I am a Froothie Ambassador and was sent the Optimum Pressure Cooker PRO to review by Froothie UK. All opinions expressed are my own but links to the product are affiliate links (see below for more information).
Another kitchen gadget
You might be able to tell that I LOVE a kitchen gadget. I'm a huge fan of my slow cooker and I fell head over heels the first time I laid eyes on my deep fat fryer
Because I can't resist adding another gadget to my kitchen, I've been testing out the Optimum Pressure Cooker PRO to see if it can not only save me some time in the kitchen, but if it can also help get back into a healthy eating regime.
What is the Optimum Pressure Cooker PRO?
So I guess you're probably wondering why I'm writing about this new gadget? What's so great about it that I feel the need to dedicate a whole post to it? The Optimum Pressure Cooker PRO is actually a multi cooker.
It pressure cooks meaning dinner can be on the table a lot faster, but it is also a slow cooker, a deep fat fryer and more! In fact I've already chucked out my old slow cooker as the Optimum Pressure Cooker PRO is ten times better!
Pre-set features
It comes with 16 built-in features. You just choose the right one for your dish and the machine does the rest!
- Slow cook (high or low)
- Meat
- White Rice
- Stew
- Soup
- Porridge
- Steam
- Braise
- Cake
- Pizza
- Pasta
- Roast
- Deep Fry
- Defrost
- Yogurt
- Simmer
If none of those do it for you there is also a "DIY" setting which lets you play around with the 7 pressure levels and timings.
Some recipes I've seen call for a combination of the settings during cooking. They might get you to fry off vegetables and spices using the deep fry setting before adding in meat to braise. It's a really clever, versatile machine. Personally I prefer just chucking everything in in one go but it's good to have lots of different options.
I was also impressed with how many "accessories" it came with. There's a frying basket, a measuring cup, a ladle and spoon (so you don't ruin the non-stick coating) and even a special "lid" that stops it overflowing!
Optimum Pressure Cooker PRO recipes
The first thing I attempted was my slow cooked beef chilli. I'll admit, I'm a pressure cooker novice and so I opted for the slow cooker function first time. It came out perfectly - in fact I think it came out BETTER than it used to in my old machine! Win-win!
Since then I've been brave and I've also tried a variation of this jewelled Persian Rice from A Glug of Oil, pasta bake, a big bowl of porridge and even rice pudding (will definitely be sharing that recipe soon!)
I'm super excited about trying the pizza and cake functions but they will have to wait. Can you believe this Blood Orange and Chocolate Cake from Tin and Thyme was made in pressure cooker?! I am in awe!
It's probably worth noting at this point that the machine doesn't actually come with a recipe book. You can find one on the Froothie website but it would probably be better if a hard copy was supplied with the machine. Failing that, thank God for the Froothie bloggers!
Optimum Pressure Cooker PRO review
This review wouldn't be all that helpful if I just gushed about the machine. So let's break this down into pros and cons.
Pros
+ Looks good
+ Easy to use
+ Easy to clean
+ Saves me time and effort
+ Lots of features (I can throw away half of my other kitchen gadgets now!)
+ Good value
Cons
- not small enough to leave out on my counter (question whether this is the machine's fault or I just need a bigger kitchen...)
Undecided
The machine features "voice guidance". When you turn it on, select various commands, and at various stages throughout cooking a strange ladies voice emanates from the machine. I LOVE it. It's loud enough that I can be in another room and hear that it's about to release pressure, or that dinners ready and it's turning itself to the warming setting. Jon on the other hand isn't so sure. I think he finds it a little creepy. He's suggested we name it "Skynet" after the AI robot thing in the Terminator!
Get your own!
Affiliate links
As I'm an Ambassador for Froothie this means I get paid a small commission if you buy one. Of course there's no extra cost to you but it will make a big difference to me!
To find out more about the Optimum Pressure Cooker PRO with Induction technology pop over to the Froothie website.
If you do purchase one do make sure you come back and share your favourite recipes in the comments!
Choclette says
Nice review. Size is such an issue. I think it's a great piece of kit, but I have not room in my kitchen, so it's sadly unlikely to be used. I too need a bigger kitchen. Thanks for mentioning my cake - it was awesome 😉
Emma Walton says
Thanks Choclette! I always feel like I need to say size isn't the products fault, it's mine for buying a house with a small kitchen haha!
Janice says
You need a bigger kitchen - ha ha! I can laugh because I have a big kitchen and also a 'back kitchen' where I keep all my gadgets. I feel your pain, as I would hate to have to choose which piece of kit to have out. However, it looks like this Pressure Cooker Multi cooker would earn it's place by its ability to do so many things!!
Emma Walton says
Oh WOW! Very jealous Janice 😛 I have a pantry where most are tucked away in their boxes 🙁 the only two I currently keep out are my blender and now the pressure cooker 🙂 so handy!
Jan Bennett says
Oooh so pleased you tried my jewelled rice 🙂
My kitchen is really tiny but I've had a shuffle round and managed to squeeze it in - I was determined lol
Lorna says
Ahahaha I'm definitely with Jon on the voice guidance - CREEPY!!!
I don't like to feel like my kitchen appliances are planning an uprising behind my back; I'd rather it didn't talk.
Having said that, I do really love mine - it cooks aubergines soooooo weeeeeell on the Meats function!
L x
Emma Walton says
When you put it like that Lorna...im not sure I can trust her next to my blender! What if they start an attack :-p must try aubergines in it. We love them but they are tricky to get just right!
Eb Gargano / easypeasyfoodie.com says
Great review - sounds like a fab machine. I'm seriously impressed by all the functions. And that voice thing sounds fun - my kids would love it!! Eb x