As with similar mini appliances, there is no on-off switch or temperature control dial. However, it does cycle on and off to maintain its maximum temperature. If that temperature is too hot, your choices are to unplug the cooker or, if you’re using the pot, lift it off the skillet and set it aside. You’ll need to keep an eye on your food to make sure it doesn’t burn or boil over.

Like the Dash MiniMaker, the Nostalgia MyMini has an all-metal body, so it also gets very hot and takes quite a while to cool down enough to be stowed away. At least the pot portion has a heat-resistant handle, unlike some similar pot-style mini cookers.

Using the Nostalgia MyMini cooker

The cooker’s small size means small portions, small utensils, and a little dexterity when stirring the contents of the pot or flipping things on the skillet.

Browning up some Spam was quick, and the lid (which fits both the skillet and pot) prevented splatters. Before adding the eggs I unplugged the cooker to reduce the heat.

I learned I needed pay attention when cooking pasta or rice. They can foam up and boil over surprisingly easily, and there’s nowhere for the foam to go except out of the tiny pot. Nonetheless, the results were good and not much power was required.

Conclusions

The Nostalgia MyMini Electric Skillet & Noodle Maker gets a big thumbs up for its low power consumption and dual cooking methods. I would happily pay a little extra, though, and sacrifice some compactness for the addition of a temperature control dial and a second handle on the pot.

This Nostalgia cooker found a new home with a friend who is in a converted Astro minivan. She was excited to try it out. “This is great for one-person meals, or maybe two-person deserts.” With the latter in mind she whipped up some peach cobbler.

“It’s tricky to use without any temperature control. You need to keep checking to see whether the bottom is burning if the food isn’t the type you’d stir or flip. But I suppose you get a feel for it after using it a while.”