Choosing a multicooker correctly

The multicooker is an indispensable kitchen appliance designed for cooking in various modes. The process of cooking products is carried out automatically - it is enough to set the required program and time, and in some models for each program the duration of the work is also determined by the system. This is a versatile device that preserves vitamins and microelements during cooking. Decided to buy, but don't know how to choose the right multicooker for your home in 2020? Expert advice will help you make the right choice. Here are important criteria for the correct purchase of a multicooker.

Types of multicooker

According to the type of work, multicooker is divided into two categories:

• ordinary;
• with pressure cooker function.

The conventional version of the appliance cooks food at moderate atmospheric pressure. During cooking, you can open the lid at any time. The device with the pressure cooker function operates at high pressure, therefore, after loading food and setting the program, do not open the lid. Thanks to the created vacuum, food preparation is faster, but this is not suitable for all dishes, therefore, it is desirable to have two modes of operation. You should be prepared for the fact that the price of such a multicooker will be appropriate.

Bowl volume and coverage

A bowl is a saucepan-like container in which food is placed. To choose a good multicooker for the volume of the bowl, consider your needs. If you have a small family, then there is no point in overpaying for larger models. There are products on sale with a capacity of 1 to 10 liters. One-liter devices are practically not in demand among buyers, since the cooking conditions in them are significantly limited. It is quite difficult to find too large models with a volume of 10 liters. The best option for a small family is a multicooker for 2, 3, 4 liters. For example, if you need a multicooker for 3 people, then a four-liter bowl will be enough.

You should pay attention to such a moment as total and useful volume device. The manufacturer always indicates the total capacity. This means that if a multicooker with a volume of 3 liters, you will only get 2.6 liters of food in the bowl. To calculate the usable volume, subtract 400 ml from the total. Therefore, when you go shopping, think about whether it makes sense to purchase a device slightly larger than originally planned.

It is not recommended to buy a multi-cooker for a home with a two-liter bowl with the expectation that a larger volume of the device will never be required. The appearance of guests, for example, requires the preparation of more food, but with a small capacity this is difficult.

To choose the cover of the multicooker bowl, you should familiarize yourself with the advantages and disadvantages of each type:

• Ceramics - needs careful handling due to increased fragility. Such a coating hardly scratches or spoils the taste of food. The most popular option among buyers.
• Teflon - this type of coating is the easiest to clean, but it is easy to scratch and requires a more careful attitude. When a damaged bowl is heated to a high temperature, harmful substances evaporate, which can spoil the taste of food and affect health.
• Multilayer non-stick marble sprayed coating differs in the highest cost, however, other properties are much better than those of the previous options - increased strength, quick and easy cleaning, preservation of useful substances of products.

The choice of the bowl material largely depends on the financial capabilities of the buyer, but you should not overpay for a more expensive coating, since even a budget multicooker will last a long time with careful handling. However, the bowl can be replaced with a new one over time.

Power

If you need to find an inexpensive, but good multicooker for your home, pay special attention to the power of the appliance. If you need a multicooker for two or three people, then an acceptable power level is 700-800 watts. For the student, you can choose a less powerful model with a small bowl.

Please note that the power indicated in the technical passport of the multicooker is the maximum load with which the device can work. Also, the speed of cooking in different modes depends on the power level: the higher it is, the faster the food will cook.

Heating element type

By the type of heating element, devices differ into several varieties. In most cases, the device is equipped with a metal heating element located directly under the bowl... In this case, the operation of the device is comparable to the principle of a conventional electric stove. But another multicooker device is also possible, in which there is additional heating along the entire diameter bowls or lids - for baking bread and other products.

There are also multicooker with heating induction type... They heat up much faster. Induction technology is more economical in terms of energy consumption, but it costs more.

Answering the question which multicooker is better to buy, we can sum up that the most profitable option for home use would be the version of the device with heating elements located at the bottom along the perimeter and in the lid of the device. This will easily allow you to quickly and tasty prepare your favorite dishes.

Control type

According to the type of control, there are two categories of household appliances:

• electronic;
• mechanical.

Which multicooker is better is up to you, but it should be noted that models with mechanical control differ in affordable cost and reliability. Their panels are equipped with numerous buttons and switches.

As for the electronic options, you can control the cooking of food using touch display, but it is the sensors that fail more often. This happens because the electronic control components are sensitive to the slightest voltage surges. If you don't need a stylish control panel, then there is no point in overpaying for it.

In addition, there are models with control via Wifi. They cost much more.

The presence of handles on the bowl

To choose a high-quality multicooker for your home, we recommend that you pay attention to the presence of a useful element - the handles on the bowl and it is desirable that they are heat-resistant. With their help, you can easily remove the bowl from the multicooker. Otherwise, you will have to use additional devices and this is not entirely convenient and even unsafe.

Cover type

Give preference to reliable multicooker with flip-top lids rather than removable ones. This is especially true for pressure cookers.

Hinged cover makes it possible to create a vacuum inside the device. Make sure it fits snugly against the body and that the gum is free from defects.

During cooking, the lid is invariably exposed to dirt, but at the same time it has removable elements that can be easily cleaned.

There are also models of multicooker with removable covers. However, most of them belong to the inexpensive price segment and have less functionality.

Body material

In most cases, multicooker is made in a plastic and metal case. It is believed that metal case more durable and easier to clean. However, such a model is much more expensive compared to a plastic one. At the same time, the manufacturer will not install a low quality bowl into a device with a metal case.

In order not to overpay extra money, we recommend that you still give preference plastic appliancesbecause the quality of the bowl is much more important than the body.

The best multicooker in 2020

• REDMOND SkyCooker M800S
• Philips HD3060
• Moulinex CE 500E32
• Scarlett SL-MC411P01
• REDMOND RMC-02

Important details to look out for

The multicooker may have additional features - what to look for in the first place:

• Remote control - the function is necessary for those who plan to do other things, while the device is preparing food. Available only for electronically controlled models. It is necessary to install a special program on a smartphone or tablet and control the operation of equipment using Bluetooth or Wi-Fi technologies.
• Delay start - involves setting a certain time, at which point the device will automatically start the cooking process. First, you need to load all the products into the multicooker bowl and install the required program. The function ensures that a hot and tasty meal is served at the right time.
• Keeping warm - after completing the main cooking procedure, the device switches to the keep warm mode, so that the food stays warm.

It is important to have a special small container designed to collect moisture. During the cooking process, evaporation occurs and without such a collector, all the water will be in the food or will spread around the multicooker body.

Most essential programs

If you want to choose a multicooker according to the parameters correctly, then one of the most important criteria is the variety of programs. More expensive models are equipped with a huge number of functions, but it is important that the following most necessary programs are present in your device:

• soup;
• cereals;
• frying;
• extinguishing;
• for baking;
• milk porridge;
• rice;
• steaming.

Which company to choose a multicooker?

In terms of choosing a multicooker company, it is recommended to trust manufacturers with a good reputation, and a review of models and customer reviews will allow you to choose a good multicooker according to its characteristics. Each manufacturer offers a fairly extensive assortment, among which you can choose the best option.

Popular manufacturers rating:

• Philips;
• Polaris;
• Redmond;
• Panasonic.

Care and proper operation of the multicooker

It is very important to use even the best multicooker model strictly according to the instructions that come with it - this is the guarantee of its long and trouble-free operation. In order to start working with the device, it is necessary to connect it to the mains, fill the bowl with food, not exceeding the indicated "Max" mark - otherwise there is a high risk that food will go out of the bowl during cooking. Next, you need to place the container inside the case and install the program.

The peculiarities of working with the device depend on the selected program. For example, porridge can be cooked completely automatically from start to finish of the cooking process. To fry food, turn it over regularly, as in a regular frying pan, without forgetting to grease the container with oil first.

Even the best multicooker-pressure cooker needs careful and regular maintenance:

1. After every cooking procedure wash the multicooker bowl to a perfectly clean condition, as food residues can negatively affect the taste of the food and the coating of the container. During cleaning, the use of aggressive detergents, abrasives, metal brushes is prohibited.It is important that the bowl is completely clean and dry.
2. If the device has a non-removable cover, it must be clean after each use the appliance, as grease, moisture, food debris accumulates on the lid.
3. The removable cover can rinse under running warm water.
4. If over time you notice that the taste of food cooked in a multicooker has changed, you need rinse the bowl using lemon juice.
5. Keep the device outlet valve clean, as grease and other contaminants also accumulate there, which contributes to the malfunction of the device.
6. Follows regularly clean and ten (if it is accessible), as well as the inner surface of the case. In this case, the device must be disconnected from the network, and after cleaning you need to wait until the multicooker is completely dry.

Many owners of appliances from different manufacturers are faced with the appearance of foreign odors during cooking. In order for the multicooker to work without the smell of plastic and does not absorb foreign odors, we recommend that you carefully take care of the lid.

Conclusion

Tips from experts and experienced users will help you figure out which multicooker to choose for your home in 2020. Studying the rich assortment of these devices on sale, pay attention to the above criteria, structural elements, the availability of the most important programs. And correct operation and proper care of the multicooker will significantly extend its service life and enjoy delicious and healthy dishes every day!