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Cooking rice on the stove can mean watching water levels, cleaning another pot, and dealing with boil-over when you only want a simple meal. The Zwippy Microwave Rice Cooker Steamer and Pasta Cooker, model 35MRC-V2.0, is designed to put rice, vegetables, and pasta preparation into one compact microwave vessel. Its strongest features are the 2-liter capacity, built-in colander, vented design, and dishwasher-safe construction. The main tradeoff is that results still depend on using the correct food-to-water ratio and following the included cooking guidance for your microwave.
Quick Verdict
Rating: Recommended with caveats
Best For: Students, small households, office kitchens, and anyone who wants one microwave container for rice, pasta, and vegetables.
Bottom Line: The Zwippy gives you a useful 2-liter microwave cooking system with a built-in strainer and easy dishwasher cleanup. It makes the most sense if convenience matters more to you than the precise control of stovetop or dedicated electric cooking.
| Specification | Detail |
|---|---|
| Brand | Zwippy |
| Model | 35MRC-V2.0 |
| Product Type | Microwave rice cooker, vegetable steamer, and pasta cooker |
| Capacity | 2 liters, marketed for up to 8 cups |
| Dimensions | About 7.28 × 7.28 × 5.1 inches |
| Weight | About 1.5 pounds |
| Material | Plastic |
| Color | White |
| Power Source | Microwave oven |
| Built-In Feature | Colander for rinsing and draining |
| Included Accessory | Multi-purpose paddle and instruction guide |
| Care | Dishwasher safe |
| Best Use | Rice, pasta, and microwave-steamed vegetables |
What Is the Zwippy Microwave Rice Cooker?
The Zwippy 35MRC-V2.0 is a passive microwave cooking container rather than a countertop electric rice cooker. You place the food and required water inside, assemble the cooker as directed, and use your microwave as the heat source.
The 2-liter vessel is designed to handle more than rice. Zwippy promotes it for white or brown rice, pasta, and vegetables such as corn, potatoes, carrots, and green beans. A built-in colander helps you rinse rice or drain pasta without reaching for a separate strainer, while the multi-purpose paddle helps with handling and serving.
Key Takeaways
- The 2-liter capacity gives you room for everyday portions without requiring a full-size electric rice cooker.
- The built-in colander is useful for rinsing rice and draining pasta or vegetables.
- The vented v2.0 design is intended to reduce messy water overflow in the microwave.
- The cooker is dishwasher safe, which simplifies cleanup after starchy foods such as rice and pasta.
- Cooking time is not one universal number, so you should follow the included instructions and adjust for your microwave and portion.
Who Should Buy It?
Best For
- Students or apartment dwellers who rely heavily on a microwave.
- Small households that want one container for rice, pasta, and vegetables.
- Busy cooks who value dishwasher-safe cleanup and fewer separate utensils.
Skip If
- You routinely cook large batches beyond the 2-liter capacity.
- You prefer the automatic programs and keep-warm function of an electric rice cooker.
- You want precise stovetop-style control over heat and texture.
Before You Buy: Do not treat one advertised cook time as correct for every batch. Rice variety, portion size, water ratio, and microwave output can change the result, so keep the instruction guide and use its directions as your starting point.
What Can You Cook With the Zwippy Rice Cooker?
The Zwippy is useful because it is not limited to a single type of rice. The product is intended for brown and white rice as well as microwave-steamed vegetables. The built-in colander also makes pasta a more practical option because you can drain the cooking water in the same system.
For vegetables, the product information specifically highlights foods such as corn, potatoes, carrots, and green beans. That makes the cooker useful when you want a simple side dish without boiling a separate saucepan.
The 2-liter capacity also gives you flexibility with portions. It is large enough for regular household cooking, but still compact at roughly 7.28 inches across, which helps it fit into kitchens where counter and storage space are limited.
How Does the Zwippy Cooker Simplify Meal Prep?
The biggest advantage is consolidation. Instead of using a bowl to rinse rice, another pot to cook it, and a separate colander for draining pasta, you can complete several of those jobs with the Zwippy system.
The built-in strainer is especially useful for pasta and rice preparation. You can rinse grains before cooking and drain pasta afterward without transferring hot food between several containers. The included paddle also reduces the need to grab another serving utensil.
Its vent design addresses another common microwave problem: starchy water rising as food cooks. The v2.0 design is intended to control overflow more effectively, although correct filling and water ratios still matter.
Benefits of Using the Zwippy Rice Cooker for Quick Meals
The practical benefit is not simply speed. It is the ability to move from preparation to cooking, draining, serving, and cleanup with fewer separate kitchen tools.
| Food | Useful Zwippy Feature | Buyer Benefit |
|---|---|---|
| Rice | Built-in colander | Lets you rinse grains in the cooker system. |
| Pasta | Integrated strainer | Reduces the need for a separate colander. |
| Vegetables | Microwave steaming design | Provides a compact way to prepare simple side dishes. |
How Does the Design Enhance Usability?
2-Liter Capacity
The 2-liter, or roughly 8-cup, capacity gives the Zwippy more flexibility than a single-serving microwave bowl. It can handle everyday portions while remaining small enough for dorm rooms, apartments, office kitchens, and compact cupboards.
Built-In Colander
The integrated colander is one of the most useful features. It gives you a dedicated way to rinse rice and drain pasta or vegetables without transferring food to another container. That means fewer dishes and less handling of hot food.
Vented v2.0 Design
Zwippy describes the v2.0 vent system as a way to reduce overflow while food cooks. This is useful with starchy foods, although you still need to avoid overfilling and use the proper amount of water.
Multi-Purpose Paddle
The included paddle gives you a dedicated tool for handling and serving food. Keeping the cooker, strainer, and paddle together can make the whole process more convenient than assembling several separate pieces of cookware.
How It Performs in Real Use
For Weeknight Rice
The Zwippy makes the most sense when you want rice without setting up a stovetop pot or dedicated electric appliance. You can rinse the rice with the colander, add the required water, and microwave it according to the instruction guide. Once cooked, the paddle is ready for fluffing and serving.
For Pasta
Pasta highlights the benefit of the built-in strainer. Instead of carrying a separate pot to the sink and pouring it into a colander, the cooker is designed to let you drain the food using its integrated system.
For Vegetable Sides
The cooker can also serve as a microwave vegetable steamer. This is useful when the main meal is already occupying your stovetop or when you only need a small side of carrots, green beans, corn, or potatoes.
For Dorms and Small Kitchens
Because the Zwippy does not contain an electric heating element, you do not need permanent counter space for another appliance. You can store it with regular cookware and bring it out when you need a microwave rice cooker, pasta vessel, or vegetable steamer.
How to Use It Correctly
Start by reading the included instruction guide. Microwave cooking is sensitive to food quantity, water quantity, and appliance output, so the guide should be your reference for the rice or pasta you are preparing.
For rice, use the built-in colander to rinse the grains when the recipe calls for rinsing. Add the specified amount of water, assemble the cooker correctly, and keep the vent area unobstructed. For pasta, leave enough room for water and expansion rather than filling the container to its maximum volume.
Pro Tip: Keep the instruction booklet with the cooker instead of storing it elsewhere. Water ratios and cooking guidance are much easier to follow when the directions are available every time you change rice type or portion size.
Food-Contact Materials and Safety
The Zwippy 35MRC-V2.0 is listed as a plastic microwave cooking vessel with a plastic lid. Use it only as directed for microwave cooking and follow the current instructions supplied with your unit.
Do not place the cooker on a stovetop, under a broiler, or in another heat source unless the manufacturer specifically states that use is permitted. Steam and hot water can also cause burns, so handle the cooker carefully after microwaving and open it in a way that keeps escaping steam away from your face and hands.
If a specific material certification, such as BPA-free status, is essential to your buying decision, confirm the claim on the current Amazon listing or product packaging before use rather than relying on an older product description.
Caring for Your Zwippy Rice Cooker
The Zwippy is listed as dishwasher safe, which is valuable because cooked rice and pasta can leave a starchy film. Clean the cooker after each use instead of allowing residue to dry onto the container, lid, colander, or paddle.
Before storing it, make sure the pieces are dry and free of trapped food. Check the vent and strainer openings for residue so they continue to work as intended. If any component becomes cracked, badly warped, or damaged, follow the manufacturer’s guidance before continuing to microwave it.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- 2-liter capacity suits more than single-serving cooking.
- Built-in colander helps with rice rinsing and pasta draining.
- Designed for rice, pasta, and several types of vegetables.
- Dishwasher-safe construction simplifies cleanup.
- Compact design avoids adding another powered countertop appliance.
Cons
- Cooking time still needs to match your microwave, portion, and food type.
- The 2-liter size is not intended for very large batches.
- It lacks the automatic programs and keep-warm function of an electric rice cooker.
Is It Worth the Price?
The Zwippy is best viewed as a practical mid-range microwave cooking accessory rather than a replacement for a feature-rich electric rice cooker. Its value comes from combining a 2-liter cooking vessel, strainer, steaming function, and serving paddle in one system.
You get the most value if you regularly prepare rice or pasta and appreciate reducing the number of bowls, pots, and strainers you wash. If you only cook rice occasionally and already own microwave-safe cookware, a simpler container may be enough. Likewise, buyers who want timers, automatic cooking programs, or a keep-warm mode should look at electric rice cookers instead.
How It Compares to Alternatives
The Joseph Joseph M-Cuisine Microwave Rice Cooker is another 2-liter option with a colander, measuring cup, and multi-purpose paddle. It is especially worth comparing if you want another established microwave rice-and-grain system with similar integrated accessories.
The Sistema Microwave Rice Cooker takes a different approach with a larger 2.6-liter capacity and a pressure-chamber plate designed to help control overflow. The Zwippy makes more sense when its built-in pasta-straining function is particularly useful to you, while the Sistema may appeal more if capacity is your priority.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the capacity of the Zwippy Microwave Rice Cooker?
The Zwippy 35MRC-V2.0 has a 2-liter capacity and is marketed for up to 8 cups. It is suitable for everyday portions, but it is not designed as a large batch cooker for big gatherings.
Can you cook pasta in the Zwippy?
Yes. Pasta cooking is one of its intended uses, and the built-in colander is designed to make draining easier. Follow the included directions for water quantity, portion size, and microwave cooking time.
Can the Zwippy steam vegetables?
Yes. Product information lists microwave steaming for vegetables and specifically mentions foods such as corn, potatoes, carrots, and green beans. Use the instructions for the food and quantity you are preparing.
Is the Zwippy dishwasher safe?
Yes, the model is listed as dishwasher safe. Cleaning it soon after rice or pasta preparation can also prevent dried starch from collecting around the strainer and vent openings.
Does rice always cook in 10 minutes?
You should not assume one cooking time works for every batch. Rice variety, amount, water ratio, and microwave output can affect cooking, so use the Zwippy instruction guide as your starting point.
What warranty does the Zwippy include?
A specific manufacturer warranty period could not be confirmed reliably during this review. Check the current Amazon listing, seller terms, and packaging for the warranty information that applies to your purchase.
Who should skip the Zwippy Microwave Rice Cooker?
Skip it if you regularly need more than a 2-liter cooking capacity or want automatic programs and a keep-warm mode. A full electric rice cooker may suit those needs better.
The Bottom Line
The Zwippy 35MRC-V2.0 is a sensible choice if you want a compact microwave system for rice, pasta, and vegetables with a built-in colander and dishwasher-safe cleanup. Its main limitation is that it still requires you to use the correct water ratios and cooking guidance instead of providing the automatic control of an electric rice cooker.
If microwave convenience, small-space storage, and fewer dishes matter most, it is recommended with those caveats. If you regularly cook large batches or want automatic rice-cooker functions, a different appliance will be the better fit.
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