Instant Pot
The Instant Pot is the most famous brand of multicooker. While these gadgets offer functions for slow cooking, sauteing and more, its primary appeal is pressure cooking, in which liquid boils at a higher temperature and thus cooks the food faster.
Ideal for: Beans, stews, braises, large cuts of meat, cheesecake
Pro tip: Dairy can curdle under pressure, so consider stirring it in at the end of cooking instead.
Care tip: Be sure to regularly check and clean out the condensation collector, which catches excess liquid from the appliance.
Recipes to try:
Read more: A complete guide to Instant Pots and other multicookers | 5 ways to use your Instant Pot that might surprise you | How to convert your favorite recipes for the Instant Pot | 10 Instant Pot recipes for big flavor with less hands-on time
Air fryer
Like multicookers, air fryers offer a variety of functions but are most valued for one in particular. Air frying takes advantage of a powerful fan that helps the appliance get very hot, very fast, making it just the thing for golden, crispy food — with less fat needed.
Ideal for: Breaded foods, small cuts of meat, potatoes, grilled cheese, roasted vegetables
Pro tip: Air fryers vary in strength, so stay close and be prepared to adjust the time and temperature the first time you make a recipe.
Care advice: Don’t spray the air fryer basket with nonstick spray, as it can form buildup. (It’s fine, however, to directly spray your food before adding to the basket.)
Recipes to try:
Read more: I was an air fryer skeptic. Here’s why I can’t stop using it. | How to adapt recipes for the air fryer | How my air fryer got me excited about pandemic cooking | The best baked potatoes are made in an air fryer | A cooking game changer: Try an air fryer for healthy fast food
Stand mixer
Stand mixers are an essential tool for many home bakers. Their powerful motors and large capacity help cooks whip up bread doughs, batters and more, in less time with less effort.
Ideal for: Bread, meringue, cake, cookies
Pro tip: Stand mixers are a wonderful tool, but they’re not perfect — especially when making cakes or cookies, be sure to scrape down the sides of the bowl to ensure everything is incorporated.
Care advice: Stand mixers can hop their way across and off the counter, so stay nearby, particularly when mixing thick doughs or batters.
Recipes to try:
Read more: How to make the most of your stand mixer | Don’t underestimate your hand mixer. Here’s how to put it to work for you. | Six baking myths that you shouldn’t believe
Food processor
Owning a food processor is like having an extra set of hands in the kitchen. These multitaskers can be used for a variety of sweet and savory dishes, using both the blade and discs.
Ideal for: Pureeing, shredding, chopping, cutting butter into flour, pizza dough
Pro tip: Save hot soup for your blender or immersion (stick) blender. It can splash out of a food processor, and getting the soup out can be tricky without a pour spout on the bowl.
Care advice: Don’t let a dirty bowl sit around — it will be easier to clean before food cakes on and dries. If you can’t get to it right away before putting in the dishwasher or hand-washing, fill it with warm, soapy water to soak.
Recipes to try:
Read more: Meet your new sous-chef: The food processor | How to choose between food processors and blenders for your cooking projects | 7 food processor recipes to help you make dips, cookies, soup and more
Dutch oven
These heavy-bottomed pots can go in the oven or on the stovetop. Tightfitting lids set up a constant, convective flow of moisture and air in a sealed environment, and the cast iron allows for steady, even heat retention.
Ideal for: Soups, stews, bread, braises, deep frying
Pro tip: It is okay to use cast-iron Dutch ovens on ceramic/glass cooktops, whether traditional electric or induction. Just be sure not to drop or drag it on the surface.
Care advice: Discoloration over time of cream-colored enamel is expected and won’t affect performance; Bar Keepers Friend or products such as Le Creuset’s cast-iron cookware cleaner can help remove some stains and grime.
Recipes to try:
Read more: How to pick, care for and cook in your Dutch oven, the one pot every home cook should own | 7 Dutch oven recipes for braises, breads and more | Braised meats, saucy dinners, comforting soups and more of our favorite Dutch oven recipes | You can safely use cast-iron cookware on glass cooktops, with a little care
Vitamix
Anything you can do in a regular blender you can also do in a Vitamix or other high-powered blender. Be sure to put its speed to work creating spectacularly smooth soups and sauces, especially those made with nut or other firm ingredients.
Ideal for: Soups, sauces, nut milks and other vegan dairy, frozen desserts
Pro tip: The friction of the blades in high-powered blenders such as the Vitamix means you can puree and heat soups all in one, such as in Fast Blender Tomato Soup.
Care advice: Easily clean by adding a drop of dish soap and some warm water, then blend. Rinse and dry before storing.
Recipes to try:
Read more: Puree, liquefy, crush: How to choose and use a blender | Blend your way to smoothies, soups and sauces with these 8 recipes | Let your blender do the work with these 6 savory recipes