GoodCook Microwave Steamer review — quick veggie & fish steam

Intro

The GoodCook Everyday Microwave Food Steamer is a no-frills microwave cookware piece designed to steam vegetables and fish quickly while claiming to preserve vitamins and nutrients. The listing describes a lightweight plastic, rectangular three-piece steamer with an adjustable steam release vent and a clear lid that lets you peek while cooking. Owners repeatedly praise how fast and simple it is for single-serving meals, and many say it’s sturdy for the price. At the same time, buyer notes warn about a shallow depth, suction between pieces when removing the lid, and the need for careful handling to avoid spills and burns.

What it is / first look

At its core this is a microwave steaming kit: the listing outlines a bottom tray for water, a middle steam tray for food, and a cover with an adjustable vent. The product is described as rectangular (item shape: rectangular) and the listing provides explicit dimensions: 8 x 12 x 2.7 inches, an item diameter of 11.5 inches, a listed capacity of 14 ounces, and an item weight of 11.2 ounces. The finish type is listed as non-stick and both the lid and the body are described as plastic in the specifications. The manufacturer and brand are GoodCook (model number 20146, part number 20146).

Physically you can expect three main components: a shallow water reservoir, a perforated or raised steam tray that sits above the water, and a clear plastic lid with an adjustable steam release vent. The listing emphasizes the adjustable vent and the clear lid as purpose-built features: the vent prevents the container from sealing shut during cooking and the clear lid lets you periodically check the food as it cooks. The unit is described as dishwasher-safe in the product-care instructions.

• Included pieces: steamer (three-piece implied by instructions to add water to the bottom tray, place ingredients on the steam tray, cover with the lid)
• Shape & size: rectangular, 8" x 12" x 2.7"; capacity: 14 ounces; weight: 11.2 ounces
• Material & finish (listed): plastic; finish type listed as non-stick; lid material: plastic

In daily use

In the microwave

The GoodCook steamer is designed specifically for microwave use. The listing explains the intended workflow: add water to the bottom tray, place veggies or fish on the steam tray, cover with the lid, and cook. Owner feedback reinforces that the device delivers fast results — multiple owners report steaming fresh salmon and vegetables in under four minutes and many cite five to ten minutes as common cook times for a meal portion. That makes this a practical grab-and-go solution for quick lunches or last-minute sides when you want something healthier than reheated takeout.

Several owners say the steamer fits neatly into a medium-sized microwave and is compact enough for easy storage in cabinets or on shelves. The item’s listed dimensions (8 x 12 x 2.7 inches) and 11.5-inch diameter are the concrete numbers to use when checking whether the steamer will fit your microwave turntable. One common owner note: it’s a shallow unit. The depth limits what you can steam—whole potatoes and very thick cuts are likely to need pre-cutting to fit and cook evenly. An owner specifically called out that "the depth is not great" and that you "couldn't steam a whole potato without cutting it."

Removing the steamer after cooking is a repeated point of caution. Several buyers mention that the lid can create suction against the steam tray when heated and that it can be tricky to separate the pieces. The same owner notes warn about spilling hot water when lifting the tray from the bottom and recommend being careful; a few buyers reported getting burned when removing the lid. This is not an electrical short or material failure—it's a practical handling hazard tied to hot steam and trapped water.

Daily cleaning and storage

The listing clearly states the steamer is dishwasher-safe, and many owners confirm that they’ve run it through a dishwasher multiple times without visible degradation. A number of buyers say cleanup is quick and that food doesn’t stick, which they attribute to the listed non-stick finish. Still, a few buyers prefer hand-washing despite the dishwasher-safe claim.

Storage is another small but real convenience: the product’s compact rectangular footprint is noted by owners as easy to tuck away in standard kitchen cabinets or shelves. However, one owner mentioned the steamer felt "bigger than expected" and had to be stored carefully because of the three separate pieces. If counter space or cabinet room is extremely tight, take the listed dimensions with you when measuring.

Cooking versatility and results

The listing promotes steaming vegetables and fish like salmon, tilapia, or cod, and owners extend that shorthand to other proteins and vegetables. Buyer feedback includes successful steaming of broccoli, Brussels sprouts, asparagus, carrots, and salmon — owners say results are reliably tender and quick. One owner also used the steamer after pan-searing ribs to finish them until the inside was tender, which shows a creative workaround beyond just veggies and fish, but that use comes from owner experience rather than the product listing text.

If your weekly routine includes quick single-person meals, lunches at work, or minimal-prep trays of veggies and fish, buyers report this steamer does the job well. Several grateful owners mentioned buying multiple units as gifts because friends and family liked the simplicity. The compact capacity and shallow depth imply it’s best suited to single-plate portions or a couple of small fillets rather than family-size batches.

Materials & build quality

The specifications list the product material as plastic, with the lid material also given as plastic and the listed finish type as non-stick. The steamer is described in the product copy as clear-lidded so you can check food while cooking. Owners repeatedly describe the build as "sturdy" and contrast it with flimsier silicone or thin-plastic alternatives, saying that the unit feels well-made for a low-cost kitchen tool.

What the listing does not specify is the plastic type or any manufacturer certification about food-contact chemicals (for example, BPA or other material assurances). Owners who discuss the feel of the construction describe it as a higher-quality plastic than some cheap alternatives, and a few say it has held up over time and still looks like new after repeated dishwasher cycles. The product-care instructions list it as dishwasher-safe, which aligns with the owner reports praising easy cleanup.

Because the listing only calls the material "plastic" and notes a non-stick finish, the safest way to read build claims is this: the manufacturer lists plastic construction and a non-stick finish, and multiple owners report that the unit feels sturdy and endures dishwasher cycles. If you need more detailed material transparency (exact polymer type or safety certifications), the listing does not provide that information and you should consult current manufacturer documentation before buying.

Safety considerations

The listing highlights an adjustable steam release vent on the lid, and owners point to that feature as an important safety element: the manufacturer describes the vent as helping to prevent the container from sealing shut while cooking. In practice, the vent lets steam escape and reduces uncontrolled pressure buildup, which is a meaningful design feature for microwave steaming.

However, owners also keep returning to the handling risks after cooking. The two safety themes in buyer feedback are suction between pieces and spillage of hot water. Several owners specifically warn that the lid can form a suction against the steam tray when warm, making the lid hard to remove and raising the risk of steam or hot water contact with skin. One buyer cautioned that it’s “a bit tricky to remove from the microwave without spilling the hot water,” and a few owners said they’d been burned while removing the lid. Another owner explicitly stated it is "not recommended for kids or seniors with any handling hot item issues."

Given those repeated owner reports, there are three practical steps to reduce risk when using this product: use an oven mitt or towel when removing the unit from the microwave; open the lid away from your face and hands to let steam vent safely; and place the steamer on a heatproof surface to catch any spills. The listing itself emphasizes the adjustable vent as a safety feature, but it does not replace careful handling once the unit is hot.

Finally, the listing names the material only as "plastic" and does not provide statements about BPA, food-grade certification, or other material safety claims. If material composition or certified food-contact safety is a deciding factor for you, the listing does not specify those details and you should verify current manufacturer documentation.

Who this is for / who should skip

Buyers who will likely like this steamer:

• Single cooks and office lunchers who want fast, healthy microwaved vegetables and fish. Owners frequently mention using it for quick salmon-and-veggie dinners or for steaming portions at work.
• People who want an inexpensive, compact steaming solution that’s easy to store; many owners praise its small footprint and the straightforward three-piece design.
• Gift givers and meal-preppers: a number of buyers say they purchased multiple units as gifts because others liked the convenience.

Who should probably skip this:

• Anyone who regularly needs to steam large or tall items. The steamer’s shallow depth and 14-ounce listed capacity limit it to smaller servings; an owner noted you can’t steam a whole potato without cutting it first.
• Households where young children, people with limited dexterity, or elderly users will be responsible for removing hot equipment from the microwave. Multiple owners report suction and tricky lid removal that increases spill and burn risk.
• Buyers who require detailed material certifications or specific polymer information for peace of mind. The listing lists the material as plastic but does not specify plastic type or certifications for food-contact materials.

Verdict

For shoppers after a simple, affordable microwave steamer that reliably cooks vegetables and fish for one or two people, the GoodCook Everyday Microwave Food Steamer delivers on the basics. The listing spells out what it is — a three-piece plastic steamer with an adjustable steam vent, a clear lid, dishwasher-safe care, a compact rectangular footprint, and a listed capacity of 14 ounces — and owners largely confirm that it’s quick, easy to clean, and sturdy for the price.

Where it loses points is in handling risk and limits of size. Owner feedback repeatedly flags the lid suction issue and occasional hot-water spills when lifting pieces out of the microwave. The shallow depth makes it unsuitable for taller items unless you cut them down first. The listing does not give details about the exact plastic type or certifications, so shoppers wanting material transparency will need to verify the current product documentation.

Bottom line: good value for quick microwave steaming of veggies and fish for single-plate portions, provided you accept the size constraints and take simple safety precautions when removing it hot.

Check before you buy

• Measure your microwave interior against the listed dimensions: 8 x 12 x 2.7 inches and 11.5-inch diameter to make sure it fits.
• Confirm the 14-ounce listed capacity meets your portion needs; owners describe it as best for single servings or a couple of small fillets.
• Decide whether a shallow steamer works for your cooking: owners note it’s not deep enough for whole potatoes without cutting.
• Verify material details if you require specific food-contact assurances; the listing states only "plastic" and does not specify BPA or other certifications.
• Plan to use oven mitts or a towel and open the lid away from you — owners repeatedly report suction and hot-water spill risk when separating pieces.
• Note dishwasher-safe care in the listing if you prefer dishwasher cleaning; many owners report the unit cleans well in dishwashers.

Available colors

• Green (listed color)