Brief Summary
The video reviews multicookers, which combine pressure cooking, slow cooking, rice cooking, and searing functions. America's Test Kitchen tested over a dozen models, assessing their performance in cooking rice, beef stew, and baked beans, as well as their searing capabilities. The Instant Pot Pro eight-quart multicooker is the winner due to its clear controls, stainless steel pot, and consistent cooking performance. The Crock-Pot eight-quart Express Crock XL pressure cooker is the best buy for being more affordable.
- Multicookers combine functions like pressure cooking, slow cooking, and searing.
- The Instant Pot Pro eight-quart is the top pick for its performance and user-friendly design.
- The Crock-Pot eight-quart Express Crock XL is a budget-friendly alternative.
Intro
The host introduces the concept of multicookers, which combine the functions of a pressure cooker, slow cooker, and more, noting their potential to replace multiple appliances. America's Test Kitchen tested over a dozen multicookers ranging in price from $77 to $250, in both six-quart and eight-quart sizes, evaluating their performance in various cooking tasks.
Testing Process
The testing process involved cooking white rice, pressure cooking and slow cooking beef stew and baked beans, and using the sear function to brown beef and soften onions for the stew. Pressure-cooked food generally turned out better than slow-cooked food. Some models took considerably longer to slow cook, prompting further investigation into temperature consistency.
Temperature and Searing Performance
The ideal pressure cooking temperature range is 236 to 245 degrees Fahrenheit, with most cookers reaching this range in about 25 minutes. Models with greater temperature fluctuations were slower in slow cooking. For searing, models with unlined stainless steel pots performed better due to better fond development, unlike those with non-stick pots.
Factors to Consider
Several factors are important to consider when choosing a multicooker. Simpler controls are preferable, and the type of pot (stainless steel vs. non-stick) affects searing quality. A lid that can be completely removed is more convenient for cleaning and stirring. Steam release mechanisms also vary, with one-touch operation being the most desirable for safety.
Top Picks
The Instant Pot Pro eight-quart multicooker is the winner, priced at $150, due to its clear controls, stainless steel pot with handles, and excellent cooking performance. For a budget option, the Crock-Pot eight-quart Express Crock XL pressure cooker is the best buy at $77, though its non-stick pot doesn't produce as much fond.
