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I used to have one of those free mini multicookers. While it was useful as a makeshift kettle that I could use to cook Maggie Mee in the wee hours during my student days, it gave way shortly after I washed it carelessly. As the electricity outlet was right at the back of the multicooker, it was hard to avoid water running through it, and it stopped working subsequently.
I wish I had known about the endless possibilities of a multicooker before I submitted myself to a conventional kitchen that comes with the good old kitchen hood, hob, and oven setup, along with the many bulky small appliances including a rice cooker, air fryer, steamboat pot, microwave, and pressure cooker that are now strewn all over my kitchen.
Multi cookers can range from a basic electric cooker to a self-cooking robot that even comes with food processor capabilities. Some of the most well-known multi cookers include Thermomix or Ninja Foodi.
Multi cookers featured here are budget-friendly options with multiple functions which will work for a variety of households and occasions - worth considering that you will not feel that much of a pinch to purchase. Here, the 12 best multi cookers in Singapore:
Cornell 1.5L Mini Multi Cooker with Steam Tray, $26.00
The Cornell 1.5L Mini Multi Cooker is a compact, useful appliance that’s perfect for individuals living alone or in small spaces (like students in dorm rooms!). It’s affordably priced at less than $30 and has a multi-functional design that makes it a great investment for anyone who wants to enjoy delicious home-cooked meals without the hassle of a large kitchen appliance.
This small but mighty cooker can steam, boil, and cook noodles, allowing you to prepare a variety of dishes. The non-stick pot and detachable steam tray are easy to clean, making maintenance a breeze. Whether you’re a busy student, a solo traveller, or simply looking to save space in your kitchen, this individual cooker is a must-have.
- Capacity: 1.5 L
- Power: 800 W
- Why buy: This is a simple multicooker perfect for cooking smaller portions. The steam tray lets you easily steam vegetables or heat up leftovers from the night before as you cook rice below. You can also use it to conveniently cook your children’s food, or use it to cook a meal for one.
Cornell 1.5L Mini Multi Cooker with Steam Tray is available from $26.00 at Amazon.
Bear 2-in-1 Multi Cooker, $79
If you’re looking for a multicooker that lets you cook different things at the same time, this Bear 2-in-1 Multi Cooker is the perfect option for those who love to multi-task. It features two nonstick stainless steel areas to cook in, an inner pot on one side, and a grill plate on the other.
Simmer some soup in the pot, while you stir-fry some meat and vegetables on the grill, the possibilities are endless. You can also use it as a steamboat and barbeque for a party of up to six, making it a truly versatile appliance to have at home.
- Capacity: 3 L
- Power: 1600 W
- Why buy: It’s super versatile and can be used for everything from daily cooking (if you’re not keen to cook on your stove every day), to steamboat and barbeque parties. Due to the split pot and grill design, you can also cook different dishes at the same time - making it an efficient way to cook when needed.
Bear 2-in-1 Multi Cooker is available from $79 at Lazada.
Simplus Electric Cooker with Steamer, $37.80
Shaped exactly like a saucepan, this electric cooker by Simplus is one of the most popular multicooker thanks to its versatility and many functions. While it works as a mini steamboat pot for couples, you can easily stir-fry some Chinese noodles at the second level of its temperature control too.
As the pot is made with non-stick material and coated with ceramic glaze, washing will be a breeze.. However, you will need to be extra careful while washing and not let water enter the security power socket located at the end of the handle. For dim sum lovers, you'll be glad to know that it comes with a steamer basket.
- Capacity: 1.5 L
- Power: 630 W
- Why buy: Apart from cooking your maggie mee for supper, you are able able to experiment with fried food right from your dorm room.
Simplus Electric Cooker with Steamer is available from $37.80 on Shopee.
PowerPac Multicooker 2-in-1 Steamboat/BBQ Grill PPMC181, $39.90
How does having a steamboat party right from your dining room sounds to you? Beyond its steamboat and barbeque functions, this multicooker is also able to fry, roast, stew, and even bake with its special non-stick coating. Safety features like a cool touch handle and auto shut-off are great for beginner or careless cooks, too.
If you're petite or getting this for elderly parents, the lightweight and easy-to-handle design, and removable power cable makes for easy repositioning of the multicooker on the kitchen countertop. Washing is easy too: the stainless steel inner pot is removable, so you won't have risk wetting the power outlet with water.
- Capacity: 2 L
- Power: 900 W
- Why buy: You don’t even have to stow this steamboat pot away once you are done with the having your steamboat party, as it promises functions including making yoghurt, bread, and cakes.
PowerPac Multicooker 2-in-1 Steamboat/BBQ Grill PPMC181 is available from $39.90 on Lazada and Shopee.
Mayer Electric Pressure Cooker MMPC1650, $119.90
The most portable multi cooker on the list is this white, compact machine that somehow resembles a rice cooker. It's actually an electric pressure cooker by Mayer.
As with all pressure cookers, it works with the use of steamed pressure in an airtight pot where food can be cooked quickly. This electric pressure cooker by Mayer promises 70 per cent faster cooking compared to regular cooking methods. Range of dishes spans congee, rice, chicken, lamb, to beef.
For households with elderly or children, this cooker comes with eight safety measures. More importantly, you can customise and set the cooker's timer up to 24 hours. There's also an auto keep warm function for up to 24 hours too, so you can leave your food to cook overnight with ease.
- Capacity: 1.6 L
- Power: 500 W
- Why buy: It is essentially an upgrade from your regular rice cooker, so you might as well get this electric pressure cooker instead.
Mayer Electric Pressure Cooker MMPC1650 is available from $119.90 on Lazada.
Midea 2-in-1 Pressure Cooker + Air Fryer MF-CN65A2, $89
While the name suggests that it is just a 2-in-1 pressure cooker and air fryer by Midea, this all-rounded multi cooker actually has a total of 15 functions ranging from rice cooker, grill, bake, and even sous vide that food connoisseurs will love.
The best part about such a multi-functioned cooker is the ability to instantly switch from pressure cooking to air frying - all whilst keeping the moisture in. For larger families, the huge 6-litre pot may come in handy. And, if you love yourself some fried food, this multicooker comes with a "3D hot wing heating technology", as well as accelerated pressure cooking for some perfectly crispy crunch.
- Capacity: 6 L
- Power: 1500 W for air frying, 1000 W for pressure cooking
- Why buy: As an all-rounded kitchen appliance by Midea, you can be assured that you can get your money’s worth with the cooker’s multiple functions, as well as the reliability you get from the 12 years warranty for its compressor.
Midea 2-in-1 Pressure Cooker + Air Fryer MF-CN65A2 is available from $89 on Lazada.
JML Gourmet Chef 8-in-1 Multi-Cooker, $149.90
This gourmet chef multicooker by JML is a deep fryer, oven, steamer, pot, and pan - all in a single appliance. Featuring eight cooking functions, steam, boil, roast, fry, saute, deep fry, slow cook, bake, and even fondue, you can be sure to have fun with all the different recipes that you can experiment with.
The multi cooker comes with several accessories for faster, simultaneous cooking - a high and low steam rack, deep frying basket, removable non-stick PFOA-free cooking pot, glass lid.
- Capacity: 5 L
- Power: 1500 W
- Why buy: This JML 8-in-1 multicooker is a dream come true for aspiring gourmet chefs that enjoy hosting house parties, as you will be able to cook for up to 6 people with a 5 litre food capacity. You may even receive a free 7-in-1 smart cutter that will be useful for food preparation, limited sets only.
JML Gourmet Chef 8-in-1 Multi Cooker is available from $139.90 at Lazada.
Toyomi Multi-Function Cooker with High Heat Ceramic Pot RC 4081CP, $118
This Toyomi multi cooker looks pretty much like one of the nostalgic '90s rice cooker that your mom probably used. Instead of the regular stainless steel or non-stick removable cooking pot, this Toyomi multicooker comes with a high-heat ceramic pot - the trendier choice of material amongst experienced home chefs. If you have a fire stovetop, this ceramic pot also can be placed over direct fire on a traditional stovetop.
Enough raving about the ceramic pot. Anyway, this multicooker comes with 10 cooking functions such as braise, stew, and soup, and an automatic 24-hour keep warm function.
- Capacity: 4 L
- Power: 750 - 890 W
- Why buy: The ceramic pot makes cooking simple and healthy, as it uses less oil and its versatility, where the pot is transferrable from the stove to the cooker.
Toyomi Multi-Function Cooker with High-Heat Ceramic Pot RC 4081CP is available from $99 at Lazada.
Tefal Home Chef Smart Electric Pressure Cooker CY601, $117.90
Tefal's Home Chef series carries a range of "smart electric cookers". Now, while it's named "smart", this multi cooker does not actually come with mobile app connectivity.
However, you do get some "smart" functions such as delayed start which is great if you're looking to prepare your meals in advance. Another key function of this pressure cooker includes the fast cooking function which shaves up to 80 per cent of cooking time.
Some other unique cooking functions include sauce thickening - pretty useful in achieving that perfect texture in soups and sauces. Finally, this is a pressure cooker, meaning steam is trapped and used to hasten cooking. This Tefal multi cooker comes with a safe pressure-release button so you can get rid of the hot steam before opening the hinged lid.
- Capacity: 6 L
- Power: 1000 W
- Why buy: People with busy schedules can enjoy the delayed start function where you can perfectly time your cooking to save time while ensuring that food is warm and yummy when served.
Tefal Home Chef Smart Electric Pressure Cooker CY601 is available from $117.90 at Amazon.
Philips All-in-one Cooker Pressurised, $129
If you are still searching for the perfect multicooker to fit into your modern black kitchen, then this is it. This all-in-one Philips pressure cooker won an iF Design Award in 2022 for its sleek design.
Beyond design, this Philips pressure cooker comes with 35 cooking functions that you can select from its minimal touch panel. For newbie home cooks like myself, the in-built step-by-step guidance is really helpful. If you have a child, safety features in the likes of Tefal's 18 protection systems, child lock, as well automatic pressure release will come in handy.
- Capacity: 5 L
- Power: 1000 W
- Why buy: Its futuristic and polished design will look great in contemporary kitchens today, and this Philips multicooker will work even better with its user-centric design.
Philips All-in-one Pressure Cooker is available from $129 at Amazon.
InstantPot Duo Plus 9-in-1 Multi-Functional Smart Cooker, $310
Reportedly America’s bestselling multi cooker brand, the InstantPot Duo Plus multi cooker comes with 15 programmed cooking functions. However, all other cooking accessories, such as loaf pans, steamer baskets, yoghurt maker cups, have to be purchased.
InstantPot is a well-reviewed and highly raved brand internationally thanks to the brand's advanced microprocessor technology that monitors and fine-tunes the cooking's heat intensity and duration for you, ensuring perfectly cooked dishes every time.
- Capacity: 5.7 L
- Power: 1000 W
- Why buy: You can hear it from a great deal of InstantPot fans out there raving about the amazing things that their InstantPot can do for them.
InstantPot Duo Plus 9-in-1 Multi-Functional Smart Cooker is available from $310 at Instant Pot.
What are the benefits of a multicooker?
A multicooker is essentially a multifunctional kitchen appliance that has a variety of functions from boiling and steaming, to frying, roasting, pressure cooking, and yes, frying too!
A multicooker has got to be a minimalist’s dream, as it reduces the need to possess an excessive number of appliances for different cooking functions. Having an all-in-one multicooker is also most definitely beneficial for compact kitchens and kitchenettes, where space is limited and countertop space is precious.
How to choose a multicooker?
For the sake of safety, it is important to look out for a multicooker that has a separate power outlet base and a removable inner pot to wash conveniently. You will also need to look out for a good amount of capacity if you are cooking for a larger family size.
For pressure cookers, it is important to look for one that comes with a pressure release outlet, so as to avoid any mishap in the kitchen. If you are looking to do slow cooking or pressure cooking over a long duration, make sure that the multicooker has a timer function.
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