Number of programs
The total number of cooking programs provided in the device.
The greater this number — the more extensive the possibilities of the multicooker, the wider the choice of the user. However, note that a specific set of modes may be different, this point in each case should be clarified separately. See "Programs" for details on specific modes. As for specific values, the most modest models nowadays have
up to 10 programs, devices for
10 — 20 programs and even
more are quite popular, and in the most multifunctional solutions this number can be
more than 35.
Modes
The available operating modes of a multicooker provide a reliable indication of what you can typically expect when using the device. Among the main modes there are
warming up,
free mode,
express,
steaming,
stewing,
frying / deep frying,
boiling,
kneading dough, dough
proofing,
roasting,
simmering,
smoking,
baking,
sous-vide,
sterilization. More details about each of them:
— The free mode, as its name implies, gives users the freedom to manually adjust all the operating parameters of the device, such as temperature and cooking time. In more advanced models, it may even offer the option to program specific stages of cooking, such as initially applying high heat, gradually reducing it, and then maintaining the desired temperature for the finished product.
— Warming up. The pre-set program for warming up pre-cooked meals typically involves heating them at a relatively low temperature. It may also include a feature to maintain this temperature until the dev
...ice is manually turned off.
— Express. The Express mode offers a high-intensity heating setting in the cooking chamber, enabling faster cooking of various foods like cereals, legumes, scrambled eggs, dumplings, and pasta. It is specifically recommended for situations when time is limited. However, it is important to note that this mode is not suitable for baking items like pies, bread, or biscuits.
— Frying/deep frying. The ability to work in the frying mode assumes a high temperature and the presence of oil instead of water. Usually, the multicooker lid does not close in this mode.
— Boiling. The cooking mode in a multicooker rapidly brings liquid to a boil and then reduces the heat to maintain a gentle simmer. This mode is versatile and suitable for preparing a wide range of dishes, including boiled eggs, pasta, boiled vegetables (such as potatoes, beets, and carrots), soups, and beverages. Additionally, some multicookers offer a steam cooking option, where a special stand is used to elevate the food above the boiling liquid, allowing for steaming without direct contact.
— Roasting. The roasting mode in a multicooker involves applying high heat to the dish to create a crispy crust on the surface. While similar to baking, the roasting program has its distinct features. It may provide more intense heating or include a technique known as "short-term baking," where the product is prepared differently and then baked for a brief period (around 30-60 seconds) to achieve the desired crust formation.
— Stewing. This programme involves working at relatively low temperatures for a long time. It allows you to cook a fairly extensive range of dishes: soups, stews, some types of cereals, etc.
— Simmering. The simmer programme simulates cooking at the lowest intensity in a sealed container, similar to cooking in a classic oven. This method can be used in particular for roasts and cabbage rolls.
— Smoking. The smoking program in a multicooker typically enables traditional smoking by using smoke generated from burning wood chips. To ensure that regular dishes do not acquire a "smoked" flavor, a separate container is usually required. It's worth noting that not all multicooker models with a smoking program come equipped with additional containers.
— Baking. This programme is similar to the operation of a conventional oven: high temperature and closed (in contrast to the frying mode) lid. Suitable for flour baking, as well as various casseroles.
— Steaming. Steam cooking is recognized as a gentle cooking method and is commonly employed in dietary nutrition, including for children. To facilitate steam cooking, multicookers need to have a dedicated program as well as additional equipment such as baskets and a water tray, similar to traditional double boilers. These accessories may be included with the multicooker upon purchase.
— Dough kneading.The special dough preparation program in a multicooker eliminates the need for manual kneading, saving you from the tedious task. Typically, this function utilizes a separate bowl with a specialized spatula for the kneading process. It's important to note that different models may offer the preparation of various types of dough, and this information can be found in the detailed specifications.
— Proofing dough. The dough proofing mode involves the creation of optimal microclimatic conditions for raising yeast dough. In proofing mode, the multicooker heats up just above room temperature, typically around 30°C. The average proofing time for the dough is about 30 minutes.
— Sous-vide — a special technology of cooking in a vacuum. In sous-vide cooking, the food is first placed in a vacuum-sealed bag and then cooked slowly and at a low temperature, precisely controlled by the multicooker. This method involves processing the food at temperatures of up to 80°C for a period of 2-4 hours or even longer. Sous-vide technology ensures extremely even cooking of the food. It also offers the advantage of minimizing loss in weight and volume of the ingredients. Sous-vide is commonly used for preparing healthy and dietary dishes. The slow and vacuum-sealed heat treatment helps retain the juiciness and tenderness of the food, while the low temperature prevents the formation of a brown crust.
— Sterilization. Programme for sterilization of dishes used in the cooking of home preservation. Usually involves boiling for some time.Programmes
Automatic cooking programs for the desired dish.
A wide variety of programs are found in modern multicookers:
porridge / soup,
oatmeal,
sauté,
pilaf,
meat,
poultry,
fish,
rice / buckwheat,
milk porridge , baby food,
pasta / pasta, scrambled eggs,
dumplings,
vegetables,
legumes,
fondue,
bread,
jam / jam,
yogurt,
cottage cheese,
dessert,
aspic,
pizza,
sauce. Here are the features of each of these modes:
- Porridge/Soup. The program for cooking soups and thin porridges uses rather intensive cooking in a large amount of liquid.
- Oatmeal. Program for making oatmeal. Features of this mode in different models may vary; it also does not hurt to cl
...arify what kind of porridge it is designed for - in milk or in water. However, in any case, cooking oatmeal involves quickly heating to a high temperature, then cooking on a “slow fire” and infusing under the lid for several minutes after turning off the heat.
— Saute. The classic sauté is made by briefly sautéing in fat, usually vegetables, but other ingredients such as meat or fish are also possible. However, in multicookers, the method of cooking this dish may differ from the traditional one.
- Pilaf. Classic pilaf is cooked over low heat in a cast-iron cauldron, ducklings or other similar thick-walled dishes; the program simulates the heating characteristic of such cooking.
- Meat. Various programs for cooking meat. Most often we are talking about frying and / or baking, but other processing methods are possible; these details should be clarified separately.
- Poultry. Program for cooking chicken, turkey, goose and fowl. First, poultry is intensively fried until golden brown, then the heating intensity is automatically reduced, transferring the multi cooker to the extinguishing mode. The poultry cooking program allows you to get a well-done, juicy, tasty and aromatic dish.
- Fish. Various programs for cooking fish. Usually this mode is closest to baking, there are practically no other options.
- Rice / Buckwheat. In this case, it means a program for making crumbly cereals, primarily from rice or buckwheat (hence the name). The device works in this mode as long as there is "excess" water in the working tank; when all the water has evaporated, the heating is turned off.
- Milk porridge. Cooking cereals with milk requires caution: even with a slight increase in temperature, the product may burn. Accordingly, a special program for this provides for "delicate" heating.
- Baby food. Cooking mode for young children. It is often a type of steam cooking (see the relevant paragraph) - it is this method that is considered the healthiest and safest.
— Macaroni / Pasta. When cooking, it is advisable to pour pasta or pasta with hot water and stir occasionally in order to avoid sticking together; they cook relatively quickly. Programs for cooking, as a rule, take into account these features.
- Omelette. A program that allows you to cook the so-called melange - a mixture of squirrel and yolk. Heating in the multicooker bowl is supplied immediately from all sides, which provides the omelet with a delicious golden crust.
- Dumplings. Special mode for cooking dumplings. During cooking, it is highly desirable to stir the dumplings so that they do not stick together; this is taken into account in the program. In addition, some multicookers can also cook dumplings by frying / baking, according to specific recipes.
- Vegetables. This program allows you to cook both stews and whole vegetables. Its main feature is the use of moderate temperature - vegetables are slowly heated, as when stewing. In this mode, you can cook potatoes, carrots, zucchini, eggplant, tomatoes, cabbage, etc. Also, the program can be used to prepare both simple side dishes and complex dishes or soup dressings.
- Beans. A feature of legumes (peas, beans, chickpeas, etc.) is that they can take quite a long time to cook, which is reflected in specialized programs.
— Fondue. Most often, cheese fondue is prepared in multicookers. When using this program, the cheese mass melts at a fairly high temperature - about 110 ° C. So that the melt does not thicken, after melting the cheese, the temperature decreases slightly - somewhere up to 100 ° C. There are also chocolate and caramel melts. But chocolate, cheese, and caramel have different melting points, which is why a cheese fondue slow cooker will most likely not be able to cook chocolate or caramel melts.
- Bread. The presence of this program allows you to use the multicooker also as a bread machine. As a rule, this is a special baking mode, designed specifically for bread. However, unlike a full-fledged bread machine, in this case, the dough for bread usually has to be kneaded by hand.
- Jam / Jam. The preparation of some types of jams and jams requires boiling for several hours - so that the product is “boiled down” and excess moisture evaporates from it. The temperature should also not be too high. All this requires a separate program with the appropriate parameters.
- Yogurt. For the preparation of yogurt, it is necessary to maintain a low temperature in containers with sourdough for the optimal functioning of lactic acid bacteria - about 38-40 ° C.
- Cottage cheese. Cottage cheese is made from sour milk or kefir, and the process requires gentle heating in order for the curd mass to separate from the whey. Traditionally, a water bath was used for such heating, modern multicookers can simulate it using the appropriate program.
- Dessert. Program for cooking a wide range of sweets - from jam and marmalade to pudding and bird's milk. It assumes the use of many temperature regimes with alternating heating and holding. Those. heating is switched on and off, which allows you to protect the ingredients from burning. It is often necessary for the user to independently set the optimum temperature, although it is also usually possible to use the standard "universal" temperature mode, which is set by default.
- Aspic. Programs for jelly are also distinguished by a low degree of heating and a long duration - in order for the product to solidify normally, it must be “boiled”.
- Pizza. Pizza is a type of pastry, so the temperature for its preparation must be quite high. In fact, such a program turns the multicooker into an oven.
- Sauce. Program for cooking dishes of the sauce group. Its characteristic feature is the use of multi-stage heating. At first, the slow cooker provides intense heat, which is ideal for quickly frying ingredients, then the heat weakens, making it possible to stew broth-filled or other liquid-filled frying.
This list is not exhaustive, modern devices may also provide other modes of operation - for example, for making pies, barbecue, etc.
