Kitchen

[Allegheny]

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

[hopi]

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.

[libbyannE]

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.

[meem120]

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.

[Kachina624]

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. 

[Allegheny]

@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.

[Allegheny]

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.  

[libbyannE]

@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. 

[Allegheny]

@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.

[Kachina624]

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@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. 

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@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.