A multicooker with a steamer function is an excellent choice for those who support a healthy diet. This kitchen appliance will eliminate the need to stand at the stove for a long time and will become an indispensable assistant in preparing wholesome and healthy food. The uniqueness of the multicooker-steamer is its versatility. In addition to steaming dishes, this convenient pan can boil, fry, stew, bake, and make yogurt. You just need to use the recipe book, add the necessary ingredients, turn on the start, and then wait for the finished dish.
Features and principle of operation
The equipment is designed on the principle of reducing the number of tiers. If a double boiler has several pans - for water, storing food, the final dish, then the multicooker looks different. An electric pan can perform several functions - bake, stew, fry, steam. Food retains its beneficial properties, and human participation in its preparation is minimal.
Inside the device there is a pressure regulator, which, when the indicator is more than 70 kPa, performs an automatic restart . Like a regular pressure cooker, there are 3 springs at the bottom of the device. They are needed to sharply relieve pressure in the event of emergency failures.
Principle of operation
A multicooker combined with a double boiler is very easy to use:
- Water is poured into containers of various capacities.
- A special container with holes is installed.
- The required amount of ingredients is added.
- The steam cooking mode starts.
Products are cooked under steam pressure of about 120 degrees. An induction heater and multi-layer steel structure maintain the desired temperature and pressure level.
Lid with holes for steaming
Mode - steamer
Important! Food can be cooked faster than in a conventional multicooker, which is why the device is also called a pressure cooker.
What you need to know about using a multi-pressure cooker
Operating a multicooker-steamer will not be difficult if you take into account several nuances:
- The cooking speed depends on the amount of water added. 2 measuring cups are needed for 30 minutes of cooking;
- Cooking time is 1-60 minutes. If the food is not ready yet and the water has boiled away, you need to add it again and set the timer;
- the ingredients should not touch so that the steam can surround them unhindered. The products are sprinkled with spices and added ready-made.
Important! Adding frozen vegetables, meat or fish does not affect the quality of the dish.
What foods can be cooked with steam?
In the container of a multifunctional pan you can bake, prepare yogurt, boil, fry, reheat, stew, and, of course, steam. It is suitable for preparing dishes from dough, meat, fish, vegetables, cereals, dumplings. Together with the products, you can use spices or sauces that will highlight the taste of the dish. All dishes are prepared very quickly: beets are cooked in 10 minutes, and soup in 30 minutes.
Advice! If you purchased a multicooker-steamer for the first time, study the included brochure with recipes and proportions of ingredients.
Pangasius in a steamed slow cooker
Steamed fish and vegetables
Steamed meat
What is a double boiler and its technical features
It is worth noting! A steamer (from the English food steamer) is a household appliance for steaming food.
Devices come in electric and gas , but the former are in great demand because they are not tied to the stove.
The device consists of several containers: water is poured into the lower one, and food is placed in the upper one .
Cooking occurs through steam rising from water.
Cook in a gas device in the same way as in a regular saucepan (i.e., pour water and place the container on a gas or electric stove).
The gas model has a lower cost, is convenient and reliable to use, and also saves energy (when cooking on a gas stove).
Electric, on the contrary, can operate from any energy source, so it can be placed anywhere. And this is its main advantage over gas.
What cooking functions can it perform and what are its advantages over a multicooker?
Stay up to date! Electric steamers perform the following functions:
- Delayed start function - has the ability to program the device to turn on automatically. This feature is especially useful when there is no time to cook in the morning or you need to have a ready-made portion of dinner upon returning from work in the evening.
- Automatic control of steam temperature makes it possible to use the device even at the highest altitudes. Because the temperature of the generated steam does not depend on the level of atmospheric pressure.
- Maintains food temperature - the device keeps food warm for 14 hours, so there is no need to reheat it.
- Automatic cooking - the device independently sets the time required to boil food.
- Cleaning reminder - modern device models are equipped with a notification function (using an indicator) about the need to descale the device.
- Automatic shut-off function protects the device from overheating and damage.
At the same time, the device has the function of adding water during the cooking process.
Note! The advantages of a double boiler over a multicooker are as follows:
- Allows you to prepare tasty and healthy food while preserving all the necessary vitamins and microelements (since there is no possibility of frying and dishes are cooked exclusively by steaming). This is especially true for people leading a healthy lifestyle, diabetics, obesity or cardiovascular diseases.
- Allows you to cook several different dishes at the same time (due to the presence of several baskets). But at the same time, you need to remember that food that requires long cooking is placed in the lower basket, and quick cooking in the upper basket.
- It has a lower cost compared to a multicooker.
In addition, cooking in this device takes less time than in a multicooker.
Advantages and disadvantages of a multicooker-steamer
Multifunctional equipment is an excellent solution for diabetics, fans of diets and healthy eating, and families with small children. The advantages of the device include:
- easy cooking - food is placed in a container with holes, and after closing the lid, the mode is selected;
- uniform heat treatment of food under pressure;
- preservation of the beneficial properties of ingredients;
- good taste of dishes without fat or burning;
- an alternative to several devices - electric stove, oven, frying pan, steamer;
- food is cooked in its own juice - no need to add oil or fat;
- slow boiling of water, due to which the ingredients are completely processed;
- ease of operation and maintenance;
- porridge does not stick to the walls of the container;
- complete with non-stick bowl, measuring cup, spoon and spatula;
- the presence of a delayed start - the food will be ready at a specific time;
- reduction of energy costs.
Small household appliances have several disadvantages:
- small bowl;
- not all products fit into the container;
- you can cook only one dish, and not a full meal;
- The cost is a little more expensive than a standard double boiler.
Important! The main advantage of a multi-pressure cooker is the reduction in cooking time. You just need to add the food, close the lid and set the timer.
What to choose?
Summarizing all of the above, it becomes clear that a multicooker is perfect for those who want to expand their daily menu with new, tasty dishes. A steamer is perfect for people who are interested in healthy eating.
There is no clear decision in favor of one of the devices, so multicookers with a double boiler function have become increasingly popular recently.
Basic criteria for choosing a device
You need a multicooker-pressure cooker, but you don’t know which one would be better and how to choose it? Seek advice from experts - they recommend considering:
- power. Ranges from 700 to 1000 W;
- container material. Bowls are made of aluminum, ceramics, stainless steel with non-stick coating;
- bowl gasket. Rubber is elastic, and silicone has a long service life;
- volume. The capacity of the pan varies from 2 to 10 liters;
- fixing the cover. Closing mechanisms are represented by external latches or internal latches;
- number and location of valves. All models of multi-pressure cookers are available with 2 horizontal or vertical valves;
- steam cooking mode. Allows you to cook vegetables, fish, dumplings, dumplings, meat or reheat them.
Important! Safety features should include a lid lock, pressure regulator, bypass valve, temperature sensors and 3 springs.
Rating of the best manufacturers of multicookers with a double boiler function
A multicooker that functions as a steamer is an innovative technique, which is why the user rating includes models from well-known brands.
Budget models
Suitable for culinary beginners.
| Maxwell MW-3810 Inexpensive multi-cooker-steamer for 4 thousand rubles. power 900 W. Bowl capacity 5 liters with non-stick coating, metal body. Control occurs via an electronic panel. The maximum start delay is 12 hours. The lid has a silicone ring and a valve with a lock. The set includes a bowl, a steamer stand, a spoon, a ladle and a glass with measuring divisions. Advantages:
Minuses:
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| REDMOND SkyCooker M223S The cost of the device is 2.4 thousand rubles. Steam cooking is one of the programs of the 860 W multicooker. The capacity of the ceramic bowl is 5 liters. The timer can be set for 24 hours, there is a custom adjustment of cooking time, heat support, as well as a MasterChef Light mode. It is controlled electronically and is equipped with spatulas, a grid, and yogurt containers. Advantages:
Minuses:
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| BRAND 6051 Multi-steamer for 3.2 thousand rubles. Available in white and steel colors. There is a pressure cooker option and a steaming program. The cooking time is adjustable from 1 minute to 2 hours. The power of the device is 1000 W. The ceramic-coated bowl holds 5 liters. Pressure adjustment is manual. The start delay is 24 hours. The lid is rotating. The set includes a container for condensation, measuring and soup spoons, a spatula and a stand. Advantages:
Minuses:
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Middle price segment
Convenient and best for housewives, multicookers with a double boiler option.
| UNIT USP-1220S The price of a pressure cooker with the option of steam cooking and a smokehouse is 7 thousand rubles. The ceramic bowl has a volume of 6 liters. Cooking takes place at a power of 1100 W. The case is cylindrical in shape and has a built-in clock. The start of the multicooker can be delayed up to 24 hours, and the food can be kept warm. Advantages:
Minuses:
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| REDMOND RMC-PM503 The multicooker, which cooks using steam for 6.7 thousand rubles, operates at a power of 900 W. The bowl is non-stick, with a capacity of 5 liters. The cooking process takes place under pressure or in a vacuum. It comes with a container and steamer stand, spatula, measuring cup, ladle and a book of 120 recipes. Advantages:
Minuses:
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| Moulinex CE500E32 A multicooker-pressure cooker, which cooks by steam, is sold at an average price of 6.5 thousand rubles. Device power – 1000 W. The bowl with a 4-layer ceramic coating holds 5 liters, the body is made of metal. There is a Multicook option, temperature time adjustment is manual. Control occurs electronically. Indication is from LEDs, the cord is removable. The set includes a steam stand, a measuring container, and a spatula. Advantages:
Minuses:
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Premium models
A multicooker with many modes and a steamer function is worth the money and collects the best reviews from owners.
| Oursson MP5015PSD Model with an average cost of 8.9 thousand rubles. with 8 preset programs. 5 liter bowl with ceramic coating. The case is made of durable metal and practically does not heat up. The device has very high power (1200 W), heat support options, delayed start, and custom adjustment of time and temperature parameters. Advantages:
Minuses:
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| Steba DD2 Multi-steamer for 9.9 thousand rubles. operates at a power of 900 W and is equipped with a 5 liter stainless steel bowl. The start can be delayed and the temperature can be delayed. The design is very unusual, in the form of a cube, but this does not interfere with cooking. Supplied with a metal steam grate, measuring cup, lid, 4 yogurt jars. Advantages:
Minuses:
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| REDMOND RMC-M110 A multi-cooker that will quickly and under pressure prepare steamed dishes. It costs about 10 thousand rubles and has a power of 900 W. 5 liter Teflon non-stick coated bowl. The timer can be set for 24 hours, there are functions to keep food warm and delay start. It is equipped with a spatula, steamer container, ladle and deep fryer. Advantages:
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Comparison table of differences
What is the difference? Below are the comparative characteristics and functionality of each device:
| Steamer properties | Multicooker properties |
| Designed for steaming food. | Provides different cooking modes: frying, boiling, stewing, baking, deep-frying. |
| Preserves the beneficial properties of products, since no vegetable oil is used during the cooking process. Suitable for people following a therapeutic diet or leading a healthy lifestyle. | Allows you to steam dishes, but in quantities of no more than one. |
| It has the ability to prepare several dishes at the same time (due to the presence of several baskets). | It does not have the ability to cook several dishes at the same time. |
| Requires less time for cooking. | The cooking process takes a little longer. |
| It only has a steam cooking function. | Combines several kitchen electrical appliances: frying pan, grill, saucepan, oven, steamer. |
| Used only for cooking by generating steam coming from the water at the bottom of the device. | Allows you to prepare many different dishes: cereals, soups, French fries, bread, casseroles, yogurts, etc. |
Buying a multicooker-steamer correctly: expert advice
- The higher the power, the faster the dish will cook.
- Families with children should give preference to models with a children's menu and yogurt maker options.
- Aluminum bowls may emit harmful substances.
- For a family of 2 people, a 3 liter bowl is enough, for a family of 3-4 – about 5 liters, for a family of 4 – 6-10 liters.
- The horizontal valve will eliminate the risk of steam burns.
- Models with a lid lock prevent child injuries.
- The bypass valve reduces pressure during breakdowns.
- The perforated plastic basket cools down faster.
Watch a video with a recipe for cooking in a multicooker-steamer
Which multicooker with steamer should I buy?
A review of the best multicookers with a double boiler once again proves that such equipment is really needed in modern society. Each model has its own set of capabilities and cost. It is precisely by these criteria that the devices in our rating differ. Having decided to buy a really good, durable and functional multicooker-steamer, it would be advisable to save up for an expensive model that will be able to satisfy all the wishes of its owner. In our TOP these are Philips HD3136/03 Viva Collection and Moulinex CE 501132.
