Manufacturers of multicookers are trying to create a device that can perform the functions of several devices at once. The modes in a multicooker are becoming more varied and complex. An ordinary home multicooker can cook almost any dish: grill, pasta, boil food in the classic way or steam it like a double boiler. Cooking modes differ in complexity and functionality. Let's figure out how different programs and modes work in a typical multicooker.
Home use of the product
Manual modes
Such programs are a response to user requests. Those who are used to cooking according to their own recipes want the multicooker program to be able to set the heating temperature and cooking time manually.
The first to provide this opportunity was then followed by other manufacturers.
In multicookers of different brands, this cooking option may be called differently, and the basic characteristics will also differ. The minimum temperature that this mode allows you to set is about 30 degrees Celsius. It is convenient for making yoghurts and preparing yeast dough. The upper limit will be different for each manufacturer. The range is 100–200 degrees.
Manual cooking program names: multicook, manual, your mode, multichef and other options. It makes sense to experiment with manual cooking if the owner of the device has a good understanding of the process of preparing a dish and understands what and how to do it. If you have little experience, it is better to start by trusting the standard automatic modes, the results of which will be consistently successful.
Using manual mode without proper experience is fraught with unexpected consequences
Baking in a slow cooker
It's no secret that you can cook almost any dish in a slow cooker, and most of them will taste better than dishes cooked on the stove. Baked goods are no exception, as they turn out fluffier and more tender in a slow cooker. Moreover, the range of baked goods that can be baked in a miracle pan is quite large and is not limited to pies and muffins. Biscuits, casseroles, buns, cookies and even Easter cakes.
The multicooker creates simply ideal conditions for baking all kinds of casseroles, open pies, biscuits, cheesecakes, muffins and puddings. The baking process in a multicooker occurs at a lower temperature, more uniform heating and fairly high humidity. All this helps ensure that the baked goods rise well, remain tender and do not dry out.
Baking from a multicooker has a lot of advantages, but the only drawback, in my opinion, is the lack of a golden brown crust, because... There is no heating element on the lid. The top of the baked goods may remain almost white or light cream, which may suggest that the product is underbaked. This is where an ordinary wooden skewer will come to the rescue. By piercing the product with it, you can determine whether the baked goods are ready (the dough should not stick to the skewer).
And the light top can always be hidden with icing, berries and fruits or regular powdered sugar.
If a golden brown crust is important and necessary, then you can simply turn the pie or cupcake upside down, or turn it over and bake it a little on the other side.
You can make pancakes, pancakes and cheesecakes in a slow cooker, the main thing is to get used to turning them over.
Baking time in a multicooker depends on the specific model. The standard “Baking” program lasts 60 minutes in most multicookers, but there are models in which this program is designed for 40-45 minutes, because... The bowl heats up faster and the baking process is more intense. Usually, recipes designed for baking in a slow cooker clearly indicate this point, because... You don’t have the opportunity to often open the lid to check readiness.
But it also happens that a particular multicooker may under-bake or, conversely, bake faster than in the specified time. This can be easily calculated by cooking in the “Baking” mode using several simple recipes. If the baking time coincides with the time specified in the recipes, everything is fine, if not, then you will have to adjust it in the future, taking into account the features of your device.
If you are adapting a recipe for the oven for baking in a multicooker, then keep in mind that it takes more time and often the standard “Baking” program may not be enough, then after the signal about the end of the program, add another 20-30 minutes. I usually look under the lid about 10-15 minutes before the end of the time specified in the recipe, and often the baked goods are already ready. There is no point in baking further, so as not to dry out the product.
It happens that a damp place remains on the surface of pies, casseroles or muffins cooked in a slow cooker, which gives the impression that the baked goods have not been baked. But it is not always the case. Sometimes moisture collects in the center of the multicooker lid and drips into the bowl, so you should always check for doneness with a skewer. 10 minutes before cooking, remove the steam release valve, this will help eliminate the problem.
The most basic form when baking in a multicooker is the bowl itself, but you can bake not only in it. You can choose silicone molds and molds that fit into the bowl according to size.
Even paper muffin tins and foil pans will work for this purpose.
In addition, you can insert a container for steaming into the bowl, and place any portion molds, silicone or ceramic, in it. This way you can bake, for example, puddings and steam baked goods.
To easily remove baked goods from the multicooker bowl, you need to remember that it should always be well greased. You can sprinkle the greased surface of the bowl with flour or breadcrumbs.
You can easily take out the baked goods using the steam container included in the kit. To do this, you need to insert the container into the bowl and turn it over, so the baked goods will slide onto the container. Remove the bowl and voila. Remember to use mittens to protect your hands.
It is not necessary to immediately transfer the baked goods to a dish; they can be allowed to cool on the container, because Thanks to the holes on its bottom, the cooling process will be faster and more even. In the same way, but using a plate of a slightly smaller diameter, you can get more delicate pastries such as charlotte or cottage cheese casserole. If the pie cannot be turned over, then before baking you can place two strips of parchment crosswise in the bowl, which will make it convenient to remove the finished pie.
Yeast baking in a slow cooker turns out excellent, but the question may arise as to how to make it rise well without starting to bake ahead of time. There is one trick here. You can preheat an empty bowl on the “Yogurt” mode, grease it with oil and lay out the shaped dough, close the lid and turn it off (so as not to overheat). When the dough has risen, turn on the “Baking” mode and bake for the specified time.
Buns, pies, yeast cakes, and ring rolls can be placed immediately molded into a greased bowl.
Yeast pies with filling should be molded immediately in the bowl to avoid damage. Divide the dough into two parts, a large one and a slightly smaller one. Place a large half of the dough on the bottom of the greased bowl, forming the sides, then put the filling in the resulting basket, and cover the top with a flat cake from the remaining dough, or form ropes and make a lattice.
By the way, using the same “Baking” program, you can not only bake pies from yeast dough, but also fry them. To do this, just pour a few tablespoons of vegetable oil into the bottom of the bowl.
In order for baking in a multicooker to always be a success, and for the bowl to last as long as possible, it needs careful care.
- Never scrape any remaining dough from the surface of the bowl. The bowl should be soaked in warm water with a mild detergent added, and then washed with a soft sponge.
- Do not insert a bowl that is wet from the outside into the appliance to avoid damaging it.
- Eliminate strong foreign odors so that the baked goods do not smell of them later. Simply boil water with a slice of lemon so that the multicooker is ready for baking even after preparing strong-smelling dishes, such as stewed cabbage or fish.
The multicooker allows you to bake in conditions where such an opportunity was not possible before. In camping conditions, at the dacha, in a rented apartment, or just in the hot summer, when you don’t want to turn on the oven, it will help to please your loved ones with delicious baked goods. This little helper makes our life in the kitchen brighter, more varied and interesting. The main thing is to master all its capabilities and use them to the maximum.
Automatic modes
There are several automatic modes that ensure high quality dishes.
"Warming" program. A fairly simple option that allows you to keep a ready-made dish warm while waiting for lunch or dinner. Some housewives use this mode to defrost or melt butter. In most multicooker models, heating turns on automatically after cooking.
The stewing mode at a given temperature in a multicooker is very similar to conventional cooking in an oven at low temperatures. Well suited for cooking porridges, jellied meats, broths, in a word, those dishes that require simmering. The finished product is aromatic and uniform in structure. The timer can be set from half an hour to twelve hours.
The baking or baking option is convenient for those who like to prepare biscuits and sweet pastries. Non-trivial options for using “baking” include using this program for frying vegetables or meat products.
Baking mode in a multicooker
The mode configured for cooking porridge may differ in name and temperature settings. This program is also suitable for pilaf, crumbly porridges, and porridges with milk. Cooking time varies from forty minutes to an hour.
Some models for pilaf have a special mode, in which the food is browned on the bottom and the rice turns out crumbly. In this mode you can bake potatoes or fry dumplings.
The “Krupa” or “Buckwheat” programs are intended for preparing crumbly, but not browned porridges. In this case, the liquid is thoroughly evaporated. It should be remembered that the multicooker will begin counting the cooking time after it has heated the internal contents of the bowl to operating temperature. Depending on the volume of the bowl and the power of the device, this will take an additional 10–20 minutes.
Preset program options
Double boiler. This program allows you to cook food using steam. The dishes are specific in taste, but more healthy than those prepared in the traditional way. To use this mode, you will need an additional plastic container on which to place the food. Water is poured into the bottom of the bowl, then a plastic stand with food is inserted. The mode works when the lid is closed.
Almost all multicookers have a frying mode. Some models combine frying with a baking program. The program allows you to fry meat, eggs and other foods. Manufacturers usually recommend using the lid-open mode to constantly monitor the process - just like in a frying pan.
The Pasta program allows you to prepare dough dishes such as dumplings, pasta, dumplings. Resourceful housewives note the similarity of this mode with modes like “Porridge” and use them if “Pasta” is not in the multicooker’s arsenal. Using this functionality is not possible with delayed start.
Options for dishes that can be prepared in a slow cooker
Another of the automatic modes – “express” – is used for quickly preparing simple dishes in a multicooker. The device quickly evaporates the liquid from the stored products and intensively fries at the end of the cycle. When using this program, classic navy pasta, fried potatoes and similar dishes are perfectly prepared.
Smoking program - not available in all multicookers, allows you to smoke meat, fish, sausages. To smoke, you need to place a small container with cherry or other wood chips in a special bowl and place the products on the grates. Two smoking options are available: hot and cold. Hot occurs at a temperature of about 125 degrees, cold - at 30. For cold, only products specially prepared by marinating are used. The process occurs more intensively than when using traditional technologies. When using this mode, you should take care of ventilation in the room, since either during the process or when opening the multicooker after cooking, the smell of smoking will enter the kitchen.
Pressure cooker - this option allows you to cook dishes by creating excess pressure in the multicooker pan. The disadvantage of such a program is the inability to add ingredients during the cooking process without an emergency release of pressure. This mode is convenient for preparing jellied meat or other dishes that require a long cooking time.
The delayed start function is not a pure cooking mode, but it has a great impact on convenience. The program allows you to postpone cooking for up to a day. However, the function is not available for baking and frying.
Sterilization and pasteurization. These programs can be distinguished as separate, although in some models they are presented under other names. Pasteurization involves heating to 70 degrees to preserve the freshness of products and get rid of unwanted microflora, which are killed during heat treatment. Sterilization is intended for processing dishes - children's or intended for canning. The process occurs at a temperature of about 100 degrees. In fact, this mode duplicates the “steamer”, since sterilization occurs under the influence of hot steam.
The “Dessert” mode is not present in all models; it is intended for preparing sweets such as candies and caramel.
Operating principle of the pressure cooker mode
How to boil water
The need to boil water can be dictated by a variety of reasons: brew tea or boil pasta , wash with warm water or wash dishes. One way or another, there is a need to gain access to hot water in a non-standard way. Inexperienced users are wondering whether it is possible to use a multicooker for a similar purpose and how to do it?
Boiling or heating a liquid above 100 C occurs in many modes in a multicooker, but not all of them are equally suitable for this purpose.
For example, in the “Extinguishing” mode, the temperature slowly rises to 125C, and then the temperature is maintained at about 90C for an hour or two. Boiling water in this mode is not only economically unprofitable, as it will consume a lot of time and electricity.
To get the fastest results with minimal time, use one of the following methods:
- Manual setting (Modes “Multi-cook”, “Multi-chef”, “Multi-cook plus”, etc.). This is the easiest and fastest way to boil water, you just need to select a temperature above 100C and set the cooking time to 5-10 minutes. The higher the tempo value
- rature, the faster the water will boil.
- "Steam cooking." In this mode, it is enough to set the time to 1 minute, since the steaming process itself begins only after the water boils and begins to release steam.
- "Soup". To boil water in this mode you will need from 10 to 20 minutes, depending on the power of the multicooker and the amount of water in the bowl.
Temperature in the multicooker under different modes and features of each program
Each manufacturer supplies the device with instructions that allow you to understand the basic parameters of use. The lowest temperatures are used when creating yoghurts and heating dishes, the highest temperatures are used when frying and deep-frying. 35–40 degrees ensures normal preparation of yogurt and preparation of yeast dough. At temperatures of 50-80 degrees, excellent drinks such as punch, tea, and mulled wine are obtained.
80-100 degrees is the most common range for most dishes. Porridges, soups, jams and other dishes that require simmering are perfectly cooked at these temperatures.
Temperatures over 100 degrees are used when cooking meat, baking, and roasting vegetables. If the device has a pressure cooker function, then various soups can be cooked at high temperatures.
The highest temperature – 170 degrees – is used for cooking meat in batter and french fries.
Differences between modes in different models
Options for cooking programs are provided by manufacturers. Naturally, more expensive and multifunctional models have greater variability and a range of tasks to be solved.
Thus, Mulinex multicookers offer up to one hundred automatic operating programs; the Scarlett brand has about twenty of them. The same option can be called differently.
To clarify, when purchasing, be sure to look at the characteristics of the product, without getting carried away by the attractive names that manufacturers come up with for the simplest programs.
Cooking meat dishes
So, the options “Stew”, “Soup”, “Milk porridge” are almost the same. They involve cooking the dish at a temperature of about 90 degrees Celsius for a long time.
Some multicookers have a “Crust” program, which allows you to fry the prepared dish with a crispy crust. In some ways, this mode is reminiscent of frying, but, according to reviews from consumers who have used both, there is still a difference.
Manufacturers do not advertise the intricacies of a specific program; the user sees only general characteristics: temperature, cooking time, presence of excess pressure. If you do not cook for gourmets, then small differences in the taste of the finished dishes are insignificant.
Steam mode in a multicooker
Steaming in a multicooker is based on a conventional steamer. This feature is popular among healthy eating enthusiasts. It is very convenient to prepare dietary and healthy dishes with it.
To cook food in this mode, you need to fill the bowl with water, then install a special container and set a certain operating time. At the same time, you can cook many dishes such as: chicken fillet, meatballs, shrimp, dumplings, potatoes, carrots, and this is not a complete list.
Suitable for this: Redmond RMC M70 (average price 4,990 rubles) - not large in size and with a good set of functions. Power 860 Watt, bowl volume 5 liters, 42 cooking programs.
Before purchasing a multicooker, we advise you to carefully study the modes and programs, and then choose the most suitable model for you. Then you won't have to overpay for unnecessary features. Online stores have a huge selection of such devices with convenient search by category.
