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All About the Multi-Pot (FAQs, Tips, Recipes, and More!)

January 31, 2022
11 min. read

Garlic Pork Loin Sandwich with Bleu Cheese Topping

It’s a pressure cooker. A slow cooker. An electric pot. A rice cooker. A veggie steamer. A yogurt maker. It’s all of these appliances rolled into one!

That’s right…This week on the blog we are talking about multi-cookers—the nifty little device that could single-handedly replace half of your kitchen appliances! This electric cooking pot can perform a multitude of functions, from sautéing veggies to roasting meats to simmering soups and stews. Its unique pressure cooker function allows you to prepare complex, flavorful dishes in next to no time—which is perfect for hosting game day watch parties (hint, hint).

Are you wishing you owned a multi-pot of your own?

You’re in luck! As part of Ultimate Game Plan: Home Field Advantage, we’re giving away one multi-pot and one air fryer to our fans. So, whether you’re in the market for (or interested in winning) a multi-pot or still not quite sure how to use the one you have, read on for our best tips and recipes to get the most out of this convenient kitchen appliance!

Garlic Pork Loin Sandwich with Bleu Cheese Topping

Quick Overview – How to Use Your Multi-Pot

1.      Unpack and assemble; clean

If this is your first time using your multi-cooker, remove the packaging materials, clean the inner pot, lid, and any accessories with warm water, and wipe down the rest of the device. Be sure to read the owner’s manual for usage tips and make note of any warning labels. Assemble any loose parts or attachments as instructed in the manual.

If this is not your first time, still be sure to wipe clean the device and wash or rinse the inner pot before adding food.

2.      Add food to pot

Remove the lid by turning counter-clockwise. Remove the inner pot from the device. Place any attachments you may be using (such as a steamer tray or trivet) inside the pot; add food and liquids to the pot in the order instructed by your recipe.

MULTI-POT HOT TIP: For pressure cooking, be sure to add enough liquids to meet the minimum requirement for your device. If preparing foods such as rice or beans, which absorb liquid and expand while cooking, do not fill the pot more than halfway. For all other foods, the pot should be 2/3 full or less, or as directed by your user manual.

3.      Reassemble device; seal (for pressure cooking only)

Return the inner pot to the multi-cooker, making sure it is fitted correctly.

For pressure cooking: Seal the lid by turning clockwise; then position steam release valve to “Sealing” mode.

For non-pressure cooking (e.g., sautéing, slow cooking, etc.): Use a glass lid if needed; or if using pressure cooker lid, ensure steam release valve is set to “Venting.”

4.      Connect to power

Plug in the device; the digital readout should appear letting you know the device is powered on and in standby mode. Note: when pressure cooking, always connect to power after the food has been added and the device is sealed to prevent burns or other incidents.

5.      Select a multi-cooker program

Use the buttons on the front of your appliance to choose the program you would like to use to cook your recipe.

Pressure cooker programs include “pressure cook” or “manual” and various specialty presets such as “Soup/Broth,” “Meat/Stew,” “Bean/Chili,” “Poultry,” “Rice,” “Multigrain,” “Porridge,” and “Steam.”

Non-pressure cooker programs include “sauté,” “slow cook,” “yogurt,” and “keep warm.”

6.      Personalize the program as necessary

Using your recipe or user manual as a guide, use the buttons on your multi-cooker to adjust settings such as cooking time, pressure level (for pressure cooking), temperature level (for non-pressure cooking), or to delay cooking until a future time.

Shredded Chicken with Honey Mustard

7.      Cook your dish

Once you have finished selecting and customizing your cooking program, the device will automatically begin preheating (or the “delay start” will begin counting down).

For pressure cooking: the device will go through a preheating and pressure-building stage, then enter the pressure cooking cycle, before finally entering the “keep warm” stage (if enabled). The length of time for each stage will depend on the amount of food and other factors.

For slow cooking: the device will begin cooking, then enter the “keep warm” stage (if enabled) when finished.

For sautéing: the device will preheat to the selected temperature level and display a message letting you know when it is hot. For this cooking method, you will want to stay close by the device and monitor the food, since it is a hotter and more short-term method of cooking.

8.      Release the steam (pressure cooking only)

When the cooking time has ended, safely release the pressure using one of two methods:

    1. Natural Release – Allow the cooker to cool down naturally until the float valve drops down.
    2. Quick Release – Turn the steam release handle to the “Venting” position to let the steam out, until the float valve drops down.
MULTI-POT HOT TIP: Be careful to avoid the steam; do not place hands or face over steam release valve when operating device or during steam release.

9.      Cancel cooking program

Once the cooking program has ended, select “cancel” to return the device to standby mode. (Make sure steam valve is down before opening pressure cooker lid.)

10.  Continue cooking, if necessary

If you need to use multiple cooking modes for a single recipe (e.g., sautéing followed by pressure cooking), repeat steps 5-9 as needed by selecting the required program, customizing as necessary, and returning the device safely to cooldown/standby mode.

11.  Clean and store device

Unplug the device and allow to cool down to room temperature. Empty the cooker of all food. Wash and dry the inner pot and any other cooking accessories. Wipe down the device, reassemble, and store. See owner’s manual for proper cleaning instructions.

Bonus: To see a video demonstration of some of the most common multi-cooker functions and uses, check out below video in our Featured Recipes section!

 

Questions and Answers

What is a multi-pot?

A multi-pot is a multi-functional cooking device that performs functions such as pressure cooking, slow cooking, searing/sautéing, steaming, and more.

How does a pressure cooker work?

The primary function of the multi-cooker is that of pressure cooking, which works by creating a tightly sealed, high-pressure environment and using steam to cook food in a reduced amount of time to other methods of cooking.

What can I make in my multi-cooker?

A multi-cooker can be used to make a wide variety of foods, such as soups, stews, chili, braised meats, steamed vegetables, rice, beans, porridge, yogurt, and even baked goods like cheesecake.

Beef Barbacoa Sliders

What are the benefits of using a multi-pot over other devices?

One primary benefit of the multi-pot is its ability to perform a variety of different cooking functions. This all-in-one appliance allows you to potentially replace single-purpose appliances such as slow cookers, rice cookers, stove-top pressure cookers, yogurt makers, etc. This is especially helpful for people with limited kitchen or storage space, such as those living in apartments or dormitories.

Multi-cookers may also save you prep and cooking time. By being able to perform multiple functions in one device, you shorten the recipe prep time and also limit the number of cooking appliance you need to clean. When using the pressure cooker function, you also cut down on cooking time considerably when preparing dishes that are typically cooked over a long period of time using traditional methods.

Finally, multi-cookers are generally easy to use once you understand the various settings on your device.

MULTI-POT HOT TIP: Make use of your device’s multi-functionality by switching between various modes through the cooking process to achieve the perfect balance of taste and texture. Example #1: Try searing large cuts of meat and sautéing aromatic vegetables prior to pressure cooking to maximize flavor. Example #2: Switch back to sauté mode after cooking soups, sauces, and dips and simmer on low heat to allow the mixture to thicken to the desired consistency.

Are there any drawbacks to using a multi-pot?

If you are using a multi-pot to replace your other cooking devices, like a stovetop pressure cooker or a slow cooker, it may not function exactly as you are used to. Most electric multi-cookers cook at a lower pressure than stovetop pressure cookers and may operate at lower temperatures than the standard “low” and “high” settings of a slow cooker. So, it is important to read your multi-pot specifications and adjust cooking time and temperature as needed.

A pressure cooker works by using liquid to create steam and build pressure; therefore, it is primarily intended to be used for foods with a high moisture content, such as soups/stews, braised meats, and steamed or boiled foods. For this reason, it will not be ideal for cooking fried foods or anything that requires a dry heat source to produce a crispy/crunchy exterior.

The pressure cooker setting of a multi-cooker requires additional time to come up to pressure and release pressure before/after cooking. For this reason, it may not save you time when preparing recipes that take 20 minutes or less using traditional methods.

Lastly, there is an added safety concern when using the pressure cooker setting of the device. Be sure to take care when releasing steam, and always refer to your owner’s manual for official instructions.

Tuscan Style Chicken Soup

How do I cook rice in my multi-cooker?

Most multi-cookers have a “rice” preset program, or you can use the “manual” pressure cooker function and choose your own settings. A good rule of thumb is 1 cup water to 1 cup long-grain rice or 1 ¼ cup water to 1 cup short/medium-grain rice, at high pressure, for 3 minutes for long-grain rice or 5 minutes for short/medium-grain rice, with 10-15 minutes natural steam release. However, these instructions may vary based on your device and cooking preferences.

Is there anything I can’t make in my multi-cooker?

The pressurized environment of the multi-cooker will not be ideal for preparing fried or crispy foods or cooking heavily dairy-based recipes as it can curdle at high heat. Additionally, anything you would typically grill over high heat for 10 minutes or less, such as burgers or steak, would be better off using the standard method of cooking, as the pressure cooker will tend to overcook these foods or cause an undesirable texture.

Can I convert slow cooker recipes to multi-cooker/pressure cooker recipes?

Yes! Many traditional slow cooker recipes like pulled pork, shredded chicken, soups, chili, meatballs, and more can be cooked in under an hour using the pressure cooker function of a multi-cooker. The timing will vary based on the size of your device, temperature settings, and other factors, so be sure to refer to your recipe or user manual for best practices. You can find some general slow cooker to multi-cooker conversions in this blog post.

Can I use my multi-cooker as a slow cooker?

Yes! If you prefer slow cooking over pressure cooking, the multi-pot also has a “slow cook” program option. However, keep in mind that heat level may differ from your standalone slow cooker, so you may need to add more time or adjust the recipe slightly. You may find that the Normal/Medium setting on your multi-cooker is similar to Low on a traditional slow cooker, and the More/High setting is more like medium-high on a slow cooker.

Shredded Chicken with Honey Mustard

 

Multi-Pot Recipes

Once you feel comfortable with all the features and settings of your multi-pot, test it out with delicious ideas like the ones below! (Hint: they all make tasty and convenient recipes for Game Day!)

Featured Recipe: Multi-Pot Garlic Pork Loin with Bleu Cheese Topping

Garlic Pork Loin Sandwich with Bleu Cheese Topping

Try out your new multi-cooker expertise by prepping this tasty recipe! First, use the “sauté” function to sear the steak-seasoned boneless pork loin in your multi-cooker; remove and set aside. Next, sauté some sliced onions until browned and tender; remove and set aside. Return pork to pot, add 1 cup chicken stock and pressure cook on High for 20 minutes. Use “quick release” to vent the steam, then transfer pork to a cutting board to rest. Sauté the onions again until warm, prepare the blue cheese spread, and slice the pork. Serve everything on a Martin’s Big Marty’s Roll atop green leaf lettuce.

For full recipe instructions, visit: https://potatorolls.com/recipes/multi-pot-garlic-pork-loin-with-bleu-cheese-topping.

 

Featured Recipe: Multi-Pot Nacho Dip

Multi Pot Nacho Dip

Dips are another fantastic recipe to make in your multi-cooker. The pressurized cooking method allows you to develop complex flavors in under an hour, making it another great Game Day recipe and alternative to the slow cooker. This recipe again makes use of both the sauté and pressure cooking function of the multi-pot. First, a combination of sausage and ground beef is sautéed until browned, then combined with salsa, cream of chicken soup, evaporated milk, cheese, and some water, and pressure cooked for 10 minutes. After carefully releasing the steam, remove lid, stir, and serve warm with Martin’s Toast Crackers!

For full recipe instructions, visit: https://potatorolls.com/recipes/multi-pot-nacho-dip

Watch a how-to video of this recipe on Martin’s YouTube channel!

 

More Touchdown Recipes

View all Multi-Cooker Recipes: https://potatorolls.com/recipes/?re_campaign=multi-cooker

 

Ultimate Game Plan Sweepstakes

Looking for an excuse to get a multi-cooker of your own? Now’s your chance! Martin’s is hosting a game day sweepstakes in celebration of the upcoming pro football championship. You can enter to win a multi-pot or an air fryer until February 13th at www.MartinsUltimateGamePlan.com!

VISIT SITE

 


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