Breville adds more precision, safety to its Fast Slow Pro cooker

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Multitasking is a priority for Breville gadgets. The small-appliance manufacturer's products range from a smart convection countertop oven that can slow cook to a slow cooker with an insert that works on a stovetop. Now, Breville has updated its combination pressure/slow cooker for safer more precise cooking.

The Breville Fast Slow Pro BPR700BS, a countertop appliance that can act as a pressure cooker or slow cooker, now includes a host of new cook settings designed for specific foods, such as "Pressure Cook Rice" and "Pressure and Slow Cook Beans," along with the steam, sauté and sear options we saw on the Breville BPR600XL Fast Slow Cooker when it debuted in 2013. The Fast Slow Pro also includes a feature that lets you enter your altitude so the cooker will adjust its settings to accommodate for lower air pressure at higher altitudes. There's also a hands-free automatic steam release that lets out air at different intervals depending on what food you're cooking.

Breville has made thoughtful upgrades to its original Fast Slow Cooker. The Fast Slow Pro looks like it removes much of the guesswork that comes with pressure cooking with its additional settings and automated steam release. But it's disappointing that Breville bypassed adding connected features to the cooker like we've seen with the Instant Pot Smart earlier this year. An app that would let you monitor the cooker, especially when its on slow-cook mode, would elevate this multipurpose appliance above its competitors. The Fast Slow Pro will cost $250 when it becomes widely available next month (it's currently available for preorder on Sur la Table). For that price and no connectivity, the cooker needs to really simplify slow and pressure cooking and produce plenty of delicious meals.