Black & Decker 7 Quart Food Steamer

A straightforward steamer that gets dinner moving

I put the HS1050 steamer through a few weeks of weeknight cooking—vegetables, fish, rice, and plenty of eggs—to see whether a dedicated steamer still earns a spot on a modern countertop. Short answer: if you want simple, roomy, and dependable steam cooking without fuss, this one delivers. It’s not flashy, but it does the fundamentals well.

Design and capacity

The appeal here is the two-tier setup: a 4-quart lower basket and a 3-quart upper basket that stack to a total of 7 quarts. That’s enough space to steam dinner for a family or prep a couple days’ worth of veg in one go. The baskets are lightweight, and the stack sits neatly on the base without wobbling. I also appreciated the integrated egg holders molded into the baskets and the included 5-cup rice bowl—two accessories that expand what you can do without extra gear.

Despite the capacity, the footprint is surprisingly manageable at about 10.6 x 9.2 inches, and 12.2 inches tall when assembled. At 4.7 pounds, it’s light enough to stash away if you don’t want to leave it out. The overall look is utilitarian: clear baskets so you can see progress, a single dial for the 75-minute timer, and an indicator light. Nothing intimidating, which is exactly what you want when you just need to get dinner done.

Setup and controls

There’s almost nothing to learn, which is part of the charm. Fill the base with water, pop in the herb screen if you’re using it, stack a basket (or both), add food, set the dial, and walk away. The 75-minute timer covers anything I’d reasonably steam, and it shuts off automatically with an audible ready signal when time’s up.

The external water-fill opening is the unsung hero. If you’re running a long session or using both tiers (which burns through water faster), you can add water mid-cook without lifting hot baskets. A small pitcher or measuring cup works fine, and you don’t lose heat or steam while refilling.

Everyday performance

• Vegetables: This is where the HS1050 shines. Broccoli, green beans, and carrots came out crisp-tender and evenly cooked, even when I filled the lower basket generously. For mixed loads, I put denser veg like carrots and cauliflower in the lower basket and quicker-cooking greens up top; staggering textures in one batch is easy.

• Fish and poultry: Because the baskets are roomy, I could lay out fillets in a single layer without crowding. Thin white fish cooked gently and evenly, and chicken breast stayed notably juicy when I used the rice bowl as a drip shield to keep aromatics close to the protein. For anything delicate, I lined the basket with a bit of parchment to prevent sticking.

• Rice: The included 5-cup rice bowl is a nice touch. It’s not trying to replace a dedicated rice cooker, but it handled white rice reliably once I dialed in water ratios (the manual’s guidance was a good starting point, and I adjusted slightly to taste). The advantage is being able to steam rice while vegetables go in the basket above—one appliance, one timeline, minimal babysitting.

• Eggs: The built-in egg holders kept eggs stable for soft- and hard-cooked results. Because steam is gentle, shells were less prone to cracking compared to boiling, and peeling was easy.

Heat-up time was quick in practice, and steam distribution across the two tiers felt consistent. I didn’t notice any hot spots, and I never had to rotate baskets mid-cook.

Flavor and the herb screen

The “Flavor Scenter” herb screen sits in the steam path, and it’s worth using. I tossed in lemon peel and peppercorns for fish, and rosemary or thyme for vegetables. The infusion is subtle—think background aroma rather than bold seasoning—but it helps avoid bland results without extra oil or salt. If you’re cooking multiple foods at once and don’t want flavors mingling, keep stronger aromas on the lower level and milder foods up top, or use parchment as a partial barrier.

Water management and safety

The external fill is the standout convenience, but the rest of the water handling is thoughtfully simple. Condensation is routed to a drip tray, so you don’t end up with puddles on your counter. The automatic shutoff is reliable and kicks in at the end of the timer; if the reservoir runs low, shutting off prevents scorching and extends the life of the base. The ready bell is audible without being abrasive—I could hear it from the next room but it won’t startle you.

As with any steamer, lifting the lid releases a burst of hot steam. The handles stayed comfortable for me, but I still tilt the lid away from my face and hands to avoid a blast of heat.

Cleanup and storage

Cleanup is straightforward. The drip tray did its job catching runoff, which kept the base clean. The baskets, lid, rice bowl, and herb screen all have smooth surfaces without fussy crevices, so washing by hand was quick. After a handful of uses, the clear plastic stayed reasonably clear. As with most clear plastic steam baskets, expect some clouding over time—that’s cosmetic and typical of this category.

For storage, the baskets nest, and the lighter weight makes it easy to tuck the unit into a cabinet. The cord is a standard fixed cord; I loop it and stow it in the base cavity.

What could be better

• Controls: A mechanical dial timer is simple and reliable, but there’s no digital precision or pre-programmed modes. If you like one-button presets or a keep-warm setting, you won’t find them here.

• Materials: The lightweight plastic keeps costs and weight down, but it won’t feel as premium as stainless steel options. If aesthetic and long-term clarity matter most to you, that’s a trade-off to consider.

• Condensation management between tiers: It’s the nature of stacked steamers that condensation from the top basket can drip into the lower basket. It’s manageable with parchment or by placing foods that welcome extra moisture on the bottom, but it’s worth planning for when cooking different items at once.

None of these are deal-breakers, and they’re consistent with a straightforward steamer at this size and feature set.

Tips for better results

• Load smartly: Denser foods in the bottom basket, delicate items on top. If cooking two different foods, give the bottom basket a head start.

• Use the herb screen: Citrus peel, garlic, ginger, or whole spices add gentle aroma without additional fat or salt.

• Prevent sticking: A small square of parchment or cabbage leaves under delicate fish or dumplings keeps surfaces clean and intact.

• Don’t overfill: Leave room for steam circulation. Overcrowding leads to uneven results.

• Refill on the fly: For long cooks, keep a measuring cup nearby and top up through the external fill opening rather than lifting baskets.

Warranty and support

There’s a 2-year limited warranty, which is respectable for an appliance in this category. It’s a simple machine with few points of failure; with normal use and occasional descaling, I don’t foresee maintenance headaches.

Who it’s for

• Home cooks who want a healthy, hands-off way to cook vegetables, fish, dumplings, and eggs.

• Meal preppers who need capacity and the ability to run two tiers at once.

• Small kitchens that benefit from a dedicated steamer with a compact footprint and simple controls.

If you need advanced digital features, stainless construction, or a keep-warm mode, you may be happier with a higher-end steamer or a multicooker with steaming presets. But for uncomplicated, reliable steam cooking, the HS1050 hits the mark.

Recommendation

I recommend this steamer for anyone who values simplicity, capacity, and thoughtful conveniences like external water fill and a dedicated rice bowl. It isn’t a showpiece appliance, and it won’t replace a programmable multicooker, but it consistently turned out evenly cooked vegetables, tender fish, reliable rice, and fuss-free eggs in my testing. The two-tier flexibility makes weeknight dinners more efficient, the herb screen adds subtle flavor without effort, and cleanup is easy thanks to the drip tray and straightforward parts. If your priority is practical steaming with minimal learning curve, this is an easy yes.