topic Re: Multi Cookers in Kitchen

Multi Cookers

Allegheny — Sun, 08 Jan 2017 20:17:16 GMT

For some reason I've been pondering getting a multi cooker. My SIL has an older Ninja, uses it often and raves about it. I am not really sure it is something I would use as I am pretty much old school, doing most meals on cooktop and oven. I already have a large Nesco roaster which only gets used once yearly at most and an old crock pot which also gets rarely used.

There is only 2 of us and I do like to prepare some meals in bulk for left overs and freezing.

Those of you who have multi cookers, can you tell me the advantages and convenience of having one. What kind of meals do you prepare? TIA

Re: Multi Cookers

hopi — Sun, 08 Jan 2017 20:27:01 GMT

Love the Ninja 4 in 1. It is my summer go to cook in due to the heat and humidity. If you love beans from scratch it is the year round way to do it.

You never have to watch them or pre soak. It also will cook spagetti sauce perfectly and you can throw the pasta in dry for the last half hour and save yourself a pot and strainer. It is put away right now because it has been minus zero temps and any heat and humidity is good right now.

Re: Multi Cookers

libbyannE — Sun, 08 Jan 2017 20:50:15 GMT

I received one for Christmas, tried it, did not see what it did that I couldn't already do on my gas range and so I have already given mine to goodwill. I don't need another appliance eating up counter or storage space.

Re: Multi Cookers

meem120 — Sun, 08 Jan 2017 21:03:20 GMT

I really love my Ninja, but mosly for the slow cooker option. I found that it does not get sufficiently hot to brown my meats etc. Or, it just takes too long and using the stovetop works much better.

Re: Multi Cookers

Kachina624 — Sun, 08 Jan 2017 21:04:17 GMT

I have a Ninja and a WP multicooker. I'm less than enchanted with them. My favorite is my pressure cooker. I'd much rather cook something in 20 minutes than wait 5 hours plus I can sear my meat in it and also use it as a slow cooker, allowing me to get rid of that real estate hog. Pressure cooking infuses your food with flavor so everything taste especially good.

I belong to the Facebook Ninja recipe site where people post recipes and pictures of their creations, and I see many unappetizing looking messes.

Re: Multi Cookers

Allegheny — Sun, 08 Jan 2017 21:07:24 GMT

@libbyannE That is sort of my concern. I just don't have the cabinet or counter space to spare for an appliance I may only use occasionally. I know in the winter I would use it for soups, stews, chili, stuffed peppers, etc. but I am concerned about meats that I usually brown then bake or oven roast, like breaded/stuffed pork chops, chicken breasts, city chicken.

Re: Multi Cookers

Allegheny — Sun, 08 Jan 2017 21:20:32 GMT

I want to thank everyone who has responded thus far. I just have a feeling that a multi cooker is something I still have to think about. @Kachina624 I also use pressure cookers, not nearly as much as I should. In fact, I have three, one stove top, one microwave and an electric one which is sadly stored in the basement.

Re: Multi Cookers

libbyannE — Sun, 08 Jan 2017 21:20:53 GMT

@Allegheny

It is a personal decision. I brown in my large frying pan or Dutch oven, then cook in whatever way I like. I am not in a hurry so do not need pressure cooker function. And I do NOT want kitchen clutter. I like having something yummy in the oven or in the Dutch oven on the stove! Last year, someone gave me one of those extra burners that you plug in and use on the countertop. Why? That went right to goodwill, too.

Re: Multi Cookers

Allegheny — Sun, 08 Jan 2017 22:00:07 GMT

@libbyannE I know what you mean. I do have a NuWave induction burner, another item that comes in handy but not used much. When time comes to replace my cooktop I will probably do a combination gas and induction unit.

Re: Multi Cookers

Kachina624 — Sun, 08 Jan 2017 22:40:09 GMT

@libbyannE wrote:
@Allegheny
It is a personal decision. I brown in my large frying pan or Dutch oven, then cook in whatever way I like. I am not in a hurry so do not need pressure cooker function. And I do NOT want kitchen clutter. I like having something yummy in the oven or in the Dutch oven on the stove! Last year, someone gave me one of those extra burners that you plug in and use on the countertop. Why? That went right to goodwill, too.

@libbyannE If that burner was an induction burner, you made a big mistake. Best thing since sliced bread. I set mine on top of my glass top stove and haven't used the stove since I got it. You ought to be more open-minded and at least try these things before donating.

Re: Multi Cookers

Tigriss — Sun, 08 Jan 2017 22:56:53 GMT

I have the Ninja 3 n 1, the Cook's Essential 11 or 13 in 1, and the Instant Pot 7 n 1. I would do the Instant Pot because it is also a pressure cooker. It does the same as the others, but it is a pressure cooker which serious infuses flavors in everything you cook in it, plus it is quicker than regular cooking. I do like the shape of the Ninja and Cook's Essential, but the pressure cooker function is vital!

Re: Multi Cookers

Icegoddess — Mon, 09 Jan 2017 00:49:54 GMT

@Kachina624 wrote:
@libbyannE wrote:
@Allegheny
It is a personal decision. I brown in my large frying pan or Dutch oven, then cook in whatever way I like. I am not in a hurry so do not need pressure cooker function. And I do NOT want kitchen clutter. I like having something yummy in the oven or in the Dutch oven on the stove! Last year, someone gave me one of those extra burners that you plug in and use on the countertop. Why? That went right to goodwill, too.
@libbyannE If that burner was an induction burner, you made a big mistake. Best thing since sliced bread. I set mine on top of my glass top stove and haven't used the stove since I got it. You ought to be more open-minded and at least try these things before donating.

I'm not a big fan of the induction burners because you have to have the right pan to use it. I do have a countertop burner which comes in handy because I only have 2 eyes on my stove. The other side is a grill which I use all the time, so I wouldn't want to give that up.

Re: Multi Cookers

Kachina624 — Mon, 09 Jan 2017 01:00:53 GMT

@Icegoddess wrote:
@Kachina624 wrote:
@libbyannE wrote:
@Allegheny
It is a personal decision. I brown in my large frying pan or Dutch oven, then cook in whatever way I like. I am not in a hurry so do not need pressure cooker function. And I do NOT want kitchen clutter. I like having something yummy in the oven or in the Dutch oven on the stove! Last year, someone gave me one of those extra burners that you plug in and use on the countertop. Why? That went right to goodwill, too.
@libbyannE If that burner was an induction burner, you made a big mistake. Best thing since sliced bread. I set mine on top of my glass top stove and haven't used the stove since I got it. You ought to be more open-minded and at least try these things before donating.
I'm not a big fan of the induction burners because you have to have the right pan to use it. I do have a countertop burner which comes in handy because I only have 2 eyes on my stove. The other side is a grill which I use all the time, so I wouldn't want to give that up.

@Icegoddess There is a conversion plate available that you can slip under any pan to make it induction ready.

Re: Multi Cookers

Buck-i-Nana — Mon, 09 Jan 2017 01:05:12 GMT

@Allegheny wrote:
@libbyannE I know what you mean. I do have a NuWave induction burner, another item that comes in handy but not used much. When time comes to replace my cooktop I will probably do a combination gas and induction unit.

@Allegheny - I just upgraded by glass top electric cooktop to an induction cooktop and I am so very happy with it. It's really as responsive as gas and safer. I'm just loving it. I had the NuWave induction burner and loved it and that led me to upgrading. This is so powerful, I gave away my NuWave because now it's too slow for me!

Now, for the multi-cooker. I had a Ninja, really didn't use it much. I recently got a muli-function electric rice cooker/pressure cooker/slow cooker. It basically does EVERYTHING. So, I gave my daughter the Ninja and my dil my crock pot. Now have just one item to store instead of two. I made pot roast the other day and it was so easy and perfect. Yesterday made chicken and pasta and again it was perfect. I did make rice in it as well and again, so easy. Still have to test something with the slow-cooker function, just to make sure it works, but I think all my slow cooker recipes will work beautifully with the pressure cooking feature so who knows!

Re: Multi Cookers

Pook — Mon, 09 Jan 2017 01:11:33 GMT

@Allegheny
I love my Ninja. I use it often. It's so easy to clean also. I like the steam roasting best (which is much faster) and use that to do meats on the rack with potatoes beneath. After
I steam roast meats then I like to steam asparagus with the meat juices. I also like that I can brown pork and beef roasts and then use the slow cooker without having to use another pot plus the oval pot is way better than the round slow cookers. I have also made toasted cheese in it.

Re: Multi Cookers

janeec — Mon, 09 Jan 2017 02:40:27 GMT

I love my ninja. I use it frequently, for the family and for company. My husband can't believe how easy it is to do a prime rib roast without failure. Clean up is a breeze. I sometimes cook in it and then take the insert only to my parent's and place it right into hers to keep the food warm until we can get the rest of the meal ready.

I have learned how to adapt a lot of recipes to the one pot without much difficulty. As for soup, it's so nice to make 6 quarts at once and then be able to freeze it or give it to those who aren't able to cook.

For me, it works!

Re: Multi Cookers

libbyannE — Mon, 09 Jan 2017 04:47:22 GMT

@Kachina624 wrote:
@libbyannE wrote:
@Allegheny
It is a personal decision. I brown in my large frying pan or Dutch oven, then cook in whatever way I like. I am not in a hurry so do not need pressure cooker function. And I do NOT want kitchen clutter. I like having something yummy in the oven or in the Dutch oven on the stove! Last year, someone gave me one of those extra burners that you plug in and use on the countertop. Why? That went right to goodwill, too.
@libbyannE If that burner was an induction burner, you made a big mistake. Best thing since sliced bread. I set mine on top of my glass top stove and haven't used the stove since I got it. You ought to be more open-minded and at least try these things before donating.

@Kachina624

No need for it. I am glad if someone else could use it. I don't need to eat up counter space with an extra burner. Please do not tell me what I " ought' to like or not like. I like my restaurant stove, thank you.

Re: Multi Cookers

Mothertrucker — Mon, 09 Jan 2017 12:43:04 GMT

LOVE my 11 in 1 Cooks Companion Multi Cooker- it does everything (and more) even mkes yogurt- Allison Waggoner has a gerat cookbook for it too.

Once you use one, you will never go back to any kind of crockpot that doesnt brown (well, mabe just to keep stuff warm)

Re: Multi Cookers

Buck-i-Nana — Mon, 09 Jan 2017 14:26:13 GMT

@libbyannE wrote:
@Kachina624 wrote:
@libbyannE wrote:
@Allegheny
It is a personal decision. I brown in my large frying pan or Dutch oven, then cook in whatever way I like. I am not in a hurry so do not need pressure cooker function. And I do NOT want kitchen clutter. I like having something yummy in the oven or in the Dutch oven on the stove! Last year, someone gave me one of those extra burners that you plug in and use on the countertop. Why? That went right to goodwill, too.
@libbyannE If that burner was an induction burner, you made a big mistake. Best thing since sliced bread. I set mine on top of my glass top stove and haven't used the stove since I got it. You ought to be more open-minded and at least try these things before donating.
@Kachina624
No need for it. I am glad if someone else could use it. I don't need to eat up counter space with an extra burner. Please do not tell me what I " ought' to like or not like. I like my restaurant stove, thank you.

Wow. I don't think Kachina624 meant any harm or even to be snarky in her post. She's just excited about induction, something I can totally understand. Your reply however just hit me wrong expectially with your "restaurant stove" .... just have to say well la-di-da....

Re: Multi Cookers

Buck-i-Nana — Mon, 09 Jan 2017 14:29:34 GMT

@Mothertrucker - That's the one I have and love too. I ordered the wonder pot a while back and it arrived broken. I was dismayed at the amount of plastic on that piece and realized that's why the price was so low. The 6.3 qt multi-cooker is very well made and more than worth the price.