HI Carol. OH yes I did laugh at thwat you did at the end of that email before you had to go and answer the phone you're so funny for sure. Oh I do stew in the slow cooker as well and mine is probably the same size as yours. I've also done chilly in there and it turned out really good and I've done curries and even things like bolognaise and did some of that microwave pasta to go over it and I agree the microwave rice is great to but I've also now got a rice cooker for the microwave you have three parts and the middle bit is where the rice or pasta goes with the water ovfer the top and when you lift it out the water drains in to the thing underneath so its not scary trying to drain as long as we are careful of the steam when we take the lid off. Well we'll keep you all posted what we get up to tomorrow. Take care. Love Sarah xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx