Pearl Metal, a company in Sanjo, Niigata Prefecture, that plans, develops, and sells kitchen and living goods, released a two-tier microwave steamer, the レンジで作る 2段同時蒸し器 (model HC-1414), in early September 2026. It steams in two tiers at once in a microwave and is being sold gradually at home centers, kitchen goods specialty stores, general merchandise stores (GMS), and other outlets.
A microwave steamer lets you cook vegetables, meat, fish, and more without using a flame. With a two-tier model, ease of use matters not only while cooking but also when taking the steamer out after heating, carrying it to the table, and storing it afterward. The HC-1414 stacks two steamers for two-tier cooking in a single heating, and its shape has been refined for use before and after cooking: every tier has a handle, the lid can be used as a tray, and the pieces nest together for storage.
Nested for compact storage
Each tier's handle also carries a raised marker, so it is easy to tell which tier is which even when the tiers are stacked. A scale on the water dish removes the need to measure hot water in a separate container. The design pays attention to small inconveniences that come up during use.
Taking the steamer out of the microwave and setting it down
Pearl Metal says it sees raising the "baseline standard" of everyday kitchen goods as an ongoing responsibility. Rather than stopping at the convenience of two-tier microwave steaming, it considered the whole sequence of taking the steamer out, carrying it, setting it on the table, and putting it away, aiming for a steamer that is easy to keep using in daily cooking. The company says it will continue to propose kitchen goods that resolve small everyday inconveniences, based on real usage conditions and the realities of consumers' lives.
Key Features
Two-Tier Steaming in the Microwave
The two steamers stack, so different ingredients can be steamed at the same time. Because food can be divided by tier, such as vegetables in one and meat or fish in the other, it is handy when you want to cook several ingredients in a single heating.
The lid has a flat shape that makes better use of the space inside, securing an effective height of approximately 68mm in the upper tier.
Flat lid with no handle recess
Roomy steaming space in the upper tier
Two Tiers in Use, Nested for Compact Storage
Although it is a two-tier steamer, the steamers can be nested together after use for compact storage. The height when stored is approximately 85mm. As this is a cooking tool used every day, the design also aims to save space when it is put away, not only when it is in use.
Nests together to stay compact
Handles on Every Tier for Easier Lifting After Heating
After steaming, not only the body but also the steam inside is hot. For this reason, handles are provided on every tier, including the water dish. The handles sit at the side of the body, so steam is less likely to reach the hand when lifting.
The handle of each tier also has a raised marker. Even when the tiers are stacked, checking the markers on the handles makes it easier to tell which tier is which.
Side-mounted handles keep steam away from the hand
Handles on every tier make lifting easier
A marker on each tier's handle shows which tier it is
Lid That Doubles as a Tray, So the Steamer Can Go Straight to the Table
The lid can also be used as a tray for the steamer to sit on. After cooking, there is no need to prepare a separate plate: place the steamer on the lid and take it straight to the table. Ribs around the holes in the lid help keep water droplets from dripping when it is used as a tray.
Ribs around the steam hole make dripping less likely
The lid can be used as a tray
The water dish can be used as a tray
Water Dish With a Scale and a Deep Design That Resists Spills
A scale on the inside of the water dish lets you pour in the required amount of hot water (approximately 100ml) without measuring it. The dish is approximately 27mm deep, which leaves about 20mm between the water level and the rim after the hot water is added. This helps keep the water from spilling when the steamer is carried to the microwave.
The scale inside the water dish lets you add hot water without measuring
The deep water dish keeps hot water from spilling when it is moved
Product Details
HC-1414 main unit
HC-1414 package
- Product name: レンジで作る 2段同時蒸し器 (a two-tier microwave steamer)
- Model number: HC-1414
- Release: Early September 2026
- Main sales channels: Home centers, kitchen goods specialty stores, and general merchandise stores (GMS) nationwide
- Material: Polypropylene (heat resistant to 140°C, cold resistant to -20°C)
- Country of origin: Japan
- Price: 1,650 yen (tax included)
For more information, see the official product page.
