Multicooker or convection oven - what to choose for the hostess. Multicooker and aerogrill: distinctive features, advantages and disadvantages, selection rules What is the difference between aerogrill and multicooker

If you take the instructions for such a device on English language, then we will never find the word “air grill” in it - it was invented by very good Russian marketers. It is spectacular, beautiful and conveys the essence (after all, the device cooks with the help of high heating of the heating element and blowing - forced convection). What definition will we find in the English instructions? But what: convection oven - convection oven, convection oven. That's the whole answer: an air grill is a convection oven, only tabletop and transparent. In general, "Jackson turned out to be a woman." The compactness of air grills (they say, instead of large equipment can be bought) is greatly exaggerated: the device, despite the small volume of the flask (10-12 l, with an expansion ring a third more), still takes up a lot of space - especially with an open lid (55-65 cm in height), because most models have it not removable, but reclining. But it consumes less energy than an oven, and does not require a special outlet and special connection - this is its plus. AT simple models with mechanical control, you can adjust the temperature and the level of airflow; in more advanced ones, you can find auto modes and auto programs for cooking the most different dishes. It must be said that modern ovens(especially built-in ones) are much more convenient to place in the kitchen than convection ovens.

Air grill complete set

Airfryer Advantages

An aerogrill bakes better than a slow cooker: it is guaranteed to make a crust (baking in a slow cooker is wet). But it can also dry out the dish - you need to adapt to the modes. In addition, in an air grill you can bake on several levels and not just one cake, but pies or cookies.

The air grill quickly cooks (bakes with a crust) steaks, meatballs, fish, while vegetables can be placed on the lower grill and they will be watered with juice and fat released from meat or fish, or you can let the fat drain to the bottom of the bowl - in a slow cooker how much fat will be in product, so much you will eat it.

Benefits of a multicooker

The first is versatility. The slow cooker cooks, steams, simmers, bakes, bakes, prepares yogurt, pasteurizes, sterilizes, stands the dough, and some of them can smoke, fry in a pan (with a lifting heating element), knead the dough (with a bread machine bowl). The air grill can bake and bake, it is better suited for juicy steaks with a crust, yeast, puff, shortbread and choux pastry. For biscuit - a slow cooker is better, for cottage cheese casseroles and omelettes - too.

A slow cooker will cook soup and bake meat

There are pictures on the Internet showing that you can stew and cook in an air grill - in pots. It is possible, but few pots fit - more will fit into a conventional oven and you will not be limited by the shape and size of the dishes. In addition, bottles and jars can be sterilized in the air grill by pouring water into them.

A multi-cooker-pressure cooker can cook under pressure and reduce the cooking time of meat, tongue, beets, chickpeas, some cereals by several times - everything that is cooked for a long time. Well, what is cooked so quickly can be cooked under pressure in 10-15 minutes (in fact, it can take 5, but the multicooker must gain temperature and pressure, from this point of view, the fastest multicookers are induction, but they are not cheap ).

Fitness grill - the advantages of a slow cooker and air grill?

No, it's not. A fitness grill is an air grill with a steam generation function (steam comes from above, through a special valve in the lid, there is also a small water tank). The device works in the mode of convection, steam and combined: convection + steam. In this model, you can steam cook or bake with steam, which prevents overdrying of food. Despite the fact that the device is positioned as replacing the slow cooker and air grill, this is, of course, an exaggeration, because you can only cook and stew in it in pots, pressure cooking is impossible, in general - everything is the same. If you have an oven or microwave with steam, you don’t need such a device, and you can put a bowl of water in a regular oven and thus prevent overdrying.

Fitness grill: convection oven with steam

Multicooker and air grill 2 in 1: this also happens

An interesting solution for those who find it difficult to choose between a slow cooker and an air grill was proposed by Redmond. The Redmond 240 universal air grill is included in the kit for multifunctional multi-cookers with a lifting heating element, which this manufacturer calls multi-kitchens: these are the RMK-4523 and RMK-232 models. The air grill in this case is a lid with a built-in heating element, a fan (to create forced convection) and a control panel. It can be used with any heat-resistant cookware that is compatible with it in diameter. Multicooker bowls are just compatible, they simply install a food grate - and you can cook like in a real oven. The complete set of multi-kitchens is different - to each according to his needs, but the idea itself is interesting. Both multikitchens can be remotely controlled from mobile device through the app. There is also a minus: the volume of such an air grill is limited by the volume of the multicooker bowl, ordinary air grills are several times more capacious.

It's almost the same. But in practice, these are two completely different devices, each with its own strengths. In order not to be mistaken and buy something that you will really use, let's take a look “by the bones” how multicookers differ from convection ovens. And, of course, we will conclude what to choose - a slow cooker or a convection oven.

Multicooker - what is it

In simple terms, this is a smart pot + oven or an advanced rice cooker that has received a number of additional features.

What a slow cooker can do: cook, fry, including deep-frying, stew, simmer, steam, bake and reheat. In addition, in this advanced saucepan there are functions for preparing yoghurts, jams, soups and borscht, jelly, dough, pizza and much more.

The multicooker consists of:

• a plastic or metal case, at the bottom of which a heating element is located, and on the outside on the side - a display and control buttons,
• removable bowl with non-stick coating,
• and lids with a hole for letting off steam.

Thanks to this device, the temperature, humidity and pressure levels that are optimal for cooking are maintained inside.

Multicookers can have from 5 to 70 cooking modes, but most often there are 10-20 of them. Fully automatic, such as "rice", do not require any additional movements. And for semi-automatic, for example, "baking", you need to manually set the time.

Some of the programs consist of several stages in which you need to mix the products or add an ingredient. In this case, the multicooker informs the hostess about this sound signal. And the “multi-cook” mode allows you to program your own recipe for a dish.

A slow cooker that can cook a lot of dishes promises to replace a pressure cooker, a double boiler, an oven, a deep fryer, a frying pan, a yogurt maker, and even an air grill. But the main strong point of the device is still crumbly cereals, delicious pilaf and stewed dishes of vegetables and meat. But baking is her weak point.

Benefits of a multicooker

1. A variety of dishes that are easy to make with a slow cooker. With it, you can easily add new recipes to your menu. For the same reason, the device is ideal for summer cottages or housing that does not yet have kitchen appliances.

2. Even for those who do not know how to cook, in a slow cooker the dish will turn out tasty and balanced. According to a given program, she herself will set the desired temperature, reduce or increase it when necessary, and turn off in time.

3. What a multicooker is good for is cooking at a given time. We poured cereal in the evening, set a timer, and in the morning you get a ready-made breakfast. Or they laid food in the morning - after work, come for hot soup.

4. If there is a pressure cooker mode, it will take less time for familiar dishes than if you use ordinary stove. With a slow cooker, it is easier to organize a table for suddenly arriving guests.

5. Milk porridge will not run away and the soup will not boil away, as the lid closes tightly and some models have a moisture trap.

6. Thanks to the non-stick coating, food will not stick to the bowl, so it is easy to clean.

7. Can be cooked without adding oil or fat, which is ideal for dieters or those seeking a healthy diet.

8. When the dish is ready, the multicooker does not turn off completely, but slightly heats the dish so that it does not cool down. It is very convenient if relatives are late for dinner.

9. Advanced multicookers are controlled via an application from a smartphone.

What is an aerogrill

If a slow cooker is a smart pan, then an air grill is a convection oven.

What an air grill can do: fry meat, bake and smoke fish, bake flour, cook first, make roast in a pot, dry, roast seeds, and sterilize containers for conservation.

All the culinary magic in a convection oven happens in two main zones.

• Glass bowl mounted on a stand. A high or low metal grate is placed in it, and the product is laid out on them. You can also place heat-resistant dishes with the ingredients of the dish in the convection oven.
• Cover, on top of which is the control panel, and inside - a heating element and fan. Duychik directs hot streams into the glass chamber and they circulate around the product - this is how food is cooked in an air grill.

A special type of convection oven is the flaskless lid. Such a universal air grill can be put on heat-resistant dishes of a suitable diameter or a slow cooker with a removable lid.

more expensive and functional models have touch controls. The main mass of air grills is controlled mechanically - by rotary switches. Usually there are two of them: a thermostat and a timer. Also select low, medium or high speed blowing.

Although there is a lot to cook in this unusual oven, the convection oven does best with meat and fish. Cutlets, meatballs, grilled chicken, steaks, kebabs, whole and portioned fish, as well as side dishes of baked vegetables, that is, the grill menu - these are its trump cards. Cheesecakes and casseroles, as in the case of a slow cooker, without getting used to it, are best left for the oven.

What is good aerogrill

1. The oven offers a wide range of culinary delights. Thanks to the device, you can pamper yourself with barbecue and all kinds of grills, regardless of the weather, the presence of a barbecue and firewood.

2. Convection saves useful material in products. This method of cooking makes the dishes fried on the outside, but soft and juicy in the middle.

3. The air grill helps in preparations for the winter: you can do without a dryer with it and it is easier to prepare jars for twists.

4. You can cook immediately in the dishes in which you are going to serve: for example, in heat-resistant pots. In addition to heat resistance, there are no requirements for it - use ceramics, metal and glass.

5. The volume of many convection ovens can be increased using special expansion rings. This is useful when you need to bake a whole bird.

6. Due to the spaciousness, several levels of grates and the ability to put dishes, you can cook several dishes at the same time. Meat and garnish perfectly get along in the air grill.

7. No oil or fat needed - foods will cook just fine without them. This is a big plus for health care.

8. If you cook meat on the grates that come with the kit, it will turn out to be even more dietary, since even its own fat will drain to the bottom. At the same time, the taste will not suffer: in the grill, the dishes are even tastier than in other kitchen appliances.

9. Some convection ovens have a self-cleaning function: just pour into the flask warm water with detergent and wait until the device cleans itself.

Multicooker and air grill 2 in 1

In a conventional multicooker, the heating element is located at the bottom of the body. But there are models equipped with an additional heating element and a fan in the lid - multicookers with an aerogrill function.

A little life hack: you can assemble a 2 in 1 device with your own hands. As already mentioned, a compatible universal grill can be purchased with a multicooker with a removable lid.

If you have used electric oven, then you know that when there is heating from both below and from above, baking is good. Therefore, a multicooker with an aerogrill function does a better job with pies and casseroles than these two devices separately. Yes, and other dishes are obtained in a special way.

Please note: advanced pans come with heating elements on three sides: bottom, top and side. You can recognize a multicooker with such a triple system of heating elements in the description by the inscription "3D heating". This is not a slow cooker with an air grill, as there is no convection, but it’s also a good option.

Differences between a multicooker and an air grill

Price comparison

How much a multicooker costs depends on the set of functions and programs. The price of this smart pan ranges from 600 to 6600 hryvnia.

• The cheapest model - for 619 hryvnia - is equipped with a 3-liter bowl, has a power of 500 W and a set of 14 programs, including a double boiler, pasta, deep frying and dessert.
• The golden mean is models costing 1000-2000 hryvnias: for example, for 1399 hryvnias, DEX DMC 70 for 1749 hryvnias or REDMOND RMC-02 for 2031 hryvnias.
• A multicooker with an aerogrill function will cost 5999 hryvnias. For this money, they offer a circular heating system, convection, a stirring function, 5 liters, 1400 W and 7 basic modes. An air fryer or a multi-oven like the Gorenje AF 1500 B will cost half as much.
• The most expensive multicooker - for 6091 hryvnia - induction multicooker with 3D heating, has a volume of 4 liters, a power of 1250 W and 24 automatic programs.

Now about how much it costs good air grill. The cheapest are universal air grills, that is, lids without a flask: - 1199 hryvnia, Redmond RAG-240 - 1200 hryvnia. The device in a flask will result in an amount of up to 1500-2000 hryvnia.

For more functional sensory grills or air fryers, you will have to cook 3000-4000 hryvnia. But there is probably no point in spending more than 2,000 hryvnias on this item.

Where a multicooker is found at such prices, and where to buy an air grill, you can follow the links to these products.

So what to choose: a slow cooker or an air grill?

A slow cooker is an option if you like boiled and stewed foods. This technique will save those who do not really know how to cook or do not have time to do it. It is also useful for mothers who often have to cook cereals and soups.

Aerogrill is suitable if you are a fan of fried and baked meat, fish, vegetables. The device will not gather dust on the shelf of a family who regularly gathers friends for a barbecue.

The 2 in 1 slow cooker and convection oven can be recommended to those who want the most versatile oven possible to cook everything. In particular, who does not have an oven, but who would like to bake muffins and pies.

Whatever you choose, you will stay in the black, as the devices cook tasty and healthy.

To better visualize the difference, look at how chicken drumsticks are obtained in a slow cooker, and how in an air grill:

Hello Tatiana! An air grill or a slow cooker can really help you cope with household chores, which have become much more with the advent of the baby. By the way, congratulations on this event!

If it is important for you not to participate in the preparation of breakfasts, lunches and dinners, then you will not find the best assistants. Both the convection oven and the slow cooker will be able to safely prepare many dishes without requiring your presence in the kitchen. But they will not be able to completely replace each other, because these devices are prepared in different ways. And therefore, it is impossible to say which of them is better without knowing your culinary preferences. Let's try to explain their main differences.

The difference between an air fryer and a slow cooker

The main difference between these two devices is how they work. A slow cooker is a kind of pot with a lid, inside of which is removable bowl and one or more heating elements. Products are heated from below (in some models from below and on the sides) using a conventional spiral under the bowl, which is regulated by a thermostat. It looks like you are cooking on the stove, only your participation is not required. In this case, you can cook only one thing.

Aerogrill is a glass flask also with a lid, but the heating element is located on top (in the lid). You can choose cheap models with a halogen lamp as a heater, but it is better to stay on an expensive device with a metal heating element. There is also a fan in the device, with the help of which the products in the flask are blown with hot air. It is best to compare an air grill with a convection oven, which, again, does not require your presence, but allows you to cook several dishes at once.

And what can they do?

When deciding which is better: an air grill or a slow cooker, it is worth understanding their main functions. For clarity, we have compiled a table for you:

Of course between different models can be fundamental differences, however, in general, a slow cooker is more suitable for cooking and stewing, and an air grill is better to choose for frying and baking. If your diet has more cereals, soups and steamed dishes, stop at the first option. If your day does not pass without fried cutlets, chicken or ruddy pies, give preference to the second.

Important: for small child it is better to choose a slow cooker, since it is easier to cook light and healthy meals. On the other hand, many men cannot live without fried meat and therefore prefer air grill.

Ideally, it is desirable to have both appliances in the kitchen, but will they fit and will it be easy to care for them? Let's figure it out.

Dimensions, care and equipment

The dimensions of the air grill and multicooker are approximately the same, only the first one weighs a little more and due to glass flask inconvenient for transportation. Of course, you can carry it with you in a box, but with a slow cooker, this is much less of a hassle. Therefore, it is better to choose it for vacation trips, if you cook there yourself.

The slow cooker is easier to clean: firstly, the non-stick bowl is easier to wash, and secondly, the cooking process itself does not provide for burning. After frying in an air grill, traces of fat may remain on the grill or baking sheet, which are difficult to get rid of. Since it is important for you to make household chores easier, the multicooker will be an ideal assistant.

If you still prefer an air grill, for easier maintenance, it is better to choose a model with a removable lid.

The slow cooker comes with just one or two bowls, a stand for steaming and a special spoon. It is impossible to cook in other dishes, and the bowl itself must be handled with care. Aerogrill boasts where large quantity accessories: bars different heights, baking sheets, skewers, chicken rack, mesh steaming tray and more necessary devices. In addition, you can use ordinary dishes in it.

Summarize. The slow cooker is suitable for dietary, healthy meals (ideal for milk porridge), it is easier to maintain and easier to transport. Air grill gives more opportunities for creativity, prepares delicious food with a delicious crust and allows you to cook several dishes at once. We think you have already decided which of these two appliances is more suitable for your family. Happy shopping!

If advertising is to be believed, kitchen appliances how a slow cooker and air grill can create real culinary wonders. They perform such culinary processes as frying, stewing, smoking, drying, simmering and baking, steaming - well, just like real chefs. Yes, advertising does its job perfectly well, and many housewives begin to wonder - which is better or a slow cooker?

How to decide whether an air grill or a slow cooker, what will be the most useful, what functions they differ in, what “kitchen miracle” to buy and is it worth it at all? But before deciding which is better than an air grill or a slow cooker, you need to understand what an air grill is and what a slow cooker is.

air grill

- This is a modernized and slightly reduced in size convection oven. The device of this device is as follows: glass case round shape mounted on a plastic stand, a cover is installed on top, in which a heating element and a fan are installed to circulate heated air.

There are aerogrills, so to speak, increasing in size. This happens with the help of metal rings that come with the device, which are put on top of a glass container. The number of installed removable rings will depend on your desire and their number in the air grill kit. Thus, the volume of the device can be increased by several liters. But only models with a removable cover have this ability.

The volume of some can really impress - the capacity of the bowl is in the range of eight to twenty liters, depending on the model of the device. But in addition to such "kitchen monsters", models of more compact sizes are also produced, the volume of which does not exceed five liters.

Care and maintenance of these devices, unfortunately, will not please you. Large air grills are quite problematic to wash, and using a dishwasher can be difficult. Certain models of devices, of course, are equipped with such an addition as self-cleaning, but this function often does not cope with its “duties”.

Multicooker

This is, so to speak, a pan with “brains”, here they are electronic, of course, and make it possible to program the cooking mode. This kitchen device is a container, inner surface which is coated with a non-stick coating. It is equipped with a sealed lid, as well as an element that produces direct heating. This appliance is powered by electricity, and makes it possible to automate the preparation of food as much as possible. The multicooker has such a convenient addition as a timer.

The usual model of a multicooker has a weight in the region of three to four kilograms, but the choice of the volume of this device is small. On sale there are models of two and a half liters in volume or four and a half liters. The multicooker could deservedly become one of the winners in the competition for the most mobile and compact device, if not for one, but a significant minus - most design solutions This appliance does not include a carrying handle.

But at its core, it is quite compact, which removes all the problems when washing it, Dishwasher copes with the cleaning of this device without problems, and it is perfectly laundered by hands.

The principles of cooking in these appliances

The difference between an air grill and a slow cooker is that it cooks with hot air. A fan and a heating element work simultaneously in it, this contributes to the formation of hot vortex flows. Hot air can be circulated continuously and can be supplied depending on the programmed operating mode.

What is the difference between a multicooker and an airfryer? The multicooker has a different principle of operation: the thermal effect on the products occurs during prolonged languishing at low temperatures. Installed Mode cooking changes the steam pressure, thereby changing the way food is cooked.

Characteristics of the air grill

The advantages of airfryer should be written down:

• The air grill allows you to use any dishes, often the device is supplemented with various devices (lattices, nozzles, rings that increase volume);
• Aerogrills large volumes will be indispensable in cooking a large number food;
• The result of his work is always food without excess fat and tasty enough
• The set timer will complete the cooking process, even if you forget about it.

The negative sides are: high power consumption; the device is difficult to clean; it is difficult to place it in the kitchen small size; rather inconvenient for transportation. Separate disadvantages can be compensated for by additional functions, as well as completely absent from small devices.

Characteristics of the multicooker

The advantages of this device include:

• The ability to program the entire cooking process;
• The device is quite light and easy to use;
• Safety of using the device due to the built-in moisture collector and the ability to regulate steam;
• Slight heat treatment contributes to the preservation of all useful substances, trace elements and vitamins in the products during the cooking process;
• No fat or oil is needed to cook food;
• The multicooker is quite compact, it is convenient to store and wash it.

The disadvantages of the multicooker include comparative slowness in cooking, cooked food will never have a crispy crust, and this device must be treated with care.

Multicooker or air grill which is better, in favor of which device to choose? After comparing the characteristics of both products, we can conclude that it is simply impossible to choose between a multicooker and an air grill, since they are different devices and, accordingly, they have a different set of functions. Each buyer determines for himself what to choose, based on his preferences for cooking methods. For those looking for a replacement for the oven, an air grill is suitable, and for those who prefer to cook or stew food, a slow cooker is more suitable.

The main difference between a multicooker and an air grill is the device and the principle of operation of the devices. The heating element of the convection oven is located in the lid, the heated air is distributed by means of a fan. The operation of the device is based on the principle of convection: the air grill heats the products from all sides, which has a positive effect on their palatability and much less cooking time. The multicooker has a thermal element located at the bottom, so the cooking method is close to traditional version(on the stove).

These devices cannot be considered interchangeable, they are rather complementary, as they are focused on solving various culinary tasks. The main functions of the multicooker are: stewing, steaming, cooking cereals, baking, cooking yogurt, auto-heating. The main functions of the air grill: frying, stewing, grilling, barbecue, baking, baking without oil, cooking without water or steam, heating dishes. The device can be used to sterilize jars.

A multicooker is something between a conventional and microwave oven, convection grill is a grill, barbecue, microwave in one device.

There are other differences as well. First, it is the size: the multicooker is more compact, it takes up much less space. Secondly, functionality: the convection oven is more suitable for people who prefer partly “junk” food: barbecue, barbecue, fried, smoked, dried meat, french fries. Multicooker cooks healthy cereals, soups, stews, baked dishes, yoghurts, pastries. The third difference is service. The multicooker is more practical, it is much easier to maintain it. The air grill has large dimensions, and more time is spent on washing it. The fourth difference is the price. A slow cooker costs less than an air grill and is more affordable for people with average incomes.

The multicooker has the following advantages: full automation of the process, maximum ease and safety of use. Thanks to weak heat treatment, useful substances remain in food. No fat or oil is required for cooking. Disadvantages of the multicooker: duration heat treatment products, the food does not have a crispy crust. The device must be handled very carefully.

The slow cooker is ideal for preparing soups, cereals, pastries and other time-consuming dishes. Aerogrill is designed for baking, frying meat and fish, drying and smoking.

Advantages of air grill: the device provides for the use of any dishes. There are models for cooking large quantities of food. The result is delicious, mouth-watering dishes. Disadvantages of the air grill: increased energy consumption, difficulty in maintenance, not suitable for small kitchens, inconvenient to transport. Thus, for those who are looking for an alternative to the oven, it is recommended to purchase an air grill. lovers healthy food would be better