What to buy a multicooker: types of equipment, characteristics, how to make the right choice

Modern kitchen appliances are specially designed to simplify the cooking process. Today, any housewife can prepare various dishes using a multicooker and other devices. There are various ratings and reviews on the Internet, on the basis of which you can decide which multicooker to buy, which differs in its functionality and technical characteristics.

Tips for choosing a multicooker

Before you go directly to the store to buy household appliances, you will need to determine the requirements and technical characteristics that will be important for the buyer, and which can be neglected without overpaying for unnecessary functions. Taking into account certain functions and comparing multicooker, it will be possible to choose a model that suits the buyer in terms of its capabilities and cost.

Choosing a multicooker, you need to decide on the following factors:

• The location of the heating element.
• Control type.
• Bowl coating.
• Power.
• Availability of additional functions.

Based on these parameters, you should choose a specific model that will fully meet the buyer's requirements.

Heating elements

It is customary to distinguish between several types of multicooker, in which one or more heating elements can be used. They can be located:

• Below, which is typical for inexpensive budget models.
• Bottom and side. Today, such an arrangement of heating elements is available in models of the middle price category.
• On the sides, top and bottom. Many modern mid-range and high-end models are equipped with three-dimensional heating, which allows you to shorten the cooking time. The bowl will warm up evenly, which ensures high-quality heat treatment of the prepared products.

When choosing multicooker, preference should be given to models that have bottom and side or three-dimensional heating, which will allow you to choose high-quality equipment in which you can cook delicious dishes with proper heat treatment products.

Control type

On sale today you can find models that are equipped with three types of control:

• The touch sensor is used in modern models that are easy to use, especially when kitchen appliances have numerous additional options.
• Mechanical is used in inexpensive multicooker options and is considered the most reliable. The choice of the cooking method is possible with the help of small mechanical switches, which are rotary and pushbutton.
• Electronic control is carried out using various buttons, LED indicators and liquid crystal display.

The most popular today are models with electronic control, which combines the reliability of mechanics, functionality with ease of use. But the touch panel can often break down, it stops responding correctly to touches, after which the equipment requires a corresponding complex and expensive repair.

Bowl cover

The durability of the use of the equipment, as well as the ease of preparation of various dishes in a multicooker, will directly depend on the existing coating of the bowl. The coating is usually divided into:

• Marble. Differs in durability and ease of care.
• The ceramic coating can withstand temperatures of the order of 450 degrees, it has a non-stick property and is environmentally friendly. However, the durability of such multicooker usually does not exceed 2 years, after which it is necessary to purchase a new bowl, which leads to unnecessary expenses for the buyer.
• Teflon spraying has pronounced non-stick properties, which simplifies the preparation of various dishes in a multicooker. At temperatures of more than 260 degrees, harmful substances begin to be released from Teflon, which somewhat limits the possibilities of using such kitchen equipment.

The bowl itself is made of aluminum or stainless alloy. When choosing a technique, preference should be given to models with aluminum bowls, which are reliable and easy to use.

Equipment power indicators

The power of modern multicooker can range from 490 to 1500 watts. The speed of cooking and the taste of dishes will depend on the power consumption indicator. When choosing a technique, you should not chase record indicators. For a family of 4 people, a device that consumes 700-800 watts of power will be quite enough.

Availability of additional functions

Most modern multi-cookers have basic modes and additional functions that significantly expand the possibilities for using kitchen appliances.

It is customary to refer to standard modes:

• Steam cooking is suitable for people on a diet.
• Frying. This function allows you to prepare food as quickly as possible.
• Braising is a great choice for dishes that need to be stewed or slowly cooked.
• Cooking is suitable for making soups and borscht.
• In the Pilaf mode, the dish is first cooked, then lightly fried and stewed.
• Porridge. This mode is indispensable for the preparation of friable cereals.

Additional functions allow you not only to prepare various dishes, but also simplify the use of technology. These additional options include:

• Keeping food hot.
• Reheating cold food.
• Grill.
• Soak.
• Deep fryer.
• Smoking mode.
• Protection from children.
• Program memory in case of power outage.
• Thermal protection.

The presence of certain additional functions will depend on the requirements of the buyer, as well as on the subsequent mode of use of kitchen appliances.

Popular multicooker models

Redmond RMC-M4500 - this is an inexpensive popular model, which is characterized by compact dimensions, classic design and is equipped with a bowl with a ceramic coating. The power of the heating elements is 700 W. The multicooker has 10 standard programs and numerous additional functions, including delayed start and yoghurt preparation.

The multicooker Polaris PMC 0517 has a five-liter bowl with an antibacterial ceramic coating, has expanded functionality with sixteen standard programs. The advantages of this model are modern stylish design, high-quality service menu and ease of use of technology.

Mini multicooker Philips HD 3060 for making breakfast has an elegant and compact design, touchscreen display and is equipped with a small 2-liter bowl. Philips HD 3060 has 5 standard modes, as well as numerous additional functions that expand the possibilities for using technology. This multicooker will be an excellent choice for a small family.