Making tortillas with a steamer can be a simple and energy-efficient way to prepare this Mexican dish. It’s helpful to know if you’ll be able to use a tortilla steamer for both cooking and keeping tortillas warm before you buy one. If you want to bring tortillas to a party or other gathering, investing in a steamer that also serves as a serving dish is a good idea. Other considerations include the types of tortillas that can be cooked and the number of tortillas that can fit inside the steamer.
This dish can be cooked in a tortilla steamer while the shells are kept warm. If you need to serve a large group, investing in one that also serves as a warmer for Mexican food is a good idea. If you believe you require this feature, speak with a sales representative and request that she show you models that are dual-purpose.
Typically, tortilla steamers hold one to three dozen tortilla shells. It’s a good idea to consider the number of people you’ll be feeding when selecting a steamer. One of the small models might be best if you only plan on using a steamer at home for your own family. A large-capacity food steamer might be a better choice if you want to serve Mexican food at a party.
Some steamers can also be used as serving platters. If you’ll be cooking tortillas while away from home, one of these types might be ideal. This type of tortilla steamer has the added benefit of reducing the amount of cleanup required. A food steamer can be made of either heavy plastic or ceramic, but plastic models are slightly less expensive than ceramic models.
Because your family may prefer one type of tortilla shell over another, make sure the steamer you’re considering can handle both flour and corn tortillas. In addition to cooking tortillas, some brands can be used to keep pancakes or baked potatoes warm. Purchasing a tortilla steamer that can also be used to cook or serve other foods is a wise investment because you will be able to use it more frequently than if you purchase a model that can only be used to prepare tortillas.