# Vegetable steamer has water sitting in it for a few years- Is it safe to use? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [January 4, 2022, 10:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vegetable-steamer-has-water-sitting-in-it-for-a-few-years-is-it-safe-to-use/957224 "2022-01-04T22:17:24Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 8\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![edwardcoast](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/cab0a1/32.png) [@edwardcoast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/edwardcoast)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2022, 10:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vegetable-steamer-has-water-sitting-in-it-for-a-few-years-is-it-safe-to-use/957224/1 "2022-01-04T22:17:24Z")
Visiting my Aunt. In the kitchen she has a Cuisinart steamer. It hasn’t been used in a few years and has water inside of the reservoir tank. We were thinking of using it, but I see there is green algae on the inside of the tank forming. I’m guessing I can use vinegar to clean this, but I wonder if that would make it safe to use since water has been sitting in it for a few years? I can’t see inside all the parts of the unit, is this safe to use? Or should it be replaced? ---
**Author:** ![dolphinboy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dolphinboy/32/330_2.png) [@dolphinboy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dolphinboy)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2022, 4:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vegetable-steamer-has-water-sitting-in-it-for-a-few-years-is-it-safe-to-use/957224/2 "2022-01-05T04:18:33Z")
I would drain out and replace all of the water, fire it up and let it steam for a long while. Any microbes living in it should be destroyed by the hot steam, but if you want to be 100% sure it’s safe I would throw it out and buy her a new one. Your aunt deserves a new one considering all she has done for you over the years. ---
**Author:** ![Dag\_Otto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/439d5e/32.png) [@Dag\_Otto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dag_Otto)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2022, 4:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vegetable-steamer-has-water-sitting-in-it-for-a-few-years-is-it-safe-to-use/957224/3 "2022-01-05T16:52:13Z")
> [@dolphinboy](#): > > Your aunt deserves a new one considering all she has done for you over the years. Steaming excluded from the list of all the things she has done. I’d clean it out, maybe using a bleach solution and/or the dishwasher if it (the reservoir) can be put in the dishwasher. But why replace something that’s never used? ---
**Author:** ![DavidNRockies](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidnrockies/32/6279_2.png) [@DavidNRockies](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DavidNRockies)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2022, 4:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vegetable-steamer-has-water-sitting-in-it-for-a-few-years-is-it-safe-to-use/957224/4 "2022-01-05T16:56:48Z")
If it were me, I’d follow the “Descaling the Steamer” section of this PDF instruction manual: > **[C13vvqol5dS.pdf](https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/C13vvqol5dS.pdf)** > > 7.81 MB > [@](#): > > DESCALING THE STEAMER > > After several months of use, calcium deposits > may build up in the steam tube of your steamer. > This process is normal. You should descale > regularly to maintain maximum steam production > and extend the life of your steamer. > > To descale: Fill the water reservoir to the > maximum level with equal parts of water and > white vinegar (not cider or wine vinegar). > > Plug the unit into an electrical outlet. The > steaming pot and lid should be in place. Set > timer for 60 minutes and begin steaming. > > When the timer sounds, unplug and allow to cool > completely before pouring out vinegar solution. > > Rinse the water reservoir, steaming pot and lid > several times with fresh, cold water. > > Fill the reservoir with cold water and place on > unit. Set timer for 30 minutes and begin steaming > to remove any residual vinegar from the steamer. > > We also recommend using the descaling method > to clean the steamer after steaming seafood. ---
**Author:** ![Thudlow\_Boink](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thudlow_boink/32/320_2.png) [@Thudlow\_Boink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thudlow_Boink)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2022, 5:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vegetable-steamer-has-water-sitting-in-it-for-a-few-years-is-it-safe-to-use/957224/5 "2022-01-05T17:25:28Z")
The formatting makes that look like a poem. ---
**Author:** ![DavidNRockies](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidnrockies/32/6279_2.png) [@DavidNRockies](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DavidNRockies)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2022, 5:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vegetable-steamer-has-water-sitting-in-it-for-a-few-years-is-it-safe-to-use/957224/6 "2022-01-05T17:31:38Z")
Very close. It’s the lyrics to a Blue Oyster Cult song. ---
**Author:** ![OldOlds](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/a3d4f5/32.png) [@OldOlds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OldOlds)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2022, 9:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vegetable-steamer-has-water-sitting-in-it-for-a-few-years-is-it-safe-to-use/957224/7 "2022-01-05T21:50:04Z")
Steamers don’t fear the algae Nor do the dish, the pan or the drain We can clean like they do ---
**Author:** ![nearwildheaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90db22/32.png) [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2022, 10:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vegetable-steamer-has-water-sitting-in-it-for-a-few-years-is-it-safe-to-use/957224/8 "2022-01-05T22:53:00Z")
I also recommend discarding the appliance. Yuck!