This cooker is very versatile!From stir fry to Hot dogs! If you like to be creative in the kitchen you will love this!

All the positive reviews prompted me to write this one, and they're all correct. Inside the canister there is a removable pot with a stirring paddle on the bottom, much like the stirring paddles on bread making machines. There are 2 different settings, one for stirring and one for simmering, when the stirring paddle does not move. The stirring function can be set for 4 or 2 minutes (4 minutes stirring is considered the main function.) The simmering can be set for 6, 9 or 12 minutes. If simmering, the stirring paddled does not need to be removed. When I received it, I was flummoxed by the recipes...not what I wanted to cook. But I tried my own recipes and quickly learned exactly what this cooker does. You can throw in a packaged, frozen stir fry mix or similar mix from the grocery store, and after 4 minutes of cooking, it's done from frozen. If it is not quite done, add another 2 minutes. The directions said when making, say, a stew, with potatoes, cook them a bit first, on the stove top, so they finish when other veggies do. However, I just throw the potatoes in first with a bit of liquid and simmer them for a few minutes before adding other items. I've made recipes in the cooker that I used to make on the stove top. Even former favorites come out better in the cooker. Somehow, the sauce is more evenly distributed and everything is all around moister. The downside is the inner capacity of the pot. (By the way, the pot has a non teflon but teflon-like easy to clean surface that really does clean beautifully, easily and quickly.) The directions say not to put more than 4 cups of ingredients in the pot. I haven't measured, just checked that it is not overfull. I don't think overfilling would hurt the machine, but the recipe wouldn't cook evenly. I don't really mind the small capacity, because it's easy to cook something for 4 minutes then empty it and cook more for another 4 minutes. However, my family is small. It might be frustrating to cook for a large family using this. I recommend it along with the Sunbeam Rocket Grill, another great new kitchen gadget that I find priceless. Between the two, I cook far fewer hours than before, with tasty, even tastIER results.

I'd never heard of this appliance before seeing it on Overstock. I took a chance, ordered it, and I'm glad I did. We have yet to use it to its full capacity, but for any meal that needs to cooked in one pan or pot, this is superb--gather the ingredients, put them in, and set the timer. Sometimes you have to have ingredients later--but that's easy enough. Open the lid, add what's needed, and set the timer again. What would have taken 25 or 30 minutes on the stovetop takes 4-6 minutes. We have yet to have a bad meal cooked in this appliance. The recipe book that comes with it is somewhat limited, but once you understand the concept of how this thing works, you can adapt recipes fairly easily.

Kettle Corn is just ONE of the reasons's to buy this product! Quite frankly, I have never tasted better, even from those gourmet popcorn stands! And if you're the traditional popcorn person...this pops up old fashioned, stove top taste without standing there and shaking the pan. My popcorn never scorches! This cooker is amazing in so many ways...from tasty stir-fry, to scrambled eggs, to homemade Alfredo sauce. The vented lid keeps your kitchen fume free...this thing even makes BACON without all the splatter that comes with conventional cooking! I even use this to toast or carmelize nuts! This is one of those "best kept secrets"!

This cooker was a good idea, but someone forgot to think about spills. It is impossible to clean spills out of the main chamber. I would not recommend this product. The time you gain by using the product you lose when cleaning it. Keep looking for something more time efficient.

I like the product, as it definitely saves me a lot of time. Cooking a dish of rice, meat and vegetables now takes no longer than 30 minutes, including the preparation. I like that it stirs the ingredients, so that everything cooks evenly. The downside is that it is mostly meant for stir-fries and relatively small portions, so you can cook a meal for two at most. Nevertheless, I believe it is a good value for money.

I love my cooking master. It cooks quickly AND very tasty, not like quick food in the microwave. You can make enough for a family in less time than if you use the stove top. and it is much more moist and healthy.

Friends and I have enjoyed what we warmly call this "Stir Chef" and the Chef's Stir Pan from Overstock. Great for Soups, Chili, Sauces, Browning Meat/Potatoes, Kettle Corn, Popcorn, Entertaining and Cooking for a group of 4 people with 2 Qt. of food; Chef's Stir Pan for up to 6 people 3 Qt. food. By this Personal Chef doing the Stirring for me, my hands are free and I make meals for Basic Cooking or some Gourmet like Risotto, also have friends tell me that while disabled with an injury and others battling Arthritis, the assistive Stir Chef aided them. Like many independent Seniors, they know how to cook well and just appreciate a bit of an extra hand around the kitchen. Healthy cooking for Vegetables and Fish is easy too; I keep the Lid on while Sauteeing or for Stir Fry; results in Moist, Tasty food. Who can afford a Home Chef like Oprah, I'm happy for my friends and I that found this Stirring Cooker.

I get it now, this thing is great. It would usually takes hours to make a curry, now I can do it in under 20 mins. I am sold, ordering another one for second home today!

I love this machine! A freind of mine got it for me and I couldn't be more excited about it! I made a great Italian dish with it and it turned out perfectly- the chicken was juicy and the vegi's were tender. I would highly recommend this product to anyone! I agree that the recipe book is redundant, but if you are someone who likes to create your own recipes, then it's not a problem. One tip- stick to the "no more than 4 cups of cooking material" rule, it is easy to overfill the pot if you are not careful.

I received my Gourmet Simplicity Cooking Master a week ago and have used it twice. The instructions are very easy to follow and the cooking master is simple to operate. My family loved both meals that I prepared. This is an especially wonderful appliance for those families that have limited time but still wish to eat healthy. You can vary the meal easily by the type of seasonings you add and also by varying noodles, rice, and pasta. I would highly recommend this product.

I have looked for this machine forever and by chance found it on Overstock, This machine does everything one could hope for in cooking and perfect each time. I am no longer looking for easy recipes, partnered with a great cookbook this Gourmet Cooking Master does it all, Thanks once again Overstock for quality merchandise.

I haven't cooked any meals in this yet. We love making kettle corn in it. I love toasting nuts and also toasting them with sugar for our favorite salad which has pears, gorgonzola and candied walnuts. We were surprised that the actual cooking pot is pretty small compared to the size of the appliance. But, it is a fun thing to have and seems like it will be durable. I am looking forward to cooking a dinner in it.