Multicooker: benefits and harm to human health: cooking

The benefits of a multicooker

What is the use of a multicooker? What advantages does the device have? A multicooker is one of the most multifunctional appliances that is in demand. What attracts buyers to it?

Benefit:

Quick and easy to use - the appliance prepares meals independently. There is no need to add or stir food during cooking.
Easy to control - on the device itself, and in the instructions for using the multicooker, the cooking modes are described in detail. Just press a button and the dish begins to cook at the desired rhythm.
Functionality - the multicooker will cook almost any dish. Soup, porridge, pies, casseroles. She can bake apples and make yogurt.
Safe use - the device is hermetically sealed, which reduces the risk of burns and other damage.
Saves space - the device becomes a replacement for an oven, pressure cooker, bread maker, convection oven and electric frying pan. The device is portable and small in size.

The multicooker has a delayed start function, which allows cooked dishes to remain warm for a long time. The multicooker does not require special care. The inner cup, which can be removed, is subject to regular washing. Less often it is necessary to wipe and ventilate the lid, bottom, moisture collector and steam valve.

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The benefits and harms of a multicooker

A multicooker is a household appliance with a deep bowl. The sealed housing allows you to prepare a variety of dishes, from porridge and simple soups to complex side dishes and baked goods. This, in fact, is the benefit of a multicooker.

At the same time, this technique is capable of emitting special waves, which, according to many users and even scientists, can cause harm. Therefore, it is not recommended to stay near this device while it is operating. But we will tell you more about this below.

The principle of operation of the technology

A multicooker is an intelligent device that can automatically determine the cooking time of a dish. To do this, it is enough for him to know what products are put in the bowl. To inform the multicooker about this, just select the cooking mode.

On a note! The built-in microprocessor monitors the pressure and maintains the desired temperature. Some devices are equipped with a network cable, so you can easily take them on the road.

When you turn on the multicooker, the buttons on its panel light up. All electrical appliances are divided into two groups depending on the type of heating of products. Highlight:

New heating element;
Induction.

The first option uses a tubular heater that is installed under the bowl. The owner of the multicooker sets the mode, and the device itself selects the operating time of the heating element.

In the second case, products are heated using electromagnetic waves that pass through them. At the same time, the temperature in the bowl does not rise to a critical level, and the products retain their taste and vitamins.

Useful practical functions of a multicooker

The number of programs in a multicooker directly depends on the type of model. Some have only five modes, others have fifty. Some of the most popular include the following:

Cooking. Using high heat, the liquid in the bowl is brought to a boil. This function allows you to cook soups and porridges. During cooking, you can pause the appliance to add missing ingredients to the dish;
Double boiler. Appliances that have this mode are equipped with a special grill on which steamed foods are placed;
Bakery. This mode is very similar to “cooking”. The only difference is the higher temperature required to cook the dish. This function is intended for foods that do not require a large amount of liquid to cook. In a multicooker you can bake bread and pies of any complexity. It is advisable to grease the bowl with oil before cooking;
Extinguishing. The products placed in the bowl are filled with water. After the liquid boils, the temperature begins to slowly decrease. Vegetables and meat in the bowl “languish” for 2-2.5 hours;
Warming up This mode allows you to warm up a cold dish;
Postponement. First, food is placed in the multicooker, and then the cooking start time is selected on the control panel.

Characteristics of coating and radiation effect

Many users ask: “Is it harmful to cook in multicookers?” The multicooker bowl is covered with Teflon, which can break into small pieces when heated. This material causes significant harm to health and even leads to the appearance of cancer cells in the body.

Many manufacturers have managed to prolong the process of its destruction. According to experts, the decomposition of modern Teflon coatings begins after six years. During this time, the equipment will already become outdated, and it can be replaced with a new one.

In addition, experts try to ensure that the coating layer is as thin as possible. However, the cooking process damages the Teflon. And after just two years of active use of the device, the coating is completely erased.

The only way to preserve it is to handle the device carefully. Also, many doubts and misunderstandings are caused by electromagnetic radiation, which is emitted by devices with induction heating. Therefore, the question of what harm a multicooker can cause and whether it is harmful to cook in it remains open.

Note! The average power of the device is 800 W. This is enough to cause damage to the human body. But, at the same time, electromagnetic waves pass under the bowl, so if the pot of ingredients fits tightly to the bottom, then perhaps the intensity of the radiation will decrease. Another protection against waves is the metal body of the device, which reduces the range of their influence.

Possible harm

Is it harmful to cook in a slow cooker? Food cooked in the device can be harmful to health only in a few cases:

if the multicooker is used incorrectly;
if the Teflon coating is damaged;
when the multicooker manufacturer uses low-quality materials for its device;
in case the products placed in the bowl were already spoiled.

If you follow all the instructions for using the device, the dishes always turn out tasty and completely safe.

What happens to the vitamins and minerals of food cooked in a slow cooker?

Dishes in a multicooker are prepared in a pot that is airtight. Thanks to the artificially created oven effect, the beneficial substances in the products are not washed out. Thus, beneficial vitamins and minerals remain untouched. Therefore, the question of whether it is harmful to cook food in a slow cooker can be answered in the negative.

Multicooker harm

What are the health risks of a multicooker? Food from a modern electrical appliance has the juiciness, aroma and taste of the oven, but is there any harm from such preparation? What are the disadvantages of a multicooker?

The multicooker requires careful handling of the Teflon coating of the bowl. The material is easily damaged, and therefore it is recommended to purchase devices made of silicone (scoop, spatula) so as not to accidentally damage the surface. When a Teflon bowl is used for more than five years and damage occurs on it, the risk of harmful substances escaping from the material increases.

The device can cook one recipe in one cycle, which can cause inconvenience. To prepare the next dish, you need to remove everything from the bowl or buy an additional container.

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To eliminate the shortcomings, manufacturers are improving their devices: minimizing the chemical composition of the bowl; stabilize the Teflon coating and reduce the maximum heating temperature inside the multicooker.

Is Teflon harmful?

What is Teflon?
Teflon is a plastic substance that has rather rare physical and chemical properties. The compound is often used in everyday life as a coating for non-stick items, including bowls in a multicooker. What properties does Teflon coating have? Can it harm human health?

It is known that at high temperatures Teflon is capable of releasing carcinogenic substances. The temperature in the multicooker reaches 400 o C due to its sealed properties.

When heated, the coating releases a toxic substance (perfluorinated carboxylic acid), which leads to the development of malignant tumors.

Currently, multicooker manufacturers are working to reduce the harmful properties of Teflon. But if you buy inexpensive models, the bowl coating of which consists of budget ceramics, plastic and stainless steel, the health hazard increases.

Harm to human health from multicookers

There are many controversies surrounding the electric pan; there is an opinion that the devices are not only not useful, but can also be harmful to health. The most common myths that turned out to be unconfirmed:

Food prepared in the unit loses its beneficial properties and becomes harmful - in fact, any heat treatment leads to the loss of vitamins, and the need to use a minimum amount of oil leads to a decrease in cholesterol;
The Teflon coating releases toxic substances into the ingredients - if handled carefully and the service life of the cookware does not exceed 5 years, the use of Teflon is completely safe.

Interesting! At temperatures above 200 degrees, the Teflon coating begins to disintegrate and release perfluorooctanoic acid, which causes cancer. There is an opinion that the temperature in a multicooker reaches 400 degrees, but this is impossible.

How to avoid the harmful effects of a multicooker?

In order for the use of the device to bring only positive aspects, you must strictly follow the basic rules for using the cookware:

Handle Teflon with care, avoid exposure to metal tools that can scratch the surface;
If scratches or cracks appear on the walls and bottom of the bowl, it can no longer be used;

Food from a slow cooker - benefit or harm?

Is there any harm from a multicooker to human health? It is known that food from a modern electrical appliance is healthier than food cooked on a gas stove. Children under three years of age are not recommended to cook in a slow cooker.

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It is advisable for adults to cook only quick meals in the device, so as not to cause the Teflon cup to overheat. You can cook in a slow cooker during pregnancy; thanks to the variety of dishes and the preservation of beneficial properties, the device will be a good helper in the kitchen.

Is food from a slow cooker healthy: how to choose a safe technique

If the conversation turns to the beneficial effects on cooking in a slow cooker, as well as the quality of these products, then there are quite a lot of benefits.

How does cooking in a slow cooker affect human health:

If we take into account the fact that the cooking time is reduced and there is no need to constantly be present during cooking, for stirring, turning, then we can definitely say that the multicooker not only facilitates the cooking process, but also has a positive effect on physical, moral, mental and psychological health.
It is easily cleaned of food residues and grease, which significantly reduces washing time and makes work easier.
A multicooker is considered a healthy eating device, since the cooked foods in it retain much more of the beneficial elements of their composition, and cooking in the stewing program generally retains up to 30 percent of the beneficial elements of the foods.
Cooking in a slow cooker is very economical in terms of using oil or various fats, and such minimal costs for preparing fatty foods are much healthier.

It is recommended to buy multicookers from well-known equipment manufacturers

Considering all these positive aspects that affect human health, we can safely say that a multicooker is an additional source of health. You can cook a huge number of dishes in it, which are tasty and healthy and will not make it difficult for you to cook for many years.

How to reduce harm from operation

Is it possible to reduce the harmful effects that a multicooker brings in operation?
How to care for Teflon coating? There are rules that, if followed, reduce the danger of the device. How to use a multicooker correctly? Rules of use:

When handling the device, use only special cutlery that will not damage the coating when stirring or removing food.
Replace the Teflon inner bowl every five years.
When washing, use only soft sponges. Hard particles damage the Teflon surface of the bowl.
If the coating is damaged, it is not recommended to use the bowl.

It is recommended to buy multicookers no older than 2000. From that moment on, manufacturers began to pay attention to the safety of the bowl material. It is not advisable to purchase electrical appliances by hand and without documents.

How to choose the right multicooker

A multicooker is a widely used device these days. How to choose a kitchen appliance? What features might be useful?

Properties:

Power – high power ensures fast cooking.
The capacity of the bowl is an important indicator; it ranges from two to ten liters. The required volume is calculated based on the number of people in the family or the frequent arrival of guests; one and a half liters per person.
Multifunctionality - choose a multicooker that does not have too many programs. Why pay for something you won't need? Necessary functions: cooking popular cereals, baking, steaming, soup and multi-cook mode.
The presence of handles on the cup is an important criterion when choosing a multicooker. Some devices do not have holders, and instead they are offered with special tongs or potholders, which makes them inconvenient to use.
Lock - if there are children in the house, the “lock on when the cup is empty” function will be useful.

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There are induction multicookers that consume half as much electricity. The cost of such devices differs significantly (three to five times more expensive). Some multicookers have a three-dimensional heating function added, so the food is heated from all sides at the same time.

The benefits and harms of food cooked in a slow cooker

Dishes made in a slow cooker are much healthier than those cooked on a regular stove. This is primarily due to the use of less oil and more even heating of food. Moreover, food can be cooked even without adding water, by stewing food in its own juice. This gives soups and porridges a special rich taste.

The following beneficial properties of food from a slow cooker can be noted:

minimal amount of salt, oil and spices;
food does not burn or overheat;
More vitamins and microelements are retained.

At the same time, the cooking process takes minimal time; you just need to set the time and mode. This cooking method produces juicy and healthy food. There are more and more recipes for induction multicookers every year, from ordinary breakfasts and lunches to holiday masterpieces. Manufacturers produce a wide range of models, supplementing them with more and more interesting and useful functions.

Food cooked in a slow cooker can harm the body only in the following cases:

improper operation of the device or damage to the non-stick coating;
violation by the manufacturer of the multicooker manufacturing technology and the use of cheap toxic materials;
poor quality of products used for cooking.

If you follow the instructions, then food cooked in a slow cooker will not contain hazardous substances and will retain more vitamins than are retained with the usual cooking method.

to the entry “Benefits and harms of multicookers for human health”

Diets.Guru:
01/11/2019 at 01:15
Is it possible to consider that because of this microwave oven is harmful to health? No. On a regular stove, you can cook food just as poorly and become infected with salmonella or other pathogenic bacteria. The benefits and harms of a microwave in this case are determined not by the method of processing the products, but by the correctness of the culinary process.
Answer
Pohudet.Guru:
01/20/2019 at 01:00
Is it possible to consider that because of this microwave oven is harmful to health? No. On a regular stove, you can cook food just as poorly and become infected with salmonella or other pathogenic bacteria. The benefits and harms of a microwave in this case are determined not by the method of processing the products, but by the correctness of the culinary process.
Answer