For years, making perfect rice felt like an impossible task. No matter what I did, my stovetop attempts were a gamble, often ending in a sticky, burnt mess at the bottom of the pot or a mushy, waterlogged disappointment. This constant frustration meant I often avoided making rice altogether, missing out on easy and affordable meals. A simple, reliable solution was desperately needed, and the Prep Solutions by Progressive Microwaveable Rice and Pasta Cooker has proven to be exactly that.
Microwave cookers are designed to solve the common kitchen headaches of inconsistent results, bulky appliances, and tedious cleanup. They offer a streamlined, set-it-and-forget-it approach to cooking staples like rice, pasta, and vegetables. If you’re a college student in a dorm, someone living in a small apartment with limited counter space, or a busy professional who values efficiency, a microwave cooker can be an indispensable tool. It simplifies meal prep and delivers consistent results without needing constant supervision.
However, this type of product isn’t for everyone. If you have a large family and regularly need to cook more than 8-10 cups of rice at once, a large-capacity electric countertop cooker might be a better investment. Likewise, culinary purists who enjoy the hands-on process of traditional cooking methods may not appreciate the automated nature of microwave cooking. Before you buy, consider a few key factors: your microwave’s interior dimensions to ensure a good fit, the capacity you need for your household, whether the material is BPA-free and durable, and how versatile the cooker is. A model that can also handle pasta and steam vegetables will provide much more value.
- Contains (1) PrepSolutions 17-Piece Microwaveable Rice and Pasta Cooker – with a 12-cup capacity and locking lid
- Perfect for All Types of Rice: The PrepSolutions Microwave Rice and Pasta Cooker is designed for easy, mess-free cooking and reheating...
Unboxing the Prep Solutions Cooker
The Prep Solutions by Progressive Microwaveable Rice and Pasta Cooker-17 Piece Set is more than just a bowl; it’s a complete kitchen-in-a-box. It promises to take the guesswork out of cooking perfect rice and pasta while also serving as a capable vegetable steamer. When you open the box, you’ll find the main 12-cup cooking pot, a secure locking lid, a pasta draining insert, a vegetable steaming insert, a custom rice paddle, a handy pasta measurer, and a full set of measuring cups and spoons. This comprehensive package is perfect for anyone setting up a new kitchen or looking to consolidate their gadgets. It’s not ideal for someone who only needs a basic cooker and already owns all the peripheral accessories.
Pros:
* Excellent Value: The 17-piece set includes everything you need to get started.
* Large Capacity: The 12-cup (cooked) capacity is great for meal prepping or family dinners.
* Versatile Functionality: Cooks rice, pasta, and steams vegetables, reducing the need for multiple pots and pans.
* Safe and Convenient: Made from BPA-free plastic and is completely dishwasher safe.
* Mess-Free Design: The locking lid effectively prevents boil-overs and spills in the microwave.
Cons:
* Latch Durability: The plastic locking latches can be a potential point of failure after years of heavy use.
* Vague Instructions: Lacks specific instructions for certain grains like quinoa, requiring some trial and error.
* Capacity Limits: Pushing the cooker to its maximum capacity can still lead to overflow in smaller or very powerful microwaves.
- Easy-to-use programmable digital controls complete with an automatic Keep Warm mode after each cycle
- Perfectly prepares 2 to 6 cups of any variety of cooked rice
- 𝟭𝟴 𝗙𝘂𝗻𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗥𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗠𝗮𝗸𝗲𝗿: Choose from different types of white and brown...
A Deep Dive into Features and Performance
After years of consistent use, this microwave cooker has earned a permanent place in my kitchen. It has fundamentally changed how I approach meal prep, saving me time and delivering flawless results. Let’s break down the features that make it so effective.
The 17-Piece All-in-One System
What first sets this product apart is the sheer value packed into the box. It’s not just a rice cooker; it’s a complete starter kit. The inclusion of a full set of measuring spoons and cups, a pasta measurer, and a rice paddle means you have every tool required for the job. For someone in a first apartment or a college dorm, this is a massive advantage. I found myself reaching for the included measuring cups for other baking projects simply because they were handy. The rice paddle is perfectly shaped for fluffing and serving, and its plastic construction ensures it won’t scratch the inside of the cooking pot. This thoughtful, all-inclusive approach makes the cooker feel less like a single gadget and more like a comprehensive cooking solution.
Design and Build Quality
The cooker is constructed from a sturdy, BPA-free plastic, which provides immediate peace of mind knowing no harmful chemicals will leach into your food during the heating process. Measuring approximately 9 inches wide and 9 inches tall, it’s substantial enough for large batches but compact enough to fit in most standard microwaves. The star of the design is the locking lid system. Two robust clips on either side clamp the lid down firmly. This is a crucial feature that prevents the starchy water from boiling over and creating a sticky mess inside your microwave—a common flaw in simpler, non-locking designs. While I’ve seen some users report a latch breaking after several years of daily use, mine have held up perfectly with regular weekly use and dishwasher cycles. It’s a durable design built for everyday life.
Cooking Performance: Perfect Rice Every Time
This is where the Prep Solutions cooker truly shines. The double-lid system, consisting of the main lid and an inner steam vent, is engineered to circulate steam perfectly, ensuring every grain of rice is cooked evenly. My method has become foolproof. For fluffy long-grain white rice, I rinse two cups of rice, add it to the pot with three cups of cold water, a teaspoon of salt, and a tablespoon of oil. I stir it, secure the lid, and microwave on high for 20 minutes. After letting it rest for five minutes, I open it to find perfectly cooked, separate, and fluffy rice. No burning, no clumps, no hassle. I’ve successfully used it for jasmine, basmati, and brown rice, only needing to make minor adjustments to the water ratio and cooking time. This consistency has eliminated the stress and guesswork I used to associate with making rice.
Beyond Rice: Pasta and Steamed Vegetables
The cooker’s versatility is what makes it a true workhorse. The included pasta draining insert transforms it into an efficient pasta cooker. I can cook a few servings of spaghetti or penne, and when it’s done, I can lift the insert to drain the water directly into the sink without needing a separate colander. It saves a dish and simplifies the process.
The vegetable steaming insert is equally brilliant. For a quick and healthy side dish, I’ll chop up some broccoli or slice some carrots, place them in the steamer basket with about a quarter-cup of water in the main pot below, and microwave for 4-6 minutes. The result is perfectly crisp-tender vegetables that retain more of their nutrients and color compared to boiling. This multi-functionality means the Prep Solutions by Progressive Microwaveable Rice and Pasta Cooker is rarely put away; it’s used for some component of dinner almost every night.
Capacity and Cleaning
The advertised 12-cup capacity refers to cooked rice, which is an important distinction. This means you can easily make enough rice for a family of four or for a week’s worth of meal prep. I’ve found that cooking about 4 cups of uncooked rice (which yields about 8 cups cooked) is the sweet spot for perfect results without any risk of boiling over.
Perhaps the best feature for a busy person is the cleanup. Every single component of the 17-piece set is top-rack dishwasher safe. The plastic has a naturally non-stick quality, so even if you choose to hand wash, a quick rinse with soap and water is all it takes. Gone are the days of soaking and scrubbing a starchy, burnt-on film from the bottom of a metal pot. This effortless cleanup encourages more frequent use and makes cooking a joy rather than a chore.
What Others Are Saying
After browsing through countless online reviews, it’s clear my positive experience is widely shared. Many users describe this microwaveable appliance as a “lifesaver,” particularly for those living in spaces without a full kitchen. A recurring sentiment comes from people who, like me, struggled for years to make good rice on the stove or even in electric pressure cookers, only to find success with this simple device. While a few long-term users have noted that the side latches can eventually break after years of rigorous daily use, the vast majority of feedback celebrates it as a durable, reliable, and absolutely essential kitchen tool that consistently delivers on its promises.
Final Thoughts and Recommendation
If you are tired of the guesswork and cleanup involved with cooking rice and pasta on the stovetop, you need a better solution. The constant risk of burnt pots and inconsistent results can make cooking feel like a chore. The Prep Solutions by Progressive Microwaveable Rice and Pasta Cooker is a fantastic fit to solve this problem because it offers foolproof consistency, incredible versatility, and an unbeatable value with its complete 17-piece set. It simplifies the entire process from measuring to cleanup. If you’re ready to streamline your meal prep and enjoy perfect results every single time, this is the tool for you. Click here to check the price and see more details .
Last update on 2025-10-05 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API