How to Steam Without a Bamboo Steamer!

[@SchoolofWok]

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[@nicolashankaradasan5470]

School of Wok hi brought bbq boa buns I’m making Chinese bao buns with mince and Carroll I’ve never made it before then I’m taking photo of it

[@analogdistortion]

Terrible audio mate. Sounds like an oversensitive compressor or built in compressor on the mic

[@libbybaker6890]

thank you! this was so helpful! I am making steamed buns for the first time and have no steamer. No problem.

[@SchoolofWok]

Glad we could help! - Lee

[@libbybaker6890]

@@SchoolofWok They cooked beautifully, thanks to your video .

[@abghen2323]

@@libbybaker6890 I'm in the same boat, WOOHOO now I'm excited to make bao

[@Nicholi2]

The idea with the wok is so good. Ive been delaying trying to make bao cause i didnt have the steamer but now i have no excuse!

[@SchoolofWok]

Get steaming! - Lee

[@dessigxaleshesi3726]

Me too! I can't wait to cook some buns now!

[@LiveforHM]

Big props to the team behind the camera! You guys deserve love too! Hopefully you get to eat the food too :)

[@SchoolofWok]

Thank you! We eat so much food on filming days haha - Lee

[@misha677]

Thank you for this video, been looking for a video that shows exactly this after getting some pork buns from a local store that needs to be steamed but don’t have a bamboo steamer. This video really helps

[@SchoolofWok]

Glad it helps! - Chris

[@tabithiaholman2375]

Thank you for this. I like how you covered every possibility. I will try the metal steamer to do pork filled buns.

[@SchoolofWok]

Hope it works out for you! - Lee

[@theocostantinou2972]

My girlfriend bought one of your boa bun kits last week and today is the day we are making them...cant wait😁

[@SchoolofWok]

Hope you enjoyed it!

[@lynn858]

My reheated bao tastes fabulous! Pretty sure I did something wrong because I burned half a ring through the tea towel. But, I now know for sure I like steam buns enough to invest in buying a storing a bamboo steamer, and may learn to make them. We'll see. :)

[@kellydiamond346]

Amazing, thanks for this! Making homemade Bao for the first time tonight and excited to try the no-steamer method :)

[@sarahr.m4143]

I cannot find any steamers in my area and this was so helpful, thank you!!!!

[@DangerEye]

That's absolutely useful! Especially I live in middle east which you can't find a bamboo steamer there.

[@SchoolofWok]

Glad to hear it's useful!

[@patlophamotse5836]

Very helpful, thank you

[@ariannaevangelinepanchana7644]

Since I don’t have grease proof paper could i use parchment paper?

[@velvetthunder3856]

Hey Jeremy! I tried your suggestions and my dumplings came out perfectly Thank you :)

[@SchoolofWok]

Excellent!

[@RovingPunster]

After having put it off myself for many years, i finally gave in and bought a bamboo steamer set earlier this year (most come with 2 trays by default and are ordered by diameter and how many extra trays you want). Once I used it I inmediately began kicking myself for not having gotten one ages ago, because theyre not only great but inexpensive. There is NO REASON NOT TO GET ONE. I got mine on amazon for like $12-15. Worth every penny.

[@SchoolofWok]

Bamboo steamers are the way forward! - Lee

[@RovingPunster]

@@SchoolofWok Agreed. Any comment on the eratta I posted ? 😉

[@simonsienna]

I have a aluminum steamer I got from an Asian grocery store. It is 15" across and 3 tier. I also use the cloth method. I use the flat weave diaper material. It has a finished edge and after I use it, I wash it by hand with liquid dish soap and hang it on an indoor drying rack after. I don't use wax paper and instead line the bottom and side of each tier with one cloth and the lid with another one. I find this better than a wax paper because the cloth allows for more steam and faster cooking time. The cloth on the side of each tray helps prevent water from running into the center and channels it off to the side so food does not get soggy.

[@mbalenhlenkosi2042]

i’m so glad i found this. thank you so much for these hacks

[@SchoolofWok]

You’re welcome!

[@evachavez3195]

He is so handsome!!

[@Adronitis]

The british accent tho... ***heart eyes emoji**

[@MegaMagicGoat]

An absolute cutie

[@piggykatana475]

W A

[@RainASMR101]

I'm crying because I lost my bamboo steamer while moving away to college.

[@idontknow_whattowritesooo130]

same hear but i lost it when i was moving

[@bnzjamin]

Super helpful. Thank you 🙏

[@magetaaaaaa]

I love to order steamed buns on doordhash. They are always a bit cold by the time they arrive, but this is fine because I have my own bamboo steamer basket. I put them in there with some corn husks for a while and it's like being spoon fed by the chef himself right at the restaurant. Hot out of the steamer! Fresh, gooey, chewy dough, piping hot filling bursting with flavor. Serve it with fried rice. I would suggest ordering six buns, two of the same kind, so a total of three different types of filling. Have them in pairs of two - two for each meal. Have fried rice be the center of the meal with the steamed buns on the side. Nothing can beat a meal of fried rice and steamed buns. It is the perfect balance of nutrition.

[@ally.-.2176]

Where do you dash them from? A local place or a type of chain. No where near me has steamed buns that I have found 🫠

[@magetaaaaaa]

@@ally.-.2176 Probably Wow Bao.

[@keokie1014]

1:59 is there a pot full of boiling water underneath that?

[@SchoolofWok]

Yes there is! - Lee

[@evilmostdefinitely4729]

you guys have saved my life! gonna try this tomorrow :)

[@SchoolofWok]

Hope it goes well! - Lee

[@aliciaseah5026]

Thank you!I always fail at steaming stage. This is most useful!

[@scammedlinky4004]

thanks I was planning to make this but I didn’t have a Steamer but this helped😁

[@SchoolofWok]

Glad we could help! - Lee

[@kazuya8]

thank you :) This video may saved may first steamed buns I made :)

[@SchoolofWok]

You're welcome! Hope they turned out well! - Lee

[@loser7528]

Thank you for the ideas! I want to try making piggy dumplings as I’ve never had any type of dumplings really, but I don’t own a steamer or a wok and I don’t think my mom would buy them just so I can make cute food

[@SchoolofWok]

Hope it goes well! - Lee

[@slsureshkumar]

Super explanation mate Crores of thanks

[@syhr_falling4911]

Is grease proof paper just parchment paper?

[@SchoolofWok]

Yes it is! - Lee

[@borislavmanov8771]

Very helpful! Wonderful video!

[@emmaelson6770]

You can also use a colander

[@JohnQuinn93]

Is a wok necessary to use a bamboo steamer basket, as opposed to using a saute or fry pan? It seems like the wok keeps the water in the center, away from the edges of the bamboo, so the bamboo doesn't sit in the water. However, I'm not sure if keeping the edges of the bamboo basket out of the water is important or not.

[@1voiceCriesOut]

Thank you so much Jeremy! I have the metal and the sticking was a huge problem...such a simple solution❤🥰

[@SchoolofWok]

Happy to help! - Lee

[@maxyoung2307]

Has anyone considered using corks as a lid? I know it hasn't become a product yet, but cork has two advantages, first of all they are insulative, meaning that steam will heat up the bottom of the cork lid above dew point, second but not least, they are vapour open, meaning that excessive amount of water vapour can pass through cork.

[@eturtled]

Thing is if your using corks like for wine, there’s inevitably gonna be some air pockets. If you have a cork lid that’s cool

[@sandralee8373]

Can I use baking paper to cover the lid instead of a clean tea towel?

[@SchoolofWok]

You can but it might not absorb the water and drip down. A tea towel is better! - Chris

[@bread1778]

Finally Its time to make some dumplings

[@juliakozhan1601]

this was really helpful thanks!!!!!

[@looknseeit]

Thank you, Jeremy. Very helpful and well explained.

[@SchoolofWok]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@janmckinnon5546]

Thank you so much! No more soggy bao buns 🙂

[@cerebraldatajack4994]

You saved dinner tonight. Thanks!

[@SchoolofWok]

You're welcome! - Lee

[@SakuraandSesshomaru]

I don't have wax paper. Could I use tin foil?

[@fairwind8676]

great presentation!

[@cynthia7569]

how about table top steam with few layers? we can't steam many bao (2 layer) at 1 time right (being greedy)?

[@sydneyneidigh9381]

I love the name of this channel

[@SchoolofWok]

Thanks!

[@6242-j1z]

I see there is a plastic? Grease proof on the bamboo steamer tray. What other grease proofs are availeble that have wholes?

[@SchoolofWok]

It's a silicon steam mat! You can buy dim sum steaming paper that has holes in!

[@aaeeshahendricks6359]

This video made me subscribe to the channel 😁 such helpful and creative content. Thanks so much ✌🏼

[@SchoolofWok]

Thank you! Glad we could help! - Lee

[@slimmathers5665]

So the wok and the bowl both have water?

[@CheckerDuck]

Really frustrating that the camera is constantly focused on the dude rather than the actual equipment.

[@TracyD2]

This was priceless information. Thank you

[@SchoolofWok]

You're welcome!

[@stefanlangenhoven78]

Key part of being a chef is the hand gestures

[@Officialriricarter1]

Thank you

[@slickwillie3376]

I was going to get a steamer but not now. I'll use my wok with a metal bowl placed inside as a support, with a round metal pie plate and parchment paper for the rack.

[@generalx7071]

Thank you / very helpful

[@SchoolofWok]

Enjoy! - Chris

[@HealthOrigins]

That's a very helpful video, thank you! 👌

[@y4kiy4ki]

Thank you!!! This really helped a lot

[@nawazishaliqazalbash413]

I have a gas pressure cooker how much time it will take to completely cook the buns?

[@SchoolofWok]

They take 8 minutes to steam!

[@Isaac-ec6rw]

Would it work if I put a pie case with holes in it on top of a sauce pan with a lid on it. (And the methods taught in this video ofc)

[@SchoolofWok]

I don't see why not!

[@Isaac-ec6rw]

@@SchoolofWok thank you

[@catherinechen8144]

Hi Lee, My baos always get soggy because of steam water dripped back on my baos due to the domed shaped wok cover. Is there way I could prevent this to happen. If I add towel, the towel would completely touch and squish the baos because the edge of the cover sits directly over the base of the steamer. And there's no hole in the cover to let the steam escape.

[@SchoolofWok]

Are you using a bamboo steamer or a metal lid? The reason bamboo works well is it absorbs a lot of the excess moisture from the steam and doesn't trip back onto the food as much as a metal lid does. Hopefully that helps! - Lee

[@catherinechen8144]

Hi Lee, thank you for your reply. Unfortunately I don't have bamboo steamer. I bought a steam rack with holes. And the wok cover is stainless steel, dome shape (half moon shape), thus the steam would build up and pour down like rain over my baos 😖

[@SchoolofWok]

You might be able to drape a tea towel between the lid and the wok to catch any of that water - worth trying! - Chris

[@catherinechen8144]

@@SchoolofWok I don't see how I could do that because the edge of the cover levels with the bottom of the baos and the wok base 😕

[@llxllreaperllxll3563]

Thank you for this!!!!

[@RovingPunster]

ERATTA: The steamer shown at 0:36 appears to be at least 1" too narrow for the wok it is placed in. The result is there is less room for water under it, and you'd need to keep refilling the wok with boiling water every 10-15 mins, which can be tedious. A wider one would ride higher in the pan, and have room for more boiling water underneath, which also yields more steam due to the larger surface area. A win win. A steamer should be no more than 1" less than the lip to lip diameter of your wok, and for a dutch oven it should match exactly.

[@haniellasdiaries]

Definitely trying this

[@marie-noellespiquel2006]

Thank you it helped a lot.

[@SchoolofWok]

You're welcome! - Chris

[@michaell.goodman3935]

Wonderful! Thanks

[@alexstrm8136]

Very useful, thanks!

[@SchoolofWok]

Glad it was helpful! - Lee

[@JULOC05]

Nice. Thank you!

[@SchoolofWok]

Our pleasure! - Lee

[@hansanieriverapomalaza9498]

So much tank you!

[@ArisaStudios]

Thank you SO much for this! Wanted to eat baozi since I came back from work in china and have craved them pretty badly. Now I will try making my own. (And eventually buy a bamboo steamer)

[@SchoolofWok]

Good luck!

[@idontknow_whattowritesooo130]

will it be the same timing for steaming it if i'm making dim sum?

[@SchoolofWok]

It depends what dim sum you are making

[@MegaMagicGoat]

This is perfect, thank you so much!

[@jasmine.ander2003]

It’s almost one am, I’m sick with bronchitis on a Tuesday morning and probably not going to school today, and I’m absolutely starving.

[@SchoolofWok]

Have some soup! - Lee

[@Gantzz321]

instead of the bowl in the wok use 3 balls of aluminum foil. the direct heat of the wok could shatter the bowl

[@SchoolofWok]

That would also work, but it's fine if you use a heat proof bowl - Lee

[@debra8046]

My electric rice cooker has some kind of "basket" inside, usually used to steam vegetables and stuff. Maybe I could use this...?

[@SchoolofWok]

You could give it a go!

[@jamierocke]

I wish I saw this video 20 minutes ago.... I just I ruined three char siu baos 😭 This is will save the remaining baos I have at least. Thank you!

[@SchoolofWok]

It's a sad day when you ruin char siu bao! - Lee

[@katheldridge8080]

do you eat these with butter?

[@SchoolofWok]

No

[@leslienewman7267]

Thank you!!!!

[@chachacha8518]

Omg Jeremy thank you !!

[@SchoolofWok]

No worries! - Lee

[@pagala22]

Thank you good sir

[@SchoolofWok]

You're welcome! - Lee

[@dylvrfx]

Can I steam soup dumplings with this method??

[@SchoolofWok]

Yes, you can. - YOLO

[@destinyramsey4]

Thank you Austin Powers!

[@SchoolofWok]

Groovy baby! - Lee

[@KayKay-mu5xv]

Thank you!

[@SchoolofWok]

You're welcome! - Lee

[@sekky4487]

I love you Jeremy no soggy BAO

[@barnburner2475]

Great tips to get me by untill I purchase a great steam basket. Thank you so much for the great tips!

[@littleepandaa]

how about a rice cooker?

[@peterendrodi2496]

The frozen bao, howmany minute?

[@SakuraandSesshomaru]

3:54 Wak? Dude that's a frying pan. I've never heard of a wak before.

[@Luminous-s2g]

That is a wok 😅

[@_StarGutz_]

Yes I can finnally make some dumplings

[@SchoolofWok]

Excellent! - Lee

[@sharni888]

Camera focus can be improved

[@aestheticdraws8677]

Ok so I don’t have a steamer but watched this video so I’m good on that but I don’t have those kinds ingredients used to make a bao I only have beef , ginger, I have lettuce but they said Chinese lettuce idk what to do

[@maryt.8043]

I LOVE YOU THANK YOU SO MUCH SISJSJSJSKWWKA

[@SchoolofWok]

Haha, thanks!

[@irainkoolaid]

bamboo steamers are like 20-30 bucks..just get one people lol

[@33beckman]

Sesame chicken video?

[@SchoolofWok]

Thanks for the suggestion, I'll make a note of it and put it forward to our team! - Lee

[@britbarbie1699]

Chinese wha to say buns bOuW

[@ethananderson70]

Hey, love the vids, but why are they so quiet? Compared to the majority of the other channels I watch, u might as well be wispering

[@crimpthe3rd]

Asian Harry potter

[@rogerfaires6091]

Hi, so your box suggests you can steam without a steamer, the instructions are a bit weak so we went to watch this video and I don't think it is good enough, it shows how you could do it if you have a steamer first which we don't have. then it eventually gets onto how to do it without a steamer but then does need a wok and a large bell type lid. we got inventive with a jam pan, a cookie cutter for spacer balancing a plate. you need to show more inventive solutions and drop the bits where people are using actual steamers, if we had a steamer there wouldn't be a problem!

[@SchoolofWok]

Hey Roger - thanks for taking the time to leave us feedback - it's really useful and we'll pass it on. Great use of the jam pan! As Jeremy mentions in the video (at around 3:40), you can use a regular large saucepan and lid if you don't have a wok. Thanks again - and happy steaming! - Luke

[@sharni888]

Plastic and heat are not a good combo.👎

[@analogdistortion]

Terrible audio

[@Leo-zn5oq]

his voice doesn't suit him

[@click2112]

the camera work is horrible. too hard to watch

[@DanielDiaz-by7fc]

click2112 seriously. The subject (steam buns) is out of frame for the entire thing. I can hear the words! Focus on the food please

[@Noora000]

@@DanielDiaz-by7fc we all have our differences

[@mswolfie3136]

Thank You so much

[@SchoolofWok]

You're welcome! - Lee