steaming veg

[cecil39]

I have been given a steamer that you put on the hob, but no instructions, do you put the tougher veg in the bottom one nearer the boiling water, or in the top one because heat rises, I have been told both by different people and wondered what you folks think.

[redcrx]

i will usually boil my carrots or potatoes in the water at bottom, then put any veg in the top parts for the time they require.
it makes no difference if i put the carrots in the top part for same time so i think the heat must be pretty even

[poodicat]

I put the harder veg like potatoes at the bottom first,how many tiers does it have?

[cecil39]

its a three tier one poodicat, I would normally only need the bottom pan and one steamer, but will be handy to have the extra one when we have visitors, i just would like to know which order to put things in so I don't keep folks waiting because somethings not cooked, thanks for your help redcrx.

[ummmm]

Just put the veg that takes longest to cook on first...then add the other veg according to how you like them cooked.

[poodicat]

You should put the longer to cook vegetables in the bottom tier,like potatoes,then in the next tier,carrots and alike,then brocolli,cabbage,peas,staggering the cooking times accordingly,i have never tried to steam swede/turnip,always cook it in boiling water,as it seems to take forever...

[cecil39]

thanks everyone, I expect I will get used to it now with your good advise, will try it out this week.