Lisa stared at the third kitchen appliance box she had ordered this year. Her air fryer was still warm on the counter, quietly humming after dinner. Not long ago, it had replaced her oven for most quick meals.

But now a new device had arrived — a compact appliance promising nine different cooking methods in a single machine.

Fry. Grill. Steam. Slow cook. Bake. Roast. Sauté. Dehydrate. Reheat.

It sounded almost too ambitious for one countertop gadget. Yet the idea of replacing multiple appliances with a single device was hard to ignore.

Curious, Lisa switched it on just to see what it could do. That simple test quickly changed how she thought about cooking at home.

9 Cooking Methods in One Appliance — Why This New Gadget Could Replace Air Fryers

Why air fryers are starting to feel limited

Walk into many modern kitchens and you’ll see the same challenge: countertop clutter.

Blenders, coffee machines, toasters, slow cookers and air fryers compete for space. Each promises to solve one cooking problem well, but together they quickly fill every available corner.

The air fryer became popular because it solved a specific need perfectly: crispy food with less oil. It made fries, chicken wings and frozen snacks quick and convenient.

However, many people eventually notice a limitation.

Air fryers mostly rely on very hot circulating air. That works well for crisp textures, but it isn’t ideal for foods that need slow cooking, steaming or gentle heat.

For example, Tom, a 38-year-old father, loved his large air fryer when he first bought it. Almost every dinner went into the basket.

But real family meals soon required more variety:

• Slow-cooked pulled pork for weekends

• Steamed dumplings for his daughter

• Roasted vegetables and fish for guests

Suddenly he was using the oven, stove and air fryer at the same time.

The air fryer hadn’t failed — it simply wasn’t designed to do everything.

The rise of the nine-in-one cooker

This is where a new type of appliance is gaining attention: the multi-function cooker.

Instead of focusing on one cooking style, these machines combine several methods into a single device.

Typical functions include:

• Air fry

• Grill

• Steam

• Slow cook

• Bake

• Roast

• Sauté

• Dehydrate

• Reheat

For many households, this means one appliance can handle an entire week of meals.

You might air fry nuggets on Tuesday, steam salmon on Thursday and slow-cook chili for Sunday dinner — all using the same machine.

Rather than a specialized gadget, the device becomes more like a compact kitchen hub.

How one device can replace several appliances

The real advantage becomes clear after a few weeks of use.

Most people start with the familiar air-fry function. But gradually they explore other options.

One evening they steam frozen dumplings without boiling water. Another night they set beans and spices to slow cook while they sleep.

Soon the same appliance might:

• bake banana bread

• roast vegetables

• dry herbs overnight

Meanwhile, the oven and slow cooker sit unused.

The biggest turning point often happens during a multi-dish meal.

For example:

1. Roast potatoes at the bottom

2. Cook chicken on an upper rack

3. Steam broccoli near the end

Everything finishes together using one control panel and one appliance.

That convenience is why many users begin to rely on the device daily.

Getting the most from a multi-function cooker

Upgrading from an air fryer doesn’t require a complete cooking overhaul.

Experts suggest starting simple.

1. Adapt familiar meals

Choose two or three dishes you already cook often and try them with the new appliance.

For example:

• oven fries → air-fry mode

• slow cooker chili → slow-cook mode

• stovetop salmon → steam mode

2. Experiment slowly

Trying to learn every function in a weekend can be overwhelming. One new cooking method per week is usually enough.

3. Avoid air fryer habits

Many users overcrowd the basket or set the highest temperature automatically. Multi-cookers offer more gentle cooking styles, so using the right mode makes a difference.

4. Keep simple recipe notes

Writing down successful times and settings helps create a personal cooking guide.

Example notes:

• Steam dumplings — 8 minutes

• Slow cook lentil soup — 6 hours low

• Roast vegetables — 200°C for 18 minutes

These small notes save time on busy evenings.

A shift in how kitchens are designed

The popularity of multi-function cookers reflects a broader trend in home cooking.

Instead of buying many single-purpose appliances, households are choosing versatile devices that save space and reduce clutter.

For smaller kitchens especially, one appliance that can bake, steam and slow cook offers practical advantages.

Air fryers still work well for quick snacks, but they are no longer the only solution for fast home cooking.

For many families, the real question now isn’t whether air fryers are useful — it’s how many separate appliances are truly necessary.

Key benefits of a nine-in-one cooker

FAQ

Is a nine-in-one cooker better than an air fryer?

For many households, yes. It includes air-frying but also offers steaming, baking and slow cooking, making it more versatile for everyday meals.

Can food still get crispy like in an air fryer?

Most multi-cookers include strong air-fry and grill settings that create similar crisp textures for fries, chicken and vegetables.

Does a multi-function cooker use more electricity?

Power usage per minute can be similar to an air fryer. However, cooking multiple dishes in one appliance may reduce overall energy use.

Is it worth buying one if I already own an air fryer?

If you mostly cook frozen snacks, an air fryer may be enough. But if you want to cook soups, roasts or steamed dishes, a multi-function cooker can offer more flexibility.

Can it replace an oven completely?

For small households and everyday meals, many people rely on it instead of an oven. Larger ovens may still be useful for big holiday meals or baking multiple trays.