You probably loved it once. That countertop gadget that turned frozen fries into a golden delight in 12 minutes flat. But a new appliance is quietly taking its place, one that doesn’t just blast hot air but offers a staggering nine different cooking methods in a single, compact unit. This multi-cooker grills, steams, sautés, and slow-cooks, making the once-revolutionary air fryer look surprisingly one-dimensional. How can one box truly replace an entire kitchen arsenal? It’s a shift that’s about more than just technology; it’s about reclaiming our kitchens and our time.
The quiet revolution of the 9-in-1 kitchen workhorse
The first thing you notice with these 9-in-1 cookers is the sound. It’s not the familiar roar of a fan, but a softer, layered hum that signals a different kind of cooking. “My old air fryer felt like a one-hit wonder. This new machine feels like a whole band,” confesses Laura Miller, a 34-year-old graphic designer. “I wanted one appliance that could handle a rushed Tuesday dinner and a lazy Sunday roast, and this is it.” This shift from a loud, single-purpose machine to a versatile culinary partner is changing weeknight meals everywhere.
This experience isn’t just about hot air attacking frozen nuggets; it feels closer to having a tiny, well-trained kitchen brigade at your command. One button for steam, another for slow cook, another for grill. You’re no longer locked into “crispy or nothing.” Dinner can move seamlessly from browning to simmering without dirtying three separate pans, a quiet revolution that promises less drama and far more range.
From a single-task star to a multi-hyphenate talent
Consider a family of four in a cramped city apartment. Their old crisping machine handled fries and chicken goujons perfectly, but its usefulness ended there. Now, they’ve swapped it for a 9-in-1 multi-cooker that occupies the same countertop space but carries significantly more responsibility in the kitchen. On Monday, it’s chili night; beef is browned on Sauté, spices bloom in the pot, and then it switches to Slow Cook.
On Wednesday, this powerful cooking machine steams dumplings straight from the freezer. By Friday, it grills marinated salmon on a ridged plate and then air-fries broccoli in the same bowl. The air fryer, once the hero of quick meals, ends up in a cupboard next to the bread maker and the smoothie blender you swore would change your life. This isn’t a failure of the hot air wizard, but an evolution in our cooking needs.
This transition is happening because the king of crunch solved a very specific problem: making food quick, crispy, and not too greasy. That was fantastic for a certain phase of our lives. Yet, home cooking demands don’t stop at reheated pizza. People still crave soups, stews, perfectly cooked rice, one-pot pastas, and steamed vegetables that aren’t limp and sad. A 9-in-1 appliance effortlessly stretches into all those culinary spaces.
How to unlock the full potential of your multi-cooker
The real magic happens when you stop thinking of the nine functions as separate buttons and start chaining them together. Treat it as a cooking sequence. You can start with Sauté to build a deep flavour base, switch to Pressure or Slow Cook to tenderize ingredients, and then finish with the Air Fry or Grill function to add that perfect texture. This method transforms the one-trick pony into a dynamic culinary tool.
For example, imagine making sticky chicken thighs. First, you use Sauté with a bit of oil, placing them skin-side down to get a brown, almost caramelized surface. Then you flip them, pour in a splash of stock and soy sauce, and hit Pressure Cook for 8–10 minutes. Once that’s done, you switch to Air Fry at high heat for a few final minutes. The result is meat that’s incredibly juicy inside with a crisp, sticky exterior.
That kind of triple-threat cooking would normally require at least two pans and an oven tray in a standard kitchen. Here, it’s all done in one pot with one lid, which means only one thing to wash up. This efficiency is why so many are saying goodbye to their old frying appliance.
Overcoming the learning curve: a simple start
The biggest mistake people make with these all-in-one cookers is treating them like a complicated gadget instead of a simpler kitchen. On day one, the control panel can look intimidating, like a budget airline cockpit with its many lights and modes. The temptation is to just press the familiar “Air Fry” button and never touch the rest. This completely misses the point of the device.
To avoid this, start with just three modes you’ll actually use this week: Sauté, Slow Cook, and Air Fry. That’s it. Once those feel normal, add Steam or Grill to your repertoire. Introduce one new function at a time, without the pressure to become a master chef overnight. Building trust with your new kitchen gadget is key, and starting with forgiving recipes like stews or shredded meats can help build that confidence.
| Key feature | Detail | Benefit for the user |
|---|---|---|
| 9 functions in one appliance | Air fry, grill, steam, sauté, slow/pressure cook, bake, roast, keep warm | Allows you to replace several gadgets and free up counter space |
| Chaining modes | Sauté → slow cook → crispy finish | Offers more varied and flavourful meals with less washing up |
| Progressive learning curve | Start with 3 modes, add a new one each week | Reduces the fear of “getting it wrong” and helps you use all the functions |
What this appliance shift reveals about our modern lives
There’s something quietly emotional about this new wave of multi-cookers. On the surface, it’s just another appliance; underneath, it’s a direct response to messy, overloaded lives. We live in smaller homes, face longer commutes, and eye our energy bills with suspicion. This countertop wind tunnel is designed for that reality.
We want food that feels “proper,” not just beige and crunchy, but we’re tired. That’s the tension this 9-in-1 cooker tries to soften. It offers the sense that you can still cook “for real” without sacrificing your entire evening. One pot, minimal washing up, and flavours that usually belong to slow Sundays start spilling into hectic weeknights. The convenience offered by this new cooker redefines what’s possible for a home cook.
There’s also the practical war for counter space. Kitchens crowded with toasters, kettles, blenders, and the old hot-air blaster feel like a game of Tetris. Replacing two or three single-use gadgets with one unified box isn’t just minimalism theatre; it’s a genuine strategy to reclaim breathing room. That lonely beige box, the old air fryer, simply can’t compete.
Beyond crispiness: a new definition of convenience
The air fryer had its moment. It made things faster and crispier, and we loved it for that. This new 9-in-1 generation, however, aims for something much broader: making the entire process of real cooking feel compatible with the chaos of real life. It’s not just about a quick air-fry finish; it’s about building flavour from scratch in one pot.
Some will cling to their crisp-maker, and that’s fine; it still shines for simple snacks and kids’ dinners. Yet, the conversation is shifting. It’s moving away from “How fast can I crisp this?” and toward “How many ways can I cook in one place, with as little friction as possible?” The focus is now on versatility and ease, not just a single outcome.
Maybe that’s the real goodbye. It’s not about slamming the door on the air fryer, but quietly sliding it into a cupboard. Meanwhile, a squat, gently humming box on the counter takes on the central role of the everyday kitchen sidekick, ready for whatever the week throws at it.
Is a 9-in-1 really better than a standard air fryer?
For simple frozen snacks, both do the job. The 9-in-1 wins when you want soups, stews, rice, slow-cooked dishes, and crispy finishes all in the same pot.
Will it take longer to cook than my air fryer?
The air-fry mode is similar in speed, and the pressure and steam modes can actually be much faster than an oven or stovetop for many recipes.
Can a 9-in-1 replace my oven completely?
Not for large batch baking or big roasts, but it covers most day-to-day meals, especially for households of 1–4 people.
Is it difficult to clean?
Most models use a single non-stick inner pot and removable accessories that wash easily by hand or in the dishwasher.
What should I cook first to get used to it?
Start with a simple one-pot meal: a chili, a curry, or roast vegetables followed by a quick air-fry finish to get comfortable with switching modes.