#multichef

In 1937 Japanese Imperial Army ordered device rapid preparation large amounts of rice for mobile car kitchens. Successfully developed device became the prototype of the modern rice cooker. It had a wooden box with two electrodes for heating water. But the first commercially successful model appeared on the market only in December 1956. It was developed by Japanese Toshiba Corporation and contained two working chambers placed one in the other. The outer circuit was intended for hot water, and the internal - for rice. Thermostat became its key feature, providing automatic shutdown after the end of the cooking cycle. Today, this device still remains one of the most popular. Of course, modern models use a large number of innovative technologies that together with technical valumes of model affect the price and choice of the optimal rice cooker. But the design has remained very simple and has not changed much in recent decades.

Main function

The timer, thermostat and standard cooking programs. These functions provide an automation of cooking process. Therefore, all modern models support programs for cooking porridge, stewing, baking and steaming. Calibration. Measuring cup, measuring spoon and dimensional lines on the wall of bowl greatly simplify dosage of ingredients according to the cooking recipe. Non-stick coating. The coating prevents food sticking to bowl walls and eliminates the need of periodic mixing during cooking. Some modern models use ceramic bowl. Steaming. A special basket provides steaming mode. The thermos function. This function provides maintaining the set temperature of finished dishes. The temperature range equals usually up to 65 degrees during 24 hours. This function uses data of a special sensor that controls the temperature of the finished dishes. Visual control. The transparent lid from fire resistant glass provides visual control of cooking process. Steam discharge. Models with the function of a pressure cooker provide smooth steam pressure decrease. Pressure gradually reduces after completion of the cooking program. This function increases operation safety and uses a steam valve. Warming up. The function periodically warms the finished dish to the preset temperature. In fact, it duplicates the thermos function. Porridge. This program provides cooking the Asian rice. Uniform heating. Tripartite placement of heaters on the bottom and in the walls or innovation system of induction heating provide a high degree of heating uniformity. Pressure cooker. Function provides accelerated cooking by high pressure. Consistency. This function is used for adjustment of the porridge consistency that varies from soft rice (as a filling for pies or pancakes) until crumbly rice for pilaf or salads.

Innovation functions

Function of fuzzy logic. The function automatically adjusts temperature and cooking time for optimization of cooking process. This option is implemented in expensive models of the upper price segment. Great Thermal Dancing Boil function (steaming at a temperature of 200 degrees). Function provides cooking rice on special technology using intensive convection. Technology increases the volume of cooked rice on 10% and amino acid content on 17%. Rice additionally acquires a slightly sweet taste and characteristic flavor. Diamond non-stick coating. This technology is a 6 -layer coating the bowl surface. The inner coating is applied with the help of diamond spraying. Outer covering uses gold. This coating additionally provides ideal thermal characteristics for very high degree of heating uniformity. Control via the smartphone. Control via smartphone was first implemented in the Panasonic SR-SX2 IH Jar Rice Cooker IH Series models in 2012. Function requires Android operating system and FeliCa application (contactless technology for IS - cards from SONY). The video at the end perfectly demonstrates the multifunctional Wi-Fi IH Rice Cooker from Xiaomi.

Delayed start

Of course, a set of preset automatic cooking programs significantly affects the cost, functionality and choice of the optimal multi-cooker. Typically, all programs work based data from sensors in the bottom and on the lid. Modern models differs by the number of basic programs and availability of custom programs. But, cooking time in these modes usually exceeds this value for conventional programs. As a rule, they are used to cooking the pilaf, porridges etc. They have the following features: - the possibility / impossibility of intervention in the work of automatic programs; - presence / absence of a manual mode (multi chef mode); - possibility / impossibility of changing the temperature and time during the cooking process; - step variations of temperature and time in different modes; - countdown time. Countdown starts at the moment of switching-on or after reaching a predetermined temperature. Of course, this feature of the model should be considered. Usually, modern models support a few dozens of popular cooking programs.

Groats (rice/buckwheat) and porridge (milk/crumbly/pilaf)

Groats mode provides cooking crumbly dishes from different cereals. Therefore, cooking in this mode continues until full evaporating the liquid. Typically, device uses the maximum power. Usually, cooking time for any groats does not exceed 35 minutes. Porridge (milk/crumbly/pilaf) mode also continues until full evaporating the water. Unfortunately, not all models support milk porridge program. It operates at a temperature of about 90 degrees. But cooking time lasts about 1 hour. The flakes are divorced by milk and are heated in the appropriate mode. Pilaf mode in the ending the cooking sharply increases temperature, drys and roasts the cooked rice.

Stewing, steam cooking, baking, cooking soup/broth/compote and frying

Usually, universal stewing mode provides cooking soups, meat, fish and vegetables. As a rule, it has long cooking time at a relatively low temperature. As known, steam cooking provides the cooking without fat with maximum preservation of nutrients. Typically, models with this mode have the grilles and container for water.

Of course, baking provides cooking at high temperature with the lid closed. Cooking soup/broth/compote uses predetermined temperature. Frying mode uses the set temperature. This value is kept constant during cooking and reaches of 180 degrees.

Auto warming up, keeping temperature, Multi chef mode

Auto warming up program provides defrost and warming up food. Usually, device uses a temperature from 30 to 60 degrees. As a rule, power consumption does not exceed 20 W. But some models envisage switching off this mode that is convenient in case when recipe envisages a natural cooling. Moreover, this mode can used for cooking yogurt. But this option is only available in models that provide the temperature of 40 degrees during at least 8 hours. Unfortunately, a higher temperature kills the strain of useful bacteria. Typically, program of keeping temperature operates at a minimum temperature. In fact, device merely compensates the heat leakage. Multi chef mode changes the values of time and temperature during cooking process. But some models support the formation of programs from the fragments with different values of temperature and duration. As a rule, this function provides programming the complex dishes.

Cooking yoghurt, pasteurisation and deep fryer

Cooking yoghurt keeps a constant temperature (not more than 40 ° C) for a long time (up to 8 hours or more). Pasteurization increases the shelf life of perishable foods. Pasteurization use a temperature of 60-80 ° C. Duration of this program depends on the foods weight. Deep fryer mode operates with the lid open and with the maximum temperature.

In fact, Tefal offers devices in all segments of kitchen appliances, including multi cookers. Today company offers an improved version of its popular CY7011JP model. Tefal Cook4Me Connect supports a wireless control function with the help of Wi-Fi connection. Of course, this model will decorate the interior of any kitchen. Cook4me has a stylish design in a futuristic style and is available in three colors.

Moreover, this multi cooker even has a prestigious award in the field of industrial design. Additionally, its extended functionality differents from traditional models. For example, model uses Turn & click control system with interactive LCD screen and wireless support.

Of course, LCD screen displayes all user information. But the technical values of the Moulinex Cook4Me also correspond to a very high level. For example, this model has two cooking modes. The first mode provides a pressure of 40 kPa and a cooking temperature of 109 degrees, and the second mode uses 70 kPa and 115 degrees, respectively. It provides rapid cooking under high pressure, i.e. pressure cooker mode.

Cooking modes

Tefal Cook4Me supports Multi chef mode, remembers new cooking recipes and stores their in the libraryre. Of course, thes options significantly simplify the automation of cooking process. The model power reaches 1200 W. Inner pot has capacity of 6,3 qt or 6 liters. Auto warming-up lasts up to 1.5 hours. The timer provides a delayed start up to 24 hours. Only two buttons provide control. Model uses Cook4me app. Selection in the menu uses rotary-push button. Of course, the return button is very convenient for correcting erroneous commands. Unfortunately, control with a single button requires the skill of using this service. However, some users criticize the step-by-step navigation on the actions due to the lack of preliminary information about the recipe, except for its ingredients. The intuitive menu contains four options.

Of course, the cooking process using preset programs is the simplest and requires only the corresponding ingredients.

Testing

Cooking the chocolate cake has demonstrated several features. First, the model prepares this dish with an open lid that causes psychological tension for some users. Secondly, the preset time was not enough. But increasing the cooking time by 7 minutes has solved this problem. On the other hand, the optimal duration of cooking is individual and depends on personal taste. The recipe for making frozen mushrooms with fresh cheese requires 10 minutes for warming up and 4 minutes for cooking. Unfortunately, the finished dish turned out to be too insipid. But, most automatic cooking programs have this problem, because their developers usually take into account the average taste preferences and leave the possibility for individual experimentation. Testing the cooking mode under high pressure has demonstrated an excellent result. For example, beef bourguignon was cooked after its pre-roasting with onions for 10 minutes. Cooked dish was soft and juicy, and sauce had balanced taste. Ingredients option provides heat treatment of individual products and is carried out on the basis of commands from Moulinex. Unfortunately, most of the preset recipes are focused on diet food and offer mostly steamed. Unfortunately, most preset recipes offer diet food with the help of steaming. The cooking the steamed meat lasts only 17 minutes. But, in the opinion of the tasters, this was not enough. However, the additional 10 minutes has solved this problem. Care of the model is traditional and does not require much effort. The metal lid is washed in the dishwasher. Cleaning from foreign odors is effectively carried out with the help of water and lemon. Of course, a container for collecting condensate requires control the filling level.

Main advantages and disadvantages