ZDQ-702A Multifunctional Dual Layer Electric Cooker with 14 Egg Capacity, Standard, White

We serve hard-boiled eggs in the continental breakfast at our retreat, so a reliable way to achieve perfect eggs is very handy. This steams twice the eggs of my old egg cooker, which was on its last legs, and becoming increasingly iffy (after nearly 2 decades of use--I hope this lasts as long). I love the doubled capacity from the two trays. I also like that the eggs on the top layer are slightly less done that the bottom layer, so if you mark your eggs before cooking, guests can choose their preference of custardy or firm yolks. Alternately, you can put your slightly smaller eggs on the top layer, and they'll all come out the same. The instructions are a little confusing and the guidelines of time and water are initially counter-intuitive--you use less water for larger batches of eggs (this makes sense in the end, because the eggs take up space, so you don't need to produce enough steam. I found the guidelines in the book for 14 eggs--40ml of water and 17 minutes--to produce perfect custardy hard-boiled eggs when started as cold large eggs (2 - 2 1/4 oz) and followed with a 10-minute ice bath, or hard set but not chalky with the same procedure, but left to cool at room temperature for 5 minutes before the ice bath. There was a little water left for me at 17 minutes, but the cooker will shut off automatically when you run out of water. This means that if you space out and forget about them, they'll continue to cook a bit from the existing steam, but probably won't be horribly overcooked with that ugly green line. When I've forgotten for 5-10 minutes, they've been more done that my ideal (I like a set but translucent, bright yolk), but not rubber/chalky, because the cooker shut off. The little measuring cup is super confusing and pointless--just three different marks with numbers 1-7--I'm assuming they're for cooking 1-7 eggs at various doneness--but they're confusing and very difficult to read with water in the cup. There is a little poker imbedded in the cup to vent the shell, handy, and pretty effective (but not guaranteed) in preventing blowouts.

I love anything that makes cooking easier. I was considering purchasing an egg cooker for a long time. I like to have hard boiled eggs available for salads on most days and the added features makes it a useful item to have. This one is not bad, but I found that some things need improvement. The first negative is the instructions. They are rather vague. There are no instructions on cook times for different sized eggs. It is assumed that you will be using large. I like to get extra large at Costco, so I had to figure out how to make the adjustments for them. Even though the cooker is very compact it can hold the extra large eggs with no problem. I know that a lot of people also get medium eggs from farmer's markets. It wouldn't take a lot of effort to have a chart. The eggs have to be pierced with a needle that is implanted in the bottom of the measuring cup. It is supposed to be to prevent eggs from cracking during cooking. It is easy to use and works okay, but occasionally my eggs crack. The crack isn't extreme and none if the egg comes out. The measuring cup itself is almost impossible to read. It looks like the one in the fourth picture. There are tiny lines in the plastic to indicate how much water you should use based on the amount of eggs that you are cooking. There is no color to the lines, so I have to hold it up to a light to see them. Needless to say they're even harder to see when you have water in it. That is my biggest irritation with the whole thing. It feels a bit flimsy and the coating is already starting to scrape off of the bottom. I only have to put the water on it, so I don't think that will be a problem. It does have great capacity. I love being able to cook up to 14 eggs at a time even though I don't need to. The steaming and poaching features are also very convenient. It is much better than cooking eggs on the stove in most ways. Overall I think that it is nice to have, but only time will tell how long it will hold up.

I'm in love with this steamer. When I saw the picture on the box., I said, "Eggs and broccoli? I eat that just about every night"! And I really do, so I got it. The price is a little high, but it is worth it if keeps on working a couple of years. Plus I'm not using two burner on my electric stove which is a lot of wattage. (The only reason I didn't call in sick last Friday was because the UPS tracking said the steamer was going to be delivered that morning at my job. Yes, I was that excited about a steamer.) You do have to read the directions. I don't like that the numbers on the measuring cup are tiny and clear. I really can't see them. I messed up my first two eggs (too soft), but the broccoli came out perfect. The next day I was painting my kitchen so I made two perfect hard boiled eggs. It was quick and easy to cook and clean. Last night, I did the eggs and broccoli again. Both came out perfect. I have to learn to be patience and not pull them out of the steamer too quick. As for clean up, it is just hot water and a sponge to clean the burner. If you're making broccoli, you have to make sure you clean all the residue off or it will smell like broccoli with the next use. You also have to clean the egg needle as it is in contact with raw egg. Again, I really recommend this. I've become a minimalist and this takes up little counter space space, I'm replacing the work of two pots, and I hope, saving on electricity since I'm not starting up the stove top.