What is a multi-cooker?
A multi-cooker is a stand-alone appliance that functions as a pressure cooker, steamer, rice cooker, slow cooker, food warmer. It also allows you to sear or sauté and some units also have sous vide, sterilizing and yogurt making features.
Which brand of multi cooker should I choose?
I have only had the opportunity to test out Pampered Chef’s (PC) Quick Cooker and the Instant Pot. As such I can only speak on the pros and cons of these machines. Please use my comments below to assess the features of other machines you may be considering.
PC Quick Cooker
pro’s – steam release, handles set in, easy to use controls
con’s – price, no lid holder, only 6qt
Instant Pots
pro’s – price, different sizes & models, lid holder
con’s – must use long handled tool to release steam safely (some new models solve this issue), takes more storage space
Which model should I choose?
Be aware of which Instant Pot model you are buying and the features it includes. Yogurt making features are not available until you get into the Duo and Ultra models. Some of the newest models have a knob to release the pressure separate and apart from where the steam is released. For details and charts of models currently available see my blog post.
What size pot should I purchase?
3qt – 1-2 family members, never cook for larger groups
6qt – 2-4 family members, this would be the best size for most
8qt – 4+ family members and/or you cook for large groups at times
10qt – 4+ family members and you often cook for larger groups
Accessories to no end
Basic Trivet (all pots come with this)
Solid Raised Rack (eggs & to hold ramekins)
Steaming Baskets (vegetables)
Ceramic Dish on Stand (Pampered Chef)
Springform Pan (Cheesecakes)
Bundt Pan (Cakes & Brownies)
Egg Molds (Egg Bites)
Silicone Cake Molds (Cakes)
Glass Lids (for slow cooking) – check that you don’t already have a lid in your kitchen that fits
Extra Rings
Extra Pot (stainless steel as well as non-stick)
Plastic lids for your inner pots
I strongly recommend: long handled flat bottomed wooden spoons, long handled tongs and fingertip mini mitts
Caution: You will void your machines warranty if you use accessories that are not from that manufacturer (once your warranty is up though……)
What it can do and what it can’t
It is truly amazing all that you can cook in these machines. The foods that really shine include rice dishes, vegetables and some meat dishes. The list of course goes on as well. I would offer caution on fish and seafood dishes, some cream-based dishes and some meats. Basically, meats that are of lower quality such as you would use in your slow cooker shine. I have found park and beef blade roasts to be the best. Leaner meats if not careful can be on the dry side and sometimes tough. Follow recipes designed for pressure cookers until you get the hang of what it can and can’t do.
Doubling and Halving Recipes
For the most part you can double a recipe with no adjustments to the cooking time. This works much the same way your oven does. It takes the same amount of time to bake 1 potato in your oven as it does 3. I would caution you to think about how much you are adding and the size of your pot. If you have a smaller sized pot and you are going from say 2 chicken breasts to 3 you are probably fine, if you went to 6 however, they are not all sitting separately anymore but are forming more of a solid chunk of meat. In this instance I would increase your cooking time. When doubling a recipe, you may not need to double the liquid in your recipe.
If cutting a recipe in half just remember do not reduce the liquid in your pot below 1/2C for a 3qt, 1C for a 6qt and 2C for an 8qt pot.
Can I cook a frozen piece of meat?
Yes! Your cooking time must be increased however. Refer to charts online to determine your times. There is also a great chart for this in the front of the PC Quick Cooker Cooking Guide. As an example you can refer to the Chicken from Frozen blog post.
Is it necessary to have a second sealing ring?
Not at all. Some people like to have one they use for meats and one they use for desserts but it’s mainly due to the smell they can sometimes pick up. If their sealing ring smells like beef stew they want to put a different one on to make a dessert. I let my pots dry right out after a thorough washing before I close the lid. I don’t have too much trouble with the rings smelling and don’t bother with a second one myself.