In case you’re a fan of fast and simple meals, then boy do I’ve the gadget for you. Over the previous week, I’ve used the Drew & Cole CleverPot (£35.99) to cook dinner my meals and now I feel I will likely be taking my CleverPot in all places this summer season.
You might have heard of Drew & Cole for producing among the greatest inexpensive multi-cookers, however their new CleverPot is somewhat totally different. Designed to boil, sear, fry, stew and even poach, I discovered the CleverPot to be a welcome addition to my small kitchen and busy life-style.
It was compact, light-weight and cooked my meals extremely rapidly – and that is why I feel you too ought to spend money on one.
The CleverPot can sear, fry, boil, stew and even poach. Its small, compact measurement makes it glorious for storing in small kitchens, making it an important selection for college kids and {couples}. You do not even want a hob – all of it works off a plug.
Multi-purpose are actually having a second, and I’m not complaining about it. From the M&S All In One Saucepan to the all the time iconic Our Place Excellent Pot (rated among the best forged iron cookware round), these new improvements are all about maximising the effectivity of cooking. And now the CleverPot has now arrived to assist streamline our kitchens.
I’m all for devices that can assist eliminate litter and make cooking simpler. My kitchen typically succumbs to litter, so proudly owning one pan that may do all of it appeals to me. The CleverPot has a 1.2L capability, making it excellent for {couples}, college students and those that dwell alone.
An electrical pot, this design works independently of a hob, so it is also used as a further cooking supply when all rings are in use, like Christmas or dinner events.
I’ve all the time been a batch cooker resulting from how a lot money and time it saves me. Taking one take a look at the CleverPot, I knew batch cooking was out of the query. So I made a decision to see whether or not it will nonetheless save me effort and time.
Testing the Intelligent Pot
I used to be frightened the steamer wasn’t large enough for 2 salmon fillets.
(Picture credit score: Future PLC/ Kezia Reynolds)
The primary characteristic I put to make use of was the CleverPot’s steamer. I used to be planning a meal of salmon, broccoli and candy potato wedges. So whereas my candy potato would go in my air fryer, I might boil the broccoli within the CleverPot and put the salmon within the steamer tray.
I wished to make two parts so I may take the leftovers to my workplace for lunch the subsequent day. And whereas the broccoli was snug within the pot, the Salmon was somewhat squished within the steamer, which made me really feel doubtful.
Nonetheless, I used to be happy with the outcomes. Including chilly water to the pot and setting it to ‘excessive’, the water boiled in beneath 5 minutes. After which including the steaming tray on high of the pot, my salmon was cooked completely in lower than 5 minutes. If something, I feel the salmon may have executed with even much less time.
I used to be left impressed with the steaming operate.
(Picture credit score: Future PLC/ Kezia Reynolds)
Subsequent on my record was a easy stir fry. The CleverPot is designed for 2, so I picked up a stir-fry meal deal equipment from Tesco, together with sauce, noodles and veg. I additionally bought a small pack of two hen breasts to throw in.
Right here, I had an issue with the CleverPot’s measurement. I intentionally purchased a equipment to make sure I had precisely two parts and located the pot was full to the brim. I even needed to switch the contents to my wok to complete off as I didn’t have the house to combine within the sauce.
Nonetheless once more it did warmth up in a short time, and my hen cooked sooner than in a saucepan. It additionally tasted a lot juicier and extra tender in comparison with a frying pan.
There wasn’t fairly sufficient house for the standard bag of stir fry greens.
(Picture credit score: Future PLC/ Kezia Reynolds)
Lastly, I made a decision to poach an egg – it was one recipe really helpful within the producer’s booklet that got here with the CleverPot. Truthfully, this took the identical period of time because it does with a saucepan, so I’m undecided it’s price utilizing for this function.
Due to my choice to batch cook dinner, I’m prone to keep on with my greatest gradual cooker to whip up my meals for the week, however this doesn’t imply I don’t suppose the CleverPot doesn’t come with out benefit – in actual fact, its excellent for tenting journeys I’ve lined up for the summer season.
It heats up extremely rapidly however stays cool on the skin to the contact. It’s compact and simple to retailer, making it nice when you’ve got restricted house or are in a home share. With two settings of excessive and low, it’s straightforward to make use of, and its non-stick coating makes it straightforward to wash, too.
If I’m ever in a rush, I do know I can depend on the CleverPot for one thing fast and simple. And I feel it’s nice for travelling and tenting holidays. All you want is an influence supply to plug it in, and it’s like having a mini kitchen, with far more on supply than a tenting range.