Tupperware Smart Steamer - BPA-Free Microwave Vegetable Steamer with Lid, New Green Color | Perfect for Healthy Meal Prep & Quick Cooking at Home

I've been using this almost daily for a year or more, mainly for vegetables, but occasionally for fish. The booklet giving cooking times should be taken only as a starting guideline - I find that we prefer many vegetables e.g. broccoli, cauliflower, sprouts cooked for a shorter time. I write down our preferred cooking times. When we were purchasing a box of vegetables from a local farmer, I found it especially useful for cooking the large quantities of whole small beets and carrots (separately) that occur at certain times of the year. I got into the habit of prepping all the root veg., lightly steaming them in combos and sizes suitable for adding to soups and other dishes and freezing them, so even in months of surplus, nothing was wasted and I had an instant soup or stew base for the winter. I've also used it to lightly precook vegetables prior to finishing them in the oven, for cooking half tomatoes used for garnishes, for green beans and veg. combinations for warm salads, and for cubed sweet potato for a fast, colorful side dish. As other reviewers have noted, it is important to handle this appliance with care related to the hot water in the base when lifting it out of the microwave and waiting before removing the lid - I always use a long handled utensil for this - as the steam can result in serious burns. It's not suitable for children to use. With experience, I learned to shorten cook times and to use the waiting time to complete the cooking, although note that the water does not boil in most microwaves in less than three to four minutes, so no steam is being produced until boiling occurs. Yes, it's a large gadget in my small kitchen, but it's the one I would least like to lose. I was at Amazon looking for another one, but not in purple, please, Tupperware. What about black or grey or sage green....I've been finding this my most useful kitchen appliance and am back to buy another one...I understand that a steaming basket on top of the stove is a perfectly appropriate way to steam foods, as is a dedicated steaming appliance. I've used both methods for many years without complaint. I first moved to this appliance when traveling with only a microwave or at home when Propane was the cooking fuel for the stove top. I thought the microwave might be a more cost effective cooking method. I'm back to a gas stove top, but still steam many foods. Twelve ounces of thick fish cooks perfectly in six minutes plus standing time and looks less plain with a quick herb topping, chopped sun-dried tomatoes, etc. Tomatoes halves cook in the top tray in the same time. With another reviewer, I'd like the top tray a little deeper for more utility. Do not cook fish in the top tray, it will drip unattractive liquid on whatever is in the lower basket. Tupperware fails on color choices - I still want a sophisticated option!There is no better way to get veg to your perfect crispness preference than by experimenting with timing using this appliance. If I need potatoes for a frittata, it will cook cubes quickly while I prep other items. It's still the sane way to cook and prep beets. Wash, don't trim yet, steam 23 minutes. Cool. Trim and the skins and debris then slip off, ready for presentation.The appliance takes a little practice, but is adaptable and the more I use it, the more I find it can do. While appreciating home cooked, healthy food, I rarely spend on my kitchen, but I am here to purchase a second appliance...pros:. better than a conventional steamer in that it protects against veggies getting singed by microwave hotspots - especially delicate veggies like broccoli.. veggies cooked more gently/evenly and seem to taste better (vs. other microwave cooking methods). the main unit is robust and fairly easy to clean (see comment below about water tray). optional 2nd tier tray lets you cook multiple things at once and keep them separate. behaves well in microwave - has the right amount of venting, never explodes or boils over, etc.. can be handled w/o need for oven mitts.. easy to clean - not much sticks to it. you can just rinse it off.. "lifetime" warranty.. ok looking (if you like bright green) - i put it directly on the table for casual dining.. keeps food warm.cons:. takes longer than a conventional steamer (about 11-12 mins for a load of veggies vs. ~6 for a normal steamer). bottom water tray developed cracks and a leak on mine and had to be replaced (for free by tupperware - i paid cost of shipping).. somewhat bulky.. comes only in green.. arguably way too expensive - for this amount, you could buy a dedicated countertop steamer appliance (twice).i use mine almost every day (for ~6 mos). prior to owning this, i used two old (~1970's era) tupperware steamers, so that is my basis for comparison. the cost is high, but if you really use it a lot (as i do), may find it to be worth it if it lasts as i hope it will. i got unsolicited positive comments about taste of veggies cooked in this. it's nothing magic - but i think you can really notice the difference between regular microwaved veggies vs. steamed.i was a bit disappointed that the water tray cracked - i was hoping that this unit would last as long as my old ones (> 30 yrs of almost everyday use!) - now i have some doubts. although tupperware has a lifetime warranty, what happens after they stop making this particular product/color?This is the ONLY ACTUAL, REAL microwave steamer on the market, because the microwave rays do not bombard the food itself, only the water in the tray below. My research, which I have only now discovered, after using microwaves for over 30 years, is that microwaves destroy nutrients, alter molecules, and damage the food in general, and THIS unit eliminates all that! Only the water gets heated, because the bowl has a steel core covered in plastic which the rays cannot penetrate, and the rays are diverted downward to the water tray below. The water actually boils, and I have had beautiful results with broccoli crowns, for example. It takes 10 minutes and then 10 minutes standing time on the counter with the cover still on, of course, and with perfect results, as if you had used a good electric steamer. Times would be less with a 1,200 watt microwave, which is the maximum allowed. My microwave is 950 watts. It cannot be used longer than 25 minutes without letting it cool first before continuing to cook beyond 25 minutes. Of course, the water level must be maintained. However, 25 minutes is long enough for almost any food, especially vegetables. I have not used the tray which allows 2-tier steaming, and then you can cook 2 different foods separately at the same time. Nothing could be easier and the cleanup simply involves running hot water over the various pieces. I dry the big bowl with a towel. This is a revolutionary product that I cannot praise enough, as I now have perfectly steamed food not damaged by microwaves. You will absolutely love this! The unit is a bit heavy, because it is very high quality, backed with a lifetime guarantee. Tupperware charges almost twice as much as this Amazon price, and even then it would be worth it! Thank you, Amazon and Tupperware, for this amazing product!Très utile et santé mais très cher