Review of the Redmond MC100 multicooker

A multicooker is an incredibly convenient device. With 12 automatic programs, you don't have to worry about settings. However, if you prefer to control the process, the Redmond MC100 multicooker has a Masterchef light function. It allows you to consciously set time and temperature, cooking food exactly the way you want.

This time we used mainly automatic programs — we really wanted to find out how everything that was originally included in the device works. Well, the Color Chef feature… it's just beautiful.

^* Contrary to popular belief, this is not the time limit after which the device will necessarily break down. However, after this period, the manufacturer ceases to bear any responsibility for its performance and has the right to refuse to repair it, even for a fee.

The box is made of matte cardboard, pleasant to the touch, decorated with an image of the device and technical information about the model and its capabilities. It features a Color Chef feature that highlights different stages of cooking in different colors.

The device inside the box is reliably protected from damage using foam inserts that ensure its immobility inside the case. The box is also equipped with a convenient handle for easy transportation.

Opening the box, we found:

• multicooker
• cup
• container for steaming
• beaker
• flat spoon
• scoop
• power cord
• service book, recipe book and instruction manual

The inspection and first acquaintance with the Redmond MC100 multicooker ended successfully. The device has high quality workmanship and an attractive design, which makes it attractive to users. The design is simple and intuitive, without causing any difficulties in use. The non-stick coating on the inner walls of the bowl feels durable and reliable.

The instruction manual is made in the form of a brochure on high-quality glossy paper. Information is presented in Russian and Kazakh languages. In the document, in addition to standard sections on the operation and care of the multicooker, the user will find instructions on turning off sound signals, setting cooking times, using automatic programs and changing their parameters.

Additional information includes a summary table of cooking programs with factory settings, a table with recommended temperatures for various dishes, as well as information about cooking errors and how to resolve them, caring for the appliance and other useful tips.

The multicooker comes with an illustrated book with 135 recipes. It presents a variety of dishes: porridges, soups, main courses, side dishes, appetizers, salads, pastries, drinks, desserts, dishes prepared using the sous-vide method and deep-fried, recipes for fermented milk products, preserves and even a separate children's menu. All recipes are equipped with high-quality photographs, which make them even more attractive and appetizing.

The control panel is conveniently located, with not too many buttons, which makes operating the multicooker intuitive. The bright LED display makes information easy to read, and the touch buttons are effortless to press.

The button to the left of the timer with a square icon turns on and off the auto-warm/reheat mode, as well as interrupts the cooking program and resets the settings. The button to the right of the timer turns the cooking program on and off with the current settings, and also starts heating; holding this button starts the Express program from standby mode.

At the same level there are two indicators: the auto-heating/warming indicator and the “Multi-cook” program indicator. The auto-heating indicator (an image of a bowl of steam) is located to the right of the display and lights up when the program starts. In the same way, upon startup, the “Multi-cook” program indicator (image of a chef’s hat) to the left of the display turns on.

Below the display are indicators for automatic cooking programs:

• Multicook
• Express
• Steam
• Cooking
• Frying
• Languishment
• Pasta
• Rice/cereals
• Soup/stew
• Bakery
• Dough/yogurt
• Milk porridge

Below the automatic program indicators there are four touch buttons:

• Button with an image of an alarm clock: setting the delayed start time, turning off sound signals
• Button with the image of a thermometer: setting the cooking temperature, locking the control panel
• Clock button: setting cooking time
• Button with a picture of a chef’s hat: select the “Multi-cook” program

Below these buttons there are “±” buttons, designed to increase/decrease parameter values and select automatic cooking programs.

The Color Chef status bar is located below all touch buttons and will be discussed in more detail in the Operation section.

Before using the multicooker for the first time, it is recommended to process half of the lemon cut into pieces in the “Steam” program for 15 minutes, adding 0.5 liters of water to the bowl. However, we limited ourselves to simply cleaning the multicooker bowl with liquid detergent, which turned out to be quite sufficient.

Operating the multicooker is not difficult; the controls are simple and intuitive. Although there are many automatic program buttons, each one is clearly labeled, making program selection easy. However, the lettering could be brighter, especially in low light conditions in the kitchen.

The ability to mute beeps and lock the control panel is a convenient feature.

Using automatic programs and the MasterChef Light function went without any difficulties. The delay start, auto-heating and warm-up functions also work flawlessly.

We remind you that the multicooker is equipped with the Color Chef function, which highlights different stages of cooking in different colors. Below is a table with Color Chef color values.

To be honest, we never understood the sacred meaning of this function, other than the fact that it is simply beautiful. The multicooker does everything itself, and there is absolutely no need to monitor it.

In general, caring for a multicooker is quite simple. The outer part can be wiped with a soft damp cloth or sponge. The bowl is dishwasher safe, but we preferred washing it by hand.

It is necessary to regularly clean the inner lid of the multicooker with a soft, damp cloth or sponge. The removable steam valve should be cleaned after each use as described in the instructions.

Interestingly, this model does not have a container for collecting condensate. Instead, condensation accumulates in a special cavity on the multicooker body around the bowl. It can be easily removed with a kitchen cloth, making the appliance easier to clean.

It is also recommended not to leave a bowl of cooked food in a closed appliance for more than 24 hours. The finished dish can be placed in the refrigerator and reheated if necessary in a multicooker using the appropriate function.

The maximum power recorded by the wattmeter during operation of the multicooker was 862 W.

To test the operation of the automatic «Soup» program, we decided to prepare spinach puree soup. First, we fried the onions in a frying pan, then peeled and cut the potatoes. We added frozen spinach, which we bought in briquettes at the store, and started the automatic program for 30 minutes. (By default, the program assumes 1 hour).

After half an hour, the program finished working, the soup was cooked, and we sent it to the blender, where the regular soup turned into puree soup. Add cream to the soup and whip again.

Then they poured it into a plate, added crackers and ate it.

Using the same Soup/Stew program, we cooked tilapia in a creamy sauce, and we were also completely satisfied with the result.

Next we prepared trout steak. Having launched the automatic “Frying” program, place the fish steak on the bottom of the multicooker bowl, first adding salt and pepper. The trout was ready even before the end of the program.

After which we ate the trout with gusto.

The multicooker bowl was greased with butter and the cake dough was placed in it. Then close the lid and set the “Baking” program for 1 hour, bringing the cooking to the end of the program.

After the time had passed, when we opened the lid of the multicooker, we discovered that the cake was baked perfectly. We expected some difficulty in removing the cake from the bowl, but to our surprise, the process was much easier. The non-stick coating worked great. We carefully separated the edges of the cake from the multicooker bowl, then covered the bowl with a plate, turned it over… and within a second the cake slid out of the bowl. The surprisingly easy process of removing the cake from the slow cooker was a pleasant surprise considering how much effort it usually takes.

The cupcake turned out great.

We have been looking for a long time for an approach to perfect buckwheat after we had a multicooker with the ideal program for this. Redmond MC100 provides three porridge cooking programs:

• Program «Rice/cereals»
• Program «Milk porridge»
• Express program

We decided to use the «Express» program, designed for rice and cereals in water, with automatic shutdown after the water has completely boiled away.

We put buckwheat into the multicooker bowl, poured water, added salt and started the program. We did not adhere to exact proportions, doing everything by eye: the cereal covered the bottom of the multicooker, and we added water about a finger above the level of the buckwheat.

After about an hour, the multicooker beeped at the end of the program. Lifting the lid, we discovered perfectly cooked buckwheat porridge.

While the porridge was cooking, we thought that it would be nice to add fried onions to it, but we wanted to eat so much while it was cooking that we simply boiled the sausage and ate it with buckwheat.

After preparing this classic and simple second course, we were pleasantly surprised by its taste and quality.

Then we decided to try the “Warming Up” function on the same buckwheat. Although it is clear that heating in a slow cooker takes longer than in a microwave, we were pleased with the result: in 15 minutes the porridge was warmed up both inside and out.

Result: excellent.

In the evening we decided to test the automatic Milk Porridge program using the delay start function.

We poured milk into the multicooker bowl, added rolled oats and butter. The default time for this program was 35 minutes, but since we were making classic oatmeal and not rolled oats, we had to think about it. We decided to set the cook time to 8 minutes and then delay the start 11 hours ahead.

After the designated time, the multicooker beeped when cooking was complete, we opened the lid and saw that the porridge was cooked. Maybe it’s a little thin for some people’s tastes, but for us it’s just right.

We poured jam over the porridge (more for beauty than for taste) and, of course, ate it.

Working with the multicooker turned out to be very convenient. Built-in automatic programs cover most typical dishes. The default time and temperature parameters are quite suitable for the task, but if necessary, they can easily be changed directly during the cooking process.

In general, a multicooker seems to us to be a useful and convenient tool that can make cooking much easier, especially if you don’t have much time or desire to think about how to prepare a particular dish.

Pros:

• simple controls
• ability to adjust temperature and time during cooking
• temperature setting accurate to the degree
• excellent non-stick coating of the bowl

Minuses:

• not detected