Best Multicooker
Let’s be honest: cooking meals for yourself and your family every day can be a bit of a hassle. It is time consuming, it requires a lot of energy, and you also need to always be thinking about what you will make and what ingredients you will need. So, if there is an appliance out there that can make it all so much easier, why wouldn’t you want to give it a try? Enter the multicooker!
Wait, what is a multicooker? Well, it’s basically exactly what the name implies: it is one appliance that can cook food in a variety of ways. In fact, if you invest in a good quality multicooker, you might even be able to get rid of some of your other appliances that are taking up space in your cabinet or on your countertop because the multicooker will take the place of them.
What Can a Multicooker Do, and Why Is It So Popular?
Multicookers are super convenient and can do a lot. You can even use them in place of your regular oven. They can do things like air fry, slow cook, prepare rice, and so much more. Put simply, a multicooker can replace other appliances, like your pressure cooker, slow cooker, and rice cooker. No wonder so many people love it!
Of course, different multicookers will have different features and cooking modes, so you can find the one that will give you exactly what you need and want at a price you can afford. Generally, however, these are appliances that can cook meals more efficiently and, therefore, might even help when it comes to saving money on your energy bill.
When using a multicooker, you can essentially set up your ingredients, select the right cooking mode and other settings, and then let it do all of the work. You can step away and do other things until your meal is ready, and then you can just serve and enjoy. It’s that simple, that quick, and that convenient. Whether you need to put dinner together for yourself after a busy day or you are hosting several friends at your home for a little get-together, the right multicooker can make your life easier, and you’ll be amazed by the delicious results.
But it doesn’t stop there. Multicookers are also popular because they don’t take up a lot of space. So, even though they can do so many things, you don’t need to worry about buying a big and bulky appliance. These can be surprisingly compact, and you can certainly browse the different sizes available to find the multicooker that will be just right for your cooking needs. You can then leave it on your countertop for easy access to it every day or you can instead store it away in your cabinet and take it out whenever you need to use it.
Do You Want to Start Looking for the Right Multicooker?
If you are ready to bring a multicooker into your kitchen so you can begin taking advantage of its many convenient features, you aren’t alone. A lot of people are turning to this product to make homemade meals more quickly and easily. But which one should you go with? Well, like anything else, it’s a matter of learning a bit about the various models that are out there and then comparing their features and their pros and cons. That way, you can narrow down your options to those that are right for you based on their specs and your budget.
To help you get started, we have compiled a list of the best multicookers that we could find. This can give you a better idea of what these products have to offer, so go ahead and check out the descriptions below to begin.
1. Editor’s Choice: Crock-Pot 6-Quart 5-in-1 Multi-Cooker with Non-Stick Inner Pot, Stainless Steel
Crock-Pot is a well-known brand that has many great products that are worth considering, and this multicooker should definitely be on your radar if you are ready to add this appliance to your kitchen. Its multiple settings allow you to slow cook, roast, steam, bake, and brown/sauté, which means you can use this one product to cook a wide range of meals. Plus, it is designed to be easy to use, with a digital screen on the front.
Pros:
- This multicooker has five cooking modes.
- The 6-quart capacity means you can use this multicooker to prepare meals for your whole family.
- The non-stick inner pot, the glass lid, and the rack are dishwasher safe to make cleanup a breeze.
Cons:
- Some people might find that the five cooking modes aren’t enough, especially if you want to be able to do more with your multicooker.
2. Runner Up: Instant Pot Aura 10-in-1 Multicooker Slow Cooker
With this multicooker from Instant Pot, you can choose from 10 different cooking modes, so you can definitely turn to it when you are preparing a variety of meals for your family or your guests. Choose from steam, stew, roast, bake, sear/sauté, and slow cook, as well as warm, ferment, rice, and yogurt. Plus, this multicooker has a 6-quart capacity, and when you want more control, you can customize the temperature and the cooking time.
Pros:
- This multicooker has 10 different functions that you can choose from.
- You have the option of setting the cook time and temperature manually.
- The steam/roasting rack, the lid, and the cooking pot are all dishwasher safe for added convenience.
- Additional features include an Automatic Keep Warm function and a 24-hour Delay Start.
Cons:
- This multicooker has an oval shape that might not work for everyone.
3. Best for Everyday Use: Cuisinart MSC-800 Cook Central 4-in-1 Multi-Cooker, 7 quart
This multicooker from Cuisinart can be a great choice when you want a product that has a capacity that is a bit bigger, as it can hold 7 quarts. It is also designed to be easy to use, even when it comes to switching between modes. There are four programmable functions that you can choose from, which are slow cook, roast, brown/sauté, and steam. And this product also comes with a roasting/steaming rack that is reversible. Overall, this can be a good choice if you want a basic multicooker without all of the extra functions that you might not need or use.
Pros:
- This multicooker is easy to use, and it has an LCD display on the front.
- You can combine cooking functions and there is an automatic Keep Warm feature to ensure your meal is perfectly prepared.
- The cooking pot and the lid are dishwasher safe.
Cons:
- There are only four cooking modes you can choose from.
4. Best for Grains: COMFEE’ Rice Cooker, 6-in-1 Stainless Steel Multi Cooker
This multicooker is perfect for anyone who enjoys making a variety of homemade meals for the family. You can choose from various cooking modes, including slow cook, steam, white rice, brown rice, oatmeal, and quinoa, so you can use this to prepare grains perfectly as well. And you can take advantage of the 12-hour Keep Warm feature to be sure your food is at the right temperature when you are ready to sit down and enjoy it. Plus, this product comes with a serving spatula, measuring cup, and steam tray.
Pros:
- This multicooker has six cooking modes that you can choose from.
- The inner pot has a nonstick coating, which is always convenient.
- This multicooker has a space saving design, so it can be a good choice if you have a small kitchen without a lot of countertop space.
Cons:
- The capacity of this multicooker is only 2 quarts.
5. Best with WiFi: CHEF iQ Smart Pressure Cooker
Want a multicooker that’s a little more high-tech? Then check out this one from CHEF iQ. You can use this to pressure cook, slow cook, steam, and sear/sauté, but what makes it different from similar products is the fact that you can even use this for cooking sous vide style. In addition to the pot, you get a silicone lid, steam basket, gaskets, and steam rack. Plus, you can use your Wi-Fi or Bluetooth to connect it to your smartphone. Then, you can use the brand’s app to control the appliance, access yummy recipes and cooking presets for one-touch cooking, and more.
Pros:
- This multicooker has multiple functions you can choose from, and you can use it to prepare sous vide recipes.
- This product has a built-in scale and three pressure release methods.
- You can connect this multicooker to your smartphone.
Cons:
- Some people might find the features of this multicooker too complicated.
6. Best Large Multicooker: Zavor LUX LCD 8 Quart Programmable Electric Multi-Cooker
If you are hoping to get your hands on a larger multicooker so you can use it to prepare even more food for your family and guests, this one can hold 8 quarts, so it is certainly worth checking out. You can choose from 10 cooking functions, such as pressure cook, slow cook, sauté, steam, simmer, and flex for sous vide. You can also select from grains, eggs, yogurt, and dessert. And there are Time Delay and Keep Warm features that are ultra-convenient.
Pros:
- This multicooker has more than 30 programmable settings and 10 cooking functions that you can choose from, as well as a Custom option for programming and saving your own settings.
- The inner cooking pot is made of stainless steel.
Cons:
- The 8-quart size makes it easier to prepare larger meals, but it might be too big for some.
7. Best Air Fryer Combo: Ninja FD302 Foodi 11-in-1 Pro 6.5 qt. Pressure Cooker & Air Fryer
This multicooker from Ninja features 11 functions and a 6.5-quart capacity. You can use it to pressure cook, air crisp, steam, slow cook, sear/sauté, broil, bake/roast, and dehydrate, as well as cook sous vide. And there is also a yogurt mode, along with a Keep Warm function for added convenience. If you want to be able to do multiple things, such as pressure cook and air fry, in the same appliance, this can be a great choice.
Pros:
- You can choose from 11 functions with this multicooker.
- This multicooker boasts a cooking pot, crisping lid, cook and crisp plate, nesting broil rack, pressure lid, and more.
- This multicooker comes with a book featuring plenty of recipes you can choose from to start using it right away.
Cons:
- Unlike other multicookers, this one doesn’t have a large LCD display.
8. Best with Accessories: Mealthy MultiPot 9-in-1 Programmable Pressure Cooker
With this multicooker, you can choose from several functions, which include pressure cook, sauté, slow cook, and steam, among others. It is easy to use and its features include an LCD screen, auto-sealing lid, and hands-free steam release. Also, it comes with a stainless steel inner pot, a steamer basket, a raised trivet, and a self-sealing lid, along with silicone gaskets, silicone mitts, a rice paddle, a measuring cup, and a ladle. Plus, you can take advantage of the Keep Warm and Delay Start functions.
Pros:
- You can use this multicooker, which has many presets and functions, to cook a variety of meals efficiently.
- This product features programmable automatic pressure release.
- The control panel and LCD display make this multicooker easy to use.
Cons:
- If you want even more cooking modes, this multicooker may not be right for you.
Things to look out for:
As you can see, there are a lot of different multicookers available, and they range in size, features, and price. If you are feeling a little confused or even a little overwhelmed by all of the options, don’t worry, as that is totally normal. The next step is to hone in on the things that you should look for in a multicooker to determine if it is the ideal one for you. Here are some of the things we recommend checking:
First off, take a look at the dimensions of a multicooker to see if it will even fit in your kitchen comfortably. This is especially important if you have a small kitchen or you don’t have a lot of space on your countertop or in your cabinets. Take some measurements to figure out what size would work well in the space you have for a multicooker. Then, when you start browsing the products that are currently available, you can eliminate any that are too big or too small.
In addition to looking at the overall size of a multicooker, though, you also want to check the interior size. How big is the inside of the multicooker? What types of foods can you fit in there? Think about the types of meals that you would want to cook in your multicooker, how many people you typically need to feed, etc. While you might find many multicookers that can hold around 6 quarts, you can find those that are smaller or larger to suit your needs.
You know that multicookers have multiple functions that allow you to cook a wide range of meals. But do you need a lot of functions or do you need just a few? Consider the cooking modes that you would use most, and then make sure the multicooker you select has them. Sure, there are multicookers that have a lot of functions, but if you know that you probably won’t use them, you might be better off going with a simpler model.
Another thing to consider: a multicooker that gives you the ability to simply choose a mode and let it do its thing is great, but it is also best to have settings that you can adjust manually whenever you need to customize the way the multicooker will work for a particular recipe. And don’t forget to also look into the safety features that a multicooker has, as those can give you greater peace of mind whenever you use it.
Next, as you think about the meals that you would want to prepare in your multicooker, you might start to realize that you need certain tools to get the job done right. If a multicooker comes with accessories to simplify things and help you save money by not needing to buy them separately, that’s fantastic. In fact, you might be surprised by the many multicookers that come with various accessories you can use to take advantage of the cooking modes right away.
Yet another thing to check is how easy it is to clean the multicooker. Like any appliance, the easier it will be to clean, the better. Some have non-stick interiors and dishwasher safe parts and accessories that can help make cleanup a snap.
Finally, figure out what your budget is for your new multicooker. If you don’t have a lot of money to spend, don’t worry, as there are several options that are lower in price while still giving you the features you want.