Is it safe to use a plastic steamer basket in a pot?
Based on 1 peer-reviewed studykitchen
Verdict: Avoid
No. Steam temperature softens plastic and releases chemicals.
What's actually in it
Plastic steamer baskets sit in 100°C steam for the length of the cooking time. Polypropylene and nylon soften and release more at those temperatures. Vegetables cooked in the basket pick up the additives.
What the research says
A 2025 study showed polypropylene in hot water releases billions of nanoplastics. Steam is a similar extraction.
Use a stainless steel steamer basket or bamboo steamer. Both last for years and don't leach.
The research at a glance
| Study | Journal | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Release of Nanoplastics from Polypropylene Food Containers. | J Agric Food Chem | 2025 |
What to use instead
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