Multi Cooker turns on the heat any time of day

The Deni Multi Cooker can make meals suitable for breakfast, lunch, or dinner.

(Credit: Deni)

Cooking starts with heat. Everybody knows that; it is the way in which that heat is applied to food where things get complicated. This, of course, is a good thing. The range of modern cuisine is so widely varied, thanks in great part to all the different cooking methods that are readily available at one's fingertips. With a press of a button or a twist of a dial, meals can be created that range from instantly recognizable to outlandishly strange. Sometimes, even with the same appliance.

From minestrone soup to a good old-fashioned fish fry, the Deni 9135 five-quart Multi Cooker can accommodate. The versatile countertop appliance is designed to do everything from warming and slow-cooking, to deep frying and sauteing. In between the two extremes, the Multi Cooker can steam, boil, roast, and even make fondue.

Actions are controlled via an intuitive dial with clearly marked settings that correspond to temperature output. With a range of 175 degrees to 450 degrees F, the flexibility of the device allows it to be used for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. An included lid helps users control the heat. Accessories include a fry basket and a steaming tray insert that allow for simple-to-use operation that is as streamlined as its control panel. What might not be so easy though, is deciding what to cook first. Or second, for that matter. Good thing there are three meals a day.