Kitchen & Housewares : Oster 4716 Egg Cooker

Rating: - Oster Automatic Egg Cooker
After reading the reviews on many different brands of egg cookers I decided on this automatic cooker. I was concerned because two reviews listed a problem with the lid melting. However, that was only two out of 138+ positive reviews. I purchased this directly from Amazon. The shipping was fast, arriving in two days time even though I chose ground. I followed the instruction exactly and cooked to hard boil 8 eggs. The cooker worked perfectly. The eggs were plunged into ice water and then peeled under the cold water faucet and they were perfect for making deviled eggs. The second time I used the product-one week later I had a problem. The popping sounds and funny smell alerted me to a melting lid which was not apparent just by looking at the cooker. The light did not turn off so I had no reason to assume they were not done. When I removed the lid strands of melted plastic follwed and a horrible smell. Oddly, the eggs still cooked to perfection. I had followed the directions exactly. I called the Oster people (who really are not Oster) and after numerous menus was connected to a very nice person. She claimed I was the first to have a problem such as this as I mentioned the previous reviews with the same problem. Apparently, they did not report it. I had a difficult time locating the model numbers so she retrieved the product and helped me to locate them. She nicely told me they would send another cooker and did not want the other one returned. The new cooker arrived faster then calculated. I tried to use it again. This time I let the eggs sit out to room temperature. Again, followed the instructions exactly. However, this time I watched to see when it seemed the water had boiled mostly out and then I removed the plug and immediately took off the cover. Plunged the eggs into ice water and they were done to perfection. I have decided that is the key here to cooking hard boiled eggs in this cooker. I hope it continues to perform because I really was happy with the way the eggs turned out with the first cooker. I like the fact that it makes 8 eggs instead of the usual 7, which I think is an odd number. Eggs peel beautifully and it is nice to be able to hard boil a lot in one setting to have on hand. Even though it melted the first time I give it 3 stars for fast delievery, good cooked eggs, and very accomodating customer service from the Oster people.

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Rating: - Simple to use...
I bought this for my 75-year-old mother who has been banned from using the gas stove after a couple close calls. She wouldn't use the microwave egg poacher I bought her. But she is okay with this. It's pretty simple to use -- pour in some water to the correct marked depth. Then put the soft/hard boiled egg holder. Then the eggs in the poaching dish (I recommend a shot of Pam before you put the eggs in). Then the top. Then you hit the button.
Then there's plenty of time to get your toast or english muffin going in the toaster.
I really like the poached eggs. For the soft boiled eggs, make sure your eggs are all about the same size (we had a wierd small one in the bunch that cooked more). You may have to experiment with the amount of water to get it to your liking.
Although it shuts down when the water is boiled off, there is some carryover heat.
Great little product and I saved money buying it from Amazon (Free shipping).

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Rating: - still ticking
I received this same product too many years ago to admit to...and it wasn't that the cooker stopped functioning..my husband melted the lid! I'm sure this egg cooker will be just as good and last as long as the first...as long as I don't let my husband touch it. Husband's Retirement...bah humbug!!

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Rating: - Horrible, horrible, horrible design flaw
If the lid that accompanied this egg cooker was glass (as they used to be) or stainless steel, this might be a handy device. Unfortunately, the lid is plastic. And the lid is in constant contact with the part of the egg cooker that heats the water. The byproduct of this is that the lid will melt. I wish I had read the one-star reviews. They all say the same thing.

Given the design of this, I can't imagine how anyone's plastic lid didn't melt. Perhaps these reviews are combined for an Oster product that's no longer on the market? One with a glass lid?

Also, the instructions say that for cooking fewer than 8 eggs, more water may be necessary. But that's all. Cuisinart's egg cooker has a measuring beaker with exact marks showing how much water is necessary for how many eggs, and for what consistency: Hard, Medium, or Soft.

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Rating: - Love this egg cooker!
I almost bought a Cuisinart Egg Cooker but thankfully I read the reviews first and decided on the Oster...and I'm glad I did! You'll need to experiment a little at first to find the exact right amount of water to use depending on how you like your eggs but after that-perfect every time! I love the way it makes poached eggs-the whites perfectly cooked and runny yolks-mmm! I made eggs florentine one morning for my family and everyone wanted one after they saw how easy it was. Would definitely recommend this for anyone who loves poached eggs.