A steamer basket can turn your Dutch oven into a useful setup for cooking vegetables, seafood, eggs, and more. The key is finding one that fits inside your pot while keeping food above the water. Since Dutch ovens vary in size, check the basket’s dimensions against your pot’s usable interior space before buying. Here are four options, from a folding basket to fixed stainless steel inserts.
Quick Comparison
| Product | Style | Key detail | Best suited for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Polder 8 inch Strainer and Steamer Insert Basket | Fixed stainless steel basket | 9.5-inch diameter and 8-inch height | Shoppers seeking a tall, multipurpose insert |
| Joseph Joseph Bloom Folding Steamer Basket | Folding basket | Adjusts to pots with a minimum 7-inch diameter | Compact storage and flexible fit |
| DOITOOL Stainless Steel Steamer Basket | Fixed stainless steel insert | 8.65-inch diameter with legs and a carrying handle | Steaming and straining in one tool |
| ICEICE Stainless Steel Steamer Basket | Single-handle basket | 18/8 stainless steel with a silicone handle | Easy lifting and dishwasher cleanup |
Our Picks: Best Steamer Basket For Dutch Oven reviews
Best Tall Stainless Steel Insert: Polder 8 inch Strainer and Steamer Basket
The Polder is a tall, fixed basket made from rust-resistant 18/8 stainless steel. It measures 9.5 inches across and 8 inches high, so it offers a deeper shape than a low, folding steamer. That height may be useful for larger ingredients, but it also means you need enough room inside your Dutch oven to lower the basket in and cover the pot if your recipe calls for a lid.
Its raised, footed base keeps the basket above the bottom of the pot, while the high-heat comfort-grip handle provides a place to hold it. The basket is also described for tasks such as steaming vegetables and clams, as well as cooking pasta. Before choosing it for a Dutch oven, compare both its diameter and height with the pot’s interior measurements.
Compared with the folding Joseph Joseph model, the Polder is a more substantial fixed insert, but it takes up more storage space. Its stainless steel construction may appeal if you prefer to avoid a plastic basket.
Pros:
- Rust-resistant 18/8 stainless steel construction
- Tall 8-inch shape for a range of steaming tasks
- Raised feet keep the basket off the pot bottom
- High-heat handle designed for a comfortable grip
Cons:
- Its 9.5-inch diameter may not fit every Dutch oven
- The fixed shape may be less convenient to store than a folding basket
Verdict: Choose the Polder if your Dutch oven has room for its tall, 9.5-inch-wide frame and you want a stainless steel insert for steaming and straining.
Best Folding Design: Joseph Joseph Bloom Steamer Basket
The Joseph Joseph Bloom uses self-adjusting sides that open to sit inside a range of pots and pans. It has a minimum pot diameter of 7 inches and opens to 10.5 inches across. Folded, it measures 6 inches in diameter and 5 inches tall, making it the most compact option here for storage.
The basket combines a BPA-free polypropylene body with silicone feet and fins. The stated heat limits are 230°F for the basket and 520°F for the silicone parts. Its easy-lift fork hook helps you lift the basket, and the design is dishwasher-safe. The maker lists it as suitable for non-stick pots and pans, but not for a microwave or pressure cooker.
For Dutch oven use, the adjustable sides can be helpful when pot sizes vary, though the open diameter and pot depth still matter. This basket is a practical alternative to a fixed insert if storage space is a priority. It is not the right choice if you specifically want an all-metal steamer.
Pros:
- Self-adjusting sides fit a range of pots and pans
- Folds down for compact storage
- Silicone feet and fins are suitable for use in non-stick cookware
- Dishwasher-safe with an easy-lift fork hook
Cons:
- Basket body has a lower stated heat limit than its silicone parts
- Not suitable for microwave or pressure-cooker use
Verdict: Pick the Bloom if you want a space-saving basket that adjusts to different pots and your Dutch oven’s interior size falls within its fit range.
Best Compact Stainless Steel Insert: DOITOOL 8.65-Inch Steamer Basket
This DOITOOL basket is an 8.65-inch stainless steel insert with fine holes, support legs, and a carrying handle. The legs hold food above the water, while the perforated design lets steam circulate. Its smaller stated diameter than the Polder’s may make it worth considering for Dutch ovens with less interior width, although you should still measure your pot before ordering.
The handle is intended to help lift the basket out of the pot, and the insert can also serve as a strainer or colander. Its listed uses include vegetables, seafood, eggs, meat, and desserts. It is described as suitable for several types of cookware, but the important fit check is whether your pot is wider and taller than the basket.
Unlike the Joseph Joseph, the DOITOOL has a fixed metal shape rather than folding sides. It may suit shoppers who prefer stainless steel and want a basket that can do more than steam, but its listing does not give a height measurement. That makes checking the product details and your Dutch oven’s depth especially important.
Pros:
- Stainless steel construction with fine perforations
- Support legs keep food above the water
- Carrying handle helps with removal
- Can also be used as a strainer or colander
Cons:
- No basket height is provided in the supplied product details
- Fixed 8.65-inch diameter requires a careful fit check
Verdict: Consider the DOITOOL if you want a compact stainless steel insert with legs and a handle, and can confirm that its dimensions work with your Dutch oven.
Best for Easy Lifting: ICEICE Stainless Steel Steamer Basket
The ICEICE basket is made from 18/8 stainless steel and has a single handle with a heat-resistant silicone grip. The handle is designed to make lifting easier, while the steel construction makes this a good option to consider if you prefer a metal basket over a folding plastic one. It is described as dishwasher-safe for cleanup.
The product is listed for use with regular pots, pressure cookers, and air fryer ovens, and is described as designed for 6- and 8-quart sizes. Those size labels alone do not guarantee that it will fit a particular Dutch oven: pot shapes and interior measurements can differ. The supplied product details do not include the basket’s diameter or height, so confirm those dimensions before relying on it for your pot.
Its stated uses include steaming vegetables, eggs, dumplings, and seafood, along with straining pasta. Compared with the Polder and DOITOOL, its most notable design feature is the silicone-grip single handle; the trade-off is that you need more fit information to judge Dutch oven compatibility.
Pros:
- 18/8 stainless steel construction
- Silicone handle is designed for easier lifting
- Dishwasher-safe for convenient cleanup
- Listed for steaming and straining tasks
Cons:
- Basket dimensions are not included in the supplied product details
- Compatibility with a specific Dutch oven should be confirmed before purchase
Verdict: Choose the ICEICE if a single-handle stainless steel basket appeals to you, but verify its measurements with the seller before buying for a Dutch oven.
How to Choose a Steamer Basket for a Dutch Oven
Measure the usable interior diameter
Measure across the inside of your Dutch oven near the rim, not across the outside of the pot. A basket needs enough clearance to fit inside without getting wedged. Compare that measurement with the basket’s stated diameter or open range. If product details do not give a basket measurement, get that information before you buy.
Check the basket height and pot depth
A basket that is too tall may sit above the rim or make it difficult to use the lid. Check the pot’s inside depth and consider how much room is needed above the basket for steam to circulate. Also check whether the basket’s legs or feet raise it enough to keep food out of the water.
Choose a material and style that suit your routine
Fixed stainless steel inserts offer a rigid shape, while a folding design can be easier to store and may adjust to different pot widths. The Bloom uses a polypropylene basket with silicone parts; the Polder, DOITOOL, and ICEICE options are described as stainless steel. Consider what you prefer to clean, store, and handle.
Think about lifting a hot, loaded basket
A handle or lift point can make it easier to remove a basket once food is cooked. Check where the handle sits and whether you can reach it comfortably with your Dutch oven’s lid and handles nearby. Use suitable heat protection when handling hot cookware, even when a product has a heat-resistant grip.
Match the basket to the food you cook
For vegetables, seafood, eggs, or dumplings, look for a basket with enough room for the amount you usually cook and a base that holds food above the water. If you also want to strain pasta or rinse produce, a multipurpose basket may be more useful. Avoid overfilling the basket, since crowded food may steam less evenly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use any steamer basket in a Dutch oven?
No. The basket must fit inside the pot and sit securely above the water. Check its diameter, height, and support style against your Dutch oven’s interior measurements. The product listings here do not establish a universal fit for all Dutch ovens.
Which option folds for storage?
The Joseph Joseph Bloom folds down to 6 inches in diameter and 5 inches tall. Its sides open to 10.5 inches across, and the listed minimum pot diameter is 7 inches.
Which baskets are made from stainless steel?
The Polder, DOITOOL, and ICEICE baskets are described as stainless steel. The Bloom uses a BPA-free polypropylene basket with silicone feet and fins.
Does the Bloom work in a pressure cooker?
No. Its product details say it is not suitable for use in a pressure cooker or microwave. Check the instructions for your cookware and accessories before use.
Can a steamer basket touch the water?
For steaming, food should sit above the water rather than boil in it. Baskets with legs or feet are designed to raise the food, but add only enough water to stay below the basket during cooking.
Which basket is easiest to assess for Dutch oven fit?
The Polder and DOITOOL listings provide a diameter, so you can compare that measurement with your pot. The Bloom gives an open size and a minimum pot diameter. The supplied ICEICE details do not include basket dimensions, so request them before purchasing for a specific Dutch oven.
Final Recommendation
For a fixed stainless steel insert with stated dimensions, the Polder is a strong place to start if your Dutch oven can accommodate its 9.5-inch diameter and 8-inch height. Choose the Joseph Joseph Bloom if compact storage and adjustable sides matter more, or consider the DOITOOL for its smaller stated diameter and multipurpose design. The ICEICE may appeal if you want a silicone-grip handle, but confirm its dimensions first. In every case, measure your Dutch oven before you order.