What about a bowl with sides that don't slant at all? As for an inward slant, my first thought was of an Erlenmeyer flask.

Perhaps I lack creativity, but my solution to the "oatmeal is nasty when you make it in the microwave" problem is to boil water in a kettle on the stove, and add the boiling water to the dry oatmeal. (or, lacking a stove and kettle, boil the water in the microwave, and THEN add it to the dry oatmeal.)

I really don't think it's an issue of bowl configuration, though - I think instant oatmeal is just a food-product that is not good when prepared in the microwave.

I had a travel coffee cup that did that. I don't think I'd have ever thought of nuking oatmeal in it, though.

I always make a mess when I make oatmeal in the microwave. My solution? Frozen wholegrain waffles, with fresh blueberries--yum!

I've made oatmeal in vertical-sided bowls.

Cleaning up the mess afterward has its advantages, in that by the time you've wiped down the overspill, the rest of the oatmeal has cooled off sufficiently to be able to eat it.

On average, it also cuts the portion size by 2 to 3 tablespoons.

So there's that going for it.

/f

Sounds reasonable; otherwise, the result might resemble hot, buttered grote clusters, overflowing from one's TV set.

Poor Chaz.

Hey, I'd rather talk breakfast than romance any day.

Any morning, anyway.

Breakfast IS romance.
Observe and compare:
Item One.
Microwave-nuked dry oatmeal on water, eaten in solitude while standing at the kitchen counter and anticipating cleaning up the mess.

Item Two.
Ice-blue Micasa bowl, filled with milk-based oatmeal with juicy preserved apricots, cranberries and dollop of butter. Krupp's Espresso machine blowing off steam; the aroma fills the house. Shared with the cook.

See?

So last night's cold pizza and a Dr Pepper isn't going to cut it. No surprise there.