Tefal Ingenio Stainless Steel Steamer With Glass Lid (24 cm insert)
Product description
What it is and why you’d want it
This Tefal Ingenio Stainless Steel steamer is an insert designed to turn one of your existing saucepans into a steaming setup. The key idea is simple: you place the steamer into a compatible sauté pan and steam food using natural steam, rather than pressure cooking.
On paper, it suits people who want more gentle cooking than boiling—think vegetables that you still want to look colourful, or fish you’d rather keep moist. Because the steaming water sits at boiling temperature (around 100°C), it’s a straightforward approach that focuses on ambient steam and heat transfer.
The essentials (what stands out)
A few things make this one fairly practical in an everyday kitchen. First, it’s a stainless-steel steamer insert for Ingenio systems, with a glass lid included (26 cm glass lid). That lid matters because it helps you monitor progress without lifting the lid repeatedly.
Second, the steamer is designed to fit into a saucepan to a depth of 8 cm. So, it’s not a standalone pot, it’s meant to live as an insert. If you already own (or plan to own) Ingenio sauté pans, it’s a neat way to expand what that cookware can do.
One more detail that’s easy to overlook until you’re cooking: it uses ambient pressure rather than cooking under pressure. If you’re cautious about pressure-cooker style methods, this should feel more familiar.
What you’ll notice day to day
In use, steaming tends to be forgiving, but it can still vary with how full the insert is and how evenly the water level sits beneath the steamer. A practical micro-example: you can steam green beans while you prepare a quick protein in the pan, then finish with seasoning right at the end. Because you’re not dealing with a pressurised environment, you generally get a more gentle rhythm.
The stainless-steel handle is also a daily-life sort of advantage—something you can grip confidently when lifting the insert (carefully, as steam is hot, of course). That said, there’s a caveat: the Ingenio-compatible handle mentioned is sold separately, so you’ll want to check you have the right handle system for the pan/insert you’re using.
Key points to consider before buying
It’s not perfect if you’re expecting a complete steaming system by itself. This steamer is an insert, meaning compatibility depends on your existing Ingenio pans and whether the matching handle is already in your kit.
Also, while the text says it can be used with Ingenio products and others, it doesn’t spell out exact models. So, if you don’t already have Ingenio cookware, you may want to double-check that your saucepan dimensions and setup match the required fit depth (up to 8 cm) before you commit.
It’s also worth remembering the product is designed to steam using steam at boiling temperature, not to “cook under pressure”. That’s a benefit for some, but if your main goal is fast, pressure-style cooking, this may feel limited compared with that approach.
Tech specs
- Type: Steamer insert with glass lid
- Steamer insert diameter: 24 cm
- Glass lid diameter: 26 cm
- Steaming method: ambient pressure (not pressure cooking)
- Approx. steam temperature: around 100°C
- Fit depth into saucepan: up to 8 cm
- Material: stainless steel (handle and steamer insert)
Pros
- Stainless-steel insert with glass lid, designed for visible steam cooking
- Uses ambient pressure, so it’s not pressure-cooker cooking
- Designed to fit into a sauté pan setup to a depth of 8 cm
- Can help you expand what your existing Ingenio-compatible pans can do
Cons
- The Ingenio-compatible handle is sold separately, so you may need extra parts
- Compatibility with “others” isn’t fully defined, so saucepan fit may require checking
- As an insert, it’s not a standalone steamer pot
Quick FAQ
Is this steamer pressure-based?
No. It steams using ambient pressure, not cooking under pressure.
What temperature does the steam run at?
The steam is at water boiling temperature, approximately 100°C.
Do I need an Ingenio handle?
The Ingenio-compatible handle mentioned is sold separately, so you’ll want to make sure you have the right handle for your setup.
Can it work with pans other than Ingenio?
The description says it’s compatible with Ingenio products and others, but it doesn’t list which other pans. If you’re not using Ingenio, checking your saucepan’s fit is a sensible step.
Final verdict
When it makes sense
It’s worth considering if you already have Ingenio-compatible sauté pans and want an add-on for steaming—especially if you prefer ambient, gentle steam cooking over pressure-cooker methods.
When you may want to skip it
It may not be the best match if you’re looking for a fully self-contained steamer (because the handle is sold separately) or if you don’t have a saucepan setup that clearly meets the insert depth and fit.
Should you buy it?
If your goal is flexible steaming as part of your existing cookware, this Tefal Ingenio Stainless Steel Steamer With Glass Lid is the kind of kitchen tool that earns its place. Just be sure you’ve got the right handle and that your pan dimensions suit the stated insert depth so you’re not guessing at compatibility.