I already had a car so no cooker new to me in the operation. This one is basic but well designed, well done for the addition of water from the outside which is handy (but not often necessary) As we are a big family every day I use this steam cooked with direct + large basket that fits without going through the other baskets. I mainly cooked as vegetables; I did not try to bowl soups. All accessories fit together well for storage and congratulations also to the cord slips into the unit.