Our ode to counter space: The best multi-cookers on the market
Appliances are officially on notice.
They cause clutter, they can be hard to clean, and it seems they're replaced by something bigger and better almost monthly.
Yet despite ourselves, we love to buy them. That's because even though we can acknowledge their faults, the right appliance can be a godsend in the kitchen. They're our little sous chefs – whirring and working in the background to deliver rice, stews, air-fried nuggets, dehydrated fruit and the like. They save us time. They certainly save us money.
That's where multi-cookers really sing for their supper. They justify their counterspace with multi-functionality, performing three, four, fifteen (!) different tasks.
And while the last thing any of us needs is another appliance, if they can work a little harder, show us a little more pizzazz, then our ears are cocked. We're interested.
Here are some options for your kitchen bench.
NOTE: Prices are accurate at time of publishing.
Crockpot 15-in-1
The Crockpot 15-in-1 sounds like a futuristic punchline. But it really can slow cook, steam, boil, pressure cook, simmer, saute and sear like it says on the box.
Perfect for large family meals at Christmas or Easter, or time-poor parents looking for mid-week win.
Breville 32L 1200W The Combi Wave 3-in-1 Convection Oven
The Breville 32L Combi Wave combines an airfryer, convection oven and microwave, with a range of different options and functionalities for all your food needs.
You can cook dinner from frozen and have it on the table fast. It also comes equipped with a handy melt chocolate or soften butter option, which is much-needed when you're in a baking pinch.
Russell Hobbs Express Airfry Easy Clean Toaster Oven
Anything with 'easy clean' in the title gets our attention. This one has eight functions – including airfry, dehydrate, grill, bake, toast, keep warm, etc. One reviewer wrote of the Russell Hobbs Express Airfry Easy Clean Toaster Oven: "This product is very easy to use, instructions are great, being more than just an air fryer has worked to my advantage," adding that it looks great in their kitchen too.
The dehydrate function is certainly the winner and a rarity among other multi-cooks on the list.
Breville The Fast Slow Pro Multi Cooker
You can use the Breville Fast Slow Pro Multi Cooker for rice, risotto, desserts, curries, pulled pork and more – if you follow the advice of one enthusiastic reviewer, anyway. They were one of many raving about the utility of this appliance. Another even called it a "magic pot".
Panasonic 4-in-1 Microwave
Steam, grill, microwave and bake in the Panasonic 4-in-1, with airfryer-adjacent capabilities. While it doesn't list airfry as one of its four functionalities, this multi-cooker does something very similar with its grill tray feature. It claims to oven-cook your food while getting rid of the excess oils.
Panasonic Induction Heat Rice And Multi-Cooker
The Panasonic Induction Heat Rice And Multi-Cooker cooks rice perfectly, but it also comes with a range of functions to make one-pot meals. You can also steam, make soups and cakes. And with non-stick coating and temperature control, you don't have to worry about any sticking to the pan.
Ninja DCT401 12-in-1 Double Oven with FlexDoor
The Ninja 12-in-1 is a convection oven on top and airfryer-hybrid on the bottom. Able to cook at different temperatures in 12 different styles without compromising taste, you can theoretically cook cookies on top and a roast chicken down the bottom. (Or so the advertising picture suggests).
The reviews seem to back it up, with one saying, "I can't express how much we love this little thing," and another writing, "I never use my range, this is everything in one machine."
GreenPan Elite 8-in-1 Programmable 6 Quart Electric Slow Cooker
And now for a multi-cooker that's retro-cute to boot. The GreenPan Elite 8-in-1 gets our vote for most aesthetically pleasing – and it doesn't hurt that it can sear and saute, as well as slow cook and steam, so you can perform almost all functions in the one pot.
It has a non-toxic, non-stick coating on the pot too, which reviewers have commented is easy to clean (it can be chucked in the dishwasher).
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