Sarah stared at her kitchen counter, feeling defeated. The air fryer sat there smugly next to the slow cooker, which crowded against the toaster oven, which barely fit beside the rice cooker. Her small apartment kitchen looked like an appliance graveyard. “There has to be a better way,” she muttered, scrolling through her phone for the third time that week, looking at yet another gadget promising to solve all her cooking problems.
That’s when she stumbled across something different. Not another single-purpose machine, but a sleek countertop device that claimed to do nine different cooking methods in one compact unit. Her skeptical mind kicked in immediately – she’d been burned by kitchen promises before. But the reviews kept mentioning the same thing: people were actually getting rid of their other appliances.
Three weeks later, Sarah’s counter was nearly empty except for one brushed steel box. And for the first time in years, she actually enjoyed cooking again.
Why this new kitchen gadget is making air fryers obsolete
The air fryer revolution felt unstoppable just two years ago. Everyone seemed to own one, and social media was flooded with crispy potato photos and “guilt-free” fried chicken videos. But here’s what nobody talks about: most air fryers ended up being expensive basket warmers.
The problem wasn’t the technology – hot air circulation works brilliantly for creating crispy textures without oil. The issue was limitation. You could fry, and that was pretty much it. Want to steam vegetables? Different appliance. Slow cook a stew? Another machine. Bake bread? Back to the oven.
This new generation of multicooker appliances takes that same air frying technology and builds an entire cooking ecosystem around it. Instead of one heating element blowing hot air in a circle, these devices use multiple heating zones, steam injection systems, and smart temperature controls.
“We’re seeing customers replace three to four countertop appliances with one unit,” says Michael Rodriguez, a kitchen equipment specialist at Williams Sonoma. “The space savings alone makes it worth considering, but the cooking versatility is what keeps people happy long-term.”
Breaking down the 9 cooking methods that matter
Let’s cut through the marketing and look at what these new kitchen gadgets actually do well. Not all nine functions are created equal, and some matter more than others for everyday cooking.
| Cooking Method | What It Does | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Air Fry | Circulates hot air at high speed | Crispy vegetables, reheating pizza |
| Bake | Even heat distribution | Cookies, small cakes, bread rolls |
| Roast | High heat with air circulation | Chicken, root vegetables |
| Steam | Water vapor cooking | Fish, dumplings, rice |
| Slow Cook | Low temperature over hours | Stews, pulled pork, beans |
| Grill | Direct high heat from above | Steaks, peppers, cheese melts |
| Sauté | Medium heat with stirring capability | Onions, garlic, quick vegetables |
| Dehydrate | Low heat with air circulation | Fruit leather, jerky, herb drying |
| Reheat | Gentle warming without drying | Leftovers, takeout food |
The standout features are steam and slow cook functions. These transform the device from a glorified fryer into something that can handle complete meals. The steam function works particularly well for Asian cuisine – dumplings come out perfectly without a separate steamer basket.
Here’s what users are saying works best:
- Roasting whole chickens in 35 minutes instead of oven’s 60 minutes
- Steaming vegetables while air frying protein in the same cycle
- Slow cooking stews overnight without babysitting a separate pot
- Dehydrating homemade dog treats or fruit snacks
- Reheating leftover pizza that actually tastes fresh
“The game-changer for me was realizing I could steam rice while air frying chicken at the same time,” explains Jennifer Chen, a food blogger who tested five different models. “Two cooking methods happening simultaneously in one machine – that’s when I knew my old appliances were done.”
Who should ditch their air fryer and why
Not everyone needs to upgrade immediately. If you’re happy with your current air fryer and rarely cook beyond basic frying, stick with what works. But certain situations make this new kitchen gadget almost essential.
Small kitchen owners are the obvious beneficiaries. When counter space costs premium rent prices, one machine doing nine jobs makes financial sense. College students, apartment dwellers, and anyone in a studio setup can finally cook real meals without turning their kitchen into appliance tetris.
Busy families are finding these devices particularly useful for meal prep. The ability to slow cook during the day, then quickly air fry sides when everyone gets home, eliminates the “what’s for dinner” panic. Several models include preset programs that automatically switch between cooking methods – start with slow cooking, finish with a quick sear or crisp.
The health-conscious crowd is also making the switch. While air fryers reduced oil usage for fried foods, these multicookers expand healthy cooking options significantly. Steam cooking preserves nutrients better than boiling. Slow cooking breaks down tough proteins without added fats. The dehydrate function lets you control exactly what goes into dried snacks.
“My patients are telling me they’re cooking more varied meals at home since getting these devices,” notes Dr. Amanda Torres, a nutritionist in Portland. “When healthy cooking feels easier, people actually do it more often.”
Price-wise, expect to pay $150-400 for quality models. That sounds steep compared to a $50 basic air fryer, but consider the replacement cost of multiple appliances. A decent slow cooker, toaster oven, steamer, and air fryer would easily cost more than $300 combined.
Early adopters are reporting some learning curve challenges. The control panels look complex initially, and figuring out optimal cooking times for combination methods takes experimentation. But most say the investment pays off within the first month once you establish cooking routines.
The biggest surprise? Many people discover cooking methods they’d never tried before. The easy access to steaming and dehydrating opens up new cuisine possibilities that seemed too complicated with separate equipment.
Is this the end of the air fryer era? Maybe not completely – simple, dedicated air fryers will probably stick around for people who truly only want to fry things. But for anyone looking to expand their cooking capabilities while saving space, this new generation of multicookers represents a genuine step forward.
Sometimes the best kitchen upgrade isn’t adding another gadget – it’s replacing five gadgets with one smarter one.
FAQs
Do these multicookers really work as well as dedicated appliances?
For most functions, yes. The air frying and steaming work particularly well, while slow cooking and baking are nearly identical to standalone units.
How much counter space do I actually save?
Most units are about the size of a large toaster oven but can replace 3-5 separate appliances, typically saving 60-70% of counter space.
Are they harder to clean than regular air fryers?
Not really. Most parts are dishwasher-safe, and the non-stick surfaces clean easily with soap and water.
Can I cook multiple things at once?
Yes, many models have divided cooking chambers or racks that let you steam vegetables while air frying protein simultaneously.
What’s the biggest learning curve?
Understanding timing for combination cooking methods takes practice, but most people get comfortable within 2-3 weeks of regular use.
Do they use more electricity than separate appliances?
Actually less in most cases, since you’re using one heating system instead of multiple appliances running at different times.
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