Too Big -- But Great Quality
This steamer insert is too large to use in smaller pots, so be sure to measure and make sure your pot is at least 7" wide on the inside. The feet won't scratch your pot, and removing the cooked vegetables is much easier without the center post common to cheaper steamers. With this one, I can just use a large spoon to scoop out the items, or if I want I can hoist the entire steamer out of the pan by grabbing the rings on the sides, but that's pretty tricky when it's fully of steaming veggies.

Simple to use with great results.
I love this little gizzmo and I have had mine for years. I have tried other steamers but this one is simple to use and it adjust to any size pan (with in reason that is). All my friends now have one especially after they figured out what it was for. By the way it is real easy to clean and it stores away easily. And if your trying to save money, it costs very little. Get one. You will love it.

Worked For Me
Very durable so far. You cannot fit a lot of food in it like crab legs, but they only take 5-7 minutes to steam, so it wasn't bad making a batch at a time. It fit very nicely in my dutch oven pot. You just put water in the bottom so it is below the steamer, insert the steamer, put the food in it and put the lid on the pot and steam your food.