How is a crock-pot different from an air grill? Which is better to choose?

The lack of information about the difference between crock-pots and hot grills often confuses the housewives. This article will help to solve the question: which is better? Each appliance specializes in preparing a wide variety of dishes. We will deal with the differences.

Design differences

Aerogrill - This is an advanced and modern version of the convection oven with the possibility of programming. Outwardly, it looks like a glass vessel, the volume of which is 8-20 liters, on a plastic stand. The heating element TEN is placed inside the structure. The bowl is covered with a lid with a fan. The cooking mode is set. Due to the impressive volume, this device takes up a lot of space and is not suitable for use in small kitchens.

Slow cooker can be called an “automatic pan”. This is a container with a non-stick coating inside, equipped with a sealed lid, a heating element and programmed functions. Dimensions and weight are less than that of an air grill, which simplifies the operation of equipment. The volume is limited: 2.5 liters or 4.5 liters.

Cooking principle

Manufacturers air grills They say that the principle of operation of this technique is approximately similar to cooking in a Russian stove. Dishes are being prepared due to convection: the simultaneous operation of the heater and the fan creates hot air flows according to the vortex principle. Thermoregulation occurs according to the programmed modes or circulates constantly. For uniform distribution of air around food, a gap should be left between the product and the wall of the container.

At slow cookers principle of operation is different. It looks more like a small oven in a heat-insulating casing. Unlike the oven, the multicooker can be used to prepare first courses, steamed food, and you can fry in it. Processing food with heat occurs due to prolonged languishing at a minimum temperature. Depending on the selected mode, the program changes the steam pressure indicator, thereby changing the principle of cooking.

In addition to a number of differences in the method of preparation, both devices have a common plus. Both units make it possible not to use fat and oil during cooking, thereby improving the quality of dishes.

What dishes are programmed for?

At air grill The following options are available:

1. Roasting, frying, stewing fish, meat and vegetable products.
2. Steam cooking.
3. Drying greens, mushrooms, berries and fruits.
4. Baking bread, casseroles and pies.
5. Sterilization preservation.
6. Smoked meat and fish products.
7. Cooking fermented baked milk and yogurt.
8. Cooking grilled chicken.
9. Cooking first courses and cereals.

Slow cookers have a less impressive list of features. For devices from different manufacturers - the set of programs is different, the main ones are:

• Porridge.
• Double boiler.
• Soup.
• Roasting.
• Canned stewed meat.
• Yogurt.
• “Master Chef.

In addition to the standard set of modes, many models have additional features: heating, maintaining the required temperature, delayed start.

Safety and usability

The design of each device provides maximum safety in use. Sealed covers protect against unwanted burns, and thermal protection will prevent the unit from overheating.

At air grill The main convenience is versatility. There is no need to control the cooking process. If the multicooker case is designed so that the appliance is completely safe, you must be careful when operating the air grill. To avoid burns, do not touch the bowl of the device and open the lid throughout the process.

As for ease of use, slow cooker, unlike aerogrill, has the advantage of relatively small dimensions. Also, manufacturers of multicookers took care of additional accessories for increased convenience:

• measuring spoons and glasses;
• scoop;
• steaming grid;
• recipe book.

These additions are not available in the configuration of air grills.

Multicooker models are available equipped with special handles for transportation.

The taste of cooked dishes

Most housewives claim that the main dishes, cooked both in the slow cooker and in the grill, are tender and juicy. In addition, there is no urgent need for oil.

In one and the other device, the products are evenly heated, which improves the quality of taste.

Advantages and disadvantages

Slow cooker

Scroll the benefits the multicooker is quite impressive:

• multifunctionality;
• small size;
• auto-off function, delayed start and temperature indicator support;
• no need to follow the process;
• the possibility of cooking diet foods;
• devices with different volumes of the bowl;
• dimensions make it easy to move the device around the kitchen;
• easy care and maintenance.

There are also limitations:

• bowl requires a careful attitude, so as not to violate the integrity of the surface;
• special additional devices are necessary: ​​plastic or silicone blades and spoons.

Air grill

Advantages air grills are similar to those that have a multicooker, but they are also added:

• no need to use fat (optional);
• dishes are juicier than those cooked in a slow cooker;
• the volume of the bowl allows you to cook in larger quantities than in a slow cooker.

The air grill has less disadvantagesbut nevertheless, they are:

• in order not to spoil the surface on which the device is installed with a high temperature of the bowl, it is better to have an additional stand;
• difficulty in caring for the device (thorough washing and complete drying, caution in use);
• high power consumption and inconvenience during transfer, since the device is quite bulky.

In order to find out what is the best multicooker or hot grill in the video below, an experiment is conducted: at the same time, the same dish is prepared in 2 devices.

Is a fitness grill an ideal combination of a slow cooker and an air grill?

Fitness grill - this is almost the same aerogrill, only with the possibility of generating steam. There is a water tank in the lid, as well as a valve through which steam enters. The device operates in three modes: steam, convection and combined (convection and steam at the same time). Manufacturers are positioning the technology as a substitute for multicookers and air grills. However, this is a great exaggeration. And all because the process of cooking or stewing is possible only in pots. If you have a conventional oven, you do not need this appliance.

The video below describes the device, features, benefits and accessories of the fitness grill from the HOTTER brand.

2 in 1: slow cooker and hot grill - and it’s real

Those who are at a loss with a choice can pay attention to models from the Redmond company. The successful combination of a slow cooker and an air grill allows you to use various heat-resistant dishes, suitable in diameter. The air grill was equipped with a sealed lid. But there is one drawback: this aerogrill has a limited volume, which is limited by the size of the multicooker bowl. Standard air grills are much more.

Top 3 best appliances

Introducing the Top 3 best multicookers and hot grills of different price categories: 1 - budget, 2 - medium, 3 - premium.

Slow cookers

Among the multicookers of a budget class, the model distinguished itself Vitesse VS-590. This model provides the following cooking options:

• quenching;
• steaming;
• buckwheat, pilaf and porridge in milk (each mode has its own button);
• delayed start;
• control on and off heating.

The leader in the medium price category is a multi-cooker REDMOND Sky Cooker M800S:

• 5 liter non-stick bowl;
• remote control from a mobile device;
• 20 built-in modes (including pastry, pasta, deep-frying, pasteurization, etc.) and manual settings with a huge number of features.

Premium Leader BORK U800 - A multicooker that has an expanded set of functions:

• a wide range of settings, including manual;
• three programmed dishes from the manufacturer chef;
• informative display, easy operation and voice prompts;
• inductive heating;
• added to the main modes - cottage cheese, oven, pressure cooking and others;
• multi-cook;
• self-cleaning.

Air grills

Budget version of the air grill REDMOND RAG-240 has the following characteristics:

• mechanical control, timer and temperature adjustment;
• self-cleaning mode;
• the possibility of using a heat-resistant container, the diameter of which is 22.5 cm;
• thawing, frying, baking, baking and cooking several dishes at the same time using the grill.

More expensive version Kitfort KT-1621 has a capacity of 3 liters, which is not very convenient. However, there are such advantages:

• two-sided heating (uniform baking of dishes);
• removable baking tray with non-stick coating, which is convenient to wash;
• a module that automatically mixes products.

The leader of air grills is considered Hotter HX-2098 Fitness Grill. The versatility of this model allows you to replace several appliances in the kitchen at once. All parameters and modes are set by touch buttons on the display. One of the minuses is the large size, but it allows you to accommodate a large number of functions in the equipment. The main advantages are:

• convenient placement and use of touch buttons;
• heating temperature range from 40 to 260 ° C;
• Intelligent multi-cooker - allows you to set 3 different cooking steps with different settings for temperature, convection and spray water.

And yet, what to buy - a slow cooker or an air grill?

Answer yourself 3 simple questions:

1. What cooking modes will be in demand in your family?
2. What dishes will most often be prepared?
3. How much space in the kitchen can you allocate for the appliance?

Now for you the answer to the question “what to choose?”, For sure, has become obvious.

Want to get a fried crust without oil? Do you have enough space in the kitchen? Your version of the air grill.

Want variety, versatility, and diet food? Minimum occupied space? Then choose a slow cooker.