On a related note......who uses bamboo steamers?

[John F]

Can anyone give me basic guidance on what to look for when buying bamboo steamer? I see some are all bamboo and some have wire mesh insiide the rings....

Also how do you use them? Set them over a pot of boiling water?

Thanks

[Howie Hart]

If what you're describing is what I think it is, they are stacked an top of a wok that has boiling water in the bottom and a thatched lid.
Here's an interesting link:
http://fantes.com/steamers.htm

[Stuart Yaniger]

I use the bamboo ones. I have to replace them every few years, but they're cheap. I have an old Revereware pot that I use as the steam source; the bamboo steamers just fit snugly on top of it.