Nam Soojung's Vapora Microwave Steamer presents a sophisticated study in contemporary culinary design, where the compositional arrangement establishes a diagonal reading pattern from the upper left re

The composition presents a microwave steamer vessel executed in saturated crimson silicone with a contrasting cool gray lid, positioned at a slight diagonal angle upon a woven textile substrate exhibi

A harmonious assembly of three-dimensional forms emerges from a pristine white ground, establishing immediate compositional equilibrium through the strategic deployment of chromatic contrast and mater

Translucent polypropylene construction establishes the primary material vocabulary of this microwave steaming vessel, where a rounded-square container base in clouded white presents substantial volume

Silver Bakeware, Tableware, Drinkware and Cookware Design · 2026

Vapora Microwave Steamer

by Nam Soojung

A' Design Award 2026 Silver Winner in Bakeware, Tableware, Drinkware and Cookware Design
Awarded April 15, 2026
CLIENT: Delione
Estimated Number of Design Views: 17,518
Verification code 9AFD419CBF · Verify this award

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About Vapora Microwave Steamer

Vapora is a microwave steamer designed for faster and healthier cooking. The steamer combines gentle steam with grill like dry heat. The body and vented lid are made of heat resistant food grade platinum silicone, and the vents regulate internal pressure for even steam circulation. An elevated tray of syndiotactic polystyrene absorbs microwave energy and transfers heat to the food from below, improving texture while keeping ingredients moist. Excess water and fat drain away for lighter meals. Vapora is easy to use, clean and store.

The Vapora Microwave Steamer by Nam Soojung represents a thoughtful contribution to contemporary cookware design, emerging from a tradition that values the seamless integration of functional utility with aesthetic refinement. This work demonstrates sophisticated understanding of material relationships, pairing heat-resistant silicone interiors with insulated exterior shells to address both the practical demands of microwave cooking and the ergonomic requirements of safe handling. The designer appears to have considered the complete arc of culinary experience, from preparation through serving, as evidenced by vessels that transition gracefully from cooking appliance to presentation piece. The chromatic strategy proves particularly effective: the warm red interiors create visual appetite appeal when revealed with food contents, while the neutral white exteriors maintain composure within diverse kitchen environments. The formal vocabulary draws upon established principles of Scandinavian design philosophy, where restraint and purpose unite in objects that honor both maker and user. The rounded rectangular and circular forms suggest careful attention to interior volume optimization while maintaining comfortable handling proportions. One observes how the latching mechanism in matching red serves dual function as both secure closure system and visual accent that reinforces brand identity across the product family. The presentation context, with carefully styled food preparations, invites consideration of how thoughtful design elevates everyday domestic rituals into moments of aesthetic pleasure. This work poses a gentle question to the viewer: how might the objects we employ in nurturing ourselves and others through food preparation reflect our deeper values about care, beauty, and intentional living?

Press Kit

Unique Properties: Vapora combines gentle steam with grill like dry heat for faster, healthier cooking. a heat resistant silicone body and vented lid regulate pressure and ensure even circulation. inside, an elevated SPS tray absorbs heat and transfers it to food from below, creating better texture while keeping ingredients moist. excess water and fat drain away, producing lighter meals. easy to use, clean, and store, it transforms everyday microwave cooking into a premium experience.
Dimensions & Packaging: technical specifications (Metric ISO):
main steamer: 168 mm W x 285 mm D x 88 mm H. weight: 1518 g.
mini pot: 128 mm W x 167 mm D x 106 mm H.
material: 6 mm high density food grade platinum silicone.
temperature range: minus 40 to 230 C.
packaging: modular, nestable design optimized for minimum volumetric footprint and efficient logistics.
Tags: Microwave Steamer, Platinum Silicone, Sustainable Cookware, Healthy Cooking, DeliOne, Kitchen Innovation, Grill Steamer, Eco-friendly Kitchenware, Pressure Regulation, Meal Prep
Production Technology: the body and vented lid are compression molded from heat resistant, food grade platinum silicone for structural and thermal stability. the internal heating tray is injection-molded using Syndiotactic Polystyrene (SPS), a high heat polymer chosen for its microwave absorbing capabilities. the product's geometry and venting mechanisms were engineered utilizing computational thermal flow analysis to optimize pressure regulation and ensure even steam circulation throughout the cooking cycle.
Design Challenge: the main challenge was balancing the flexibility of food grade platinum silicone with the structural rigidity required for safe handling at 220 C. complying with strict FDA and LFGB safety laws restricted material choices. overcoming the production complexity of integrating a rigid heat absorbing SPS tray within a flexible silicone body was a major hurdle. additionally, we had to shift the social perspective that microwave cooking yields poor soggy results by delivering grill like quality.
Project Duration: the project started in april 2025 in Seoul, South Korea, with initial conceptualization and material research. the engineering and prototyping phases were successfully completed in January 2026. mass production and the official global market launch took place in February 2026. the design introduces a new standard for sustainable, efficient, and healthy microwave culinary preparation.
Operation Flow: users simply place ingredients on the elevated tray, secure the lid, and microwave. the smartly vented lid automatically regulates internal steam pressure, requiring no manual adjustment. post cooking, flexible, cool touch handles ensure safe removal. unlike standard microwaving that leaves food soggy, the heat absorbing tray delivers a unique grill like texture while preserving moisture. this intuitive, hands off interaction makes healthy, gourmet style cooking fast and effortless.
Research: material research aimed to develop a safe microwave steamer. through comparative analysis, we evaluated glass, PP, and PPSU against platinum silicone. results showed glass is heavy, PPSU expensive, and PP unsafe at high heat. platinum silicone, being FDA approved and 220 C resistant, was ideal but lacked rigidity. the key insight was integrating a rigid SPS inner tray for structure. Impacting society, this affordable design sets a new standard for safe, functional, and healthy cookware.
Inspiration: this project was inspired by repeated observations that conventional microwave steamers produced uneven results and lacked surface texture. drawing on materials research and thermal-flow analysis, the design team explored combining regulated steam circulation with dry-heat transfer from a high-performance tray. the goal was to elevate microwave cooking to professional standards of consistency, flavor, and safety through engineering-driven design.