What Can a Multi-Cooker Do? Do I Need One in 2024
Do you get confused when new appliances come onto the market? If so, you must learn about this appliance as it carries out multiple functions and comes disguised under many names. To name a few, multi-cookers, pressure cookers, multi-function cookers, and even one-pot cookers.
What can a multi-cooker do? A multi-cooker can pressure cook, slow cook, sauté, steam, and more. It offers pre-set programs, time efficiency, pressure cooking mode, and customizable settings for versatile cooking.
A multi-cooker carries out the cooking functions of many appliances within one electrical device. It is a slow cooker, rice cooker, electric pressure cooker, electric pot, steamer, fryer, air-fryer, dehydrator, yogurt maker, and breadmaker.
I have covered the many ways this cooker can cook in easy-to-understand terms. You can decide if you need one of these multi-cookers.
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Spoiler alert: “I got one,“ I believe a multi-purpose cooker can satisfy everyone’s needs as we all like to prepare different dishes.
What Is a Multi-Cooker?
A multi-cooker is something-in-1. I say this because this appliance can replace many different meal preparation appliances.
These electric pressure cooking pots can perform functions and replace the following appliances. Pressure cooker, slow cooker, rice cooker, electric pot, conventional oven, stovetop, steamer, fryer, yogurt maker, and breadmaker.
The cooker arrives with various functions and settings that are pre-programmed.
To use one of these cookers is as easy as choosing a recipe, buying the ingredients, preparing ingredients, popping them in the cooker as per the recipe, and choosing the right program.
You will then be notified when the meal is ready. If you are not around, it will turn itself on to the keep warm mode. In some cookers, the keep-warm mode can last up to 12 hours.
After you get the hang of the pre-programmed recipe combinations, you can then move on to program your favorite recipes into the appliance. You know, the ones we all tend to cook all the time.
If you have landed on this page and know you already want to purchase a multi-cooker, CLICK HERE, and you will see my multi-cooker and also what else is available in multi-cookers.
A Detailed Explanation of Multi-Cooker Capabilities
Using a multi-cooker, you will be able to make 1000 different meals. If it can be cooked, this appliance will do it for you. They use less oil or fat lubricants to cook with, so you are already winning by consuming fewer calories.
The multi-cookers come complete with steaming racks that stack inside the cooking pot. This feature enables you to prepare the main dish and any accompaniments you want with the meal, such as vegetables.
Once you use your appliance, you will soon enjoy the benefits of nutritious, hearty food prepared from fresh ingredients.
In our busy lives, knowing that you can prepare quick, healthy food without being tied to the kitchen for hours.
Is a Multi-Cooker Healthy?
Multi-cookers are healthy. I ask you what is unhealthy about preparing fresh meat and produce meals. The only alternative I see is pre-packaged fake food or takeaway.
So yes, I believe any meal you prepare is healthier than fast food.
A Day in the Life of a Multi-Cooker!
Breakfast
Let’s start with breakfast; you can freshly cook oatmeal or another breakfast favorite overnight using the time delay setting.
Morning Tea
Mid-morning, you can bake bread, cakes, scones, and desserts.
Lunch
Then on to lunch, on the weekends, the possibilities are endless, anything from risottos, soups, stews, casseroles, salads, and beyond. If you are home during the week for lunch, this appliance will reheat a meal for you.
Dinner
Alternatively, prepare something quick and healthy. If you prepared a delicious meal the night before, you will likely take leftovers to work – how good is that?
Come home to dinner prepared, such as pot roasts, potatoes, steamed vegetables, quick clean, and then you can prepare a dessert. If you are late home or not ready to eat, keep warm, and reheat settings are right there to be used.
Desserts
You will be blown away by the desserts and cakes you can prepare in a multi-cooker.
You can prepare breakfast the following day or overnight a big batch of yogurt!
What Can You Save With a Multi-Cooker?
The savings you can achieve with a multi-cooker is one of the best features of owning one of these appliances. They include space, energy, time, and, of course, money!
Space
The space you save with a multi-cooker is awesome. You can remove several appliances and have one cooker. This frees up so much space in your kitchen you will truly feel liberated.
These cookers are also handy for other spaces, such as college dorms, offices, RVs, holiday apartments, holiday cabins, small apartments, and tiny homes.
Anywhere with an outlet.
Energy
Energy savings – the traditional kitchen stove/oven uses ten times more energy than a multi-cooker. Throw into the mix the other appliances you would use to prepare some meals and the extra hot water for washing up.
Time
Because after preparation the multi-cooker cooks automatically. So the time saved in the kitchen is fantastic. Think of all the other things you could be enjoying to save time.
Money
Not only will you not have to purchase a kitchen appliance to prepare certain foods, but you won’t have to replace existing appliances. This is a huge money saver.
Combine this with the amount of money you will save on food by preparing nutritious meals that provide leftovers for lunches or meals for the freezer. You will be well in front financially.
Convenience and Safety
The convenience comes with the fact that you can leave the cooker to prepare the meal. Safety comes into play because when the multi-cooker has completed its programmed task, it will automatically turn off.
Some cookers will even alert you to the end of cook time. If you do not respond, the cooker will revert to the no-heat or keep-warm setting until you are ready to serve.
Cleaning and Care
Cleaning is easy; empty the cooker and clean the cooking pot and any steamer inserts you may have used. They wipe down the lid and the whole appliance with a damp cloth.
These cookers do not retain any odors from meals prepared. Cleaning and care are a breeze.
Multi-Cooker Benefits
Multicookers replace several kitchen appliances, such as slow cookers and rice cookers. They are generally compact and easy to store. They are so compact that you can use them anywhere.
You are ready to go to holiday homes, RV, or anywhere you have a power outlet. Clean-up is kept to a minimum because you do not use many pots and pans. The units themselves are easy to clean.
They are safe to use, programmable, and can be left alone during the slow cooking process.
Depending on the size of your multi-cooker, you can prepare meals for many people. You can prepare just about any meal you can think of in a multi-cooker.
Learn about what you can use instead of a pressure cooker.
Final Thoughts – What Can a Multi-Cooker Do?
I believe the main confusion with getting answers on what certain appliances claim to do or which appliance they replace is that not all multi-cookers do the same job.
Some are advertised as 7-in-1, others 8-in-1, and others are still 9-in-1. The numbers 7, 8, and 9 do not necessarily mean the number of appliances they replace. It’s also about the functions, settings, and programs as well.
So, as with any other purchase, doing some homework upfront will almost always give you what you are searching for.
I can guarantee you will be swapping various recipes for dishes you would probably never consider making with your family and friends in no time.
Life is easier if you use your multicooker to its maximum capabilities; you will not be sorry you purchased one of these appliances.
If you want to check out my multi-cooker, CLICK HERE to view it at Amazon. (I have a multi-cooker and a slow cooker of the same brand…)
Suppose you want to know more about these fantastic cookers and some of the best brands. The brands include Instant Pot, Crock-Pot, Cosori, T-Fal, Breville, Fagor, KitchenAid, and Gourmia.
So why not check my extensive report on the best multi-cookers?
One-Pot Cooking Rocks!
Michelle
Hi, I’m Michelle, the founder, owner, author, and editor of OvenSpot. My passion for one-pot cooking commenced when I was working to prepare cafeteria lunches for school students. I am now on a mission to assist you in choosing the cooking pot or appliance you will use daily. As well as in-depth information to assist you in using and caring for your cookware and appliances.
Questions? Reach out to Michelle at [email protected]