Customer Reviews

Nordic Ware Microwave Tender Cooker 2.5 Quart

5 star:		(16)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This is great for busy people. It cooks like a slow cooker in just a half-hour. I had one of these for 4 years and my kids broke the lid. I found I have favorite recipes that just don't taste right cooked in anything else. I highly recommend it.

I purchased one of these a while back and hands down, it beats just about any other "gadget" I have in my kitchen. I'm usually pressed for time so having a good healthy meal in a short amount of time is essential to me. In the summer I grill, but come wintertime I like my home cooked meals. Now I can have them in minutes with this.

The best part, is I take the cooking juices leftover and make a sauce/gravy out of them that's all natural, and tastes great!

I've amazed my room mate with it, and now I'm buying one for a friend for his birthday.

HIGHLY Recommended

I just recently discovered the NordicWare Tender Cooker. I bought mine used on eBay and it's black (read: older). Apparently they no longer make them in black, but I think that it's really spiffy looking. Before I bought the cooker I went to the NordicWare website to get more info abt them. I live in Mpls, which is where the NordicWare factory is located and after I received the cooker I went to their factory store to buy a gasket & cookbook b/c those two items were not included in the eBay offer. Those items were very low in cost, so the entire amount that I spent was still really reasonable. When I cook porkchops I place them on end like slices in a loaf of bread. Inexpensive cuts of beef turn out fork-tender and everything is so tasty. Possibly it's the seasonings that I use??? I'm a great one for making up recipes in my head and have been delighted with the results. I've actually never used any of the recipes in the cookbook that I bought, but I've read them to get ideas. I highly recommend this cooker. It's so fast and really easy to use. And cleanup is a snap. I don't have a dishwasher, so after the food is removed, I just put warm water in the cooker, let it soak a while and whenever I get back to it, it's very easy to clean. Until I went to the NordicWare website, I had no idea that these cookers have existed since 1984!!! I don't know how I did without it all of these years. I absolutely love mine, use it often and I've not had a failure yet.

My mother-in-law got me one of these many years ago, and I've found it to be the best artichoke cooker ever. You can fit two medium or one large choke in there, set it for about ten minutes- as opposed to 45-55 in a steamer on the stove- and voila- perfectly cooked artichokes. My mother-in-law didn't understand, since she's never had an artichoke, but we just love them so it's been used a lot here. One of the greatest things about it is that it easily fits in the dishwasher (don't put the weight or gasket in there, though).

Although the Tender Cooker is a little expensive, I love it and would buy it again. In fact, I've purchased 3 other ones I've given as gifts. It is very easy to use, only one pot to clean, and it is the perfect size for a small family, say, of not more than four. My favorite way to use it is with a box of Zatarain's jambalaya mix (or spanish rice or a box of Uncle Ben's wild rice varieties) and pop in skinless, boneless chicken thighs or pork chops. Another of my favorite dishes is to use regular rice and an envelope of Lipton's onion soup mix together with boneless pork chops or chicken. I've tried it only once on round steak and it came out very tender and juicy. Notwithstanding the instructions that came with it, I put it into my dish washer, but I do NOT use the heated dry cycle and I do NOT put the rubber gasket into the dish washer. Bottom line, I love it.

Nice bullet-proof design. I have a medium sized microwave and this just barely fits (I have to put the pressure cap on after the unit is inside to get sufficient clearance). It makes great rice in about 8 minutes but if you overfill it (more than 1-1.5 cups dry rice max), it will bubble out and make some mess. Cleans up easy.

I've had my Tender Cooker since the 80's and it is a wonderful appliance in my kitchen.

Tonight I prepared boneless spareribs (beef). 2 pounds meat, beef broth to cover, minced garlic, bay leaves, beef bullion, carrot, onion. Nuked for 20 minutes.

I prefer to let the appliance cool down on its own thus allowing the pressure to continue cooking the food for 20 minutes longer. Fork tender!! Tomorrow those lovely spareribs will be on the BBQ with some KC Barbecue Sauce.

With food prices going higher and higher, this little appliance will help you keep the prices down and the meals will be a delight.

Looking for that perfect gift? This one meets that criteria.

We owned one of these years ago and really enjoyed it. We were so happy to find that they are still being made. It is a perfect way to make those dishes that require long cook times, such as roasts. It also comes with a cookbook that has wonderful receipes. The cooker is small and perfect for 2 people or a small family of 4 or less.

Overall initial impression: good quality, good appearance, fits nicely into my Microwave. Just a little small for items as whole chickens, ribs. First used to cook bonless short ribs. It is necessary to brown meat first before pressure cooking. So, not sure this is a great time saver. Took some adjusting to get the time correct. Fifteen minutes was good. Food tends to "shrink" under pressure so my big meaty ribs came out much smaller. I don't see my using this on a daily basis. Will be usefull now and again. Most necessary to have a book or manual to follow as timing is everything. I bought Miss Vickie's Pressure Cooker Recipies as an aid. Book was very helpful.

I asked for this as a Christmas present when they first came out. My mother made fun of me but got it anyway. Within a few months both she and my sister got their own!

Now after 25 years of constant use the ring just separated from the lid and I need to buy another one. I am ecstatic that this is still being made! It is the most essential cooking apparatus in my kitchen.