In the kitchen of a modern housewife you can find a lot of different household appliances for cooking: mixers, blenders, food processors and so on. But recently, multicookers and pressure cookers have become the most popular, which greatly facilitate and speed up the process of preparing dishes. In addition, the developers combined these two devices into one - a multicooker-pressure cooker, which includes all the functions of both devices. Now we have to understand the features, differences and similarities of these two kitchen appliances.
Recently, multicookers and pressure cookers have become the most popular, which greatly facilitate and speed up the process of preparing dishes.
Principle of operation
To prepare a variety of dishes in a multicooker, there are certain programs that are controlled by a microprocessor - it is also the control center in the device and, after analyzing the temperature sensor readings, it can change the heating level of the heating element. Thanks to the latter, the required temperature is created in the device.
To prepare a variety of dishes in a multicooker, there are certain programs that are controlled by a microprocessor.
Now let's look at the pressure cooker. The products inside the device are subject to high pressure and heat treatment. Thanks to the closed valve, steam and high pressure are pumped inside, which significantly speeds up the cooking time. To be on the safe side, there is a spare emergency valve to reduce the pressure inside the device. On the control panel, just like a simple multicooker, there are various programs for cooking. The pressure cooker is not a new invention; they existed back in Soviet times. The principle of operation was the same, but without connecting to electricity. A saucepan, more like a cauldron, with a lid and valves on top was placed on the stove and pilaf or meat dishes, jellied meat were prepared in a significantly short time. And relatively recently, electronically controlled devices began to appear.
The products inside the device are subject to high pressure and heat treatment.
Multicooker-pressure cooker
In order not to guess how a multicooker differs from a pressure cooker and what is better to choose, you can choose a device that combines the strengths of both of them.
In the multicooker-pressure cooker you can select a cooking program, there is a “Delayed Start” function and the ability to cook with the lid open (this is what makes it different from a regular pressure cooker). It can fry, bake and steam.
At the same time, products that take a long time to cook on the stove or in a regular multicooker (for example, beans, meat, jellied meat) will be cooked many times faster in a pressure multicooker under pressure.
Advantages and disadvantages of a multicooker-pressure cooker
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Advantages and disadvantages of a multicooker
The advantages of a kitchen appliance include:
- Cooking is greatly simplified;
- The interior of the bowl in multicookers is mainly made of Teflon with a non-stick effect;
- The ability to prepare your favorite dishes with a lower calorie content, thanks to the Teflon coating on the surface of the bowl, there is no need to use oils and fats;
- Mode for heating food without burning;
- Many multicookers include a “yogurt maker” function - this makes it possible to enjoy natural homemade yogurt;
- You can not only cook borscht and soups, porridges and vegetable stews, but also bake bread and cake layers.
Cooking is greatly simplified.
Flaws:
- The time on the timer may deviate upward, since the device itself heats up first;
- You only need to mix food in the bowl with the special spoon included in the kit, otherwise you may leave scratches on the Teflon coating. In further use after the bowl is damaged, food may stick and burn.
Comparison of the main characteristics of a multicooker and a multicooker-pressure cooker
A multicooker is a kitchen electrical appliance that has many cooking functions. It is a plastic case, mostly cylindrical in shape, inside of which there is a bowl. It has a Teflon or ceramic coating that prevents food from sticking to the walls of the pan. During the cooking process, you can periodically open it, adding the required ingredients and checking the readiness of the food.
When purchasing a product you receive a set of additional devices:
- plastic spatula and spoon;
- mesh for steaming food;
- beaker;
- book of recipes;
- instructions for use.
The main reason for the popularity of the multicooker was its versatility. You can use it to cook regular porridge or borscht, or bake a delicious pie. It can maintain a high temperature even after it is turned off. This can be useful when the dish needs to “reach” or if the electricity in the house suddenly goes out. Cleaning the device is quite simple, since you don’t have to scrub anything.
One of the main advantages, especially for families with children, is the safety of the structure. This means that the possibility of getting burned by hot steam or splashing sunflower oil is excluded.
What is the difference between a multicooker and a pressure cooker? A pressure cooker is an electric pan in which food is subjected not only to high heat, but also to pressure. This significantly speeds up the cooking process. There is an emergency valve on the lid. It is activated when the pressure inside the bowl exceeds the permissible limit.
The peculiarity of the pressure cooker is that it cannot be opened while cooking. In this case, the pressure inside the vessel will drop, and cooking will take a long time. Thus, you won’t be able to check the condition of the dish or add a couple of ingredients. You will have to lay out all the components before turning on the device.
Cooking speed
Despite the fact that it takes 20–30 minutes for the pressure to rise and fall in a pressure cooker, dishes are cooked in it much faster than in a conventional multicooker. This is explained by the combined action of temperature and pressure. This is what distinguishes a pressure cooker from a multicooker. However, it must be borne in mind that only those dishes in which all the ingredients are added at once can be cooked in a pressure cooker. If this is instant food, then take a closer look at a simple slow cooker.
Functionality
Let's consider several aspects:
- A regular multicooker has many different modes, which a pressure cooker cannot boast of.
- As already mentioned, a pressure cooker operates under high pressure conditions. Therefore, throughout the cooking process, you cannot open the lid so as not to lose it. If this happens, the cooking process will take another 20 minutes. You can add ingredients to the slow cooker while the dish is simmering and periodically monitor the condition of the food.
- Using a multicooker you can cook a large number of dishes. In a pressure cooker, the choice is limited. It is more suitable for cooking.
- In the multicooker, you can program the cooking time. For example, before going to bed, you load it with the necessary products, and for breakfast it gives you delicious porridge.
IMPORTANT! If you need a multifunctional appliance, take a look at a pressure cooker with a multi-cook function. It makes it possible to come up with your own recipes and set up the desired modes.
Economical
As for energy consumption, it is the same and depends on the power of the device. If a pressure cooker and a multicooker have the same power, then they will consume the same amount of electricity. However, we must take into account the fact that a pressure cooker cooks much faster.
If we talk about the cost of the device, then the pressure cooker is more expensive because it has an additional function.
Quality of food
There is an opinion that food cooked in a pressure cooker retains more nutrients. This is explained by the fact that it is prepared very quickly, and the substances do not have time to evaporate. At the same time, dishes prepared in a slow cooker are dietary and healthy, because they are prepared without oil.
IMPORTANT! Food that is cooked in a slow cooker is similar to oven dishes based on the principle of simmering. This cooking method allows you to preserve the beneficial properties of food.
Pros and cons of a multicooker-pressure cooker
The advantages worth noting are the following:
- Cooking various dishes in a short time (meat, mushrooms, legumes);
- Thanks to steam and shorter processing time, the products retain a large amount of vitamins and nutrients.
In a pressure cooker, various dishes are cooked in a short time.
Minuses:
- You cannot open the lid while cooking is in progress, it is under pressure, so you cannot try the dish until the end of the cooking process;
- If you use the valve incorrectly or improperly, you can get serious burns.
- Many programs such as “delayed start”, “yogurt maker” and “warm up” are missing.
The principle of operation of multicookers and multicookers-pressure cookers
The operating principle of these two household appliances is very similar. A regular multicooker is a kitchen electrical appliance that cooks food using heating elements. The housing is closed with a lid, which you can open during cooking and see the stage of readiness of the dish. There is a valve in the lid to release steam.
In a multicooker-pressure cooker, the lid is completely sealed, so high pressure is created inside . To regulate the pressure there is a special “pressure relief valve”. Due to the high pressure, the temperature inside the bowl increases significantly. This facilitates quick cooking (on average, dishes are prepared 2-4 times faster than in a conventional multicooker).
Comparison of main characteristics
In the next section of the article, we will try to understand the difference between a multicooker and a multicooker-pressure cooker. When comparing the main characteristics, you can find similar and distinctive features of these kitchen appliances.
Cooking speed
In this case, a multicooker with a pressure cooker function wins. Thanks to high pressure and steam processing of food, dishes are cooked two or even three times faster.
In a pressure cooker, thanks to high pressure and steam processing of food, dishes are cooked two or even three times faster.
Functionality
A regular multicooker is multifunctional. From preparing soups to yoghurts and baking, reheating and maintaining the temperature of a ready-made dish, some models have a defrosting function. In a pressure cooker, you can only cook, stew or bake simple baked goods, for example, biscuits.
A regular multicooker is multifunctional.
Cost-effectiveness and quality of food
As mentioned earlier, food cooked in a pressure cooker is more healthy; the maximum amount of nutrients and vitamins in the food is retained. Dishes prepared in a slow cooker are considered low-calorie due to the absence of the need for oil when frying. Although adding just a little butter to richen the taste will not be superfluous. A multi-cooker pressure cooker is more economical, since due to the reduction in cooking time the level of energy consumption decreases. This saves both time and energy.
A multicooker-pressure cooker is more economical, since due to the reduction in cooking time, the level of energy consumption decreases.
There are also a few other small but important differences:
- Compactness. In terms of dimensions, a pressure cooker is much larger than a simple multicooker, the latter is a little more compact and does not look so bulky;
- Safe to use. Both devices protect the cook from splashes of hot oil and thus from damage to the skin. During the cooking process in a multicooker, you can safely lift the lid and add salt, pepper or spices. In a pressure cooker, due to the pressure in the bowl, you cannot lift the lid. This is dangerous to your health! You can get severe burns from the steam;
- An inexperienced buyer can distinguish a multicooker from a multicooker pressure cooker by the valves on the lid;
- The cost of both is not much different, so the housewife should choose for herself which is better - a multicooker or a multicooker-pressure cooker.
Comparing the main characteristics
Comparison of the main characteristics of the devices will help us determine which is better. Below we will compare the speed of cooking, efficiency, quality, convenience and other features.
Cooking speed
From the name it is clear that the pressure cooker is designed for faster cooking (2-4 times faster). Nevertheless, it is worth considering the time for pumping and releasing pressure (about 20 minutes), so it is better to cook instant dishes in an ordinary multicooker.
Economical
Here it is worth comparing not only the cost of the device, but also the amount of electricity consumed. A pressure cooker is more expensive (especially modern models), but energy consumption is significantly lower due to fast cooking.
Quality of food
It is believed that multicookers-pressure cookers retain vitamins much better, in addition, the dishes turn out somewhat tastier and juicier. Nevertheless, the multicooker also prepares healthy dishes, especially for the dietary table (steamed cutlets, fish and much more).
Ease of use
The multicooker can be opened at any time during operation. If you want to check the readiness of a dish, feel free to open it, look, stir, and all this without stopping the cooking process. Pressure cookers do not provide for tearing off the lid during operation; more precisely, you can open it, of course, but the pressure will disappear and it will take some time (10-20 minutes) to resume the cooking process.
Review of the best multicookers
With a large assortment of different models of multicookers and multicookers-pressure cookers on today's market, it is difficult not to get confused and purchase the right one. The following brief overview will be useful for housewives who have not decided on the choice of kitchen appliance:
- Multicookers from the Redmond brand are very popular in our market. The Chinese manufacturer has proven itself well and produces high-quality equipment at affordable prices; Redmond multicookers are inexpensive compared to expensive brands. Brands such as Vitesse, Marta, Vitek are not far behind in popularity;
Redmond produces high-quality equipment at affordable prices. - Many people have a question: is it worth overpaying, since you can buy a multicooker at a lower price with the same functions as in expensive models? Products from the Moulinex, Cuckoo, Stadler and Bork brands are of high quality and are not cheap, so they are purchased less often.
Review of the best multi-pressure cookers
Now let's look at the top pressure cookers:
- And in this review, the Redmond brand is in the lead, because the manufacturer has various models: inexpensive and easy to use, middle-class multicookers and pressure cookers for large families;
The manufacturer has various models: inexpensive and easy to use, multi-cookers, middle-class pressure cookers and for large families. - Many manufacturers producing various models of multicookers also offer multicookers-pressure cookers to consumers as ideal devices for preparing food in the shortest possible time. These are Vitesse, Marta, Moulinex, the brands that were mentioned earlier, and Lumme, Steba, which received positive reviews from Russian housewives in 2018 and have earned their place in the kitchen.
Advantages and disadvantages of a multicooker-pressure cooker
In essence, modern multi-pressure cookers are a super multi-cooker, which has the additional function of a pressure cooker. Of course, such an expansion of functionality certainly affected the cost of the equipment.
In the resulting household hybrid, it becomes possible to open the lid during the cooking process, but such introduction into the process will require additional time to build up pressure. The multicooker-pressure cooker has become safer due to special valves and a less heated body, but you still cannot let a child near it.
The multicooker-pressure cooker can easily be converted into a regular multicooker if you leave the valve open. Working in pressure cooker mode saves energy by retaining heat.
Skeptics demand specifics, assuring that the difference in the speed of cooking is not significant. And, indeed, in some modes, a multicooker-pressure cooker allows you to save only 10 - 15 minutes. How much is your time worth? Whether it’s worth overpaying for hybrid technology is up to you to decide. In terms of functionality and ease of operation, a conventional multicooker still has no equal. If the issue of time spent in the kitchen and waiting for lunch or dinner is not urgent, then it is better to purchase a familiar, safe multicooker.
Caring for dishes
But housewives should not forget that any kitchen appliance requires care - thorough cleaning and cleaning of the lid and bowl, special spoons and utensils included in the kit:
- It is not recommended to use hard sponges or aggressive detergents to clean a ceramic or Teflon bowl. Sponges or microfiber cloths are ideal;
- After washing, the bowl must be wiped dry;
- The lid of the device should be wiped after each use;
- To get rid of the ingrained smell of previously prepared dishes, you should dilute the juice of half a lemon in one glass of water and pour it into a bowl;
- When cleaning the internal parts, you must disconnect the device from the power supply. Allow the multicooker and pressure cooker to dry thoroughly before plugging it in.
The lid of the device should be wiped after each use.
With proper care and careful handling, such a modern gadget as a multi-cooker or pressure cooker-multi-cooker, regardless of the manufacturer’s brand, will serve for a long time and conscientiously, performing its functions.
