Today I’m testing three microwave-related kitchen items that promise faster cooking with less mess: a microwave rice cooker, a single-serve popcorn maker set, and a “vintage” Rapid Brownie Baker. I also toss in a quick bonus item at the end.
Where to Purchase
Below are links to where you can find the products covered in this review:
3 Microwave Gadgets
All three of these were aimed at making something convenient in the microwave without turning the process into a disaster (boil-overs, burned food, or a microwave full of debris). I tested each product the way a normal person would: following the included instructions when possible, and improvising when the instructions were vague or incomplete.
Microwave Rice Cooker
I picked up this folding microwave rice cooker for $5.99 at Marshalls. The product itself seems well thought out: it has stay-cool handles, a perforated steamer vent, and a lid designed to keep moisture and heat in. It also folds down for storage, which is nice if you don’t want yet another bulky kitchen thing living in your cabinet forever.
The main problem: the instructions were basically useless. They tell you to add rice and water… but don’t tell you how much. From what I saw online, other people had the same issue and had to figure out their own method. So I went with a most commonly reported working formula, which was:
- 1 cup of rice (thoroughly rinsed)
- 1 ¾ cups of water
- Cover with the vent + lid
- Microwave on high for 5 minutes
- Then 10 minutes at 50% power
- Rest covered for 5 minutes
Results: mostly great. It didn’t boil over during the first stage (which is usually where microwave rice goes rogue), though I did get some spillage during the lower-power phase. The important part is the rice itself: the texture came out right. No crunchy pieces, no soggy pieces, and no water left sitting at the bottom.
Would I replace a dedicated rice cooker with it? Probably not. I still use my Rice Robot, which is more hands-off and reliable. But if you don’t want another appliance taking up space and you’re fine using the microwave, this actually does the job once you dial in a method.
Cuisinart Single-Serve Popcorn Makers (Set)
Next up was a set of silicone single-serve popcorn makers that I found at Marshalls for $10. They’re meant to pop popcorn without oil or butter, which immediately raises two thoughts:
- It’s probably healthier.
- It’s probably bland.
These did include a useful timing chart inside the packaging, based on a 1000W microwave. The basic idea is simple: add kernels (don’t overfill), close the lid, and microwave until the popping slows.
I tested one popper first. It started popping quickly (around the 30-second mark), and the batch finished with about 30 seconds left because the popping had slowed, and I ended up with a surprisingly full portion. Bonus: almost no unpopped kernels.
Next, I tested two at once, since that’s part of the pitch. That mostly worked too, but one batch seemed slightly less efficient than the other, and I did notice a faint burnt-popcorn smell. Still, it wasn’t a disaster: only one piece escaped into the microwave, and the lid design helped keep things contained.
Taste-wise, it’s exactly what you’d expect: perfectly popped and very plain. Salt helps a lot. If you’re the type who wants portion control or a quick snack without dragging out a big air popper, these are actually pretty practical.
Rapid Brands Rapid Brownie Baker
This one is the wildcard. The Rapid Brownie Baker is one of those “how is this even a product?” gadgets that’s basically a plastic bowl with a very specific purpose. I bought it around 7 years ago, never used it, and at this point it’s basically vintage. I don’t think it’s widely sold anymore, but it’s easy to find on eBay for roughly $4 to $10.
The concept is simple: measure ingredients using built-in fill lines, dump everything in, stir thoroughly, and microwave for about 3½ minutes. The unit has markings for oil, egg, and water, plus a fill line for brownie mix. The markings aren’t as clear as they should be, so you do have to pay attention.
I followed the process as intended. A tiny bit splashed during the dump-and-mix step (I think a little water), but not enough to ruin the batch. The instructions even warn that the mixture may look dry at first and to keep stirring until it’s fully mixed.
After 3½ minutes, it looked and smelled cooked. The handles stayed cool, which is a nice touch. There weren’t any instructions about spraying the inside, so I didn’t spray it, and I was curious if it would stick. (It didn’t).
Once it cooled a bit, I checked the edges and it released nicely. The brownie was set, not collapsing in the middle, and the texture was more fudgy than cakey. It was a perfectly acceptable microwave brownie.
The big question with these Rapid Brand gadgets is always the same: couldn’t you do this with a normal bowl? Sure. But the advantage here is that it’s portioned, microwave-safe, and designed to work with a predictable amount. Also, it turned out I used about half a box of mix, and was able to make a second batch with the remainder, so it doesn’t feel like you’re wasting mix just to use the gadget.
If you find one cheap and you want brownies without turning on an oven, it’s oddly useful.
Blueberry Corn Straws (Bonus Item)
This wasn’t a microwave gadget, but I wanted to try it, so I tacked it onto the end of this review. These are cornstarch-based straws that are supposed to be biodegradable and also add a subtle blueberry flavor to your drink. The packaging claims the straw gradually expands and softens over time without losing functionality, and it has a shelf life of about two years.
I tested them in a real-world way: outside, with cold water and a cold soda. First impression: they’re sturdy and feel more rigid than I expected. The only immediate annoyance was that in certain bottles/cans, the straw can slide down too far, which means you end up fishing it back out with your finger. I instantly wished it was just a little longer.
Flavor-wise, it was faint at first. In plain water, I could taste something, but it was subtle. In soda, it was harder to notice at first, but it left a mild blueberry aftertaste. The more I drank, the more noticeable it became, almost like my brain “locked onto” the flavor over time.
Durability was the bigger surprise. Some flavored/biodegradable straws get slick, warp, crack, or fall apart quickly. These held up well for at least a half hour with no cracking, no warping, and no weird chemical taste. I did manage to break one by tapping it hard against a soda can, so they aren’t unbreakable, but they held up fine during normal use.
For completeness, I also left one in water overnight and it did fall apart. That’s not shocking, and it’s probably not what they’re designed for, but now we know.
Overall: subtle flavor, decent durability, and they seem to accomplish what they’re going for.
Video Review
Check out my full review below.