Bamboo steamers are cooking trays commonly used in the creation of Asian cuisine. Like otherbamboo cookware, they can also, of course, be used in the preparation of food from other cultures. They are extremely convenient and easy to use, and are stocked by most Asian restaurant supply stores. They come in a range of sizes and styles designed to meet the needs of different cooks. 

A basic bamboo steamer is hoop-shaped, with a latticed bottom and a snug top. The steamer is placed into a wok or pan with a shallow layer of water with food inside. Steam travels through the holes in the steamer to cook the food. In most cases, the steamers are designed to fit inside a wok, since this all purpose cooking pan is found in many Asian kitchens.

The stacking ability of bamboo steamers is what makes them so unique and useful. Multiple steam trays can be piled on top of each other to cook simultaneously. Therefore, one burner can be used to produce multiple steamers full of food, which is very useful in a busy restaurant or at home when a large meal is being cooked. Oversized steamers designed for extra large pots can be used for big trays of food, and smaller ones are employed in kitchens with limited space.