How to choose a multicooker pressure cooker.

A multicooker is an electrical household appliance that can be seen in so many kitchens today. There are countless models with various attractive features - almost every manufacturer seeks to interest the buyer with some unique technical innovation. However, when choosing, it should be borne in mind that the functions of most devices are similar - only their names differ (for example, the "Rice" mode is interchangeable with the programs "Buckwheat" and "Krupa"). But one very specific difference in the operation of multicooker still exists: some of them are cooked under pressure, while others are not. The miracle pan from the first group, which has incredible popularity among housewives, is called a multi-cooker-pressure cooker. Those who want to purchase this kitchen device are attracted primarily by its ability to cook food at high speed. And what else is a multi-cooker-pressure cooker good for? Should I give it preference over the usual multicooker? And in general: how to choose a multicooker-pressure cooker from a wide range of stores so that it delights all year round?

Multicooker or multicooker-pressure cooker?

Guess what is the secret: the hostess hardly comes to the stove, and her household is nourishing and tasty every day with a three-course dinner? Yes, not simple semi-finished products, but sophisticated and difficult to prepare delicacies, many of which can only be handled by an experienced chef? The thing is that this family has such an amazing device as a multicooker in the kitchen. He is able to bake, stew, simmer (like in a Russian oven), fry, boil, steam, and sometimes even smoke and make yoghurts. Life paradox: women who hate standing by the stove are happy to test the endless possibilities of the multicooker.

What to give preference to - a multicooker or a multicooker-pressure cooker?

The question, of course, is not an easy one. But it was noticed that in most cases, inexperienced users who have never dealt with such devices choose a "leisurely" multicooker that cooks without pressure. It seems to many beginners that they simply cannot cope with a device that is equipped with a valve for releasing hot steam. But experienced cooks who have experienced the multicooker in action and appreciated its undeniable advantages, as a rule, try to make the dream of a pressure cooker requiring special skill, but at the same time a very high-speed pressure cooker capable of operating at temperatures above 100 degrees, come true.

Most housewives agree that in an ordinary multicooker it is easier and more convenient to cook those dishes that require languishing and stewing: soups, milk porridge, stewed vegetables. The advantage of a pressure cooker is that it does a great job with recipes that are usually time-consuming and require long hours of standing at the stove.

Multi-pulti, one-two-three...

And the food, as if by magic, cooks several times faster than usual. Jellied meat and beef tongue - in 1 hour, pea and bean soup - in 40 minutes, pilaf - in 15 minutes, beets and corn - in 10. Those housewives who have both appliances in the kitchen often make broth in a pressure cooker, and then on its basis, soup is already cooked in a slow cooker - this way the dish turns out to be especially tasty. Do not forget that the cooking process takes place under pressure, therefore, after being connected to the network, the multicooker-pressure cooker needs a certain amount of time to "get in shape." Only after gaining the required pressure, the device starts its work.

During cooking, the lid of the multicooker-pressure cooker is tightly twisted or tightly clamped, so it will not work to lift it and look inside “in the process” - it is simply dangerous. Therefore, adding food or salt to the dish after the appliance starts to work will no longer work - this should be borne in mind. After the end of cooking, you need to wait a few more minutes for the device to release the pressure - only then the lid can be opened. As you can see, a pressure cooker cooks faster than a multicooker, but you need to take into account that it takes additional time to set and release pressure (on average about half an hour).

Another significant point is the volume of the inner bowl of the device. In a pressure cooker with a volume of five liters, you can cook no more than three and a half liters of food (since pressure requires additional volume).

Do not put pressure on the psyche!

Calm, only calm! The pressure cooker is easy to handle when handled correctly. You just need to know how to handle it correctly.

As a rule, most instruments have several degrees of pressure:

  • high,
  • medium,
  • low.

Higher pressure speeds up the cooking process. At a lower value, the liquid does not evaporate and the vapor comes out with minimal noise. Manually changing the operating mode under pressure saves energy.

At the end of cooking, the pressure is gradually released in automatic mode. You can speed up this process by clicking on the appropriate button. When dumping steam, do not hold your hands over the valve so as not to burn your hands.

In many pressure cookers, the cooked food immediately begins to heat up. In the latest commercially available models, this function can be disabled if desired.

The lids of most pressure cookers can be opened or removed for easy cleaning. But there are also models with a hinged lid, which can be removed for washing. Please note if it is possible to buy an additional internal saucepan for your appliance (in which, in fact, the food is prepared). Over time, the coating - Teflon or ceramic - can peel off slightly and peel off, so it is desirable that there is a potential for bowl replacement. It is important that it is realistic, if necessary, to change the failed silicone ring, which, when closed, adheres tightly to the lid - during the operation of the device, it may lose its hermetic properties. In addition, the material from which the seal is made absorbs odors very well, which cannot be called a special plus.

Consider the properties and features of several models of multicooker-pressure cookers that are especially popular with buyers according to the data of large retail chains.

Device model Power Features Benefits Approximate cost
Unit USP-1070D 900 WMetal case. The bowl is covered with ceramics. Volume - 5 L10 automatic cooking programs. Delayed start (up to 24 hours). Steamer insert. Additional silicone ring included. The best of the budget models2400 rubles.
Moulinex CE 4000 1000 WMetal housing. The bowl is coated with Teflon. Volume 6 l6 automatic cooking programs. The best economical option (2 pressure modes save energy).5300 rub.
Brand 6051 1000 WMetal housing. The bowl is covered with ceramics. Volume 5 L14 automatic cooking programs. Ideal for families with children5500 rub.
Redmond RMC - M 110 900 WMetal housing. The bowl is coated with Teflon. Volume - 5 L14 automatic cooking programs. 4-level protection system. Excellent value for money.8000 rubles.
Oursson MP 5005 P SD 1200 WMetal housing. The bowl is covered with ceramics. Volume - 5 L11 automatic cooking programs. The ability to make homemade yogurt. Ideal for steaming.9000 rubles.
Cuckoo CMC - HE 1055 F 1400 WPlastic housing. Extra durable 5-layer bowl coating (with marble and gold). Volume - 5 lPremium class. 12 automatic, 7 customizable cooking programs. Mode for preparing yoghurt. Voice guide. Soft steam release25000 rubles.

What do you need to keep in mind when buying?

So, when choosing a multicooker-pressure cooker, pay attention to the following points:

  • which case the device has - plastic or stainless steel;
  • what is the capacity of the inner pan;
  • What is the bowl cover made of - ceramic or Teflon, how many layers there are (the more, the stronger);
  • is it possible to change the pressure from low to high and vice versa;
  • Is there a drip tray for collecting condensate;
  • how tightly the silicone ring fits;
  • is it possible to purchase additional silicone bowl and rings;
  • how convenient and informative the device has, intuitively clear menu;
  • how many programs for automatic cooking of different types of food are there in the multicooker;
  • which programs can be set manually;
  • is it possible to independently set the time and temperature;
  • whether there are functions for heating (as well as its shutdown) and delayed start;
  • whether the option "child lock" has been added (useful if there are small children in the house - in three seconds you can lock the control system so that little ones do not get to it);
  • whether the lid can be folded back or removed completely (in the latter case, it is easier to wash);
  • Does the complete set include useful accessories (measuring bowl, double boiler, spoon for soup and bulk products, ladle, recipe book, oven mitt for hot dishes);
  • is there an internal measuring scale;
  • what is the safety level of a multicooker-pressure cooker, how many degrees of protection it has.

The choice of a multicooker that can cook dishes under pressure, which means - as quickly as possible, should be approached very responsibly. Do not be afraid that you will not understand the operation of the device. The interface of most devices is intuitive, and the degree of protection is quite high. If you follow all the manufacturer's recommendations, cooking in a multicooker-pressure cooker will turn into a real pleasure.

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