Are Instant Pots still the best multicookers?

Plus, some of our top-rated gear on sale

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October 22, 2025 12:22pm EDT

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America's Test Kitchen: The Well-Equipped Cook

A weekly dispatch on the latest and greatest kitchen gear.

October 22nd, 2025

Are Instant Pots still the best multicookers?

Lisa McManus

Executive Editor, ATK Reviews

Remember those days a few years ago when everybody was telling everyone else to get an Instant Pot? The excellent result was that pressure-cooking became mainstream again, not just something people associated with their great-grandmother—usually followed by harrowing tales of pressure-cooker mishaps. Modern multicookers are much, much safer!

I love using a multicooker when I need food fast. If I’m craving a pot roast on a weekday, I just go for it. When I have a potluck to provide for, I love making barbecued pulled chicken—I plug in the multicooker at the table so that it stays warm. It’s incredibly easy. Cooking beans from scratch takes minutes, not hours. I can even make a perfect cheesecake in about an hour. (Try that, Great-Grandma.)

We’ve tested many brands of multicookers, and yes, we still prefer the Instant Pot for its strong performance and simple controls. A multicooker is not just a trend anymore. It’s just a solid tool for everyday cooking and it’s here to stay.

Read our full review of multicookers.

In testing, we found that multicookers with detachable lids were much easier to clean than those with hinged lids.

Pro Tip

If the bottom of the pot is getting too hot, the screen may read “BURN.” Here’s what to do:

Check that nothing is caught between the pot and the burner.
Make sure the silicone ring didn’t fall out of place.
Make sure the floating valve is clean and moving freely.
Check that the steam-release switch is in the right position for your job.
If all looks good, you may have scorched something or don’t have enough liquid. Try scraping up any brown bits and adding a little water.

Psst! We found our top-rated gear on sale

Each week, we scour the internet to find great deals on our favorite equipment.

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One of our recommended round cake pans, the USA Pan 9-Inch Round Cake Pan, is sturdy and light-toned and has a corrugated bottom that browns consistently. It produces tall, level cake layers and also makes well-browned pan pizzas. Read our review.

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Our winning pie pan, the USA Pan 9-Inch Pie Pan, has a nonstick coating and produces pies and quiches with perfectly flaky crusts and nicely cooked fillings. Since it’s lightweight, it’s easy to carry even when full. Read our review.

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