Okay, it's another kitchen gadget but seems they've been around for years. After a glowing report from one of my friends of how easy it was to use, I decided to get one (a Christmas present for me) The model I got is a Salter 6 Egg Boiler & Poacher which was only £14. It's quite compact, about the size of a teapot, so doesn't take up much work top room. I love poached eggs but can't be bothered to get the old poaching pan out, so decided to try it right away and I have to say, I'm impressed. I haven't tried "boiling" the eggs but apparently they do perfect eggs.
It works much like a kettle - there is a shallow tray over the heating element which you put a measured amount of water in (about 50 ml - less for soft egg, more for hard boiled) and when switched on, the water boils and turns to steam (which is trapped inside a dome lid with the eggs on a rack which sits above the tray) When the tray boils dry, there is an automatic thermal cut off and the eggs are done. It takes just minutes to cook (about the time it takes to toast a couple of slices of bread and butter them) so uses less gas or electricity as you would the conventional way (though probably not cheaper than using a microwave)
Apart from cleaning the poaching pots (made of plastic so easy to clean with a bit of detergent on a sponge), the rest just needs to be towelled dry (or left to air dry) when done. It was so easy and no effort at all to use, I really do see me using it a lot.