Multi cookers can be the best way to cook all your favourite foods and save space in your kitchen.
However, with so many different models and designs on the market, it’s easy to get confused about which cookers are great and which aren’t so great.
In this article, we round up the best multi cookers on the market in Australia.
After our reviews, we discuss the key things you’ll want to watch out for when choosing one to ensure you get the best product for your needs.
1. Philips Viva Collection All in One Multi Cooker (Top Pick)
With multiple direct buttons located on the front, this multi cooker works as a slow cooker and a pressure cooker for a variety of food types.
It can sear and sautee at two different temperatures and has buttons for making yoghurt and baking.
The automatic keep-warm function will keep dishes warm and at the right temperature for serving for up to 12 hours.
This model is also easy to clean because it has a scratch-resistant coating on the inside and a removable lid and interior pot.
What We Like:
- Easy to use smart menu buttons
- Cooks for up to 12 hours at a time
- Coating inside is resistant to scratches
- Keep warm function works for up to 12 hours
What We Don’t Like:
- Lid may be hard to remove
- Lacks some of the functions that other models have
2. Breville The Fast Slow Pro Multi Cooker
Breville are known for producing a wide range of high quality kitchen appliances and this durable multi cooker is no exception. This is the perfect device to help save time when you cook.
You can choose from the pre-set programs to cook for as little as two hours up to 10 hours or overnight.
It comes with three programs to choose from and a keep-warm function.
Perfect for pressure cooking because it has eight pressure levels, the Fast Slow Pro also keeps your hands away from the machine as it releases steam.
What We Like:
- Bright and easy to see LCD
- Cooks for two to 10 hours per setting
- Eight pressure levels
- Releases steam through the valve without requiring your hands get close to the cooker
What We Don’t Like:
- Can be confusing when compared to basic multi cookers
- Might not have as much space as you need
3. CrockPot Express Crock Multi Cooker
You can now get a multi cooker from the company that makes your favourite crock pot and works in a similar way.
This multi cooker can handle your slow cooker and pressure cooker needs because it will pressure cook as well as brown, slow cook and steam dishes. It also has a keep-warm function that keeps food at a high temperature.
The seven built-in settings make it easy to select which dishes you want to make and to cook them quickly. It also comes with a set of recipes that you can make over four weeks.
What We Like:
- Suitable for slow cooking and other cooking methods
- Seven settings to choose from
- Includes dozens of easy recipes and tips
- Four cooking options built inside
What We Don’t Like:
- Might be too small for big familes
- The lid can feel flimsy when compared to other cookers
4. Tefal Cook4Me+ Multi Cooker
Thanks to the full-colour LCD on this Tefal multi cooker, you can easily set the timer and see all the buttons and features. It comes with 150 recipes that walk you through the steps of making new dishes and what ingredients you need.
The four included menus give you other ways to use this model too. Shoppers might like how easily the basket and bowl come out for cleaning too. These products use stainless steel to keep ingredients from sticking to the sides.
What We Like:
- Includes 150 built-in recipes and four smart menus
- Makes two to four servings at a time
- Bowl and basket are dishwasher safe
- Full colour LCD
What We Don’t Like:
- More expensive than other cookers
- May be harder to use than more basic models
5. Russell Hobbs Express Chef RHPC1000
You can make all your favourite slow-cooked recipes in an hour or less with the Express Chef.
Not only can it make white and brown rice, but this appliance also has settings for steaming vegetables and cooking other dishes such as pudding and soup.
A timer setting lets you adjust the time as needed, and an auto feature keeps the finished dish warm.
It also has a locking lid that keeps the pot sealed until it releases all the steam inside through the valve.
What We Like:
- Affordable multi cooker
- Stylish silver and black design
- Multiple recipes and cooking techniques
- Locking lid
What We Don’t Like:
- Fairly basic model
- Cooks some dishes better than others
Multi Cooker Buyer’s Guide
Size
Don’t settle for a multi cooker just because it has a lot of settings unless you check on the size.
The most common size has six litres of space inside, which is enough to make up to six serves at a time.
Others are much smaller and have a capacity of two litres, making them suitable for small homes and couples.
Depending on the size of your family, you might want one with even more space.
Cooking Methods
You should make sure that the multi cooker can handle your favourite cooking recipes and methods too.
Some of the basic models lack the pressure cooking option.
While they can work for recipes that require slow cooking, they cannot function as a pressure cooker. You may want to look for one that can sautee, bake and fry too.
RELATED: Tefal I-Companion XL Vs Thermomix Vs Magimix
Other Things to Consider
Multi cookers are not particularly small appliances, and therefore can take up a bit of space.
If you lack storage options then you may need to keep your cooker on your bench top.
In this case, you’ll want something that fits in with your kitchen decor.
Some most cookers are constructed with an outer made from either white or black plastic, often in conjunction with stainless steel.
You’ll find some that come in shades of red or use other patterns.
The best models have all the power that you need and removable parts that are dishwasher safe. It’s a good idea to check your appliance comes with a recipe book with tips.
Also, be sure to check it includes a plug compatible with Australian power outlets.
Multi Cooker FAQs
Multi cookers utilise time, temperature and pressure controls, to cook a wide range of common dishes. They are very popular with busy home chefs as they can save substantial time and effort with meal prep. Because of their wide range of uses, they can also reduce the number of other appliances needed in the kitchen.
The first thing you should do when you get your multi cooker is understand what it is capable of. At a minimum, most modern cookers will pressure cook, slow cook, and sauté. As all multi-cookers vary, ensure you consult the instruction manual for your appliance before starting and follow a few suggested recipes before getting creative.
Multi cookers and pressure cookers are some of the most popular kitchen appliances right now and it’s easy to see why. They allow home cooks to serve up delicious, consistent, nutritious meals, with less time and effort than ever before.
A pressure cooker works by creating a seal, expelling air from the container, then trapping steam produced by the boiling liquid inside. Temperatures in excess of 100c are reached thanks to the high pressure environment, meaning food cooks much faster than with traditional methods.
Multi cookers can function as pressure cookers but as the name implies, they also have a range of other uses. Unlike a pressure cooker, multi-cookers can operate with their lid off. This means they can be used as an electric saucepan, as a slow cooker to bring out flavours over a long period of time, or as a fry-pan to sauté meat or vegetables.
