Also called a multicooker, this countertop electric appliance combines pressure cooking, slow cooking, steaming, rice cooking, and sautéing in one programmable unit.
For the full breakdown, see our best 6 Quart Multi Cooker guide.
A multi cooker is the countertop appliance that quietly replaced a drawer full of single-purpose gadgets. Instead of parking a slow cooker, a rice cooker, and a steamer on your counters, one multicooker handles all those jobs—plus pressure cooking, which is the function most people buy it for. Consumer Reports’ testing covers pressure-cook mode, slow cooking, steaming, rice cooking, sautéing, and convenience factors like control clarity and programmability, giving you an at-a-glance verdict on how well these machines actually perform each function.
With a multicooker, you don’t just cook dinner—you cook dinner in a fraction of the time, or walk away and let it simmer all day. Let’s break down exactly what these machines do and how to tell them apart.
Core Functions: What a Multi Cooker Can Actually Do
The defining trait of a multicooker is how many cooking methods it packs into one housing. Consumer Reports lists pressure cooking, slow cooking, rice cooking, steaming, sautéing, yogurt making, and a keep-warm setting as common functions. The exact lineup varies by model, but these are the heavy hitters you’ll find on most machines:
- Pressure cooking: Builds steam pressure to cook beans, tough cuts of meat, and whole grains in a fraction of the usual time.
- Slow cooking: Cooks low and slow (typically 4–10 hours) for soups, stews, and fall-apart roasts.
- Steaming: Uses a steam rack to cook vegetables, fish, and dumplings gently.
- Rice cooking: Dedicated cycles for white, brown, and other grains.
- Sautéing: Browns meat and onions right in the pot before pressure cooking—no separate skillet needed.
- Yogurt making: Ferments milk at a steady low temperature.
This is a classic case of the whole being bigger than the sum of its parts. Each function alone is nothing remarkable, but having them all in one programmable unit means one appliance and one countertop spot handle nearly every meal you cook.
Multicooker vs. Slow Cooker: The Key Distinction
The biggest difference between a multicooker and a slow cooker is pressure. A slow cooker only cooks slowly; a multicooker adds pressure cooking and usually several other modes on top of that.
Consumer Reports makes a useful distinction here, separating true multifunction pressure multicookers from simpler “fancy versions of slow cookers.” The former are the Instant Pot-style machines that can pressure cook, slow cook, steam, sauté, and more. The latter can’t build pressure at all—they’re basically slow cookers with rice and steam settings bolted on. If you buy a multicooker expecting fast pressure cooking, the label alone won’t guarantee it.
There’s also a quality spread among true pressure multicookers. Some models nail every function; others pressure cook well but turn out mediocre rice, and vice versa. That’s why third-party testing exists—Consumer Reports scores each function independently so you know exactly where a model shines and where it just gets by.
What Multicooker Functions To Look For When Buying
Start with the cooking methods you actually use. A pressure cooker with 15 preset buttons you never touch isn’t worth extra money—a simpler model with a dial covers the same ground. Look for a machine where the controls match the way you cook.
| Feature | What To Look For | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| Pressure release | Natural, Pulse, and Quick release options | Different recipes need different release speeds to avoid overcooking or splattering. |
| Keep Warm | Automatic hold after the cycle ends | Your dinner stays at serving temperature if you get delayed. |
| Delay Start | Programmable start time | Set it in the morning, and dinner is ready when you walk in the door. |
| Sauté function | Genuine browning, not just heating | Cuts out a separate skillet step and builds deeper flavor. |
| Venting | Clear Seal/Vent switch and float valve | Controls steam release safely and shows when the lid is safe to open. |
Official Instant Pot manuals show how much these details matter. If you’re weighing a purchase, start with the Consumer Reports multicooker buying guide, which breaks down these feature differences in depth.
One caveat on features: nothing is universal. Pressure cooking, bake mode, delay start, and venting controls vary by model and region. The same Instant Pot brand sells models with wildly different capabilities, and manuals are split by locale because voltage and electrical specs differ—the Instant Pot 12-Cup Rice and Grain Multi-Cooker (model MRRC1201WE) runs on 120V ~ 60Hz with a 600W heating element, but international versions can differ. Always match the manual to your exact model number.
Wondering which 6-quart size actually fits your kitchen and family? Our tested roundup of the best 6 quart multi cooker models breaks down the top performers side by side.
Cost and Pricing
Multicooker prices vary widely based on brand, capacity, and feature set. You can find basic models for around $50, while feature-rich pressure multicookers with Wi-Fi connectivity and air-frying capabilities can cost $250 or more. In general, the sweet spot for a reliable 6-quart multicooker with solid pressure cooking and slow cooking functions is typically between $80 and $150. The more functions you add—like bake modes or app control—the more you can expect to pay.
FAQs
Is a multi cooker worth it?
For most home cooks, yes. A multicooker replaces a slow cooker, rice cooker, steamer, and often a yogurt maker in one appliance that sits on a single stretch of counter. If you regularly use even two of those functions, it usually pays for itself in saved space and money.
Can a multi cooker pressure cook?
Only if it’s specifically a pressure multicooker. True multifunction machines like the Instant Pot line offer pressure cooking alongside slow cooking and other modes. “Fancy versions of slow cookers”—simpler devices without a pressure valve—cannot build pressure and cook much slower.
How do I release pressure safely?
Turn the quick release switch from Seal to Vent and stand back while steam escapes, following your model’s manual. When the float valve drops, the pressure is gone and it’s safe to open the lid. Natural release takes longer but keeps juices in tender cuts of meat.
References & Sources
- Consumer Reports. “Best Multi-Cookers Buying Guide.” Details common multicooker functions and distinguishes pressure multicookers from slow-cooker variants.
- Instant Pot. “Multi-Cooker Product Manuals.” Official manuals listing model-specific functions and safety warnings.