Wonderbag K5940 Non-Electric Portable Slow Cooker with Recipe Cookbook, Blue Batik

When I purchased this, it was $50. That was in 2014. I love, love, LOVE this bag!! I've used it consistently, cooking crock pot meals and bone broth. I don't know if the quality has changed with the newer bags over the years; it's a shame if it has because this bag is truly a beast. I start my food in a crock pot, put a towel in the bottom of the bag, then turn off the crock pot when I'm ready to leave the house, unplug and put the entire crock pot in the bag, place the 'hat' atop the slow cooker's lid, tighten the drawstrings and think no more about it. I don't like anything 'on' when I'm not home, so I appreciated the fact, that my food could keep cooking when I'm not home, safely. I pulled it out today, after a few years of inactivity. Due to surprisingly negative reviews, I'm going to make something in a small cast iron dutch oven this week (holds 3 or 3 1/2 qt of food). I'm going to see what happens when I use this in the bag as opposed to the slow cooker, just to see what's what. My plan is to prepare the meal at night and see what happens by morning. I'll report back when I do, hopefully with the same great results I'm used to seeing. Before, I used to use the bag mostly for making bone broth since that had to cook for 2 days or so. I'd start the slow cooker, let it cook all night, put the whole crock pot in the Wonderbag in the morning when it was time to go to work, then put it back on slow cook in the evening. Everything stayed burning hot and kept cooking. I'm going to enjoy this little experiment. I won't be making bone broth, maybe beans or chili to start.

Update: Since the initial purchase we have used the Wonderbag repeatedly to make yogurt and to make things I used to cook in an electric slow cooker. My sweetie has declared, "you bought a cool thing!" Most recently I put a whole chicken in the pot, brought it to a boil with plenty of water, and snuggled it into the WB to cook while I was off running errands. I pulled it out several hours later and deboned the tender cooked chicken to make soup. I love this thing. Storing it is no problem for me because it looks fine on my couch when not in use--like a big round pillow. After the initial heating there's no consumption of fuel no lit burner to worry about, no danger of overheating or cooking dry. This is a convenient device for modern cooks that utilizes resources wisely and reduces wasteful over-consumption of resources. Every home should have one. Original Review: I was curious enough about the Wonderbag to give it a try and confident enough to make moose stew the first experiment. Per instructions I used a short handled heavy pot. After browning the meat and aromatics on the stove I added some flour for thickening and my chopped raw veggies. I made sure there was enough liquid to cover everything and that the pot was pretty full. After bringing it to a boil I put the lid on and let it simmer for about 20 minutes so everything had a chance to heat through. Then I popped the whole shebang in the dishtowel-lined Wonderbag, pulled the drawstring tight, and left it on the counter for 8 hours. It was plenty hot still (140 degrees) when I opened it up and everything was cooked but not mushy. The stew needs a little more thickening since there's no evaporation inside the bag, but not bad for the first try. I did this as an overnight experiment so I wouldn't be tempted to open it early and let the heat escape, so I will be refrigerating the stew and re-heating it on the stove for tonight's dinner and will thicken it a little more at that time. I am looking forward to trying this for rice, beans, posole, etc. I've used traditional slow cookers for years but in addition to the environmental benefits of the Wonderbag, I think the gentleness of the retained heat cooking method will be advantageous. An electric slow cooker is a great convenience but does have a tendency to turn everything into a chunky, colorless mush if left for too long. If you've used one you know what I mean! Yes, the Wonderbag is bulky. Since it retains heat through insulation, I expected this to be the case. I store other bulky things like a pressure cooker so the dimensions don't worry me overmuch. Yes, it comes vacuum-sealed into a much smaller package and must be "fluffed" prior to the first use. This wasn't terribly onerous. My only concern was that my cat would find it and take a nap in there. The instructions packed with the Wonderbag are pretty clear. However, people are people and not everyone reads and follows instructions. I can see the potential for very poor results, including food-borne illness, if users are careless or lack a good heavy pot with a tight lid. If you open it up midway through to peek, you are going to lose the heat. If you leave it sitting around for 18 hours, it's going to cool off and allow bacterial growth. Any food preparation method has drawbacks and this is no exception. It's an insulated bag, not a magic spell. Don't be surprised that the result is not "the same" as a an electric slow cooker. You can't have it be "the same" and "different" simultaneously.

I bought this product last winter and have used it a number of times; it is not perfect, but I am learning how to make good use of it in my kitchen. With electricity rates expected to go up by 37% this winter, I expect to use it regularly. As the instructions state, food has to be brought to a boil and cooked for a period of time before you put it in the bag. It's been great for dried beans, sturdy whole grains (rice, not so much) and dense root vegetables (carrots, potatoes, etc). It seems to work best with full pots rather than half-empty ones. I don't eat meat, so I can't address that issue. It is important to note that you don't have to cook a dish entirely in the wonderbag--if you're cooking something that takes a long time at a low temperature, like beans, you can pop it in the wonderbag for a few hours, then put it back on the stove for a short final cooking. I often put my beans in the bag for few hours, then put them back on the stove for a few minutes to add other ingredients that don't need to cook as long, then return the pot to the wonderbag for further cooking. A large pot of beans might spend a half hour total on the stove, as opposed to 3 hours or more. I like it better than a crock pot because I have never had one that had good temperature control--and it uses a lot less energy. It may not suit people who want to walk away from the food for twelve hours and come home to a meal that's completely ready to eat. But you don't have to worry about the house burning down in your absence. I like that it is made from recycled foam and I was also happy to pay extra to provide one to a family in Africa. We are fortunate in this country that we don't have to worry about having enough fuel to cook our food. I wish that it was more moisture and stain-resistant--I haven't tried to wash it, and hope I won't have to. Lastly, cat owners should be aware that a still-warm Wonderbag is irresistible to cats! If you leave it out, don't be surprised to find a very happy cat occupying it.

I bought this after hearing about it and seeing the website. I was extremely dubious when I purchased it, quite skeptical of the possibility of a "electricity-free" slow-cooker. How incredibly wrong I was! I purchased one of these the day they were available here on Amazon. I got it in a few days, and it was packaged very well. It took a bit of work to get it fluffed out (they vacuum seal it in plastic for shipping to reduce bulk, and you have to fluff up the foam inside the fabric bag, so that it insulates properly.) Once it was ready to go and had sat the recommended time, I was ready to use it! I do want to note that I purchased a silicone trivet to put in the bottom, just to ensure that the table I put this on while I'm cooking with it doesn't get scorched. I don't think it would without it, but I just didn't want to take any chances, and it was recommended. The first thing I cooked with this was a beef roast, with carrots and potatoes. I browned the roast in a skillet, put everything into a 7qt stainless steel stock pot, put on the lid, and got it up to a rolling boil on my stove, then let it go for about 20 minutes like the instructions say. I honestly wondered if I was going to be out a roast with this thing, but I followed the directions, and after boiling for 20 minutes, I put it in the bag, put the top on, and sealed it up, and 8 hours later, I had the juiciest, most tender, flavorful roast I've EVER had. The stock in the pot was STILL STEAMING when I removed the lid! I was amazed. The potatoes and carrots were fully cooked as well, and very tender. I've since used it a couple more times, including most recently to make slow-cooker potato soup! I highly recommend this to anyone who is considering buying it, and I LOVE that it doesn't require any more electricity after the initial start (the roast was cooked when we were getting a huge ice storm, and I figured that if it worked, at least we'd have a hot meal should the power go out!) For people who use their crock pots regularly, I highly recommend this, because you'll save yourself all kinds of money in electricity by switching to this Wonderbag! Not to mention, the donate one for every one sold, which is just a really good feeling to know you're helping the less fortunate! For those with kids: The outside of the bag never got more than "warm," so if you have little ones who might reach out and touch the bag while it has a hot pot in it, don't worry, - the outside never gets hot enough to burn!

I love using this more than my crock pot. - It cooks faster than the crockpot so if I don't want to wait 4-6 or 8-10 hours I don't have to. BUT it still is a slow cooker so It can sit for up to 12 hours allowing meat in your dishes to be so tender etc. - It is impossible to burn anything using this ( I HAVE had things burn in my crock pot ) - It has made cooking rice/grains so EASY, I just boil the 2 cups rice with 3 cups water for 5 minutes, throw the lid on and put it in the crock pot. 45 min later (or even longer, if I'm not ready for it yet) the rice is read, no burns, perfectly cooked. I know there are options like minute rice or rice cookers in the US but I have never cared for minute rice or used a rice cooker; but I would imagine even with a rice cooker you have to pay attention to it, where as if I leave this sitting on my counter for a few hours there is no harm done to my rice. - CLEAN UP is a BREEZE! Washing a pot is so much easier than washing a crock pot, and I don't have to wonder if I have any crock pot liners on hand either. Plus, since there is no way to burn anything in this I never have any scrubbing to do to the pot, it's just rinse, soap down, rinse again. - I love being able to put it back on the stove right before serving if I need to... since things don't thicken in a slow cooker sometimes with a crock pot you have to pour everything into a pot to thicken, making more dishes to have to wash, not with the wonder bag. I just pull my pot out, set it on the stove and continue on with my life. I don't live in the United States, but in South America, and honestly I wanted this because I wanted to be able to slow cook things without worrying about the electricity, I didn't imagine I would love this MORE than a crock pot, but I do. I do remember in the US that I didn't use my crock pot much because it always seemed like such a hassle. Since having the wonder bag, I have used it every day (unless we are having leftovers) I am in love! So glad this concept is being popularized again, as I know it was once a common cooking method (google: hayboxes)

I cannot begin to tell you the magnitude of my disappointment in this product, the Wonderbag. I had so much enthusiasm for this new product that seemed to be changing lives all over the world. I was even willing to pay the extremely expensive price for a product that was so dedicated and passionate about helping people. I try to be a very informed consumer. I like to make sure a product is high quality and economical, foremost. Since this company also claims their product is good for the environment and a worthy contribution to society, I believed I could not go wrong by the purchase of this product. In fact, the main reason for this purchase was to try it out, so that I could give them as gifts. After making the purchase, I proceed to prepare for its arrival with all of the other necessary items I would need to create my first masterpiece of a meal, with joyful thoughts of impressing my large family. I imagined my family of seven all sitting around the table, savoring each bite of a delicious home cooked meal while discussing the possibilities of future meals and what a wonderful gift this product would make for our family and friends. It is good that I did try this product before giving it to anyone else. I would not want them to suffer the horrible events, physically, emotionally, and financially, that my family has suffered because of this product. After reading many reviews on Amazon and visiting the company website to become more informed of this intriguing product, I finally made the decision to purchase the Wonderbag from Amazon on October 13, 2013. I did not own a pot that would be meet the appropriate requirements as quoted in the description of the product: "Fits your home - Works with 2-9 Quart pots with short handles and lid; metal and cast iron work best" Therefore, I also purchased an 8-quart stainless steel pot from Amazon on October 23, 2013. By this time, I had already received the Wonderbag. I was so excited to see it and looked through all the directions, following the guidelines for bringing the Wonderbag to life in 4 easy steps. Although I could hardly wait to use the product, I wanted to be sure I was doing everything correctly. I proceeded to search recipes and gather ingredients in anticipation of the inaugural meal using my incredible new Wonderbag! After reviewing the recipes in the enclosed Knorr pamphlet, I decide on the Homestyle Beef Stew. I had also purchased the Knorr concentrated homestyle beef stock, even though I felt the company is possibly teaming up with Wonderbag for their own profiteering agenda. The day finally arrived when I had all the necessary ingredients for the first meal using my new Wonderbag. It was a perfect day, because we had a long weekend full of busy activities. After church on Sunday, November 3 2013, I washed my new stainless steel pot and lid. Then I carefully prepared the ingredients for our stew, following the recipe in the Knorr booklet, which came with my Wonderbag, exactly as described. I brought all the ingredients to a boil and then reduced the temperature to medium low. My family kept commenting on how good it smelled. When the 15-minute low simmer was over, I stirred the delicious smelling stew, replaced the lid on the pot, removed the pot from the stove, and placed it into the Wonderbag. Then, I place the Wonderbag cover on top of the pot and pulled the drawstring closed. Right away, I noticed a very odd burning smell. There were a few drips on the sides of the pot, so I assumed that a few drips landed on the stove top and that was where the smell was coming from. I checked to be sure I had turned off the stove, which I had. My family left the house for our afternoon activities, fully expecting to return to the house in about 4 hours with a delicious pot of home cooked stew waiting for us on our dining room table! We returned home four hours later, expecting to smell delicious stew, upon entering the house. You cannot imagine our shock and dismay when we were overwhelm by the most disgusting burnt smell. It was so overwhelming that my family left the room while I proceed to investigate the cause. I first checked the stove to be sure nothing was left on. The stove was off. It was obvious the smell was coming from the dining room table. I carefully opened the Wonderbag to check on the food. The pot was still very hot and the food looked fine. I attempted to lift the pot out of the Wonderbag and shockingly it was stuck to the bottom. I pulled harder and the pot came loose. I could not believe my eyes at what I was looking at next! A giant whole, the exact size of the pot was burned all the way through the top layer of fabric and foam. The only thing left was the outer layer of fabric. When I lifted the Wonderbag up from the table a burned circle was left on my table! The fabric of the Wonderbag is melted to the bottom of my new stainless steel pot. The stew inside the pot was now burned on the bottom. I am still in shock over the events that have taken place! My husband I quickly examined all of the papers that had come with the Wonderbag and even the stainless steel pot. I did everything exactly has directed. There is not a single thing in the directions that warned us that this could happen. In fact, it is quite the contrary: FALSE CLAIM: "Because it is not on direct heat, it will never overcook or burn." Even though the top of the stew looked fine, the burned taste had permeated the food and it was inedible. I had to throw out all the food, over $30 worth of ingredients. I had to open all the windows in my house to rid it of the horrible smell, wasting the electricity being used to heat my house. FALSE CLAIM: "It reduces toxic fumes which means less respiratory problems and other diseases, particularly in children." I had to order take-out food for my famished family. This sounds so trite when I think of the poor families in underprivileged countries. The exact families I thought I was somehow helping, in my own small way. I had planned to help more. My dreams of buying more Wonderbags for families and friends is now squelched. My anticipation of spreading the word about this incredible new product is now ended. "Buy One, Donate One: For every Wonderbag purchased in the US, one is donated to a family in need in Africa; Families in developing countries who use Wonderbags save up to 30% of their income otherwise spent on fuel for wood stoves." All of the valuable time and resources invested, gone! My brand new stainless steel pot ruined! My dining room table ruined! My belief that I was going to help save my family money by investing in this product has actually cost me more. FALSE CLAIM: "No Plugs, No fuss - Cooks your food, unplugged, by retaining the heat from an initial simmer on the stove; Perfect for the holidays when stove, freezer and counter space are at a premium." Everything that the Wonderbag website claims is false. There are no warnings about temperature of the pot. I have attempted to contact the company but have received no response. This company is not based in the USA. The only contact information available for a USA purchase is an e-mail address. There is no phone number or mailing address!

I've used this for slow-cooking beef heart, pork for pulled pork recipes, & yogurt; for both incubating the milk & then for draining the finished yogurt to make lampeh (Greek-style). Great for the meats, but risky for the yogurt; I'm now doing it all in a cooler (ice-chest), setting the inoculated milk into the chest with heated water to keep it warm, for both incubation & then for drainage). Great idea, works as described, & helps folks In more primitive cultures. If wetted (a corner of the towel under the bowl with water into which I had set the pot of milk had fallen into the water, having been draped over the top. It sucked up part of the water overnight & I awoke to a puddle where the bag sat on the counter. I hung it up by pants-hangers & it dried overnight). It dries readily; the foam doesn't seem to soak up much, perhaps it would if immersed, I don't know. It was a bit pricey for me, but I sprang for it for the benefit on the other end; however, if needed I could make one myself, using this for a pattern. Overall, I like it & was very pleased with the heat-retention quality; impressive.

After seeing this product on Amazon's main page, I decided to purchase it due to its interesting concept. Sometimes it's a pain having to watch the crockpot or stove for several hours while making a stew or soup. With the Wonderbag, there's no heat source, so you don't have to worry about your food burning while it's cooking. Also, it's more eco-friendly than traditional methods as you don't have to plug it in. It's nice that they also give a Wonderbag away to charity with every purchase. I've tried the Wonderbag for a beef stew, quinoa, and barley. The quinoa and barley turned out nicely -- I just followed the directions in the cookbook that came with the package. I placed the beef stew in Wonderbag for 2 hours as it said in the cookbook, but the beef was not as tender as it usually is so I had to put it back on the stove. I think it may take more experimentation and practice to perfect the cooking times for different dishes in the Wonderbag... After all, it is a different cooking method than traditionally used. Of note, the Wonderbag does take up a lot of counterspace when you place the pot inside. This may be annoying if your kitchen is on the smaller side. It also does have a strong plastic smell out of the box. I think it's also on the expensive side, as I can buy a crockpot for less... Overall, interesting, eco-friendly concept, but it does take some practice/experimentation to cook various recipes.

It is well padded, keeps things warm--but I didn't find things I put inside kept cooking, even though I made sure they were kept on the boil for the time suggested.

I was amazed how well this works. Great Construction. Can go anywhere. Only downside is the clean up. I made sure not to spill anything on it because I was concerned about washing it. I really like that when you purchase one, they donate one to a needed family in the third world. Great idea and it really does work. Great Gift for anyone who is concerned about the environment and would like to reduce their carbon footprint.

This thing is amazing! I didn't hold out much hope for the unfortunate-looking stewing meat that was in my fridge, a sad reminder of my recent visit to the Extra Foods meat department. It was hanging onto the edge of its expiration date by the skin of its teeth and I was not feeling too confident. I plunged ahead and seared the sad-looking steer in my six-quart pot in butter and canola. Then I added some pre-minced garlic in canola, dehydrated onion, Italian spices, baby carrots, baby potatoes, canned peas & canned corn (including water from each can), 1 orange and 1 red pepper, 1 beef bouillon cube, 1 can of Hunts diced tomatoes, a touch of salt and pepper and that was it. I brought it up to a low boil for fifteen minutes in my $19.99 dutch oven from Canadian tire. I'm using a little two-burner propane stove in my 1987 Pleasureway Dodge campervan (did I mention I'm camping and want to save fuel??) So I made sure it was hot and bubbly, just like they said in the lovely recipe booklet, and bundled it up in its new home, my Wonderbag. I walked away and crossed my fingers. Six hours later... I opened up the bag, and to everyone's amazement, including my own... "Omg! This is delicious! Where did you get the recipe? The meat is so tender!" were just some of the comments I got. Thank you Wonderbag, not only did I cook a delicious meal I have helped a family in Africa. Awesome! Next up, lasagna!

This item is great! We really feel safe starting our dinner and leaving it cooking unattended! Stays really hot, cooks well, and saves power or gas. We use it at home and when camping.

I think I'll get another one of these in the future. It's super. I boiled up some bone broth, put it in this overnight in a cast iron Dutch oven and in the morning it was too hot to leave my finger in the broth. Just to be safe, I boil it for a bit after this, cool, and freeze. Saves on electric when you need the broth to "stew" for hours.