Guide for choosing a multivark

Multivarka is a sort of "smart pot" with a heating element, microprocessor and temperature sensor. In this article we will tell you how to choose a multivarquet for the house, what details you need to draw attention when buying, we will present useful video-plots and give some useful references to comparative reviews.

Why do I need a multivarker if I have a stove?

It is clear that, for example, in the kitchen of a student hostel or a summer residence, a multivark is an excellent replacement for a cooker, a microwave oven and an oven. And what if all the kitchen appliances you have, do you need a multivarker in this case?

• Indeed, a multivarker is not a necessary thing in a full-fledged kitchen. The food in it is cooked more slowly, and some dishes are cooked in it almost like on a stove / oven: with frequent supervision, stirring, changing temperatures, adding water / oil. To taste, many dishes from the multivark are the same as those prepared in the usual way, and only a few recipes are much better (omelets, stews, fish, cereals, cereals). In addition, despite the advertised "simplicity of cooking it will be difficult for the beginner to learn how to improvise and adapt programs for themselves to beginners.
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There are several reasons to buy a multi-

• First, it allows you to cook most meals without your control. From you only need to cut the products, add them and select the desired program. So, for example, you can put stewed stew and go for a walk with the children, not being afraid that the vegetables will burn. Moreover, even if you stay for a walk, the stew will remain hot and fresh thanks to the function of auto-heating.
• Secondly, the function of delayed start, which is in most models, will allow you not to waste time preparing breakfast in the morning. All you need is to fill and start the cup from the evening.
• Thirdly, if you adhere to proper nutrition, then the multivariate will be able to diversify your menu with dishes cooked for a couple or in their own juice without a drop of fat.

12 Tips for the Buyer

Tip 1. Multivarka-pressure cooker is better than just a multivarker or an ordinary pressure cooker

An ordinary multivarka cooks food at normal pressure and therefore the products in it are slowly languishing. The pressure cooker, due to increased pressure, heats water up to 100 degrees and therefore prepares food faster. So, for example, if the soup in the multivarquet is cooked for 2 hours, then in the pressure cooker - only half an hour.

• It would seem, why do we need a multivarker when there is a pressure cooker? The fact is that not all dishes can be cooked at increased pressure. In addition, the usual multivarka has more functions, it better preserves the useful properties of food and prepares safer (the walls do not heat up).

Therefore, so that you have the opportunity to choose between languor and quick cooking, it is worth buying a multivarquet with a pressure cooker function.

Following this link, you can get acquainted with the comparative overview and test for cooking pilaf and porridge multivariate different price categories and multivarkers-pressure cooker Phillips.

Tip 2. The more power the multivarker, the faster its cup will heat up

The power consumption of different models varies from 450 to 1500 W depending on the volume of the bowl and the capabilities of the manufacturer. With "other equal choose one that has a lot of power.

• For a small bowl with a capacity of 2-3 liters, 700-800 W will suffice, 800-1000 W for an average bowl, and a large multivark capacity of more than 6 liters should be 1000-1500 W.

Tip 3. The optimum volume of the bowl you can determine based on the calculation, -2 liters per person

The volume of the bowl is one of the main parameters for choosing a multivark. You can choose between 2 and 10 liters.

• In most cases, for a single-pair person, a small multivarker, -3 liters, is suitable. For a family / team of 3-4 people, bowls with a volume of 4-5 liters will suffice. For a large family of 5 or more members, a bowl of 6 liters or more is needed.

Of course, take into account and your culinary habits, lifestyle. For example, it is worth buying a cup more "normal if you often invite guests or cook for future use.

• Attention!Choosing a multivark, you need to focus on the working, rather than the total volume of the bowl, which is often indicated on the box.

Tip 4. Do not overpay for the abundance of unnecessary programs. The main thing is that the multivarka has manual modes

Most multivaracters can have from 6 to 18 programs, but there are also those that have up to 100 modes. The more programs a multivarker has, the more expensive it is. Before buying, think about what programs you need and which ones will rarely be used. Here is the list of the 7 most necessary, in our opinion, basic programs:

• Cooking of cereals- the settings of this mode is better to change for yourself, so that the porridge turns out as you like, for example, viscous or crumbly.
• Cooking rice, buckwheat and other cereals.
• Extinguishing- the most popular and universal program, which prepares as a stove at a low temperature. Thanks to this, in the "quenching" mode, you can cook and porridge, and soups, and stews, and jelly, and, meat with vegetables.
• Bakery products- a useful mode that allows not only to bake, but also to fry (with an open lid).
• Frying- "frying" mode with an open lid is needed for many recipes, however, it can be replaced by the "Baking" program with an open lid.

• "Pilaf"- pilaf can be cooked in the program "Rice if pre-fry dirvak yourself. However, the program "Pilau" is good in that it provides not only cooking, but also automated toasting at the last stage of cooking. With the help of this program you can cook not only pilaf, but also many other dishes, where you need both cooking and frying, for example, pasta in the Navy or fried dumplings.
• Multifunctional- This is a user mode that allows you to independently set the temperature and cooking time. To use a multivariate, cook according to recipes found on the Internet and improvise with such an option becomes much easier. Some multivarkers can memorize several of your settings at once.

The smaller the temperature and time steps of the settings of the Multi-Cook mode and the larger the range of temperatures and cooking time, the more culinary possibilities you will have.

Also for many Russian users there will be no extra programs: "Soup "Jam "Steamer "Baker" (included in a multi-bakery two bowls), "Yogurt".

• But the list of additional programs that are needed not every day and not everyone: Fondue, Smoked, "Pasta "Fryer "Cottage cheese "Game "Baby food "Pizza "Popcorn "Risotto "Sote" "Halva".

Tip 5. The bowl must have handles

That you could easily get a hot bowl from the multivark, you need to, first, the cover of the multivarke recline at least 90 degrees. Secondly, that the bowl had comfortable heat-resistant handles.

• Many multivarques have bowls without pens. You can get it only with special metal tongs (supplied or bundled separately) or silicone potholders, which you will always have to keep at hand. In addition, it is less convenient to take the bowl with forceps / tack welders, which means it is not safe than simply lifting it by the handles like a pan.

Council 6. Ceramic coating of the bowl is safer than Teflon

The bowls of the majority of multivoroys are made of aluminum and covered with non-stick coating:

• Teflon;
• Ceramic.

In fact, it is impossible to name the material of the non-stick coating as an important criterion for choosing a multi- since the bowl is the consumable element of the device and, in addition, both types of coverage are approximately the same short-lived.

• Teflon coating is easy to clean and has excellent non-stick properties. However, it quickly scratches, and as soon as scratches appear on the coating, it becomes toxic. Even with a very careful handling, the teflon bowl serves no more than 2-3 years. By the way, plastic paddle, which is completed by most multivaracters, is not suitable for Teflon coating. It is best to use silicone spatulas and spoons.

• Ceramic coating is good because it is less afraid of scratches and brushing, but it also quickly wears out. In addition, the ceramic bowl is afraid of falls from a height, it can not be washed in a dishwasher and, of course, it makes the multivark somewhat more expensive. But, even when the ceramic deteriorates, only its non-stick properties deteriorate, but it does not bring any harm.

If you try, you can find a multibar with a bowl of durable stainless steel. For example, the German manufacturer Steba (pictured) offers two bowls at once - coated with Teflon and stainless steel.

See also: 12 tips for choosing a bread maker for your home.

Council 7. It is desirable that the automatic maintenance of the temperature can be turned off

Almost all modern multivarks have the function of keeping the dish hot, which turns on automatically as soon as the food is cooked. However, not every model allows to cancel this option without pulling the cord out of the socket.

• Imagine that you want to put in the morning compote to come in the evening and refresh yourself with a cold drink. If no one is at home, and no one turns off the appliance from the food, when the compote is cooked, it will remain hot for your arrival. Therefore, it is worth giving preference to the multivarquet, which allows you to turn off auto-heating before cooking.

Council 8. The lid is an important part of the multivark, which you need to examine with passion

First, make sure that the inner cover is removable so that you can easily remove it and wash it from accumulated grease and dirt. Most modern multivarcs provide this possibility, but, nevertheless, models without removable covers are still encountered. Well, if the cover of the multivark is completely removed.

Secondly, before buying make sure that the lid does not have any slots, and the rubber band fits snugly, lies flat and has no defects.

Third, look at the place of attachment of the cover to the body. The plastic of the component holding the hinge axis must be thick and sturdy.

Fourthly, pay attention to how the lid is closed. It is better if it is locked by a lock method, and not by a key (in the photo), which is held only by a pair of pins. Unfortunately, such pins eventually jump out of the holes due to deformation of the plastic from permanent contact with the steam or simply break down. Many models of the Redmond, Polaris, Ourson and Molinex multivar models have such a breakdown often, but not all service centers regard it as a warranty case.

Below is a video of how to fix the broken latch lock on the example of the Redmond multivark.

Fifthly, as already noted, the lid should be tilted 90 degrees, but better.

Tip 9. Want to save money? Buy a multivark with a plastic casing

The body of the multivarker can be made of plastic or stainless steel. The material of the case does not affect the quality of the dishes and the functionality of the equipment, so if you want to save, safely take a plastic multivark. True plastic plastic is different and if you buy a model from this material, it's quality.

• White plastic turns yellow over time;
• Quality plastic should not smell;
• When choosing a multivark with a plastic casing, try to poke the lid and the case back and forth. A good plastic multivarker does not creak and does not crack with such movements.

Stainless steel is stronger, less susceptible to scratches, looks nice, but noticeably heavier and more expensive the device.

Tip 10. The multivark must have a water trap

A collection of condensate is not available for every multivark, although it is really necessary. Thanks to such a simple part, during cooking, the outer walls of the body and the rim of the lid are not covered by moisture.

Tip 11. Rubber feet - another mandatory requirement for the device

Rubber feet or small patches are the simplest details that allow the multivarker to stand firmly on the table top and not slide. Unfortunately, some models have plastic feet as in the photo below.

See also: Guide for choosing a mixer

Tip 12. The display and the control panel should be very convenient

Whichever form is the multivarker, it is desirable that the display and control panel are placed on top or under the slope so that you do not have to bend down to start the program.

• The display should be a contrast and preferably with a backlight, so you can start the device in the dark.
• Be sure to try pressing on the buttons of vending models in the store. They should be sensitive and enjoyable at work.

It's good when the display shows such useful information as:

• Specified cooking time and / or temperature;
• Running the program;
• Auto heating mode activated;
• The time remaining until the preparation of the dish (often shown only closer to the end of the device).

• Duration of cooking;
• Time left before the start when the start delayed.

And a couple of words about advanced features

• If you have children, it is not superfluous to purchase a device with a power-on lock when the bowl is empty.
• Do you want to save on electricity and quickly warm up the cup? Choose a model with induction heating, which consumes 2 times less energy. True, induction multivarkers are much more expensive (about 20 tr).
• Some multivarkas are equipped with the function of 3D heating, due to which the products in the bowl are heated evenly from three sides (bottom, sides and top) and faster (by about 30%), but the power consumption is not increases. Especially relevant is the 3-D heating for baking mode. Keep in mind that the availability of this option increases the cost of the device by 1500-2000 rubles.

Modern models of multivarieties have the ability to control via Wifi. Here you can read a detailed review of how this option works in practice using the example of the Polaris EVO EPMC 0125 multi-cooker.

And finally, we offer to watch a video story of "Control Purchase" about how to choose a multivark for a house.

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