Q&A for How to Steam Clams

Look for cracked/chipped or misshapen shells, and clams that sound hollow when tapped.

As long as you don't have liver disease, diabetes, or a compromised immune system, you should be fine. If you have any of the above, consuming raw shellfish can be hazardous to your health.

Store fresh clams in the shell in the refrigerator. If it going to be for longer than a day, cover them with a damp cloth.

They will get more tender, as the steam makes the clams softer, like anything else you steam.

Hang them off the dock! If you don't have access to the bay, put them in a large pot or clean bucket of water and change the water each day.

Oysters are often eaten raw. Ensure that the shells are firmly closed and the oysters are not dead, and you should be safe. If you are immuno-compromised for any reason, avoid raw shellfish.

Steam them a little more if all of them do that. If it's just one or two, pry them open with a fork if needed.

Yes, if they're close to the same size. You can also steam shrimp or any other similar size shell fish together if you layer by size, according to mass/density cooking times.

As much or as little as you want. You can start with as little as a couple of tablespoons.

No. You can only fry the large-necked clams, as clam necks are small to begin with.

I live in Maine - I only know Maine clams. If the necks are out of the shell or if the shell is open - this is the way I check to see if the clam is still alive: Take a toothpick or something with a sharp point & poke the front end of the neck (head). If it jerks and/or pulls back into the shell - even just a little - it's still alive & o.k. to cook. If shells are open - it doesn't mean they are dead. The best way to know is to poke their necks. If still alive, they will jerk & sometimes try to get back into their shell for protection. If they are dead, they won't jerk (move) at all. I don't know anything about other types of clams - only the ones from Maine that have the necks.

The 'Long Necked Clams' cannot close their shells tightly because their long necks are in the way. The way I check to see if a clam is dead or alive is to poke the end of the neck with a toothpick (or something pointed). If the neck jerks or moves it's still alive - even if the shell is open a little.