Slow, Pressure and Multicooker buying guide
Slow Cookers, Pressure Cookers and Multicookers are all appliances that can remove much of the hassle of kitchen tasks Discover benchtop cookers from top brands like Breville, Russell Hobbs, Crock Pot and more.
Types of Slow, Pressure & Multicookers
Offering different approaches to cooking the same delicious meals, Slow Cookers, Pressure Cookers and Multi Cookers are a meal time game changer. Save time, energy and fuss in the kitchen with hands-off convenience, simplicity and ease. Read on to find the best Benchtop Cooker for you.
Slow Cooker
A slow cooker is the best option for dishes that require long periods of simmering or baking. Using low temperatures to gradually cook stews, soups and pot roasts among other foods, it can be left on while you go about your day.
Pressure Cooker
What is a pressure cooker? Well, it is made up of a special airtight cooking pot that uses steam to prepare foods in super quick time. Putting a liquid such as water, wine or broth in the pot traps the vapour inside, which raises the temperature and pressure for speed cooking.
Multi Cooker
Providing you with a little bit of everything, multicookers combine several functions into one. They can include features of a slow cooker, rice cooker, steamer, fryer and more, making them ideal if you are low on space.
“New auto settings on slow cookers can change temperature in the middle of the cooking time, taking a recipe from a boil to a simmer, for a totally hands-off process.” says Tracy Ellis, The Good Guys Buyer – Portable Appliances.
Size and weight
With slow cookers and multicookers you should be able to judge size and weight pretty easily, picking the right model that will fit your household’s needs. However, pressure cookers may need slightly more thought as the size can affect the cooking in several ways. Firstly, larger models can take longer to heat up and they will require more liquid to create the desired outcome. There must also be enough space to fit the food, the liquid and room left over to allow steam to build up. Generally between 6 and 8 litres of capacity is enough for a typical four-person family, although both smaller and larger options are available.
Cooking options and settings
Slow cookers, multicookers and pressure cookers perform similar functions, but there are variations.
These settings are common to slow cookers and multicookers: - Slow cook - Fry - Steam - Grill - Stir Fry - Braise
Pressure cookers can only be used for tasks that require steam, such as boiling braising and simmering. There are usually three settings on a pressure cooker: low, medium and high. Measured in pounds per square inch (psi), pressure at the top end will be around 15 psi, while 3 psi is typical for low settings.
Energy consumption
While slow cookers and multicookers are convenient and can be left on even when not in the house, this means their energy consumption is higher. Pressure cookers, on the other hand, are designed to cook foods very quickly, so don’t use as much energy.
Watch videos about popular Slow, Pressure & Multicookers
Russell Hobbs black Slow Cooker
Stew amazing meals with the Russell Hobbs Matte Black Slow Cooker.
Breville's Fast Slow Pro Multicooker
Collin Fassnidge of My Kitchen Rules shows us how easy it is to make a delicious slow braised lamb shoulder using a Breville pressure cooker.
Russell Hobbs 11-in1 Multi Cooker
Cook a wide variety of meals with the Russell Hobbs 11-in1 Digital Multi Cooker.
More tips, advice & buying guides
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If you’re looking for delicious new slow cooker meals that will keep the hungry hordes happy, then we’ve got the best slow cooker recipes from our friends at Crockpot and Russell Hobbs for you to try.
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Slow, Pressure & Multicookers glossary
We’ll break down all the tech talk and acronyms that you need to know.
Slow Cooker
Also known as a crock-pot, a slow cooker is a benchtop appliance used to cook dishes at a low temperature over long periods of time.
Multi Cooker
A multicooker contains several functions to cook foods in a variety of ways. Functions often include slow cook, pressure cook, risotto and stew.
Pressure Cooker
Pressure cookers use steam to cook foods faster than other appliances. Typically used for cooking tough cuts of meat, stews and vegetables.
Simmering
A cooking method that keeps liquid below boiling, commonly used in slow cooking to develop flavors over time.
Airtight Cooking Pot
A specially designed sealed pot used in pressure cookers to trap steam and create high-pressure cooking conditions to cook food quickly.
Steam Cooking
An indirect method of cooking food that uses hot steam generated from water. Cooking with steam cooks ingredients without the need for excessive oils and ensures meals retain natural textures and nutritional value.
FAQs
Silverside, also called corned beef, is a lean, boneless cut of beef. Silverside is often cooked in a slow cooker to tenderise and enhance the flavour of the tough cut of beef. To cook silverside in a slow cooker, fill the cooker with enough boiling water to cover the meat, add ingredients like onion, garlic, bay leaves, brown sugar and apple cider vinegar before cooking on high for 4 - 4.5 hours or on low for 8+ hours.
To use a pressure cooker, refer to the manual of your purchased cooker. When cooking, make sure to add liquid, don't overfill and turn your hob up to full power to speed up the cooking process. Ensure to keep your pressure cooker clean and regularly maintained by following the instruction manual.
Steam cooking works by adding water. To steam cook in a multicooker, add water to the base, add a steaming rack or basket and select the 'Steam' function on your cooker. Refer to the instruction manual of your purchased multicooker for more information.