Why do I love my Cuisinart Multi-Cooker? The ability to brown, nonstick finish and other great features. Let me tell you more!
I am a BIG fan of the slow cooker. There is nothing easier than preparing a meal in the morning, let it cook all day and then come home to a nice, hot meal all ready to go.
The one thing that I didn’t like about my slow cookers over the year is that if there was a food that I needed to brown before cooking it meant I had to start with another pan first and then transfer to the slow cooker.
Well, that is no longer an issue because I now have the Cuisinart 3-In-1 Cook Central Multi-Cooker. While this unit can cook just like a traditional slow cooker, it also offers the options to brown and to steam.
This browning feature is SO awesome! By starting the cooking process with the Brown/Sauté feature, you can first brown your meat right in the cooker without using another pan.
I recently used this feature to make crockpot meatballs and it worked like a charm! I have made meatballs in a traditional slow cooker in the past, but they don’t get that nice brown outside.
With the Cuisinart 3-In-1 Cook Central Multi-Cooker I just formed my meatballs, turned the Multi-Cooker to brown/sauté for a short sauté to give them some color, and then covered the pot and switched to slow cook to leaf them cook through. Near the end I also added a brown sugar/ketchup glaze to the tops, which turned out perfectly.
Another thing I really love is the nonstick quality of the inner pot. It is much easier to clean than any other slow cooker I have ever owned.
From the Manufacturer:
The Cuisinart® 4-Quart Cook Central® is a compact and convenient way for families to prepare everyday meals. It simplifies cooking by letting home chefs brown ingredients right in the unit before slow cooking. Preset function buttons and time and temperature controls offer Brown/Sauté, Slow Cook, and Steam options, making the unit perfect for a wide range of dishes, including sautéed or steamed vegetables, chili, macaroni and cheese, and even oatmeal. A 24-hour timer and automatic Keep Warm function ensure that a hot meal is waiting for the family whenever they’re ready to eat!
After my Cuisinart 3-In-1 Cook Central Multi-Cooker review, I can say that I’m a big fan. No longer do I need to dirty multiple pots – everything can be cooked right in the one unit – I love that!
I can’t wait to experiment more with casseroles, stews and other dishes where browning before the slow cooking will yield better final results. And I haven’t even tried that steam feature yet. That is definitely on the must-try list.
Samantha Angell says
I LOVE my slow cooker like you…only wish I had a browning feature! I’ve just got low, medium and high on mine.
Robin Rue (@massholemommy) says
I would use that all the time. What a great slow cooker. Plus it sounds like it would save tons of time in the kitchen.
Fi Ní Neachtáin says
I must admit I’ve never owned a slow cooker before but this one looks and sounds fantastic! I love the look of the meatballs you cooked with it – simply delicious!
Mama to 5 BLessings says
This sounds great, I love slow cookers – I need this today to make my homemade potato soup!
CourtneyLynne says
This looks like a pretty fabulous slow cooker!!! I’ve had mine for years and totally need to update it to one of these fancy digital ones 🙂
Vashti (veepeejay.com) says
I need to pull out my slow cooker. This one sounds amazing, thanks for sharing your review.
Penelope Guzman says
I was thinking of picking this up! I love slow cooking, but mine doesn’t brown and having to brown on the stove top is an extra step. An extra, time consuming, not hands free like the slow cooker is step 🙂 So I REALLY want this!
Echo Aspnes says
Seriously?! I need this in my life! I love, LOVE my crock pot, but this browning and steaming feature has me dreaming on a new one!
Leela says
That looks like an amazing cooker. I love that saute feature!
Those meatballs look so good 🙂
rochkirstin says
We also use the slow cooker a lot at home since we all live busy lifestyle. We just leave all the ingredients and wait how the food gets cooked. The Cuisinart 3-In-1 Cook Central Multi-Cooker seems like a huge lifesaver!
ANGELE @shoeboxbegone says
Those are fantastic features! I can just imagine it now, the pasta sauces I could make with this thing, or even starting my curry right in the cooker! Thanks for sharing!
Ann BAcciaglia says
I’ve never heard of a browning feature in a slow cooker. What a fantastic idea. I am in the market for a new slow cooker and will definitely take a look at this one.
Myrabev says
My mum would love this slow cooker, the brown and steam features are very attractive qualities that even I would now look for in a slow cooker. Thanks for the review
Carly Brydon says
I’m obsessed with my slow cooker! But this one looks amazing!
Cassie @ Southeast by Midwest says
That looks like an awesome slow cooker. We need to replace ours because it’s just to basic, this looks like it would be a great replacement.
Alysia from My Domestic Dish says
This is such a fantastic idea. Eliminating the additional clean up would be just one more perk, added onto the list of many, of using a slow cooker. I’ve got to get one of these!
Julie says
We use our slow cooker so much and we love it! It looks like this one would be a great improvement on ours. Saving extra dishes is always helpful.