Can I Use Ceramic Bowl for Steaming? | An Expert Guide

In home and commercial kitchens, “steaming” is a popular and healthy cooking method. Many people will have such questions when operating in the kitchen: “Can ceramic bowls be used to steam things?” In particular, when purchasing ceramic utensils, buyers, e-commerce sellers, and brands are more concerned about whether they are suitable for steaming purposes and whether they are safe and reliable.

As a professional manufacturer with more than 30 years of experience in ceramic tableware manufacturing, Céramique de Yongjian will give you a detailed explanation on whether it is capable of using ceramic bowls for steaming food and problems which need attention during use.

Can Ceramic Bowls Be Used for Steaming?

The answer is: Yes, most high-temperature fired ceramic bowls can be safely used in steamers, steamers or rice cookers to steam food.

Ceramic is a stable and high-temperature resistant material. As long as it is a daily-use ceramic bowl fired at high temperature, it will not only not be damaged under normal steam temperature (about 100°C), but also effectively maintain the original flavor and nutrition of food. Therefore, it is widely used in a variety of cooking scenarios such as steamed egg custard, stewed soup, and steamed cakes.

What are the Conditions For A Ceramic Bowl Suitable for Steaming?

Although the majority of ceramic bowls are compatible with steaming, different ceramics perform differently when it comes to heat resistance and safety. The following are some requirements that must be met by ceramic bowls suitable for steaming:

High-temperature fired materials

Such as bone china, reinforced porcelain, stoneware, etc., these are usually fired at elevated temperatures above 1200°C, have satisfactory thermal shock resistance, and may be repeatedly steamed without cracking

Compact structure and no cracks

The smooth surface of the porcelain, the complete glaze and no cracks help to evenly conduct heat and prevent water vapor from penetrating into the bowl body, extending the service life.

No metal outlines or decorative decals

Metal-decorated ceramic bowls are not suitable for microwaving or some electric steamers, which could lead to safety risks through non-uniform heat conduction or peeling. Ceramics or glazed ceramics should be used first.

Stable bottom, easy to place

Ceramic bowls used for steaming usually have an even base, cannot tip or slide, and are more conducive to being put in a steaming rack or steamer.

Which Ceramic Bowls are Not Recommended for Steaming?

To avoid damaging the utensils or causing accidents, the following types of ceramic bowls should NOT be used for steaming:

• Low-temperature or coarse pottery: low density, open porosity, readily soak water and burst, and cannot be used repeatedly for steaming.
• Utensils with clear cracks or old ones: cracks tend to propagate at high temperatures, resulting in porcelain fracture or intruding objects being incorporated into food.
• Non-food-grade craft ceramics: such as decorative viewing-pottery, or decorative glaze ceramic products that don’t meet food contact standards.

What Should Be Paid Attention to When Using Ceramic Bowls for Steaming?

Even with safe and heat-resistant ceramic bowls, the following considerations should be kept in mind while steaming:

Avoid sudden cooling and heating

Putting a steamed ceramic bowl directly into a boiling steamer, or rinsing under cold water immediately after steaming, may cause cracking due to the large temperature change. It’s recommended that the bowl is warmed up together with the temperature and gradually cooled down before washing.

Do not overfill the bowl

If the food in the ceramic bowl is too full, it is easy to overflow during steaming, which not only affects the taste of the food, but also may cause difficulty in cleaning.

Confirm that the size of the bowl is suitable for the steamer

Choose a size that is suitable for the steaming rack of the rice cooker or does not touch the wall of the pot to avoid tilting or hindering the steam circulation.

Regularly check whether the bowl has cracks or glaze peeling

Especially in high-frequency use scenarios (such as commercial restaurants and central kitchens), worn bowls need to be eliminated regularly.

Yongjian Ceramics Recommends Series of Ceramic Bowls

Céramique de Yongjians has focused on the research and development and production of high-temperature daily-use ceramics for many years. Our wholesale ceramic bowls are widely used in home kitchens, chain restaurants, food processing companies and other fields. The following types of products are recommended for steaming applications:

● Heat-resistant high-temperature glazed bowls

Suitable for steaming eggs, steamed soup, and steamed tofu, with delicate glaze that is easy to clean and soft colors.

● High-footed deep bowl/stew pot series

Designed for steaming soup and stew, deep mouth to prevent overflow, uniform heat conduction.

● Multi-specification bowl and plate combination set

Adapt to different capacity requirements, suitable for home and catering industry supporting procurement.

All of our products meet the requirements of food contact material safety, are supportive of FDA, LFGB, Prop 65 and other certification requirements, and can offer OEM/ODM customization services to suit various procurement environments such as brand customization, channel supply, and gift development.

Conclusion: Choose the Right Ceramic Bowl to Make Steaming Safer

Ceramic bowls are not only beautiful in appearance, environmentally friendly and healthy, but also suitable for a variety of heating methods. Correctly using the right ceramic bowl for steaming can not only ensure that the flavor of the food is not lost, but also bring a more beautiful serving effect.

For kitchenware brands, e-commerce platforms, and catering channel customers, choosing a safe and beautiful steaming ceramic bowl not only enhances the product selling point, but also helps to expand the application scenario.

Céramique de Yongjian will continue providing customers all over the world with top quality, reliable and beautiful ceramic solutions, which allows you to easily develop a more competitive kitchen product range. For more information on learning about steaming products, obtaining samples or customizing solutions, please feel free to contact our sales team.