Our Honest Review of the Our Place Dream Cooker
This chic countertop multi cooker is not your mom's Instant Pot.
It’s no secret that our editors love the products from Our Place. The chic and sustainable brand makes eye-catching cookware with versatility in mind, so each piece can be used for multiple tasks while eliminating wasted space in the kitchen. After perfecting multifunctional pieces of cookware (like the Always Pan and Always Pan 2.0) the brand recently made its foray into appliances. After the Wonder Oven — the brand’s version of an air fryer toaster oven — sold out in just one week, Our Place launched its second appliance, the Dream Cooker in October. This multi cooker is designed to cook fork-tender meats and fluffy grains all on your countertop, and it comes in four of Our Place’s classic colors. Matching the brand’s Instagrammable aesthetic, this large countertop cooker is super sleek, with an LCD touchscreen that lights up once it’s plugged in. It’s big and functional, so it’s a great way to tackle multiple tasks with one convenient and elegant machine. We put it to the test over the last month, using it daily to cook dinners or meal prep in big batches of grains and protein for the week. Read on for our findings.
- Efficient Functions
- Nonstick surface adds versatility
- Easy-to-use control panel
- Learning curve for recipes
- Would benefit from accessories
What We Liked in Testing
Efficient Functions and Nonstick Surface Add Versatility
The Dream Cooker is a true multi cooker, which means it can pressure cook, slow cook, saute, sear and keep warm. We tested each of these functionalities throughout the month and were thrilled to see that they all performed efficiently. The pressure cooking function yielded tender chicken that shredded or sliced perfectly, with no rubbery or dry texture. Grains also cooked quickly and efficiently—each grain was consistent in texture and flavor, so the grains on the bottom of the pan had the same toothsome bite as the grains on the top. The slow cooking function is easy to operate and control, and we love that you can set a specific time and add to it throughout the cooking process if needed.
We love that the inner cooking pot is made from aluminum for even, consistent heat conduction and is coated with non-toxic, nonstick ceramic. Throughout testing we noticed that nothing got stuck to the bottom of the pan. Whether we were cooking white rice or sticky salmon skin, each ingredient slid off easily and with no trouble whatsoever.
Simple and Easy to Use Control Panel
All of Our Place’s cookware is aesthetically appealing, and this appliance is no different. It’s so sleek that when we first took it out of the box we couldn’t even tell where the control panel was. That is until we plugged it in and the LCD touchscreen instantly lit up. Simply hit the power button, select your desired function, then choose from low, medium or high heat. No matter which function you’re using you can set a specific time and adjust it throughout the process. Once you hit the play button, the clock shows on the screen, so you can see how much time you have left throughout the process. Every function is easy to use and understand, and we had no problem navigating the cooking process right from the start of testing. Though it comes with an instruction manual, this gadget is easy enough to figure out without one.
What We Didn't Like in Testing
Though this product is a multifunctional option that can add efficiency in the kitchen, it does have a few drawbacks.
Recipes Require a Learning Curve
Though this operates as a multicooker, it is not an exact substitute for an Instant Pot. We tested this product using a few pressure cooker recipes — like this chicken recipe — and had to adjust the cook time significantly. The chicken turned out moist, flavorful, and perfectly cooked, but we had to add about 10 minutes to the cooking time. We also tested this salmon recipe (which is a dedicated Instant Pot recipe) and needed to adjust the time by about 5-10 minutes. Though it functions perfectly, we found that on average, this cooking pot requires more time than a standard Instant Pot does. As a result, users should be mindful when using dedicated Instant Pot recipes.
Would Benefit from Accessories
This pot comes with a super slick nonstick inner pot, which means you shouldn’t use metal utensils when using it. It must be protected, so why not include a safe spatula for easy use? Throughout testing we wished that it came with a silicone or bamboo spatula to ensure the surface stayed scratch-free. Unlike some comparable pressure cookers, the Our Place Dream Cooker doesn’t come with any accessories (like a rack or spatula).
The Bottom Line
This is a gorgeous, high-powered machine that performed well in all of our tests. It yielded tender, juicy chicken and moist, toothsome rice. It’s easy to use and operate and looks chic sitting on your countertop. However, it doesn’t have as many functions as a standard Instant Pot, doesn’t come with any included accessories and costs about $100 more. If you’re looking for a simple machine that is aesthetically pleasing and operates with few easy functions, this is a great option. If you’re looking for a more complex, utilitarian gadget that offers a ton of preset functions, you’ll want to select one of the competing models from Instant Pot.
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