What’s the Difference Between Slow Cookers and Multi-cookers

You have likely been hearing about handy kitchen devices, such as slow cookers, multi-cookers, pressure cookers and air fryers, in recent years. These appliances are immensely beneficial, especially for busy households, making life easier and reducing your time in the kitchen. If you are in the early days of researching these appliances, chances are you are asking yourself which one is best for you and your family. 

In this guide, we will discuss slow cookers and multi-cookers, how they work and the key differences, and answer your pressing questions about all things multi-cookers, so stay tuned, and you will be an expert on slow cookers and multi-cookers in no time.

A slow cooker, sometimes called a crock pot, is an electrical appliance used on your kitchen countertop. A slow cooker, as the name may allude to, cooks your food at a low temperature over a long period of time. A slow cooker makes life easier for busy people, allowing you to add all your ingredients, select your setting and let it work its magic, returning hours later to a fully cooked meal. Popular slow cooker recipes include soups, stews and casseroles.

A multi-cooker is an appliance that can perform multiple cooking functions. The exact functions will depend on the model, but a multi-cooker usually allows for slow cooking, sauteing, steaming and pressure cooking. Some modern models also have special settings allowing you to bake or even make yoghurt. So to answer the pressing question, ‘what does a multi-cooker do?’, basically everything. Is a multi-cooker worth it for your family? If you are a household that uses several appliances to slow cook, steam or pressure cook, a multi-cooker could be a helpful addition to maximise bench space and streamline your cooking experience.

The answer to ‘how does a multi-cooker work’ is a little complicated because every cooking function works differently, and a multi-cooker brings all of this functionality to one simple benchtop device. We can break it down into parts and explain precisely how a multi-cooker can provide you with all kinds of delicious meals, utilising various settings.

The core difference between the two products comes down to their versatility. A slow cooker is designed to do one thing, cook your food slowly (and deliciously). A multi-cooker, on the other hand, is carefully crafted to offer you more versatility with sauteing, steaming and pressure cooking options. Usually, multi-cookers also provide more control over the cooking process with adjustable cooking modes and temperature settings. In contrast, a slow cooker usually keeps things simple, offering low, high or warm settings. Finally, a multi-cooker tends to cook faster than a slow cooker, making use of pressure cooking options.

Still have questions? Don’t worry; we’re experts in all things appliances, and we want to ensure we provide all the information needed to find your household's perfect fit from our extensive range. Scroll through some common questions about multi-cookers, and if you have any further questions, don’t hesitate to contact our friendly customer service team.

Q. Is a multi-cooker an air fryer? 

With years of experience in the electrical appliances industry, we have gotten used to the question, “Is a multi-cooker an air fryer?”. This is a common misconception, as a multi-cooker can have an air fryer setting. On the other hand, an air fryer only has one setting designed to air fry food. While both appliances are helpful in the kitchen, they are not the same. 

Q. Are multi-cookers healthy for you?

A multi-cooker is a dynamic kitchen appliance with multiple cooking settings, so to answer this question, it will depend on the setting you are using and what you choose to cook. If you ask if healthy and nutritious meals can be cooked in a multi-cooker, the answer is a resounding yes. You can use a multi-cooker to steam vegetables, fish and poultry without adding additional fats, making for a delicious and healthy meal. Furthermore, you can use pressure cooking settings to preserve nutrients, and you can use the air frying setting without adding oils or butter. Finally, a multi-cooker makes cooking at home easier, encouraging you to whip up delicious home-cooked meals. 

Q. Is a multi-cooker worth it?

We certainly think so; a multi-cooker combines many of your favourite kitchen appliances into one. It simplifies your bench space and allows versatility in your kitchen. A multi-cooker is a fantastic option for busy people, allowing you to create all kinds of meals with minimum effort.