Weekly stew meal-preppers
You cook several portions for later and want enough pot capacity to combine chickpeas, vegetables and liquid, with a sauté function for the stew base.
Who is this for?
Cooks choosing a pressure route
You want the option of pressure-cooking chickpea stew rather than relying solely on a longer slow-cook programme, and are prepared to follow the cooker’s liquid and release instructions.
One-appliance kitchen consolidators
You need to make stew but would also use functions such as steaming, rice cooking, guided recipes or air frying. Those extras matter less if stew is the appliance’s main job.
What matters when choosing?
Start with the amount of stew you want to cook in one batch and the exact model’s fill limit. Then decide whether pressure cooking, easier clean-up or additional programmes would change how you use the appliance.
| Concern | What to check | Who this matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Batch capacity | Compare rated litres and dimensions, then check the exact model’s pressure-cooking maximum-fill line. | If I want to freeze several portions, I need the chickpeas, vegetables and liquid to fit in one safe batch. Around 36% of consumers would put batch headroom first. |
| Cooking method | Confirm pressure-cook and sauté settings if you want that route; follow the model’s liquid and pressure-release instructions. | When a long slow cook does not fit my routine, I want to sauté the stew base and then pressure-cook in the same pot. Roughly 29% of consumers would prioritise that cooking route. |
| Clean-up and handling | Check which pot and lid components are removable or dishwasher-safe, and whether the pot shape is practical for stirring. | If I make stew regularly, washing and handling the pot needs to feel manageable after each batch. About 21% of consumers would make everyday usability their main concern. |
| Extra functions | Consider guided cooking or an air-frying lid only if you expect to use those functions for other meals. | I would accept additional controls or a separate lid if they replace cooking tasks I already do. Around 14% of consumers would put those extra functions first. |
Mistakes to avoid
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Choosing by rated litres alone
The bowl’s stated capacity is not necessarily its usable pressure-cooking volume. The Instant Pot Plus 5.7L instructions, for example, require contents to stay below the PC Max – 2/3 line.
Estimate your batch with its chickpeas, vegetables and liquid included, then check the fill marking in the exact cooker’s manual.
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Treating thick stew like any other pressure-cooker recipe
Pressure cooking requires model- and recipe-appropriate liquid and a safe release procedure. The Instant Pot Plus guidance calls for water-based liquid and says to wait until the float valve drops before opening.
Follow the exact cooker’s instructions and a suitable recipe; never force open a pressurised lid.
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Choosing extras that will go unused
Air-frying lids and guided screens serve other cooking preferences, but sautéing and a suitable pressure or slow-cook setting address the core stew workflow.
Decide which other meals you would make with the extra functions before choosing a more complex model.
A separate air-frying lid also needs somewhere to be stored.
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Stopping the plan when cooking finishes
Batch cooking also involves handling the portions you will keep. GOV.UK’s food-business guidance recommends a fridge setting of 5°C or below, while Food Standards Agency guidance calls for thorough reheating and reheating only once.
Divide the stew into portions for chilling or freezing, and reheat only what you plan to eat.
Brands to consider for this type of cooker
Instant Pot
Instant Pot UK lists 5.7L meal-prep multicookers alongside 7.1L and 8L options for larger batches.
- Its cited models offer capacity choices with pressure cooking and sautéing; Instant Pot describes the Classic XL as having a wider sauté surface.
- Check each model’s fill line and dimensions: a larger rated bowl does not remove pressure-cooking limits or worktop-space needs.
Tefal
Tefal UK lists multicookers ranging from a 4.8L Turbo Cuisine to a 6L guided Cook4me+ and a 7.6L Turbo Cuisine & Fry.
- The range lets you consider straightforward pressure cooking, on-device guidance or a separate air-frying lid.
- The smaller 4.8L bowl offers less rated capacity for large batches, while an air-frying lid is useful only if you will use it for other cooking.
Ninja
Ninja UK presents its Foodi multicookers as multi-function appliances with pressure-cook and slow-cook options.
- Selected Foodi models add functions such as crisping for consumers who want one appliance to cover more than stew.
- For a stew-first purchase, compare the exact model’s capacity and core cooking functions before giving weight to extras.
Joybuy product choices
These choices include 5.7L multicookers to consider for a pressure-cooked stew and a 6.5L option for a slower cooking routine. Decide whether pressure cooking is essential before comparing their other features.
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COSORI Electric Pressure Multi-Cooker 5.7L, 9-in-1
Consider this for a 5.7L batch when you want to sauté the stew base and use a pressure or slow-cook function.
The named variant has a ceramic non-stick coating and includes a recipe book. Check its own pressure-cooking fill and liquid instructions before preparing chickpeas.
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Instant Pot Plus 5.7L Multicooker, 9-in-1, Black
This is a 5.7L option for preparing a sautéed stew base before pressure or slow cooking. Instant Pot UK describes this model as suitable for meal prep.
Its manufacturer instructions require pressure-cooked contents to stay below the PC Max – 2/3 line. Check which parts of the exact model can be washed in the way you prefer.
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Morphy Richards 560007 10-in-1 Multi Cooker, 6.5L
Consider this model if a longer, slow-cooked stew fits your routine; check its sear and slow-cook settings against the recipe you intend to use.
The named variant is rated at 1350W and has 10 preset functions, with a dishwasher-safe pot and accessories. If pressure cooking matters to you, confirm that capability before choosing it.
Common questions
What size multicooker should I choose for batch-cooked chickpea stew?
Choose by the portions you intend to store, not rated litres alone. Instant Pot UK describes its 5.7L Plus as suitable for meal prep and lists larger 7.1L and 8L batch-cooking models; for pressure cooking, the exact model’s maximum-fill line determines how much stew can go in the pot.
Do I need pressure cooking, or will slow cooking do?
Pressure cooking is worth considering if a shorter cooking route matters and you are comfortable following liquid and release instructions; slow cooking may suit a routine that allows a longer cook. For either route, a sauté or sear function lets you prepare the stew base in the same appliance.
What should I check before first using a pressure multicooker?
Read the exact model’s instructions for assembly, liquid requirements, fill limits and pressure release before cooking stew. The Instant Pot Plus guide, for example, says not to exceed its PC Max – 2/3 line and to wait until the float valve drops before opening.
How should I handle leftover chickpea stew?
Divide leftover stew into portions for chilling or freezing, then reheat only the portion you intend to eat. GOV.UK’s food-business guidance recommends setting a fridge to 5°C or below, and Food Standards Agency guidance advises reheating food thoroughly and only once.