A multi-cooker is a new generation device that can easily be used instead of almost all kitchen appliances. You no longer need to buy a separate pressure cooker, deep fryer, steamer, microwave, and a yogurt maker. Because your multifunctional cooker will be doing all the work quickly and most deliciously, saving you time and effort.
First things first, you need to ensure your safety. it’s important to look for a locking lid that has more than one locking mechanism to ensure the multi-cooker is safe during pressure cooking mode. Most models come with a simple one that twists onto the top of the cooker but the more locking mechanism, the safer your kitchen is. Having said that, it’s important that the model has a steam release valve you can manually turn to release the steam at the end of cooking.
You can compare the bowl sizes considering you will most likely need 1,5 to 2 liters of capacity for two people. A multi-cooker with a 6-liter capacity, without overfilling the bowl, would be more than enough for a small family. The bowl or pot is usually coated by a non-stick material like ceramic or Teflon but you can find stainless steel models as well. Even though ceramic coated containers are slightly more expensive, they are better at handling higher temperatures. Stainless steel containers are more expensive but have better durability that outlasts either of the materials. Overall, containers are easy to clean as long as they don’t have crevices where food might get stuck. However, stainless steel models take a little bit of time to clean.
If you are not very good with kitchen tools, you might want to go with models that have various pre-settings. Pre-programmed cooking times make for simpler use. Some models even have pre-programmed settings for recipes.
Aside from the pre-settings, a control panel with a light indicator will be extremely helpful to guide you. Most models switch off automatically once the food is cooked but it’s always better to have one hand on the wheel.
Multi-Cooker Types
Technically, any one-pot cooker that has multiple functions can be considered a multi-cooker since the term doesn’t have a limited definition. However, we can divide them into two since there is one, the certain difference between the models.
a. Multi-Cooker With a Pressure Cooker
b. Multi-Cooker Without a Pressure Cooker
a. Multi-Cooker With a Pressure Cooker
These models efficiently speed up the cooking process for numerous foods such as rice, meat, poultry, and even vegetables while steaming them. Compared to their traditional counterparts such as an oven or a range top, it’s been concluded that the food is cooked faster with these models. The time of pressure and release varies with different ingredients. If you like experimenting, these models give you more cooking options such as slow-cook and sauté and they keep your food warm. Some models even have yogurt making, air frying, crisping, and sous vide options. Instead of using a variety of kitchen tools, you can have more in only one utensil.
b. Multi-Cooker Without a Pressure Cooker
They are fundamentally slow cookers that can also steam, sauté, cook rice, and keep food warm, and with some models, you can also have the baking and yogurt-making features. Multi-cookers that don’t have pressure cookers noticeably take more time to pre-heat, which directly affects the overall cooking time of the food. These models are ideal for a more thorough and traditional slow cooking experience. Just to keep in mind that, it will more likely affect your energy consumption as well.
Best Multi-Cooker Brands and Reviews
- Tefal RK302E15 8 in 1 MultiCooker: Tefal has a history of efficient products and this one is no different. It comes with a recipe booklet and a series of accessories: a steam basket, rice spoon, measuring cup that will help you cook a variety of meals quickly and efficiently. Don’t let them intimidate you as they are all dishwasher safe. Its programs include; white rice, brown rice, quick rice, grains, porridge, slow cooking, steaming, and a dessert function. Apart from that, it has a digital display control panel that is easily accessible and interactive. The carrying handle makes it easy to carry it around and prevent a possible burn that might occur after the food is cooked.
- Aobosi Electric Multi-Cooker, Pressure Cooker: With this model, you get the main unit plus a little steaming rack, rice measuring cup and rice paddle plus a spare silicone seal. The cooker itself is a nice weighty affair with a good large twist handle that locks in place with a pressure safety valve to the back. You have a large selection of options such as rice, yogurt, steaming, soups, sauteing. The stainless steel inner pot is removable and is easy to clean. It’s very easy to use, put your contents in, lock the sturdy lid in place, select one of the many options available and you are hood to go. It automatically stops and just keeps warm until you are ready to eat.
- Instant Pot Max 6Qt: This pressure cooker has been carefully designed to eliminate many common errors that may cause harm or spoil food. The large touch panel makes programming seamless, you can set time, temperature, pressure level, delay start, and warm your food. Multiple selections give you your preferred method of releasing pressure to create a safer experience. The temperature control option allows you to use the sous vide program for delicious and tasty meals. It replaces saucepans, frying pans as you can cook anything in it and also saves electricity!
- Ninja Foodi OP302: Tender-crisp technology gives you a variety of cooking techniques for the same food. For example, you can cook your chicken with the pressure cook option to lock in juices, or the air fry option that will finish with a delicious crisp. Apart from 9 functions to elevate your cooking, it gives you 14 levels of safety. 6.5-quart ceramic-coated nonstick pot is dishwasher safe amongst the other attachments but ever clean the cooker base in the dishwasher.
- KitchenAid 4 Qt. Electric Multi-Cooker: This countertop wonder is an all-in-one system for performing countless cooking tasks, from searing, sauteing, slow cooking, and roasting to making soups, risotto, and yogurt. It’s great for preparing everything from family dinners to holiday gatherings. This all-in-one cooking system comes with precise temperature control and stir tower. The silicone flip and stir paddle flips and flex-edge silicone blade stir and scrapes ingredients for even, thorough cooking.
