Sarah stared at her kitchen counter with growing frustration. Three different appliances hummed at once – the air fryer crisping vegetables, the rice cooker bubbling away, and the slow cooker that had been running since morning. Her small apartment kitchen looked like a electronics store had exploded, with cords snaking everywhere and barely any prep space left.
“There has to be a better way,” she muttered, dodging around the maze of gadgets just to reach her coffee maker. That’s when her neighbor mentioned something that would completely change her cooking game: a new kitchen gadget that could replace nearly every appliance cluttering her countertop.
Within weeks, Sarah had discovered what thousands of home cooks are quietly realizing – the age of single-purpose kitchen gadgets might be coming to an end.
Why kitchen counters are getting crowded and cooks are getting frustrated
The air fryer revolution promised so much. Crispy food without deep frying, faster cooking times, and healthier meals. For millions of households, it delivered on those promises. But like many kitchen trends, the honeymoon phase didn’t last forever.
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Real problems started surfacing. The baskets were too small for family meals. The noise became annoying during morning routines. Cleaning the intricate parts turned into a chore. Most frustrating of all, the air fryer joined a growing collection of single-use appliances that each demanded precious counter space.
“I counted seven different gadgets on my counter last month,” says Jennifer Walsh, a food blogger from Portland. “Each one promised to make cooking easier, but together they just made my kitchen feel chaotic.”
That’s where this new kitchen gadget enters the picture. Instead of adding another appliance to the collection, it replaces several of them. The latest multi-cookers offer nine distinct cooking methods in one compact unit: air frying, roasting, baking, steaming, slow cooking, sautéing, grilling, fermenting, and dehydrating.
The appeal goes beyond just saving space. These versatile units let you cook complete meals using different methods simultaneously or sequentially, all controlled from a single interface.
Nine cooking methods that actually work in real kitchens
The magic isn’t in having nine options – it’s in how well each method actually performs. Early multi-cookers tried to do everything but mastered nothing. This new generation takes a different approach, with dedicated heating elements and precise temperature controls for each cooking style.
| Cooking Method | Best For | Time Savings |
|---|---|---|
| Air Frying | Crispy snacks, reheating | 30% faster than oven |
| Steam | Vegetables, dumplings, fish | Preserves nutrients |
| Slow Cook | Stews, tough cuts, meal prep | Set and forget convenience |
| Sauté | Building flavors, one-pot meals | No separate pan needed |
| Roast | Whole chickens, root vegetables | Even heating, crispy skin |
| Bake | Bread, cakes, casseroles | Consistent temperature |
| Grill | Meats, vegetables | Indoor grilling year-round |
| Dehydrate | Snacks, preserving herbs | Low-temperature precision |
| Ferment | Yogurt, sourdough, kimchi | Temperature-controlled environment |
The real test comes during busy weeknights. You can start proteins on the sauté function, add vegetables for steaming, then switch to slow cook mode while you handle other tasks. No juggling multiple appliances or timing different cooking methods.
“The game-changer is being able to brown meat right in the same pot where I’ll slow cook it,” explains Mark Rodriguez, a working father of three. “Before, I’d dirty a pan, then transfer everything to the slow cooker. Now it’s all one step.”
Some models even offer combination cooking – starting with sauté to build flavors, automatically switching to slow cook, then finishing with a crispy air-fry function. It’s like having a sous chef that follows complex recipes while you’re away from the kitchen.
What this means for your cooking routine and wallet
The immediate impact hits your countertop first. Instead of the typical collection of air fryer, slow cooker, rice cooker, and toaster oven, you’re looking at one sleek appliance. The psychological effect is bigger than you might expect – a cleaner kitchen actually makes cooking feel less overwhelming.
But the real changes happen over time. When you can steam vegetables while slow cooking a roast, meal planning becomes simpler. When the same device that makes perfect rice can also bake bread, your weekly grocery trips get more creative.
- Reduced electricity usage compared to running multiple appliances
- Less cleanup with fewer pots and pans needed
- More counter space for actual food preparation
- Lower overall cost than buying separate specialized appliances
- Consistent results across different cooking methods
“I was skeptical at first,” admits Lisa Chen, who runs a food Instagram account. “How could one machine really replace my air fryer, Instant Pot, and rice cooker? But after three months, I haven’t touched any of my old appliances.”
The learning curve exists but it’s manageable. Most units come with preset programs that take the guesswork out of timing and temperatures. You select your cooking method, add your ingredients, and let the machine handle the technical details.
Price-wise, these new kitchen gadgets typically cost more upfront than a basic air fryer, ranging from $200 to $400 depending on size and features. However, when you calculate the cost of buying separate appliances for each function, the multi-cooker often comes out ahead.
The downsides nobody talks about until after purchase
No appliance is perfect, and these multi-cookers have their limitations. The biggest complaint from users centers on capacity – while you gain versatility, you sometimes lose the generous cooking space that dedicated appliances offer.
The air frying function, while effective, typically handles smaller batches than standalone air fryers. If you’re cooking for a large family or hosting frequently, you might find yourself running multiple cycles.
Learning all nine functions takes time and patience. The initial weeks involve a lot of trial and error as you figure out optimal settings for your favorite recipes. Some users report feeling overwhelmed by the options and defaulting to just two or three familiar cooking methods.
“The first month was frustrating,” says David Park, an early adopter. “I kept overcooking things because I was used to my old appliances. But once I got the hang of it, the convenience factor became huge.”
Cleaning can also be more complex than single-function appliances. While most parts are dishwasher-safe, the multiple components and different cooking residues require more attention than just wiping down an air fryer basket.
FAQs
Does this new kitchen gadget really replace an air fryer completely?
Yes, the air frying function works just as well as standalone units, though the capacity might be smaller depending on the model you choose.
How much counter space does a nine-in-one cooker actually save?
Most users report freeing up 60-70% of their appliance counter space, since one unit replaces 3-5 separate gadgets.
Are the cooking results as good as specialized appliances?
For most home cooking needs, yes. The results are comparable to dedicated appliances, though some professional-level functions might not match specialty equipment.
What’s the learning curve like for someone used to simple appliances?
Most people feel comfortable with basic functions within a week, while mastering all nine methods typically takes 2-3 months of regular use.
Do these multi-cookers break down more often than single-function appliances?
Reliability varies by brand, but quality models are built to handle frequent switching between functions and generally last as long as traditional appliances.
Is it worth upgrading if I already have an air fryer and slow cooker?
If counter space is limited or you find yourself wanting more cooking versatility, the upgrade often pays for itself in convenience and functionality.