If a healthy diet without added fat is just what the doctor ordered, then rice, vegetables, eggs, seafood, poultry, and more cooked in this seven-quart steamer fill the prescription. This oval-shaped, 900-watt steamer--more powerful than some other T-Fal models--produces steam quickly and circulates it efficiently through an "ultra-diffusion" pattern of holes. Included with the steamer base are transparent 3- and 4-quart bowls (which can be stacked one way for combined steaming use, or turned the other way to nestle compactly for storage), and a 1-quart rice bowl. The turquoise-tinted bases of the two steam bowls feature integrated egg holders for cooking up to one dozen eggs at a time, and one or both bases can be removed to allow room for larger food, such as a whole chicken. To operate, fill the tank with fresh water up to the "max" line on the indicator window, position the juice collector and one or both bowls in place, then turn the 60-minute timer dial to the desired length of cooking. An orange light illuminates when steaming begins. When cooking is finished, the beeper sounds and the light and steamer turn off automatically. During cooking, additional water can be added easily through a swing-out fill drawer. An illustrated instruction booklet shows versatile steaming options and provides a time-table for different foods. The steamer measures 13 by 9-1/2 by 13-1/2 inches when assembled, and is covered by a one-year warranty. All parts except the power base can be cleaned in the dishwasher. --Ann Bieri
