Grab a cup of tea or coffee . . or drink a Dr. Pepper for me . . this is a long story.
There are so many layers to this story, I don’t even know where to begin!
I have a very old Black & Decker steamer. I really think I had it before Vince and I got married (almost 22 years ago) but I could be way wrong. The basket that holds the food is cracked and every time I use it, it cracks a little more. Every single time I get it out, I say “I’m going to throw it away after the food is cooked”, but I love it so much and I never throw it away. The lid is cracked so I use a plate to help keep the steam in.
A few days ago, I got on Amazon to order another steamer. Apparently this Black & Decker model is no longer made. There’s one listed for like $250. No! Not happening.
Not only did I want one exactly like my old one because I love that one, but I have one little spot in my cabinet where it fits perfectly. Any wider and it would not fit. Any taller and it would not fit.
I found this model made by Oster. I kept moaning that it was too tall to fit in my cabinet. Vince convinced me that I could store one basket separately and the unit with one basket would fit in the same spot where the B&D steamer fit. So . . I ordered it. Today it arrived. I am so disappointed. The old one has a rigid plastic basket and lid. The new one . . it’s about as thick and flimsy as a milk carton. I put a large artichoke in it and the bottom sagged. What? I’m sending that thing back. I really do use my steamer a lot and I’m betting the plastic baskets on this one wouldn’t last a week around here.
Then the hunt was one for a new steamer. Vince found some on ebay. I don’t really want someone’s used steamer. I want one just like my old one . . new! That’s not happening. We’ve spent the last three hours debating about a steamer.
Vince has already ordered one (used) from Ebay and he has another one that he’s bidding on. And, he ordered another one . . this one.
Vince: Look at this one. It’s really nice.
Me: I don’t really have room for that one on the counter or in the cabinet.
Vince: But that’s something you use all the time!
Me: I can steam in the pressure cookers and one is always out.
Vince: I think you’d like this one a lot. You really use your steamer almost every day.
Me: Vince, I really don’t have the room! Really!
Vince: Don’t you like the Breville brand?
Me: Get it!
Then he said “Don’t throw away your old steamer. We may need it for parts.”
This, my friends, is how minimalism does not work at our house! 🙂
Vince knows how much I love good kitchen gadgets. He knew how disappointed I was with the steamer that arrived today. He wanted to make me happy and I’m sure in a few days I’ll be singing the praises of this Breville steamer.
Cilla says
After today’s dr appts et al I needed a chuckle and this gave me a belly laugh. Sorry but I’m still chuckling……
Nelle Coursey says
I used my power cooker to steam my tamales and it worked great. I took one of the foldable, metal strainers, put it in the bottom, put some water in and it worked like a charm! Bet you could do the same with your Instant pot??
Janet Bland says
I have the Black & Decker steamer. I would be heart broken if something happened to it.
jennifer caplinger says
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Black-Decker-HS800-Handy-Steamer-Food-Rice-Cooker-Tested-New-Other/254153383976?
is this what you’re looking for? there seem to be several right now…
Judy Laquidara says
Yes! That’s a newer model of the one I had. Vince has already ordered one of ebay and has bid on another. Thanks!
Rosenblatt Barbara says
that’s why when you find something you love you have to get 6 of them (not including husbands – one is quite enough). but really, have you tried writing to the company to see if you can order the parts you need for the discontinued machine? they often offer the parts long after the machine itself is no longer available. even though you’re getting a new one, try to get the the replacement parts and put the old one away for a rainy day. you know how that goes.
Judy Laquidara says
I had written to Black & Decker when the lid first cracked a year or so ago and they told me they no longer stocked parts for the steamers. There are a few places that still have them on their websites but they’re all sold out.
dezertsuz says
It’s so sad they don’t make the old one any more. They did that with my favorite iron, too, but after about three years, I went online one day and they were making it again! It has some upgrades, but it’s the same iron, and I’m so happy with it! The T-Fals were nice but only lasted about 18 months. I’ve just past the 3 year anniversary on this one. But the point is, check again in a while, and they might be making it again … with a few upgrades!
Phyllis says
My husband had quadruple heart bypass in 1989. I found the Black and Decker steamer not too long after that. I would put our dinner in when we got home from work and then we would go walk 2 miles. Was always glad that dinner was done when we got home. Still use mine often.