Sarah stared at her cluttered kitchen counter, counting appliances. Air fryer, slow cooker, rice maker, toaster oven—each one promised to simplify her life, yet somehow her tiny galley kitchen felt more cramped than ever. When her neighbor mentioned ditching everything for a single device, Sarah laughed. “Sure, and next you’ll tell me one gadget can replace my entire stove.”
Three weeks later, Sarah was boxing up her air fryer. The sleek new machine humming quietly on her counter had just finished steaming dumplings, air-crisping sweet potato fries, and slow-cooking tomorrow’s chili—all while she helped her daughter with homework. Her kitchen suddenly felt spacious again.
That neighbor wasn’t exaggerating. The allinone cooking appliance revolution is quietly reshaping kitchens across the country, and the humble air fryer might be the first casualty.
Why Your Air Fryer Just Became Yesterday’s News
Air fryers exploded in popularity because they solved a real problem: crispy food without the oil guilt. But after the honeymoon phase wore off, users started bumping into walls. The basket barely fits a chicken breast for two people. Forget cooking pasta or making soup. And cleaning that basket after anything remotely sticky? Pure misery.
“The air fryer was brilliant at one thing, but terrible at being versatile,” says chef Michael Torres, who recently switched his restaurant’s prep kitchen to multi-function units. “We needed nine appliances to do what one modern device handles effortlessly.”
The new generation of allinone cooking appliances doesn’t just add features to air frying—it reimagines the entire concept. Instead of hot air blasting around a small basket, these machines combine multiple heating methods in one intelligent system. Steam injection for tender vegetables. Precision temperature control for perfect proteins. Convection fans for that crispy finish everyone loves.
Picture making risotto and roasted Brussels sprouts simultaneously, then switching to steam fresh fish while your rice pudding bakes on a different shelf. All in the same compact unit that takes up less counter space than your current air fryer.
The Nine-in-One Kitchen Game Changer
Modern allinone cooking appliances typically pack nine distinct cooking methods into one streamlined unit. Here’s what that actually means for your daily cooking routine:
| Function | What It Replaces | Perfect For |
|---|---|---|
| Air Fry | Traditional air fryer | Crispy wings, fries, reheating pizza |
| Steam | Bamboo steamer, steam insert | Vegetables, dumplings, fish |
| Slow Cook | Crock pot | Stews, pulled pork, overnight oats |
| Pressure Cook | Instant Pot | Quick beans, tender meat, rice |
| Bake | Toaster oven | Cookies, bread, casseroles |
| Grill | Indoor grill pan | Steaks, vegetables, paninis |
| Roast | Full-size oven | Whole chickens, root vegetables |
| Sauté | Stovetop pan | Onions, garlic, browning meat |
| Sous-vide | Immersion circulator | Restaurant-quality proteins |
The real magic happens when you combine methods. Start by sautéing onions and garlic directly in the cooking chamber. Add your ingredients and switch to slow cook mode. Twenty minutes before serving, activate the air fry function to crisp the top. Three cooking methods, one pot, minimal cleanup.
“I’ve been testing these units for six months, and the versatility is genuinely surprising,” explains home cooking expert Lisa Chen. “Yesterday I made yogurt overnight, then used the same chamber to roast a chicken for dinner. Try that with an air fryer.”
What This Means for Your Kitchen Right Now
The shift toward allinone cooking appliances is happening fast, driven by three major factors reshaping how we cook at home.
First, kitchen real estate is more precious than ever. Rental prices force people into smaller spaces, while homeowners increasingly value minimalist aesthetics. A single device that replaces four or five appliances isn’t just convenient—it’s necessary.
Second, these machines are genuinely smarter than their predecessors. Built-in sensors adjust cooking times based on food moisture levels. Apps let you start dinner from your commute. Pre-programmed settings take the guesswork out of complex techniques like sous-vide cooking.
Third, the price point finally makes sense. While early multi-function cookers cost upwards of $800, quality units now start around $300—less than buying separate air fryer, slow cooker, and pressure cooker devices.
The impact extends beyond individual kitchens. Appliance retailers report air fryer sales dropping 15% year-over-year, while allinone cooking appliance purchases jumped 40%. Manufacturers are responding by discontinuing standalone models and focusing development resources on multi-function units.
“We’re seeing the same pattern that happened with smartphones replacing cameras, MP3 players, and GPS devices,” notes retail analyst David Kumar. “Consumers want fewer, smarter devices that do more.”
For renters, this trend offers particular advantages. Instead of investing in multiple appliances they might not be able to move easily, one versatile unit provides complete cooking flexibility in any kitchen size.
Making the Switch: What You Need to Know
Before you pack up your air fryer, consider your actual cooking habits. If you primarily reheat leftovers and make frozen fries, a basic air fryer might still suit your needs. But if you find yourself wishing for more cooking flexibility, the upgrade makes financial and practical sense.
Key features to prioritize when shopping for an allinone cooking appliance include:
- Chamber size that fits your household’s portions
- Intuitive controls (touchscreen vs. buttons preference)
- Easy-clean interior surfaces and removable parts
- Pre-set programs for foods you cook regularly
- Steam injection capability for moisture control
- Multiple rack positions for cooking different foods simultaneously
“The learning curve is surprisingly gentle,” says home cook Maria Santos, who replaced three appliances with one multi-function unit. “The first week felt overwhelming with all the options, but now I can’t imagine going back to juggling separate devices.”
Installation is typically plug-and-play, though these units do require adequate ventilation and counter space. Most models are slightly larger than traditional air fryers but smaller than the combined footprint of multiple single-function appliances.
FAQs
Does an allinone cooking appliance actually cook as well as dedicated devices?
Modern units match or exceed the performance of individual appliances, with the added benefit of combining cooking methods in ways single-function devices cannot.
How much counter space do these appliances require?
Most models need about the same footprint as a large toaster oven, typically 18-22 inches wide and 12-15 inches deep.
Are these appliances difficult to clean?
Actually easier than multiple devices since most components are dishwasher-safe, and you’re cleaning one unit instead of several.
Can I really replace my air fryer completely?
Yes, the air fry function in quality allinone units performs identically to standalone air fryers, often with larger capacity.
What’s the typical price range for a good allinone cooking appliance?
Quality units range from $300-600, which often costs less than buying equivalent individual appliances.
Do I need special recipes for these multi-function cookers?
Most recipes translate directly, though many units include app-based recipe libraries optimized for their specific features and cooking methods.
