Black and Decker HS800 Handy Steamer Plus Food Steamer and Rice Cooker

I used to find these units in local thrift shops all the time (never more than $5) and have used many of those over the years. After recent attempts to purchase a decent version online during the Covid pandemic, I was very disappointed in most of the current offerings on the market here (the ones I ordered had a hideous plasticky smell and the plastic itself was cloudy and opaque--would never eat food prepared in them or serve it to anyone I love). So I buckled down and ordered an apparently rare used replacement which cost me a pretty penny but was worth every cent. I love this nifty little unit and look forward to post-pandemic days when I will certainly be combing the thrift stores looking for a backup/replacement for when this one eventually gives out. Convenient, efficient, sturdy, easy to clean, just lovely all around.

A little pricey, but worth it…

Bought it used as the clear plastic bowl on the original somehow got cracked after many years of use and they no longer make a replacement bowl for that model. It looks great, but truthfully haven’t had an opportunity to use it yet

This is the 2nd time I have been requested to write a review. Apparently my first one was never read. Basically I am very disatisfied with my purchase because what was advertised and what was shipped were not the same model number. I decided to make the purchase because they were selling the particular model I was looking for and was having no luck finding it anywhere else. Sure, I paid a little more, but it was what I wanted. After paying inflated shipping costs and waiting several days, I could have gone to a local retailer and picked it up for less and with no wait to get the model they had sent me.

I have had and used my old steamer for years. I steamed everything in it from rice to eggs to vegitables. After maybe 20 years of constant use, it finally broke. Finding another one was a dream come true. I love this steamer. It came in beautiful shape and packed so well that there was not a scratch on it. It was pre-loved but the former owner must not have used it much. I use it almost every day. I hope there will be another one available in 20 years.

This steamer and it's larger brother, the HS900, were the best units made. Unfortunately they've been discontinued in favor of less useful, gimmicky models.The HS800 is a great size for 1-2 people depending what you're cooking. It's much easier to use and clean than the new models and units made by other manufacturers.I had a steamer made by another manufacturer that had a large oval bowl, a separate fill chamber, and an electronic timer. I found the oval bowl more cumbersome, the separate fill chamber would require bleach cleaning to kill mold that tended to grow in it, and the electronic timer less convenient.Get an HS800/900 before remaining stock runs out.

I have had one of these for about 40 years now. The last one was about 12 years old when it stopped working ... my only complaints are 1) the inside bowl is not the size of the original (although, luckily I saved the old large one) and 2) I cannot believe that something that was $35 and LARGER when I first started using it, and it is now over $200 ... rather disturbing.

I have been so impressed with mine, that I have give 2 of them as gifts also. The gift recipients response after using it a couple of times ranged from "works great" to "this thing is AWESOME". Very simple to use and I've had no problems at all with my original that I purchased over a year ago.