topic Re: Slow Cooker or Multi-Cooker--how to choose in Kitchen

Slow Cooker or Multi-Cooker--how to choose

novamc1 — Sun, 05 Jan 2020 17:48:03 GMT

Take a look at your cooking style, then decide if a slow cookers or multicookers is right for you.

By Becky Krystal, The Washington Post
Posted Jan 1, 2020 at 8:30 A

Slow cookers, multicookers each offer specific advantages, but which is best for your efforts?

There seems to be little that Americans can agree on these days when it comes to current events, but politics is far from the only arena where we’re divided. Even in the food world, tribalism rears its head. I prefer to focus on what unites rather than divides us. Still, when it comes to must-have cooking appliances, you likely fall into one of two camps: slow cooker or pressure cooker.

“I personally think most people should choose one,” says cookbook author Bruce Weinstein, who with his husband, Mark Scarbrough, has written tomes on slow cookers as well as the still-hot-right-now multicookers, which are most often used as pressure cookers. The fact is, not many people have room for two, and their tastes and lifestyles are probably already pushing them toward one over the other.

How should you choose which is right for you and your food? Here are some things to consider.

Speed. Are you someone who plans ahead and wants your food to cook over a long period, or are you a procrastinator who tends to throw together dinner right before you want to eat it? This, at its core, is the most important factor to consider when choosing between the two types of appliances.

Don’t be fooled into thinking you can have the best of both worlds by choosing a multicooker, like the popular Instant Pot. Most multicookers have one heating element at the bottom of the base, while some slow cookers also include a band that goes around the sides. That, and the fact that multicookers are taller with less surface area than a typical slow cooker, can lead to unevenly cooked food when using the slow-cook function in a multicooker. The Instant Pot, in particular, has a reputation for running hot on the slow-cook setting, Weinstein says.

In an excerpt from her book “Adventures in Slow Cooking” posted on Cooking Light, Sarah DiGregorio notes that the Instant Pot’s locking lid “doesn’t allow for as much moisture loss as a slow-cooker lid. In some circumstances, that means a dish ends up swimming in liquid when you translate a traditional slow-cooker recipe to slow cooking in the Instant Pot.” (You can, however, buy vented glass lids for the Instant Pot that will allow more liquid to evaporate.)

If you are firmly in the slow-cooking camp, keep in mind that modern slow cookers tend to run hotter than vintage models (such as you see above). That’s because of concerns about food safety, Weinstein says. If you throw your meat into a slow cooker in the morning and then let it hang out on warm for a few hours after the cooking process is finished, you may be disappointed, as smaller or leaner cuts of meat can overcook even at the holding temperature.

Space. If you’ve come to the realization that you have room for only one of these large appliances, consider this: Slow cookers tend to have a larger footprint, with their elongated oval shape. Multicookers skew tall and narrow. Evaluate your cabinets and counter space, and decide where the slow cooker or multicooker might fit best.

Options. How many functions are you likely to use? That’s also at the crux of this decision.

Slow cookers first and foremost cook food slowly. Programmable models let you choose the level of heat and time, but that’s about it. Browning meat has long been an obstacle when it comes to slow cookers. Some models have inserts that can be used on the stove top, and others offer built-in saute functions. Otherwise, you may need to use a separate pot or pan first for any cooktop work. You may find a few models with settings for steaming and making yogurt, but slow cookers are largely single-use appliances.

Multicookers offer an array of possibilities. Beyond pressure cooking and slow cooking, you may get functions for yogurt, rice, steaming, sauteing and sous vide.

The food. Slow cookers excel at “long-braised stuff,” Weinstein says, such as brisket, oxtail and chuck roast, with time and low heat helping transform meat from tough to tender. Their shape means they can handle larger cuts that might otherwise have to be broken down into small pieces. Weinstein also is a fan of slow cookers for overnight foods, such as steel-cut oats. With a slow cooker, you won’t overcook them.

Like the slow cooker, a pressure cooker can help you tackle large cuts of meat, albeit with a completely different strategy. Rather than a slow braise, the multicooker works by creating a sealed environment. Once it “comes up to pressure,” air and steam can’t escape. When that happens, more energy is required to cause the liquid to boil, raising the boiling point from 212 to 250 degrees. That, in turn, makes the food cook faster. The smaller size of the appliance, however, may require breaking down those larger cuts. Dried beans cook in well under an hour. Grain dishes (risotto, oats) end up perfectly chewy and creamy, no stirring required. Even the firmest vegetables can be steamed in a matter of minutes

Before you buy either appliance, it is important to take think about your priorities and favorite recipes, so you can select the gadget that fits your life- and cooking style.

Re: Slow Cooker or Multi-Cooker--how to choose

AuntG — Mon, 06 Jan 2020 02:31:16 GMT

If I had room for just one, I'd take a slo-cooker.

Re: Slow Cooker or Multi-Cooker--how to choose

haddon9 — Sun, 05 Jan 2020 17:37:04 GMT

I only have room for one and my DS bought me an Instant Pot last Christmas...it's both a slow & pressure cooker.

Re: Slow Cooker or Multi-Cooker--how to choose

SandySparkles — Sun, 05 Jan 2020 18:11:31 GMT

I would consider a multi-cooker. They take up about the same amount of counter space or shelf space, and you are not limited by what you can do.

~~~All we need is LOVE💖

Re: Slow Cooker or Multi-Cooker--how to choose

Pook — Sun, 05 Jan 2020 20:57:13 GMT

My Ninja multi cooker does everything I need. Stovetop, oven, slower cooker and steamer. I never use my slow cooker at all and stored it - multi cooker does a better job and is easier to clean. My multi cooker is more oval and not as high as any slow cooker I ever had and not as cumbersome.

Re: Slow Cooker or Multi-Cooker--how to choose

Sooner — Sun, 05 Jan 2020 20:26:45 GMT

For us, a slow cooker couldn't ever get near the use the Instant Pots (3 and 6 qt) do. We use them all the time. They are a big part of our kitchen life now.

Re: Slow Cooker or Multi-Cooker--how to choose

meem120 — Mon, 06 Jan 2020 02:43:16 GMT

I personally just like the oval shape cookers.

Re: Slow Cooker or Multi-Cooker--how to choose

loriqvc — Mon, 06 Jan 2020 03:17:01 GMT

I have a multicooker and love it—it definitely gets much more use than my slow cookers nowadays. But when I want something cooked low and slow, I always use one of my slow cookers instead of the multicooker; I feel they do a better and more consistent job with that task/approach.

Re: Slow Cooker or Multi-Cooker--how to choose

Icegoddess — Mon, 06 Jan 2020 05:15:55 GMT

The only time I really ever use my slow cooker is for chili. I don't really care for cooking a bunch of different foods together in a slow cooker (meat & veggies) because they all come out tasting the same. Plus, I prefer drier roasted veggies rather than having them swimming in liquid, which they end up doing even if I cook them on a rack on top of the meat.

That being said, the only thing I have yet cooked in my 2 Qt CE pressure cooker is potatoes for mashed potatoes and eggs.

That's a lot of cabinet space for what either one does, but I'm not getting rid of either.

I really need to expand my cuinary horizons, but I'm a very picky eater.

Re: Slow Cooker or Multi-Cooker--how to choose

mimomof4 — Mon, 06 Jan 2020 13:34:50 GMT

I have 2 Slow Cookers and the Ninja Foodi. I tend to use the Slow Cooker more than the Ninja. The ninja is so big and a pain to lug around. I haven't tried the Slow Cooker Function on the Ninja, however I've read many reviews stating that function doesn't work as well as a regular slow cooker.

Re: Slow Cooker or Multi-Cooker--how to choose

Daysdee — Mon, 06 Jan 2020 21:17:31 GMT

I cook for one and I have two sizes of slow cookers. Use them often in colder months. Don't think I need a pressure cooker since I don't have to be in a hurry to make dinner even though the flavor is said to be great in a pressure cooker. One "must" for me is an air fryer. I use mine at least 5 nights a week and also many days for lunch. (Just bought a Cosori air fryer and it cleans up better than the Power XL I had. Also, I like the appearance of it better as I have to leave it out on my counter.)

Re: Slow Cooker or Multi-Cooker--how to choose

RossBolden06 — Fri, 10 Jan 2020 07:30:09 GMT

I like multi cooker. because it's very comfortable.

Re: Slow Cooker or Multi-Cooker--how to choose

aroc3435 — Fri, 10 Jan 2020 15:36:32 GMT

@RossBolden06 I have and use both, but I now tend to use the pressure cooking function on my Instant Pot much more frequently than my slow cooker.

For marathon cooking events, such as Thanksgiving, all "burners" are firing, so all small appliances come into play!

And welcome to the boards, Ross! Always happy to see a new participant.

aroc3435

Re: Slow Cooker or Multi-Cooker--how to choose

reiki604 — Fri, 10 Jan 2020 16:24:23 GMT

I gave up my slow cooker when I bought the Intant Pot. I never used it much in any case. I just got the Instant Pot top that air fry, roast, etc. I love it!!!!!!!!

Re: Slow Cooker or Multi-Cooker--how to choose

depglass — Fri, 10 Jan 2020 17:20:50 GMT

I already own a pressure cooker, a crock pot and an air fryer. So spending $200.00 plus on a combined unit is not in the cards for me. Maybe years from now when they get the price down.

Re: Slow Cooker or Multi-Cooker--how to choose

hellokitty — Fri, 10 Jan 2020 19:03:28 GMT

I have a 4qt and a 6qt Cooks Essentials pressure cooker. However, they have a slow cooker function that I use frequently. I like being able to use one appliance for many things. Slow cooker works just fine in both units. I have even canned in the 6 qt. pressure cookers. Things turned out just fine.