# Looking for instructions for a Prestige Steamer/Slow Cooker **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [January 13, 2015, 9:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-instructions-for-a-prestige-steamer-slow-cooker/709697 "2015-01-13T09:05:47Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Cinnamon\_Imp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/58956e/32.png) [@Cinnamon\_Imp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cinnamon_Imp)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2015, 9:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-instructions-for-a-prestige-steamer-slow-cooker/709697/1 "2015-01-13T09:05:47Z")
I know, most boring mundane post ever… I have [this Prestige A La Carte Electric Non-stick Cook N Steam Multisteamer](http://www.amazon.co.uk/Prestige-Carte-Electric-Non-stick-Multisteamer/dp/B0000AKLKT) in the house, but no longer have the instructions and recipe book that came with it, after several house moves. I’ve never used it before (my ex did all the cooking) so can’t even figure out how to work it from memory. Can anyone help me track down either a pdf of the manual, or basic hints on how to use it online? It’s sitting there gathering dust, and I’d like to try making stews but without risking wasting food if it all goes horribly wrong! ---
**Author:** ![DCnDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dcndc/32/2842_2.png) [@DCnDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DCnDC)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2015, 1:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-instructions-for-a-prestige-steamer-slow-cooker/709697/2 "2015-01-13T13:33:29Z")
I’ve not been able to find anything like a manual online, but what you have appears to be what we would call an electric skillet in America, with steamer inserts. It’s a very simple device, what exactly do you need to know? ---
**Author:** ![DCnDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dcndc/32/2842_2.png) [@DCnDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DCnDC)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2015, 1:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-instructions-for-a-prestige-steamer-slow-cooker/709697/3 "2015-01-13T13:38:49Z")
It’s not _exactly_ what you have, but here’s a manual for the closest thing I could find to your device that you could use as a general guide (it has recipes also): [http://www.vitachef.com/files/Vitachef-Owners-Manual.pdf](http://www.vitachef.com/files/Vitachef-Owners-Manual.pdf) . ---
**Author:** ![Cinnamon\_Imp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/58956e/32.png) [@Cinnamon\_Imp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cinnamon_Imp)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2015, 10:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-instructions-for-a-prestige-steamer-slow-cooker/709697/4 "2015-02-06T10:08:15Z")
> [@DCnDC](#): > > I’ve not been able to find anything like a manual online, but what you have appears to be what we would call an electric skillet in America, with steamer inserts. > > It’s a very simple device, what exactly do you need to know? I’m embarrassed to admit - I don’t even know how to switch it on. Plus is there a timer on it, is it okay to put raw meat straight in to cook for stews or do you need to brown it first, etc. Basically slow cookers for dummies who’ve barely cooked before type guidance! 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Cicero](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cicero/32/3594_2.png) [@Cicero](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cicero)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2015, 11:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-instructions-for-a-prestige-steamer-slow-cooker/709697/5 "2015-02-06T11:40:02Z")
We have things here called saucepans. They are useful in boiling rice. However, aside from needling Cinnamon Imp, would it not be easier to toss it and buy a new one? They are pretty cheap. (Rice steamers I mean- not Cinnamon Imps). ---
**Author:** ![Your\_Great\_Darsh\_Face](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/ac8455/32.png) [@Your\_Great\_Darsh\_Face](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Your_Great_Darsh_Face)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2015, 12:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-instructions-for-a-prestige-steamer-slow-cooker/709697/6 "2015-02-06T12:33:56Z")
This doesn’t look like a slow cooker, not with an 1100W power rating - a slow cooker would draw about a tenth of that. It just looks like a multi-level steamer that should cook vegetables in half an hour or less, while (by the look of it) you cook a meat course in the bottom compartment. ETA: Wait, no, the Amazon page says you do one thing or the other (for steaming, I should think you need water in the bottom compartment to, you know, make steam.) Even a slow cooker will stew raw meat happily although you may prefer the taste and colour if you brown it separately first. ---
**Author:** ![Cinnamon\_Imp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/58956e/32.png) [@Cinnamon\_Imp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cinnamon_Imp)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2015, 4:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-instructions-for-a-prestige-steamer-slow-cooker/709697/7 "2015-02-06T16:20:08Z")
> [@Cicero](#): > > We have things here called saucepans. They are useful in boiling rice. > > However, aside from needling Cinnamon Imp, would it not be easier to toss it and buy a new one? They are pretty cheap. (Rice steamers I mean- not Cinnamon Imps). Probably, but where’s the fun in that? This one works, has emotional value (an old friend bought it for me, who I’ve since lost touch with), is good quality, and umm, I’m skint…