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- Verified Buyer
Product was very simple to use...We are really "hooked" into using these steaming trays for not only reheating (does not dry out the item you're reheating) but also to steam cook vegetables such as broccoli, asparagus, zucchini, etc. (steam cooking is fast and retains most of the nutrients of the vegetables). We tried a number of different steam cooking brands but Sistema products are the best by far - sturdy, well made and the clamps on the sides work very well.At last I found a large enough low profile microwavable container! Plenty of room for a large meal, I use it to finish cooking a frozen meal due to the company deciding to use a cheap thin bowl, I don't want beef with broccoli soup so I bought this to finish the cooking in since I can get it done the way it would be in a regular oven which is more like stir fry would be. I thank whoever posted the tip about coating the inside of the dish with oil to keep it from getting unremovable stains from things like chili, that's what happened to a bowl of this brand I have and nothing gets that stain out. So I figured to try it again but wanted something like a plate but the reviews for any of the covered plates said they were thin don't waste your money and I like this brand with the locking handles and the steam vent. I only wash it by hand, it hasn't warped, it's thick plastic top and bottom, my microwave is only 800 watts. Make Sure you use an oven mitt or dish towel because this gets really hot, (also take lid off towards you like you do with peel back cellophane so the steam doesn't scald your fingers) plus it keeps food warm till I've finished it. I'm happy, give it a try and don't forget the oil, no stains.Easy to cleanMy original set is at least two years old and they are like new. I use them everyday for heating my dinner. I’ve put them in the freezer with no problem. I have never put any plastic ware in the dishwasher because i worry about them warping so I can’t say anything about that. I have several Sistema products and recommend all of them.I purchased this in order to cook main and side dishes in hotel microwaves. This item is large enough to steam veggies for four people. I also used it to steam thick salmon steaks with some lemon, butter, salt and pepper. A couple teaspoons of water in the bottom and about 3 minutes total in the microwave - marvelous! I was intending to use it only for travel, but it has ended up in my kitchen to cook fish, sliced and spiralized squash and sweet potatoes.Clean up is usually easy with either a sponge, dish soap and hot water from the hotel sink, or wipe it out and pop it in the top rack of the dishwasher. I don't recommend using the dish for scrambled eggs, however. That was a little harder to clean up. I recommend it only for dishes that need to be steamed, and therefore always using the removable steam rack.My only complaint is that the lid and dish must be lined up exactly for all four side clips to click in place. So it might take a few tries by turning the lid 45 degrees each time, until I get all four clips to click.Use this all the time. Great for left overs to heat up and then use has a plate.THIS PRODUCT IS SO WORTH BUYING . Just exactly what I wanted :)I’ve used this at least 3 times a week since July 2017 and it’s still going strong. I use it to microwave fresh veg and fresh fish (separately not together!). Great taste. Steaming is better for you than frying. Usually takes only 2mins in my 900w microwave (for a tray full of veg or two salmon fillets. I leave it to steam / cool for a minute or two before serving. This helps retain the shape. Also only wash it when cold.————————————————I like to research before I buy. Pet hates = fake reviews and reviews based on initial impressions rather than tried and tested experiences. So I decided to write my own frank and honest reviews based on at least two months usage. Let me know if you find this review useful.I am always worry about using plastic in anything, but as I am now in travel and need something fast so I knew this technique for the first time in a deal of the day offers, so I decided to give it a try.So my first try was 0.300 kg salmon fillet ( I spiced it with a spoon of olive oil with black pepper ) , 200 g mushrooms and 300 g broccoli.I added 50 ml of water first then the salmon then the other ingredients.I set up the microwave into 900 and I guessed 13 minutes will be enough.The result was unbelievable :juicy delicious with the whole flavor.I was so sorry that I didn't know this before.I've had quite a bit of Sistema stuff in the past and always really liked it. Durable, hardwearing and great colours. Bit miffed with this one because I needed it for a specific purpose and the specifications were inaccurate. The width is stated as being 23cm - this is the external measurement so my items would not fit inside. The listing also says that it is 1.3L, however it started to overflow at 1.2L. Inside there is a plastic grate for helping steam your vegetables, but this so close to the bottom of the tub you can't get enough water to actually steam vegetables - they were too dry as there was not enough water. Very disappointing and will think twice about buying things like this again.Interesting, I purchased this with a view to cooking bacon in the microwave (it did come up in the search for microwaving bacon). When I looked at the instructions that came with it they said not to be used with fatty foods such as bacon. Hmm, anyway as we buy lean cut bacon I thought I would give it ago - perfect. There was no distortion of the plate or rack and the bacon was cooked in about a minute - no spitting cooking oil/fat and no frying pan to clean, just a quick wash in hot water. As to cooking fish, I tried small salmon steaks (I'm not that rich) and they were perfect in about a minute, still soft and flaky, without too much fishy smell lingering about for hours. I'm really pleased with this purchase and would recommend it.I love my Sistema items and have bought a few more, only to find they have updated them and made them better. This plate at the 1300 size is great for cooking 2 large pieces of meat, leaving them juicy, but no sloppy excess fat in the meat, due to the grate you sit the meat on making it a healthier cooking method also.The improvements I have found are to the hinges and the steam vent. The hinges fit better making closing the unit much easier. Due to proper closing the meat doesn't shrink.Still wash all the components on the top rack of the dishwasher for longer life and cook either at a lower % or on reheat- for same reason.I have so many red Sistema products now, it's like a parting of the red sea in my kitchen ?. Very pleased with this dish and it's updates. Will buy again
