Philips HomeCooker is like a slow cooker but with many other functions. It is able to simmer (90ºC), boil (110ºC), steam (130ºC), fry (175ºC), keep the food warm (70ºC) and melt (40ºC). The temperature setting (max 250ºC) can also be set to turbo to heat up ingredients quickly or to roast large amounts of ingredients.
When I cooked crispy rosemary potatoes, it only took 2 minutes to reach 250ºC. While waiting for it to heat up, it gives me time to get ready the rest of the ingredients.The buttons are easy to press and simple to understand. It also comes with a timer which you can set from 1 to 99 minutes. If you used the timer, it will switch off and keep warm at a steady 70ºC until you’re ready to serve. I have used this function and think it is very handy. Once the timer is up, it will beep twice and pause for a few seconds before it beeps twice again. It will continue beeping until you turn it off. If you don’t used the timer, the time starts counting up from zero the moment you start the HomeCooker like a stopwatch.
I love the stirrer function! That’s the main selling point for the HomeCooker for me! My food is nicely mixed and none of the food is burnt. The 3 litre stainless steel pot is so big that I even used it to cook 8 portions of Chinese fried rice! It took a bit longer to cook in the HomeCooker than using a wok but it is worth waiting for. It saves my hands from aching and gives me time to do something else. The outcome was perfect.
It comes with a pasta insert, steaming basket and steaming tray. I used the pasta insert to cook my spaghetti. It was so easy to lift up the insert. One tip is to put a big plate next to your HomeCooker to place the pasta insert or place your HomeCooker next to a sink to avoid dripping water everywhere.
I managed to steam a piece of fish (used together with the steaming tray and steaming basket) while the fried rice was cooking at the bottom of the stainless steel pot. It saves time and money.
All items are dishwasher safe. I do not own a dishwasher and it was very easy to wash by hand. My husband caught the tips of his fingers in the hole of the side handles which was obviously annoying and painful.
The HomeCooker also comes with Jamie Oliver’s cookbook. Inside the cookbook, it has 25 recipe ideas for you to choose from! From cooking breakfast to pudding! You can even download different recipes from Philips website. Jamie’s recipes are simple, easy, everyday recipes for you to get the most out of your new appliance.
It is a very posh handsome looking appliance and it will fit well in most home kitchens.
The negative point is that it is a bit too expensive and not a lot of people would be willing to buy it at this price, based on feedback from the party. The RRP for the HomeCooker is £250.
Overall I would recommend this for a busy family who want to enjoy fresh cooked meals or people with a big family.
Disclosure: We received these goodies from Philips through Come Round to host a party and write an honest review.
