Pressure cooking ribs will help tenderize them. Then pop them on the grill to sear and smoke. Do you need deviled eggs for a crowd? That's not a problem, because pressure-cooked eggs are simple to peel. But which device can tackle your whole summer barbecue?
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There's the Instant Pot and other multi-cookers, which can cost $70 to $250. Consumer Reports set out to see how they perform.
Testers checked out features like steaming, sautéing, slow-cooking, and pressure cooking by preparing pork ribs, chili with dried beans, lots of vegetables, and white rice.
Five models got an Excellent rating for pressure cooking, and a few had some special talents.
The 6-quart Breville Fast Slow Pro model # BPR700BSS for $250 stands out for slow-cooking, so it would be perfect for making tender baked beans. It also gets high marks for steaming; every BBQ needs something a little healthy! The Breville's lid doesn't lock in steam mode, so you can peek in and avoid mushy veggies.
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The 6-quart Instant Pot Max for $200 has a sous vide feature, which will turn out moist meats and fish. It does a very good job making rice.
The Ninja Foodi OP302 is a 6.5-quart model for $230 that has a crisping lid; after testers pressure-cooked a chicken, they were able to brown it. It also works as an air fryer, and you can even roast corn on the cob in it!
As for dessert, a multi-cooker can even finish your summer BBQ with a cheesecake so you don't have to turn on your oven!
Consumer Reports has this tip: The silicone ring that seals the lid on multi-cookers can retain the odors of whatever you cook. So to keep the scent of curry away from your cheesecake, consider keeping a second ring on hand just for sweets. It's also a good idea to dry the lid ring-side up.