I make soups and stews with ingredients than take regular boiling a couple hours to soften. I remembered my parents using something like it so I figured let's see. Besides, with this crazy winter's crazy heating bills (thanks polar vortex! - NOT), I can use some savings. I am so very happy I did! It comes with a starter recipe book since the cooking times/methodology is different than what traditional cooking is. You do have to assemble the handles but it's not crazy. Just one phillips screwdriver and 5 mins.