How does the Wonderbag compare with vacuum-insulated thermal "Magic" cookers such as the popular Tiger, Zojirushi, and Nissan/Thermos models?
1999421
While I haven't used any of the Thermal cookers named I have owned a Zojirushi thermal bento. If I had to guess the Wonderbag while useful isn't nearly as good as some of those more technically inclined models. It doesn't try for a full vacuum seal and thus won't trap the heat as long or as well. Depending on what you hope to use it for it may well still do the job but not as efficiently. Good luck.
500932
This is an excellent thermos for soup. I own it and love it. It has a wide mouth for pouring chunky soups and comes with a serving cup. It is well insulated and keeps soup warm for hours. In fact, the thermal properties are so good on this thermos that I recommend it as a low-tech yogurt incubator on my Squidoo page, titled "Easy Homemade Yogurt in a Thermos."
516420
There is no difference (except in bag colors/patterns). The higher price one comes from the UK. I got mine for Christmas (the $50 Wonderbag Portable -- they're all portable -- that's the point) and it does what it says. Start your dish on the stove in a heavy tightly covered pot at high heat with plenty of liquid, then place it in the winderbag, close and in 5-7 hours (depending on the recipe), you'll have your meal hot and ready. Whether you take it anywhere (like on a long drive to a family event), or you just leave on the counter, it works just like a slow cooker (crock pot), but without additional electricity. The heat that builds up in the pot during its initial cook time remains there and completes the cooking.
1826449
I really like mine and it does a wonderful job of cooking everything I've tried. The lid is a little hard to get off but with patience it is easily removed and is easy to get back on. You will really enjoy this product if you purchase it and it is very well made. Be sure to purchase the cook book by Bob Warden Great Food Fast. It really helps you to understand how to run the cooker and has great recipes. It is worth the money. I hope you enjoy the cooker as much as I do, if you purchase one. It will not be a mistake. Good luck!
543057
Spill proof? I don't know. I don't put soups in it. And I never let it topple over. Regarding the pressure cooker bit, ha..ha...don't worry, it won't blow up. I get my food really hot, and it steams out somehow. But I do recommend having it wired directly to the battery. This product is quite powerful and pulls a LOT of wattage. It blew the fuse on one vehicle, and in another vehicle the fuse didn't blow, but the male 12v end melted. So, I took it in to a car electrician, and he set me nicely. He changed the 12v male adapter to something else that fits nicely into a unit with a toggle switch. The switch is wired directly to the battery and completely bypasses my vehicle's electrical system. I just plug this unit in, and when I'm ready, I flick the toggle switch and press the "on" button on the Max Burton, and away we go.
1534990
Induction heat is just finer control of the heat and heats quicker. Not sure it's worth the extra money, but for the gadget nut, you won't be happy knowing a higher grade cooker is out there. I'm sure the both work well.
26767
Jesse, it is really close to pocket rocket as time for boiling. The only thing the pocket rocket is really better at is the flame control. Really I like this cheap china made stove over the higher dollar msr.
1654418
I love the ninja. I had the MagicBullet before and it was a disappointment. The ninja holds more and does a much, much better job on ice cubes. I use it mostly for smoothies but the big bowl (40 oz) is nice, too. I made gazpacho in it last summer and it was perfect. One of these days, I'll get around to making some of the other stuff in the recipe book.
174979
Japan all the way. I bought it on Amazon maybe 2 years ago and its an amazing rice cooker. In fact, I'm so impressed with Zojirushi quality, I bought their CD-WBC40 4 water boiler.
2136043
Unfortunately I can only speak to the Nomiku. It is very well engineered..... And that's coming from a design Engineer! Very well thought out. It accepts all variety of pots, pans, even buckets. The power supply has a built in fan. I absolutely love it and use it every week. BUT the other device you mentioned is 33% cheaper! Although it doesn't appear to be as flexible as far as accommodating various sizes of pot and pans. I hope this is helpful.
2023444
I own 2 of the cheap Chinese stoves and I will say they work pretty darn well. However, I will be purchasing a Pocket Rocket. This video comparison ( https://youtu.be/IRgxRENrmV4 ) convinced me to spend the extra bucks. The boil time and wind test were eye opening. I will keep my cheapies as backup.
1935322
Hi! No, it is not leak proof. When traveling with it I take extra precaution to not fill it too close to the top as well as snuggling it between other things so that it will have less chance of spillage. Otherwise, I try to plan meals for the thermal cooker with foods that aren't so liquid-y, like stews or pottage-type lentil stew...not really soups. You may still get a little spillage inside the cooker but that is why the manufacturer recommends placing a folded paper towel on the bottom. If you have sauces you might want to consider placing them in sealed containers then in the cooker to keep temp. Have not tried but just a suggestion.
335481
Check out the GSI ones. Lighter for backpacking. What people don't realize with a pressure cooking and backpacking is that sure, it's heavier than other backpacking products but you save weight with the food you can bring. You can bring ANY dried or freeze dried food and reconstitute it in minutes. Beans, rice, sun dried tomatoes, ect.. in minutes. Oh and also, if you want a hot meal at high altitude and not wait a forever to eat? Pressure cooker! Use it for everything they are awesome.
1345331
The microwave bags are vented and made specifically to cook your veggies, instead of just heating them up. Whenever we get a bargain on veggies at the market, we freeze them in these bags. Then you just throw the frozen bag into the micro for a few minutes. The bag material is similar to those used commercially for steamer veggies. We have had a Food Saver ever since they were introduced. This is the best bag they have produced for ease of use and quality of food.
1561044
I don't have that cooker, because of its inferior design and quality of construction, compared to other similar units. I returned it to the store where I bought in less than one day without even firing it up. There are other units out there at comparable cost that are much better designed and constructed. Regardless of what you use, I would recommend that you should plan on cooking several relatively small portions rather one huge batch all at once.
209721
I have not had mine long and so far have only made soup in it. I look forward to doing some roasting and believe with the convection part what you want to do would work but that's just a guess.
766556
I have made as little as one cup, but as I previously stated, this machine scorches rice. I have a zojirushi rice cooker and it never has scorched my rice. My favorite feature is the steam one for reheating tamales or steaming vegetables.