Deals
How to choose the best steamboat pot for your 2026 CNY feasts
Pick from yuan yang hot pots to steamboat pots with BBQ grills
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox
PHOTO: GETTY IMAGES
Follow topic:
In Singapore, nothing says “CNY dinner” quite like having a steamboat meal. Start your Lunar New Year celebrations on the right note with the perfect steamboat pot.
Whether you prefer simmering a traditional hot pot, grilling meat on a BBQ pan on the side or both, there is a surely one out there suited to your needs.
If you are hosting a Chinese New Year gathering, browse this guide to find the best steamboat pot and make your festive meals more enjoyable.
In this article
How to choose the best steamboat pot
Where to find affordable steamboat pots in Singapore
Best yuan yang steamboat pots
Best BBQ and steamboat pots
Best classic steamboat pots
More steamboat accessories you can buy
How to choose the best steamboat pot
With so many steamboat pots on the market, it can be difficult to choose which one to buy. Here are some factors to consider when choosing the best steamboat pot for you.
1. Size of the steamboat pot
Having a too-small steamboat pot when hosting a big group might mean you’ll spend more time cooking multiple batches of food than eating. Choosing one that is too large would require you to wait for a long time for your broth to boil.
For one to two people: As a rule of thumb, a 2.5-litre pot is great for solo dining or a two-person hotpot meal.
For three to five people: A 4.5-litre steamboat pot can comfortably accommodate up to five people.
For more than five people: If you are hosting a large group and want a large pot, do be mindful that you may need a steamboat pot with higher wattage. Alternatively, you could set a large pot on top of an induction cooker to cook your food instead.
2. Features of the steamboat pot
Yuan yang divider: For those who enjoy variety or have friends and family with different dietary preferences, a yuan yang pot allows you to enjoy two flavours at once.
Temperature control: Being able to regulate heat over a large and precise range translates to having greater control over your cooking.
Removable pot: If the pot can be separated from the cooking base, cleaning up becomes a lot easier.
Cool-touch handles and surfaces: Some hotpots have cool-touch surfaces so you can safely move the pot around.
BBQ grill option: Some hotpots have a BBQ grill attached to them, which is ideal for those who like the option of cooking food two ways with just one set up.
PHOTO: GETTY IMAGES
3. Material of the steamboat pot
Most steamboat pots on the market are either made of stainless steel or come with a non-stick coating.
Stainless steel: If you want food to be cooked quickly or are opting for a larger pot, stainless steel may be a better choice as the material heats up quickly.
However, food may stick to the pot’s surface. You also have to be careful not to touch the pot’s surface while cooking to avoid accidental burns.
Non-stick coating: Cookware with non-stick coating allows for easy cleanup.
But you must be mindful not to scratch the non-stick coating. Additionally, the coating degrades over time.
Where to find affordable steamboat pots in Singapore
Take note of sales such as Chinese New Year sales or double-digit day sales to buy home and kitchen appliances at a discount. Here are some top brands to consider when deciding to buy a steamboat pot.
Toyomi: From now till Feb 28, get up to 36 per cent off selected products on the Toyomi website. Separately, you can collect vouchers at the
Toyomi LazMall Store
and onShopee Mall
for discounts on their appliances.Cornell: This American brand is best known for having affordable and reliable kitchen appliances. Browse products at the
Cornell LazMall Store
or onShopee Mall
PowerPac: Shop for efficient and wallet-friendly household appliances such as BBQ grill sets and induction cookers at the
PowerPac LazMall Store
or onShopee Mall
Sona: Aside from hot pots, scoop up kitchen essentials such as rice cookers and steamers from the
Sona LazMall Store
or onShopee Mall
Aerogaz: Buy mookata hot pots, BBQ and steamboat pots and more from the
Aerogaz LazMall Store
or onShopee Mall
You can also buy steamboat pots from retailers:
Metro: At Metro, you can find hot pots and induction cooker sets from reputable brands. Right now, you can get up to 70 per cent off storewide at the
Metro Lazmall Store
Fairprice: When buying hotpot ingredients, you can also pick up steamboat pots at select Fairprice stores or from the
Fairprice website
Best yuan yang steamboat pots
Cornell Steamboat Multi Cooker with Yuan Yang Pot, $59.90
Original price: $168 (64 per cent off) Buy here
PHOTO: LAZADA
Yuan yang steamboat pots are ideal for those who want the best of both worlds when it comes to variety for their hotpot broth.
Whether your family is split between mala and non-spicy, meat-forward and vegetarian, the yuan yang pot allows you to cook your steamboat with two different soups at the same time.
This Cornell non-stick steamboat pot has a large 4-litre capacity. Its three-stage temperature control with keep warm function is easy and intuitive to use.
Aerogaz Stainless Steel Yuan Yang Steamboat Set, $47.40
Original price: $79.90 (41 per cent off) Buy here
PHOTO: AMAZON
If you prefer using stainless steel cookware, consider this Aerogaz steamboat set. The yuan yang pot can be separated from the base for easier cleaning.
But when the electricity is turned on, the removable pot is magnetically secured to the bottom which ensures safer cooking and prevents accidental spillage.
With a 5-litre capacity, this Aerogaz yuan yang set is great for those who want to cook large amounts of food quickly.
Other yuan yang steamboat pots to consider
IONA 5L Dual Steamboat Pot
Original price: $79.80 (36 per cent off)
PowerPac Steamboat with Yuan Yang Pot, 4.5L
Original price: $119.90 (58 per cent off)
Toyomi 4.5L Yuan Yang Hot Pot
Original price: $59.90 (13 per cent off)
Best BBQ and steamboat pots
SONA Yuan Yang Steamboat with BBQ Grill, $139
PHOTO: LAZADA
For the family that wants a little bit of everything for their Chinese New Year meal, this 2-in-1 SONA appliance could be what you need.
It features a 3-litre non-stick yuan yang steamboat pot and a BBQ grill on the side, with each section having separate heating controls.
The non-stick BBQ grill pan has an oil collection tray to siphon residual grease, so that you and your family can have a healthier dining experience.
Cornell 2-in-1 Steamboat and BBQ Grill, $88
Original price: $199 (56 per cent off) Buy here
PHOTO: LAZADA
If you want a larger BBQ and steamboat pot, try this Cornell option. The 2-in-1 appliance features a 28cmx23cm non-stick grill plate and a 4.2-litre single steamboat pot.
Independent temperature controls make multitasking easy, while a drip tray collects oil for healthier meals.
Other BBQ and steamboat pots to consider
IONA 2 In 1 Yuan Yang Steamboat and BBQ Grill Plate, 2.5L
Original price: $149.80 (50 per cent off)
Bear Steamboat with BBQ Grill, 3L
Original price: $209 (62 per cent off)
Mayer Multi-functional Hot Pot with Grill, 3L
Original price: $179 (30 per cent off)
Aerogaz Electric BBQ Grill and Steamboat, 2L
Original price: $65.90 (24 per cent off)
Best classic steamboat pots
Toyomi Up and Down Smart Steamboat, $107
Original price: $118 (16 per cent off) Buy here
PHOTO: LAZADA
The unique up-and-down stainless steel steamer tray in this steamboat means you no longer need to fish around for ingredients in the pot.
Lower the tray down to cook your food in the broth and press ‘Up’ when you’re ready to eat. There is also a metal prong attachment which allows you to lift the tray out of the pot entirely.
Outside of having a steamboat meal, this can also be used to steam food and cook rice. Its Low-Carb Rice function drains excess carbohydrates and you can select from three levels of rice firmness.
With a 2.5-litre capacity, this steamboat pot is best suited for smaller parties.
PowerPac Steamboat Induction Cooker with Stainless Steel Pot, $42.90
Original price: $59.90 (23 per cent off) Buy here
PHOTO: SHOPEE
If you’re hosting a large party, consider getting a spare induction cooker and a huge pot instead.
This Powerpac induction cooker has energy-efficient induction technology. Beneath the ceramic Crystal Plate, electric copper coils heat quickly and evenly.
The set comes with a stainless steel pot and you also have the option to add on a Yuan Yang pot for an additional $20.
Other classic steamboat pots to consider
Bear Detachable Multi-functional Large Capacity Hot Pot, 5L
Original price: $121.20 (73 per cent off)
Simplus 4.2L Electric Hot Pot
Original price: $169 (70 per cent off)
Steamboat accessories you can buy
Steamboat Food Organiser, from $14.82
Original price: from $29.64 (50 per cent off) Buy here
PHOTOS: SHOPEE
With so many dishes, utensils and plates of food laid out, eating comfortably can become a challenge. Save space on the dining table by keeping ingredients on this multi-layer steamboat food organiser.
You can slide the removable trays both ways. So no matter which side of the table you sit on, you can reach for food easily.
OXO Spoon Rest with Lid Holder, $37.92
PHOTO: AMAZON
This stainless steel spoon rest and lid holder allows you to safely set down your pot lid and soup ladles when not in use.
The bottom is layered with heat-resistant silicone which prevents the spoon rest from heating up.
Stainless Steel Hot Pot Scoop, $11.45
Original price: $11.88 (4 per cent off) Buy here
PHOTOS: SHOPEE
Fish out your hot pot ingredients with these stainless steel utensils. Both the small colander and soup scoop have a 6.2cm width.
All prices and deals are correct at time of publication
FAQs: Best steampoat pots
Which steamboat pot is good?
Choose a steamboat pot from reputable brands such as Cornell, PowerPac, Toyomi and SONA.
For instance, you can consider the Cornell 2-in-1 Steamboat and BBQ Grill if you want to have both BBQ and steamboat pot.
What is the difference between steamboat and hot pot?
“Hot pot” is the broadly used term to describe cooking food in simmering broth. Whereas “steamboat” is more commonly used in Southeast Asia, primarily in Singapore and Malaysia; “steamboat” and “hotpot” are often used interchangeably in this region.
For steamboats, lighter soups are used to cook fresh ingredients such as vegetables and seafood. Meanwhile, hot pot can include spicy and intense flavours.
What should I buy for a hotpot?
Some popular hotpot ingredients include thinly sliced pork belly, enoki mushroom, prawn, tofu, cabbage and egg.
Is steamboat soup healthy?
Steamboat soup can be healthy if you pick clear broths or choose soups that have low amounts of saturated fats and low sodium levels.
This article contains affiliate links. If you buy through these links, we may earn a small commission.
