This Product |
Instant Pot Duo |
Cuisinart 6-Quart 3-in-1 Cook Central |
Hamilton Beach Temp Tracker 6-Quart |
| |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Awards |  |  | |  | |
| Price | $150 List $149.80 at Amazon | $100 List $99.95 at Amazon | $160 List $154.89 at Amazon | $75 List $74.99 at Amazon | $70 List $69.99 at Amazon |
| Overall Score | 90 | 87 | 85 | 80 | 69 |
| Star Rating |
|
|
|
|
|
| Bottom Line | With eight easy-to-use cooking functions , this is the most versatile slow cooker we tested | The features and options in this reasonably priced pot make it much more than a slow cooker | Many different features and a consistent, dependable performance make this slow cooker perfect for one-pot meals | Convenient and dependable, this slow-cooker can be left all day on the counter or easily taken with you | This simple, easy-to-use classic Crock-Pot has all the performance and capacity you want |
| Rating Categories | Ninja Foodi Possibl... | Instant Pot Duo | Cuisinart 6-Quart 3... | Hamilton Beach Temp... | Crock-Pot 6-Quart C... |
| User Friendliness (35.0%) | 9.5 | 9.0 | 9.0 | 8.0 | 8.0 |
| Cooking Performance (30.0%) | 8.0 | 8.0 | 8.0 | 9.0 | 7.0 |
| Cooking Features (25.0%) | 9.5 | 10.0 | 9.0 | 8.0 | 6.0 |
| Ease of Cleaning (10.0%) | 9.0 | 6.0 | 7.0 | 5.0 | 5.0 |
| Specs | Ninja Foodi Possibl... | Instant Pot Duo | Cuisinart 6-Quart 3... | Hamilton Beach Temp... | Crock-Pot 6-Quart C... |
| Pot Material | Nonstick Aluminum | Stainness Steel | Nonstick Aluminum | Stoneware | Stoneware |
| Measured Weight | 5.0 Ibs | 1.8 Ibs (pot only, lid not applicable) | 8.8 Ibs | N/A | N/A |
| Capacity | 8.5 qt | 6 qt | 6 qt | 6 qt | 6 qt |
| Programmable? | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Measured Temperature on High | 199 F | 203.9 F | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Measured Temperature on Low | 161.3 F | 200.8 F | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Locking Lid? | No | No | No | Yes | Yes |
| Lid with Gasket? | No | No | No | Yes | Yes |
| Steam Release Valve or Holes in Lid? | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes |
| Features | -Functions: Slow Cook, Sear/Sauté, Steam, Keep Warm, Sous Vide, Braise, Bake, and Proof. -Removable cooking pot can be used on the stovetop or in oven. -Pot can be used to bake in the oven up to 500 degrees -Includes integrated detachable spoon-lade and recipe guide -Digital screen to display selected settings and timer count-down -beeps to indicate end of timed cycle | -Functions: Pressure Cook, Slow Cook, Rice, Yogurt, Saute, Steam, Food Warm, and 14 customizable Smart Programs -Pot can be used to sauté on stove top or Instant Pot base -10 safety features like a locking lid and overheat protection -Includes stainless-steel steamer rack -Beeps to indicate on / off / finish. | -Functions: Slow Cook, Sauté, and Steam (includes steaming rack) -Programmable time and temp (50°F increments); manual setting, sleep mode; auto warm -Auto shut off after 8 hours -Audible beeps to indicate on / off / start. -Removable cooking pot can be used on the stovetop or in oven. | -Probe Functions: four probe locations, probe storage area, set and maintain temp for up to 24 hours, Keep Warm or Hold Temp feature (adjustable setting) for after cooking timer goes off -Digital screen to display selected settings, temp from probe, or timer count-down. -Beeps to indicate on / off / finish. -Includes steamer rack | -Programmable time (30 min increments) -Temp Settings (high, low, auto warm) -Pot can be used in oven up to 400 degrees |
The Ninja Foodi PossibleCooker Pro 8.5-Quart goes above and beyond the functions of a basic slow cooker. It can slow cook, sear/sauté, steam, keep warm, sous vide, braise, bake, and proof. Its removable cooking pot can be used on the stovetop or in the oven, it is easy to clean, and it can bake up to 500 degrees. It has a bit of a learning curve for dialing in the best settings, but once you get the hang of it, this multifunctional cooker is an easy-to-use kitchen appliance and a must-have.
Performance Comparison
User Friendliness
For how many functions the Ninja Foodi has, it is exceptionally easy to program and use. The digital interface is clean and easy to understand while offering a plethora of cooking settings to choose from. There are buttons for Power, Start/Stop, Temperature, and Time, and a dial allows you to scroll through different cooking options. When the timer is done, the cooker automatically switches to a Keep Warm setting, so you don't have to worry about your food getting cold if you're late coming home. The lid has a handy spoon/ladle integrated, which keeps you from dirtying the countertop. The Ninja Foodi is easy to use, functional, and lightweight. The only downside to using the Ninja Foodi is the lack of latches to secure the lid for easy transportation.
The Ninja Foodi is on the expensive end of the slow cooker spectrum, but considering how many settings it has and how easy it is to use, we think the price is justified. The eight cooking functions and included recipe guide offer a multitude of uses to cook whatever your heart desires! From bread to soups to pot roasts and vegetables, the Ninja Foodi will do it all, leaving your belly full and your mind worry-free.
Cooking Performance
The main benefit of a slow cooker is that it prepares your food without the hassle of having to check on it throughout the cooking process. Add the food to the pot, close the lid, choose your desired settings, and walk away. With that said, a slow cooker is useless if it doesn't cook your food well. You want your food to be juicy, flavorful, and perfectly cooked, which is why we are so thorough with our cooking performance testing. To do this, we cooked the same three meals in each slow cooker — meat, grains/beans, and vegetables — and scored them based on the results. The results were slightly scattered, but overall, everything cooked well, with rice and beans being near-perfect and the meat turning out decent but didn't have a uniform consistency.
We began by making a pot roast with potatoes, carrots, and onions. The Ninja Foodi slightly missed the mark on this one, slightly overcooking the bottom side of the meat. However, the top of the meat was still moist and tasty, and the vegetables were well-cooked and had fantastic flavor. The potatoes had perfect texture — firm on the outside and moist and soft on the inside. The veggie broth was absorbed well, so our pot roast didn't look too soupy, and everything was moist and tasty. Our only other gripe is that the squash in our vegetables was slightly overcooked (an easy thing to do in a slow cooker). So it wasn't a perfect dish, but still a fan favorite.
When we cooked the beans and rice, the Ninja Foodi excelled. The beans were almost perfect, and the entire dish was delectable, apart from a few pieces of hard rice here and there. The flavor was even throughout the dish, and everyone who tried it loved it.
Cooking Features
The Ninja Foodi operates far above and beyond the functions of a basic slow cooker. With eight cooking functions, its versatility outshines its competitors. You can slow cook, sear/sauté, steam, keep warm, sous vide, braise, bake, and proof in this cooker.
The lid of the Ninja Foodi has a stainless steel handle that is easy to grasp without touching the glass and burning yourself; however, the lid is not insulated. The exterior of the pot also gets hot, meaning mitts are necessary for carrying it after you finish cooking. There is a large steam release hole in the lid, which we found to be too large, as it evaporates liquid from the food quicker than we prefer.
The digital screen is easy to read, and the timer beeps when starting and ending, making it clear when it is finished cooking. The integrated spoon/ladle can be stored on the lid throughout the cooking process, thus preventing you from having to soil the countertop.
We'll leave you to decide for yourself, but we found the Ninja Foodi's look to be sleek and aesthetic. We especially enjoy the silvery blue color, as it matches most kitchen interiors.
Ease of Cleaning
The last thing you want to do after enjoying a wonderfully delicious family dinner is stand around scrubbing a pot until your arms are sore. For this reason, we highly value kitchen products that are easy to clean.
You can place the Ninja Foodi's lid and spoon directly in the dishwasher, but the manual recommends handwashing the pot to preserve its lifespan. Don't fret, though — we found the pot to be easy to clean even while handwashing. It's light, small enough to easily fit in the sink, and nonstick. Our tester had a hand injury and still found handwashing the pan to be a quick and easy task.
Should You Buy the Nina Foodi PossibleCooker PRO 8.5-Quart?
With the Ninja Foodi being on the more expensive end of the slow cooker spectrum, we weren't sure it would live up to the price tag, but we were wrong. With eight different cooking features, this slow cooker is a one-stop shop for the majority of your cooking needs. It's easy to use, easy to clean, extremely versatile, and we highly recommend it.
What Other Slow Cookers Should You Consider?
It's pretty clear why we love the Ninja Foodi so much. It has all the features we want and not much we don't want! The biggest downside is the price tag. It's on the more expensive end of the slow cooker spectrum, which we realize can be a deal-breaker. If you're looking to save money, consider the Hamilton Beach Temp Tracker 6-Quart, which produces more evenly cooked meat at a more reasonable price. Or if you just need a pot that cooks delicious meals for one person, we recommend the Cuisinart 6-Quart 3-In-1 Cook Central.
