I’ll be the first to admit it: Cooking has never been my strong suit. I used to joke that my favorite kitchen appliance was my phone—because, let’s be real, hitting the delivery button after a long day is just too easy (love you, Chipotle). But as the costs started piling up, I knew something had to change.

My mom—an amazing home cook whose kitchen skills I have inherited exactly none of—recommended that I stop surviving on smoothies and microwave meals by investing in a multi-purpose tool that could simplify my routine. Enter the GreenPan Elite Multi-Pot, a sleek, tech-savvy gadget that not only makes cooking feel accessible but also has turned me into a Carmy-wannabe (yes, chef).

GreenPan Six-Quart Electric Multi-Pot with Steamer — $200.00

Originally $249, now $200

Set includes:

• Electric multi-pot
• Removable power cord with ties
• Six-quart walled multi-pan
• Steamer insert
• Silicone spoon
• Tempered glass lid

Pros:

• Versatile, with 12 modes: sear, sauté, stir-fry, sauce, soup, steam, simmer, warm, white rice, brown rice, grains, and manual
• User-friendly with intuitive control panel
• Simplifies cooking routine, with easy ways to make soups, stews, stir fries, and more
• Can replace multiple appliances in your kitchen

Cons:

• Expensive when not on sale

What’s been a game-changer for me isn’t just that this GreenPan multi-pot has helped me overcome my fear of cooking meat and poultry (I’ve made chicken in it twice now— but please, hold your applause). It’s the versatility and ease of use that truly won me over—it’s essentially a souped-up smart skillet, with 12 modes and a steamer basket. If you’re ready to majorly upgrade your home-cooked meals.

First, let’s talk about why this multi-pot is truly a multi-use kitchen hero. There isn’t just one way to use it—it’s loaded with cooking modes that quite literally make almost anything possible. You can stir-fry meat and veggies, whip up homemade sauces, or simmer dishes low and slow. Need a quick, healthy meal? Use the steam mode to perfectly cook vegetables. It also has settings for making rice or grains such as quinoa and oats. If you’re into soups as much as I am, there’s even a mode that ensures your ingredients don’t overcook. And for that restaurant-quality sear or sauté, the multi-pot will brown your meat like a pro.

Navigating through the settings is super simple, thanks to the intuitive control panel. There’s a dedicated button for sear/sauté, a menu button to cycle through the different cooking modes (or freestyle with the manual option), plus time and temp buttons to fine-tune your cooking, and of course, a start/stop button for when you’re ready to go or need to pause.

The variety of meals you can cook is equally impressive. I usually stick to one-pot wonders like teriyaki chicken and veggie stir-fry (hello, easy cleanup), and I’ve also used it as a slow cooker for hearty chilis and stews now that its cooling down outside.

If you’re like me and don’t have any outdoor space, this multi-pot doubles as a pseudo-indoor grill. Even when I cave to my old delivery ways (hey, old habits die hard), I use the multi-pot to reheat takeout without the sogginess or uneven temperature you’d get from a microwave. It’s basically the ultimate cooking hack. Plus, if you run out of inspiration, the multi-pot comes with a free recipe guide and tips that are actually helpful.

In short, the GreenPan Elite Multi-Pot has made cooking feel accessible, even for a takeout enthusiast like me. With its versatility, ease of use, and ability to handle everything from quick stir-fries to slow-cooked meals, it’s become the only kitchen tool I reach for—no sous-chef necessary.