Sarah Martinez stood in her kitchen last Tuesday morning, staring at two appliances that somehow represented everything wrong with modern life. Her trusty air fryer sat unplugged in the corner, while the sleek new nine in one kitchen gadget dominated the counter like a spaceship that had crash-landed in suburbia.
“I used to know how to cook,” she muttered, poking at the touchscreen displaying seventeen different preset options. “Now I need a PhD just to reheat leftover pizza.”
Her teenage daughter rolled her eyes from across the room. “Mom, it’s literally easier than your old stuff. Everything’s automatic.” But Sarah wasn’t convinced. Something about pushing “Steam-Bake Combo Mode” for a simple piece of fish felt fundamentally wrong.
The Kitchen Revolution Nobody Asked For
The nine in one kitchen gadget has quietly become the most divisive appliance since the microwave. These sleek machines promise to replace your oven, stovetop, air fryer, slow cooker, steamer, dehydrator, yogurt maker, rice cooker, and pressure cooker all in one countertop unit.
Walk into any appliance store and you’ll witness families having heated discussions over these devices. The conversations sound less like shopping and more like therapy sessions.
“We spent four hundred dollars on a machine that makes worse roast chicken than my grandmother’s ancient oven,” says Tom Henderson, a father of three from Manchester. “But my kids act like I’m anti-technology for wanting to use actual pots and pans.”
The controversy isn’t just about money. It’s about identity, tradition, and what constitutes “real” cooking in 2024.
What You’re Really Getting (And Giving Up)
Let’s break down what these nine in one kitchen gadgets actually offer versus what they cost you:
| Feature | Promise | Reality |
|---|---|---|
| Air Frying | Crispy results like deep frying | Good, but dedicated air fryers often perform better |
| Slow Cooking | Set and forget convenience | Works well, similar to traditional slow cookers |
| Pressure Cooking | Fast, tender results | Effective but learning curve for timing |
| Baking | Replaces your oven | Limited capacity, uneven results for larger items |
| Dehydrating | Make healthy snacks | Works but most people use it once |
The key selling points include:
- Counter space efficiency (one device replaces multiple appliances)
- Energy savings compared to heating a full oven
- Preset programs for consistent results
- App connectivity for remote monitoring
- Easy cleanup with removable, dishwasher-safe parts
But critics point out significant drawbacks:
- High upfront costs ($250-$600 for quality units)
- Complex learning curve despite “simple” marketing
- Capacity limitations for larger families
- Repair costs often exceed replacement value
- Loss of traditional cooking skills and intuition
The Real Cost of Convenience
Dr. Elena Rodriguez, a food sociologist at Columbia University, has been studying the impact of smart kitchen appliances on family dynamics. “We’re seeing a generation that can operate complex digital interfaces but can’t tell when an onion is properly caramelized by sight and smell,” she explains.
The financial math is more complex than manufacturers suggest. While a nine in one kitchen gadget might replace several appliances, families often discover they still need their regular oven for larger meals or specific textures.
“I bought it to simplify our lives and save money,” says Lisa Chen, a working mother from Seattle. “Six months later, we’re still using our regular oven for Sunday roasts, and the gadget mostly reheats leftovers. That’s a very expensive microwave.”
The health claims also deserve scrutiny. Yes, these devices can reduce oil usage and cook food more evenly than some traditional methods. But nutritionist Mark Thompson warns against overselling the benefits: “Any cooking method that reduces processed food consumption is positive, but the magic isn’t in the machine – it’s in choosing whole ingredients.”
Families Divided
Perhaps the most unexpected consequence has been generational conflict within households. Younger family members, comfortable with digital interfaces and influenced by social media cooking content, embrace these gadgets enthusiastically.
Meanwhile, parents and grandparents often feel displaced from their own kitchens. “My mother-in-law refuses to touch it,” says Jennifer Walsh, a mother of two. “She says it’s ‘not real cooking.’ But my ten-year-old can make a perfectly good chicken dinner using the presets. I’m not sure who’s right anymore.”
The devices have created new household dynamics around food preparation. Children who previously watched parents cook intuitively – adjusting heat, tasting, timing by experience – now learn to follow digital prompts and preset programs.
“We’re raising a generation that thinks cooking is selecting the right app setting,” observes chef and cookbook author Maria Santos. “There’s something lost when you remove the sensory learning – the sounds, smells, and visual cues that make you a real cook.”
The Verdict on Kitchen Innovation
The nine in one kitchen gadget controversy reflects larger tensions about technology, tradition, and modern life. These devices work as advertised for many functions, but they can’t replicate the full experience of traditional cooking methods.
For busy families with limited space and basic cooking needs, they offer genuine convenience and can improve diet quality by making home cooking more accessible. The preset programs remove guesswork and reduce cooking failures that might otherwise push families toward takeout.
However, they also represent a fundamental shift in how we relate to food preparation. The question isn’t whether these gadgets work – it’s whether the convenience is worth what we’re giving up in terms of culinary intuition, sensory engagement, and cooking traditions.
As food writer Anthony Bourdain once said, “Cooking is about transformation – not just of ingredients, but of the cook.” The nine in one kitchen gadget promises to handle the transformation for you. Whether that’s progress or loss depends on what you value in your kitchen.
FAQs
Are nine in one kitchen gadgets worth the money?
It depends on your cooking habits and space constraints. They’re most valuable for small households that frequently use multiple cooking methods but have limited counter space.
Do these devices really replace a regular oven?
Not entirely. While they handle many oven functions well, capacity limitations mean you’ll still need a conventional oven for large meals, holiday cooking, or multiple dishes simultaneously.
Are they actually healthier than traditional cooking methods?
They can promote healthier cooking by reducing oil usage and making home cooking more convenient, but the health benefits depend more on ingredient choices than the appliance itself.
How long do these multi-function appliances typically last?
Quality varies significantly by brand, but most last 3-5 years with regular use. Repair costs are often high due to complex electronics and sensors.
Do kids really cook more with these gadgets?
Many parents report their children are more interested in cooking when using preset programs, but critics argue this doesn’t teach fundamental cooking skills and intuition.
Should I get rid of my other appliances if I buy one?
Most experts recommend keeping your most-used traditional appliances until you’re confident the nine in one device meets all your needs. Many families end up using both systems for different purposes.