How to choose a multicooker?

The crock-pot in recent years has become one of the bestsellers and continues to further win the hearts of thousands of users. Many housewives appreciated this magic pot, which facilitates cooking, allows them to save time and, in the end, be real women, not cooks. If you are just thinking about the need for such an aggregate or are already looking at the purchase, then information on how to choose the multicooker will be useful for you.

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What is a multicooker?

In short, a crock-pot is a semi-sealed pan with heating.

Important! Manufacturers of household appliances today offer many varieties of miracle pots. With their help, you can cook various foods without spending a lot of time. To understand what you really need, check out the reviews:

1. Which is better - a slow cooker or a pressure cooker?
2. Which is better - a slow cooker or a double boiler?

Device

It consists of:

1. Cases with handles.
2. Covers with a valve for the release of steam.
3. A bowl or pot is a metal container without handles in which food is cooked.
4. Control panels.
5. The main button, which is located directly under the pot. It contains a temperature sensor, and in some models a thermal fuse.
6. Power supply unit.
7. Heating elements.

Important! The main button is absolutely not protected from liquids or food. If you accidentally forget to put a removable bowl in the middle and load food or fill it with water, then the probability that the crock-pot breaks down is very high. Therefore, you need to be extremely careful and careful when using this electric pan.

Heating options

To choose a slow cooker, it is important to understand a little about its structure, namely, the location of the heating elements. They can be located:

• Just below. In this case, heating is very slow. As a rule, budget models of the old model are arranged this way.
• At the bottom and sides. The required temperature is reached faster, and the food warms up more evenly.
• From below, on the sides and from above. Products receive heat from all sides, prepare much faster, and less energy. Three-dimensional heating is used in modern multicooker-pressure cookers, which are expensive models.

Important! Some buyers, before choosing a slow cooker, think that it will be able to replace a double boiler, stove and other other equipment in the kitchen. Of course, some sellers promise this, which is not entirely true. What can be cooked in a slow cooker? The main dishes are cereals, stewed vegetables and meat, steamed vegetables and fish, stewed fruit, in some models you can make yogurt, pastries.

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Bowl volume

Manufacturers produce multicookers with a volume of 1 to 14 liters. Most often on sale you can find “magic pots” with a capacity of 2-6 liters.

Important! The volume of the removable bowl cannot be increased, so it is better to take a model with a small stock of displacement.

It would seem that the surest method is to take an aggregate of maximum volume, but the larger the capacity, the more expensive the device and the more it “devours” electricity.Therefore, when thinking about which multicooker is best for your family, you first need to proceed from the goals of the purchase, eating habits and the number of members.

Recommendations of experts on the choice of multicooker volume:

• The unit with a capacity of up to 3 liters is suitable for a small family. It will also be useful, if you like to eat everything fresh, cook in small portions or buy a slow cooker with the aim of cooking food for a child.
• A device with a capacity of 4-6 liters should be chosen by large families or hospitable owners.
• But crock-pots with a volume of 8 liters or more belong to the category of professional equipment. They are often purchased for cafes or dining rooms.

Important! The volume of the multicooker is the capacity of the bowl when filling it to the edges. Naturally, no one fills the pan to the top. The useful volume of the device is ultimately less than the specified. Consider this moment before choosing a slow cooker.

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What bowl cover to choose?

All modern “magic pots” have a non-stick coating. The durability and quality of the device depend on the type of material for this protection.

Now on sale there are multicookers with such a bowl coating:

1. Teflon. It does not allow food to burn and is perfectly washed. Of the minuses of Teflon, it should be noted that it is easy to scratch. And in case of heating of this material over 230 ° C or violation of integrity, it can release harmful substances into food.

Important! When choosing a multicooker made of Teflon, keep in mind that this material is prone to self-destruction. So, a multicooker bowl with a coating of 1-2 layers will last a maximum of a year, and already 4-5 layers - it will work for 2-3 years without problems.

2. Ceramic coating, unlike the previous one, can be heated to a temperature of 450 ° C, while it does not emit toxic substances. Also, such a bowl is less prone to scratches. But everything needs to be handled with care - if it falls, it can break.

Important! Ceramic coating does not like sudden changes in temperature. Therefore, never try to quickly cool a heated bowl by typing in cold water or placing in a cold room.

3. Marble spraying, according to manufacturers, can last up to 25 years with proper care. It is the least sensitive to scratches and temperature changes. We can say that such a bowl is an ideal option for a multicooker. The only drawback is the high price.

Important! Use a selection of simple recipes for you to cookdelicious food in a slow cooker.

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Multicooker Power

On the question of how to choose the power of the multicooker, not everything is as simple as it might seem at first glance. Now on sale are units with indicators from 200 to 2000 watts.

When choosing the power of the multicooker, you should consider:

1. The larger the usable volume of the unit, the more watts should be written on it.
2. The higher the power, the faster the device reaches the desired temperature level and the faster the cooking process.

Important! Do not buy a multicooker of the highest power. The electronic heater has inertia, therefore less powerful units are able to more accurately maintain the temperature in accordance with a given program.

3. If you have a lot of electrical appliances in the kitchen, think about whether the wiring can withstand a large load, because the multicooker will be turned on almost constantly. Perhaps you should buy a weaker device.
4. In the specification, the manufacturer indicates the maximum power that the device achieves at peak temperature and when fully loaded with products.

Important! The best choice is a multicooker of medium power in accordance with the volume. For a family of three to four people, 500-800 watts will be enough.

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Type of management

There are two types of management:

1. Mechanical - control is carried out by turning the switches or by pressing buttons. Such units are considered the most reliable, but they have a small set of programs.
2. Touch is a more expensive option.If you are thinking about how to choose a multicooker that would allow you to independently set cooking parameters and save new algorithms, then such models are just for you.

Important! The touch panel is much more convenient to wash than the mechanical one. But at the same time, repairing it is more complicated and expensive.

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A set of multicooker programs - what should it be?

Modern multicookers have basic programs that you will find in any model, and additional ones. Of course, I would like to purchase the “All Inclusive” option, but each new function is a plus to the price.

Important! If your budget is limited, consider whether you will actually use these programs. But at the same time, you should not try to save too much on functionality, as it allows you to significantly facilitate cooking.

The mode of each program is configured so that the dishes are perfect. And any person can press a button, even if he is not at all familiar with culinary tricks, whether it be a child or an old man.

Standard

The basic programs of multicookers include:

1. Buckwheat - suitable for cooking any crumbly cereals.
2. Porridge in milk.
3. Pilaf.
4. Cooking - a mode for cooking cabbage soup.
5. Quenching.
6. Frying.
7. Baking - with its help, excellent biscuits, muffins and other flour products are obtained, and you can also bake meat and vegetables.
8. Steam cooking.
9. Fast cooking - products are cooked due to high pressure and temperature.

Additional programs:

• Heated cold dishes - even small children warm food with its help.
• Delayed start - this mode allows you to enjoy fresh porridge in the morning or dine with stews and vegetables immediately upon returning home. It is enough just to lay all the ingredients in advance - the unit will turn on on its own when it is necessary.
• Soaking is a program for bean lovers.
• Signal of the end of cooking - will call you to the table when everything is ready.
• Grill - allows you to create a crisp on meat and pastries.
• Yogurt - designed for the preparation of home-made fermented milk products at a constant temperature of 36-42 ° C.
• Deep fat fryer - for lovers of potatoes and other vegetables, fries.
• Sterilization - allows you to sterilize dishes and appliances. This function is very helpful for moms whose babies are breast-fed.
• Multi-cook - allows you to create custom cooking modes.
• Preservation of the mode in case of power outages - the multicooker will continue to work in the same program on which the outage occurred.
• Child protection - control panel lock.
• Thermal protection - if water runs out during the operation of the multicooker in the “Steam cooking” mode, the device will be turned off.

Important! An unusual option for technology is a voice guide. Before choosing a multicooker for a person with low vision, look for exactly such a function in the specifications for the device.

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Advantages and disadvantages of multicookers

Of course, a multicooker, like any equipment, has its pros and cons. Naturally, there are more advantages, because it is not for nothing that “magic pots” daily boil, fry and steam food for thousands of families.

Pros:

1. The main principle of the "magic pot" - poured and forgot. There is no need to constantly monitor the cooking process, control the level of fire, the degree of boiling, etc.
2. The top cover can be opened at any time and to report the necessary ingredients, unlike pressure cookers.
3. Odor does not spread throughout the room. This is especially important in the process of baking fish.
4. Compact unit, especially when compared to a stove.
5. There are many recipes for cooking in multicookers, which can be found both in the book-set to the technique and on the Internet. They allow even the most inveterate culinary loser to please loved ones with delicious dishes.
6. Can cook even if you are not at home.
7. So easy to use that even small children can cook.

The obvious and hidden drawbacks of multicookers:

1. The slow cooker is great for preparing simple dishes, such as porridge or stewed vegetables. When cooking complex dishes, such as borsch, all ease of use is lost.
2. Cooking time is generally longer than with a conventional cooker.
3. You can cook only one dish at a time. True, some housewives manage to cook a side dish and meatballs for a couple at the same time. But if your family loves to have the first, second and compote, then you can’t do without a stove.
4. Not all recipes for multicookers from the Internet you will be able to realize due to the different power of units.
5. If you need to know how much time is left until the end of cooking, before choosing a multicooker, make sure that there is a countdown function. Otherwise, you may remain completely ignorant.

Important! If you plan to bake often in a slow cooker, then take a model with the function of automatically opening the lid at the end of cooking. Otherwise, you may find wet cake from drops of condensate.

6. In case of failure of the removable bowl, finding a replacement is quite difficult, and sometimes impossible.

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How to choose a multicooker? - 10 best models

Deciding which multicooker is better is definitely difficult, since you always need to proceed from the specific needs of the buyer. To simplify the choice, we have compiled a list of models that have won the love of customers. Perhaps some of these crock-pots will appeal to you.

Redmond MasterFry FM4502

Redmond has long been a leader among multicooker manufacturers. So one of the latest models has pleased the user.

Important! The highlight of this multicooker was a lifting heater. It allows you to fry in a pan, even if you do not have a stove.

Also this model has:

• 41 cooking programs;
• Yogurt mode
• delayed start function and maintaining the temperature of hot dishes;
• three-dimensional heating;
• power of 860 watts.

Important! Such a 5-liter device will become a lifesaver for a family of 3-4 people. Redmond multicooker is good for everyone, but the price bites a little.

Marta MT-1963

This is a slow cooker with a pressure cooker function. With it, you can independently set both the cooking time and the degree of pressure - from low to high.

Main characteristics:

• pressure monitoring sensor;
• cover lock in case of high pressure;
• overpressure relief valve;
• 33 automatic programs;
• inner cover that protects the housing from splashes;
• sterilization, pasteurization and fondue function.

Important! The specification claims a volume of 5 liters, but according to user reviews, the capacity of the bowl of this unit is not more than 4 liters.

Rolsen RMC-5500D

If you still think which multicooker is better with a limited budget, we advise you to pay attention to this model. Users note an excellent price – quality ratio.

Important! 17 automatic programs and a removable bowl of 5 liters make it possible to prepare the main set of dishes for a family of 3-4 people.

Among the interesting features it should be noted:

• yogurt preparation function;
• removable cover;
• the ability to adjust the temperature;
• condensate container;
• function of maintaining temperature and delayed start.

Important! Users note some inconvenience with using a timer, but for such a price this can be tolerated.

Polaris PMC 0517AD

Another unit for a large family, which is very similar in functionality to the previous version. Of the features it should be noted:

• antibacterial coating of a ceramic 5-liter bowl;
• comfort of use - provides the presence on the case of a large handle for carrying the device and handles on the removable bowl itself.

Important! Remember that any equipment, especially kitchen, needs proper care. Only in this way will food be healthy, safe and tasty. When you decide which model to prefer and buy it, be sure to read before the first operation, how to wash a slow cooker.

Redmond RMC-PM4507

If you are thinking about how to choose a multicooker, the main users of which will be children and husbands not very experienced in cooking, then pay attention to this budget model from a trusted manufacturer:

• The number of automatic programs is minimal - only 6, but this is quite enough for cooking dishes.
• At the same time, the device can act as a pressure cooker, and the 5-level protection system ensures safe operation with a multicooker under high pressure.

Important! Among the shortcomings, users note the absence of a delayed start.

Scarlett SL-MC411S01

Practical multicooker with wide functionality and a 3.5-4 liter bowl.

Features of this model:

• the possibility of cooking yogurt, mulled wine;
• the function of the slow cooker, which in combination with 3D-heating, provides the effect of a Russian stove;
• double boiler;
• delayed start timer.

Important! Among the shortcomings, users note the low quality of the Teflon coating, so you should handle the bowl carefully.

Hitachi RZ-DMR18Y

If you still do not know how to choose a suitable multicooker, perhaps out of the top 10 you will pay attention to the RZ-DMR18Y model from a Japanese manufacturer with a capacity of 4.8 liters.

Important! Her price is not small, but you will get excellent quality and durability of the device.

Features:

• Power 630 watts save energy, although cooking will not be superfast.
• The ceramic coating of the bowl will protect food from burning.
• Also, according to user reviews, the crock-pot perfectly bakes any pies and biscuits.

Maxwell MW-3810

An excellent budget multicooker-pressure cooker with the necessary set of basic programs.

Features of the multicooker:

• “aspic” program;
• double boiler;
• removable top cover;
• heat maintenance function;
• the ability to regulate temperature and power.

Important! Of the benefits, users note longevity. Of the minuses - the lack of pressure control and manual steam release mode.

Moulinex MK 706A32

A budget model that is well suited for older people. Its main feature is the “smart” control system, which automatically adjusts the power according to the time in the selected mode.

Important! The user can adjust the cooking time in 7 work programs.

Other advantages of the device:

• clear and large labels, which is very important for the elderly;
• ceramic bowl with a useful volume of 4 liters;
• yogurt, rice, double boiler modes;
• removable top cover.

Important! The disadvantage of this model is the lack of a condensate container.

Philips HD 4737/03

A powerful 1000 W model from a European company is suitable for busy people.

Among the advantages of this multicooker it should be noted:

• a thick-walled ceramic bowl that can be washed in a dishwasher;
• 19 auto-cooking programs;
• multi-cook;
• child lock;
• delayed start;
• removable cover.

Important! Of the minuses, users highlight the lack of a condensate collector and additional accessories. Comparing different models, we note that this unit has a slightly overpriced price. That is why he got to the end of the section “How to choose a slow cooker? “The 10 best models.”

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We hope that our article will help you choose the right assistant for the kitchen, and you will really use it daily, evaluating more and more new opportunities and eating healthy, tasty and right.