VC1511 ULTRA COMPACT STEAMER (BPA FREE) The easy-to-use and easy-to-store family steamer
The Tefal Ultracompact Vegetable Steamer features a three-tier system for tasty and nutritious meals, offering the perfect capacity for the whole family and effortless storage. The 60-minute timer with auto shut-off lets you steam without monitoring for total peace-of-mind, with three steaming compartments to save time by letting you cook different ingredients simultaneously. Healthy cooking is within reach, with BPA-free bowls for steaming with total peace-of-mind.
Designed for maximum convenience and hassle-free steaming, the Tefal Ultracompact Vegetable Steamer offers healthy and delicious meals for the whole family. The three-tier steaming system was designed to cook your entire meal in one pass, with removable grids to make space for larger ingredients and an ingenious patented stackable design for storage with total ease. The 60-minute timer with auto shut-off offers easy worry-free steaming, while the smart refill system is ideal for daily use—with easily visible water level and the ability to be refilled even while steaming. A rice bowl attachment rounds off the package, producing delicious rice cooked to perfection. Discover the ultimate everyday vegetable steamer, with dishwasher-safe removable parts designed for maximum convenience. Healthy cooking is within reach, with BPA-free bowls for steaming with total peace-of-mind.
Essentials
Healthy steaming
Healthy cooking is within reach, with BPA-free bowls for steaming with total peace-of-mind.
Ultracompact design
A patented, space-saving system for compact storage and ultimate convenience.
60-minute timer
Equipped with a timer and auto shut-off for total peace-of-mind, offering steaming for up to 60 minutes with no monitoring required.
Ideal for large veggies
A three-tier design with removable grids to modify the central steaming space—ideal for steaming of large ingredients.
Refill water while steaming
An ingenious design allows you to add more water while your steamer is in use, for more convenient steaming day after day.
Included rice bowl
Discover a vegetable steamer that doubles as a rice cooker.
Easy cleaning
Dishwasher-safe removable parts make this vegetable steamer ideal for daily use.
Over time, the strong coloured natural juices from foods such as carrots and beetroot may stain the juice collector. This is normal. It may be cleaned with lemon juice straight after cooking.
The ingredients are very dense and have a different cooking time: try to prolong the cooking time. Too many ingredients are cooked together: put the larger sized ingredients and the ingredients with a longer cooking time in the lower bowl. Try to not overload the steam bowls. Descale your appliance. Cut the ingredients into small pieces.
The flavour of food is much better in a steamer and therefore any seasoning should be used sparingly. If required, you can sprinkle it lightly on the food, or add herbs to the steam water to add flavour to your food.
Yes. You should never leave a small electrical appliance unattended whilst in operation. However, you do not have to watch the steamer all the time. Simply set the timer and the bell will let you know when your food is ready to eat. There are no risks of burning the food and no need to stir it. Caution: Do not forget to put water in the tank.
If the cooking times are different for the food in each of the bowls, start cooking the food that requires the most time in the lower bowl and then add the upper bowl(s) while cooking is in progress to complete the cooking cycle.
We only recommend using canned or precooked pulses and beans in the steamer. They should be drained and rinsed and then placed in the steamer basket. They do not need to be soaked or boiled first.
Yes, you can steam them in a steamer. They take the same time as if you were steaming/simmering in a saucepan. Just keep checking the water level and topping it up.
Yes - if your steamer baskets have removal bases, then you will be able to remove the bases from baskets 2 and 3 and place a small whole chicken inside the lower of the steam baskets ready for steam cooking.
For recipes with a long cooking time you will need to refill the water tank during the cooking period. To refill the water tank, you should use oven gloves to lift the lid and steamer basket. Carefully lift and empty any water that has collected in the juice collector, then refill the water tank using cold untreated tap water.
The cooking time is the same whether you use one or two levels. Please be careful to not pack food too tightly on the first level to ensure that the steam can reach the second level.
Don't handle the bowls and verrines during cooking and don't touch the device when producing steam; always stop it before. Do not move the appliance when it contains hot liquids or food. Always use protective gloves to handle the bowls or verrines after cooking.
Try adding fresh herbs, lemon, garlic, oranges or even onion directly to the foods. To add flavour to chicken, meat and fish made with marinades, use barbecue sauce or spice mixtures.
Some recipes require the use of cling film for protection, to prevent condensation and protect delicate foods. Choose a special cling film for cooking, or microwave-safe cling film. Avoid aluminium foil which tends to increase cooking time.
Yes, it must be descaled every 7 to 10 uses. To do this, simply fill the water tank with 1/3 white vinegar and 2/3 water. Leave to act cold for 1 night. Rinse the inside of the water tank several times with warm water. Never use abrasive cleaning products.
On average, we recommend descaling your appliance every 7 to 10 uses to maintain an effective flow of steam and extend the life of your appliance. To do this, simply fill the water tank with 1/3 white vinegar and 2/3 water. Leave to act cold for 1 night. Rinse the inside of the water tank several times with warm water. Never use abrasive cleaning products.
[Check 1] Have you put the water in the right place? Please put the water in the water tank with the grey part in the middle (the heater).
[Check 2] Did you put enough water in the water tank? If there is not enough water in the water tank, it won't be able to create steam. Even if just cooking for a short time, you should ensure that the water reaches at least the top of the heater (the grey part). Even if you have put in enough water, it will take some time before it starts steaming.
[Check 3] Is the heater (grey part) dirty? If there are minerals from the water adhered to the heater, it may not transmit heat correctly and steam may not be created. If there are changes such as discolouration of the heater - brown, black or white - or peeling of the surface, care of the heater will be necessary. Please carry out a descaling.
This is working correctly. The turbo ring surrounds the heater so that the water inside is effectively heated. It is designed so that it doesn't fit flush and the water from the space in between is used to make the steam. Please make sure that the turbo ring is orientated correctly so the notch is facing down.
When there's not enough water in the tank, the device no longer heats. Fill it again up to the maximum height mark and the device will automatically restart the cooking programme. Use gloves and be careful not to touch hot surfaces, or foods being cooked, when refilling the tank.
The bowls are equipped with detachable grills, except the drip tray which must always keep its grills. By removing the grills, you increase the cooking zone to cook bulky foods (whole chickens, artichokes, lobster, cauliflower, broccoli, etc). To put the grills into position: • Keep the grill on the correct side (the clip facing down). • Put the grill into the bowl. • Press on the clip zone to attach the bowl. To remove the grills, press on the top of the grill.
After following the instructions in the user manual for starting the appliance, make sure that your electrical socket is working by plugging another appliance. If it still does not work, do not try to dismantle or repair the appliance yourself, instead, take it to an approved repair centre
The steam cooker doesn't cook under pressure, it instead uses the ambient pressure. The steam in the steam cooker is water boiling temperature, approximately 100°C.
