What type of appliance is often used for steaming food?

A food steamer is specifically designed for the purpose of steaming food, which involves cooking food using the steam generated from boiling water. Steaming is a healthy cooking method that preserves the nutrients in food and enhances flavor without the need for added fats or oils.

While a microwave can also be used to steam food, it is not primarily an appliance designed for that specific function; instead, its primary use is for reheating or cooking by using electromagnetic waves. A pressure cooker utilizes steam to cook food quickly under high pressure but is not exclusively intended for steaming, and a fryer is used for cooking food in hot oil, which is entirely different from the steaming method. Thus, a food steamer is the most appropriate choice for the specific task of steaming food.