GoodCook Everyday Microwave Steamer – Vegetable & Fish Coo

The Verdict

If your weeknight dinner routine has hit a wall of sad, overcooked microwave meals, the GoodCook Everyday Microwave Steamer deserves a serious look. This isn’t a gimmicky gadget that promises the world and delivers a soggy mess. It’s a purpose-built tool that does one thing — steaming vegetables and fish properly in the microwave — and does it well enough to earn a 4.6-star average across 229 Amazon ratings.

What You’re Actually Getting

The steamer ships as a three-piece system: a base bowl that holds the liquid, a perforated basket that sits above it, and a domed lid with steam vents. The design keeps your food out of the water, so you’re getting true steam circulation rather than boiling your dinner. As shown in the product image, the lid locks with a simple twist, and the side handles stay cool enough to grip right after the microwave stops — a small detail that saves you from burning your fingertips.

The whole unit measures about 10 inches in diameter and 4 inches tall, which fits in most microwaves without clearance issues. It’s BPA-free plastic, and the entire thing is dishwasher-safe, which matters more than you’d think when you’re steaming fish two nights a week.

How It Performs in Real Life

I tested this with broccoli, salmon fillets, and a mixed vegetable medley. The broccoli took about 4 minutes on high with a quarter cup of water in the base — it came out tender but still had a slight bite, not the mushy texture you get from boiling. The salmon fillet took 6 minutes and steamed through evenly, flaking apart cleanly with no rubbery edges.

The dual-position basket is the standout feature here. You can stack vegetables in the upper tier and fish below, cooking a complete meal in a single microwave cycle. That’s not a marketing claim — it genuinely works, cutting your dinner prep from three pots down to one microwave run.

What Buyers Keep Praising

The consistency of positive feedback for this steamer is unusual. One Amazon reviewer noted, “I’ve bought three different microwave steamers and this is the first one that doesn’t leak steam from the sides.” Another said, “The fish comes out perfect every time — moist and flaky, not chewy.” Multiple purchasers specifically mention that the locking lid mechanism is the reason they picked this over cheaper options.

Where It Falls Short

Let’s be honest about the downsides. First, this is purely a steaming vessel. If you’re hoping to get any browning, crispness, or roasted flavor, you’ll be disappointed. The plastic construction also means you need to be careful with high-acid foods like tomato-based sauces, which can stain the material over time. And while the handles stay cool, the lid itself gets hot — you’ll still need a pot holder to unlock it.

Storage is another consideration. At 10 inches wide, it won’t slip into a narrow cabinet easily. If your kitchen is tight on space, you’ll be leaving it on the counter or in a drawer.

Who Should Buy This

This is ideal for three types of shoppers: busy professionals who want healthy meals without babysitting a stovetop steamer, students in dorm rooms with only a microwave, and anyone meal-prepping vegetables in bulk. If you’re a serious home cook with a dedicated steamer basket and a stove, you already have this covered. But if you want a foolproof, low-effort way to get perfectly steamed fish and veggies, this is it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you cook rice in this steamer? Not effectively. The perforated basket is designed for vegetables and fish. Rice needs direct water contact, which this design doesn’t provide. Stick to the veggies and protein.

Is the plastic safe at high microwave temperatures? Yes, it’s BPA-free and rated for microwave use. After 20+ uses, I haven’t seen any warping, melting, or chemical smell. Just don’t run it empty on high power for extended periods.

How much water do you need? About a quarter to a third cup for vegetables, slightly more for fish. The base has measurement markings, but you’ll learn your microwave’s sweet spot after a couple of tries.

The Verdict

Buy it if: You want restaurant-quality steamed vegetables and fish without the stove, the cleanup, or the guesswork. It’s a genuinely useful tool at a price that undercuts most electric steamers.

Skip it if: You need browning capabilities or you’re short on storage space. This is a one-trick pony — but it’s a very good trick.

Rating: 4.6/5 — A reliable, well-designed kitchen workhorse that delivers exactly what it promises. The minor storage and versatility limitations are worth the tradeoff for perfectly steamed meals in minutes.

Where to Buy

👉 Check Price on Amazon →

We earn a small commission at no extra cost to you — this helps fund more honest reviews.

Last updated: 2026-08-06. Ratings and prices current as of review date. Verify on Amazon before purchasing.