8 Kitchen Appliances To Dish Up Your Favourite Winter Warmer Recipes
This winter, put more on your plate – not your to-do list.
From quick mid-week meals to slow Sunday suppers and baking from scratch, meet the appliances that make comfort food a piece of cake.
7 - 10 min read
Feeling the freeze?
Perfect! That’s your cue to cook up mouth-watering winter warmers that are good for the soul. Think slow-cooked curries, molten-cheese toasties, freshly baked bread, thick steaming soups and indulgent desserts that bring flavour and colour to chilly days.
With NAB’s latest Consumer Sentiment Survey revealing that 60% of Australians are cutting back on dining out to manage rising costs, cosy nights in and hearty home cooking are becoming even more appealing.
But staying home doesn’t have to mean missing out! From multicookers and slow cookers to air fryers, rice cookers, sandwich presses and more – these handy kitchen appliances make it easier to recreate your favourite restaurant dishes, master new recipes and keep comforting home-cooked meals on the menu all winter long.
Quick Reading Links:
Air Fryers
Tasty Tip 
Want extra crunch? Toss potatoes or root vegetables with cornflour before air frying for crispy outsides and fluffy centres.
Your Kitchen MVP
Air fryers aren’t just a shortcut to dinner – they’re a secret weapon for home cooks chasing flavour, texture and convenience in equal measure. Hot chips may be their claim to fame, but their talents stretch far beyond the humble spud, roasting meats, caramelising vegetables and crisping pastries. From homemade sausage rolls to golden apple crumble, air fryers turn winter comfort food into a quick win!
Not just hot air – here’s what sets them apart:
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Crunch time, anytime: Rapid air circulation creates perfectly crisp, golden results while letting the flavours of your ingredients shine – hold the excess oil!
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More than meets the basket: Packs multiple cooking functions including roast, bake and grill for all-in-one convenience.
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Quick to heat, quick to eat: Fast preheating and cooking get snacks, dinners and desserts on the table sooner.
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Double up on dinner: Dual-drawer designs cook two different dishes at once, each with its own timing and temperature so mains and sides finish in sync.
Clean sweep: Removable non-stick components or glass bowls make cleaning up after dinner quick and easy.
Size up your air fryer:
| Capacity | Serves | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| 1-2L | 1–2 People | Singles, snacks, side dishes and compact kitchens |
| 2–4L | 2–3 People | Couples, small households and everyday cooking |
| 4–6L | 3–5 People | Families, larger portions and roasting a small whole chicken |
| 7–9+L | 5–10+ People | Large families, batch cooking and entertaining |
Dig into this checklist:
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Single or dual-drawer design
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Easy-to-use controls and preset programs
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Dishwasher-safe baskets and trays
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Viewing window, internal light or glass bowl
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Included racks, skewers and other cooking accessories
Multicookers
Tasty Tip 
Use the sauté setting before pressure or slow cooking to bloom spices, soften aromatics and brown meat, building a richer flavour base for soups, curries and stews.
The One-Pot Wonder
Multicookers are the kitchen all-rounders for when comfort food is calling but the clock is ticking. With select models offering up to 14 functions at your fingertips, they can sauté, steam, pressure cook, slow cook and even sous vide. Whether you need dinner on the table in a hurry or waiting when you walk through the door after work, a multicooker is the extra pair of hands every busy household needs.
The magic is in the multi-tasking:
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Fast-track the feast: Pressure cooking helps cut down cooking times, making it easier to serve hearty soups, curries, stews and tender meats when time is tight.
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Low and slow (when you want it): Slow cook mode lets you lean into classic winter comforts, giving flavours plenty of time to deepen and develop.
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Sauté, then simmer: Built-in sauté functions let you brown onions, garlic, spices and meat in the same pot – saving another saucepan from the sink.
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Preset and impress: From soups and stews to rice and steaming, preset programs deliver reliable results at the touch of a button.
Find your multicooker match:
| Capacity | Serves | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| 3–4.5L | 1–2 People | Singles, couples and side dishes |
| 5–6L | 3–5 People | Families, everyday dinners and batch cooking |
| 6–8+L | 6–8+ People | Large households, entertaining and stocking the freezer |
The secret ingredients for fuss-free cooking:
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Preset cooking programs
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Stainless steel or non-stick removable inner pot
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Secure locking lid and safe steam-release controls
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Timer and keep warm functions
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App connectivity (selected models)
Rice Cookers
Tasty Tip 
Borrow this trick from the pros: toast your rice in a little butter or oil before cooking, then add stock, aromatics or spices for richer, more fragrant results.
Your Supper Sidekick
Sick of scorched saucepans and pricey microwave packets? Rice cookers deliver fluffy results without the guesswork. From creamy coconut curries to saucy stir-fries, a side of perfectly cooked rice helps bring every meal together. But don’t let the name fool you – many models can also prepare quinoa, oats and porridge, steam vegetables and even serve up one-pot meals.
Benefits by the bowlful:
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Fluff without fuss: Automatic cooking programs manage the time and temperature for consistent results every time.
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Low and slow (when you want it): Slow cook mode lets you lean into classic winter comforts, giving flavours plenty of time to deepen and develop.
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Steam team: Models with steaming trays can cook vegetables, fish or dumplings above your rice, saving time and washing up.
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Perfect timing: Keep-warm functions keep rice at the right serving temperature until everything else is ready to serve.
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No sticky situations: Rice lifts away easily from removable non-stick inner bowls, leaving less scraping and scrubbing after dinner.
Measure up your rice cooker:
| Capacity (Uncooked) | Cooked Yield | Serves | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.5–3 cups | Up to 6 cups | 1–3 People | Solo serves, couples and smaller kitchens |
| 4–5.5 cups | Up to 11 cups | 3–5 People | Everyday sides and family dinners |
| 8 cups | Up to 16 cups | 5–8 People | Bigger households and weekly meal prep |
| 10 cups | Up to 20 cups | 7+ people | Dinner parties and batch cooking |
Features worth forking out for:
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Settings for different rice and grains
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Automatic keep warm and delayed-start timer
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Sealed or glass lid design
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Included steaming tray, measuring cup and serving spoon
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Removable non-stick or ceramic bowl
Sandwich Presses
Tasty Tip Master the melt by layering cheese on both slices of bread with wetter fillings in the middle. It holds everything together, locking in moisture and that all-important crunch.
The Toastie with the Mostie
As the weather cools, sandwiches make way for golden, gooey toasties. From classic ham and cheese to a gourmet creation made with last night's leftovers, a sandwich press turns everyday ingredients into melty masterpieces. While toasted sandwiches are their bread and butter, they can also grill wraps, paninis, vegetables, halloumi and smaller cuts of meat – giving you plenty more to sink your teeth into.
The perks, hot off the presses:
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The gold standard: Even-heating plates crisp the bread and warm fillings through for that golden on the outside, gooey on the inside finish.
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Pressed for time: Fast heat-up times make sandwich presses ideal for busy mornings, easy lunches and last-minute snacks.
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More on the menu: Reversible or interchangeable plates open up more ways to grill, sear and snack.
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Through thick and thin: Floating hinges adjust to thick breads and loaded fillings, giving café-style creations room to cook evenly.
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Crumbs under control: Non-stick plates help food lift away easily, making the post-toastie wipe down quick and easy.
Pick your perfect press size:
| Capacity | Serves | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| 2 slices | 1 Person | Singles, compact kitchens, quick snacks |
| 4 slices | 1–2 People | Couples, small households, everyday lunches |
| 8 slices | 3–4 People | Families, breakfast rush, entertaining |
| Large grill surface | 5+ People | Bigger ingredients, paninis and wraps |
The most pressing priorities:
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Floating hinge or adjustable height
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Flat, ribbed or interchangeable plates
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Non-stick or easy-clean cooking surfaces
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Power and ready indicator lights
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Cord wrap and locking latch for storage
Bread Makers
Tasty Tip Good things come to those who wait! When the time sounds, put your loaf on a wire rack to cool before slicing. This allows excess steam to escape, helping prevent a soggy base while the crumb sets.
Loaf at First Bite
Making bread from scratch can feel like a recipe for disaster, but with a bread maker it’s surprisingly easy – even if your skills are a little half-baked! With the mixing, kneading, proving and baking taken care of, you’ll be on a roll making sandwich bread, buttery brioche, pizza dough and even gluten-free options. Consider this your cue to carb-load through winter.
Why it’s worth the dough:
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Less labour, more loaf: Automatic programs handle the process from start to finish with little hands-on work.
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Crust control: Adjustable crust settings let you choose a lighter, medium or darker finish depending on how golden you like your loaf.
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A feast of functions: Selected models include programs for dough, pizza bases, cake, jam and gluten-free baking.
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Rise and dine: Delay start timers let you add ingredients ahead of time, so you can wake up – or come home – to a freshly baked loaf of bread.
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A warm welcome: Keep-warm mode maintains that fresh-from-the-oven feel until you’re ready to tuck in.
Weigh up the options:
| Loaf Weight | Approx. Slice Yield | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| 500g | 8–10 slices | Singles, compact kitchens, quick snacks |
| 750g | 12–14 slices | Small families and daily bread |
| 1kg | 16–20 slices | Busy households, breakfast toast and packed lunches |
| 1.25kg | 22–24 slices | Large families and regular bread eaters |
Features you knead to know:
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White, wholemeal and gluten-free programs
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Dough, bake only and custom settings
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Delay timer and keep warm
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Automatic fruit and nut dispenser
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Viewing window or progress display
Slow Cookers
Tasty Tip 
Tempted to stir the pot or sneak a taste test? Every time heat escapes, you could add another 20–30 minutes to the cooking time – so keep a lid on it!
Low Effort, High Reward
Wish dinner would cook itself? A slow cooker comes pretty close, with low-and-slow cooking that lets time do the legwork – turning just a few minutes of prep into a set-and-forget feast. From curries and casseroles to pasta and pulled meats, steady low heat coaxes rich flavour from pantry staples and budget-friendly cuts, transforming them into melt-in-your-mouth meals that’ll have you coming back for seconds.
The perks of taking it slow:
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Watts cooking: With models drawing between 140–320 watts, 8 hours of slow cooking may cost less than you think!
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From tough to tender: Gentle, moist heat gives tougher cuts like chuck roast, lamb shanks and pork shoulder time to reach that pull-apart consistency.
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Sear-iously handy: Some slow cookers can go from stovetop-style searing to slow cooking without using another pan.
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The warm-up act: Once cooking finishes, it automatically switches to keep warm, so dinner won’t go cold if you’re running late.
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Cook once, eat twice: Larger 6–7L models can feed the whole household with plenty of leftovers to spare.
Pots by the portion:
| Capacity | Serves | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| 1.5–3L | 1–2 people | Cooking for one, soups, dips and sauces |
| 3.5–4.5L | 2–4 people | Couples, smaller households, curries and casseroles |
| 5–6L | 4–6 people | Family dinners, pulled meats and meal prepping |
| 6.5–7L+ | 6–8+ people | Large households, entertaining and freezer-friendly batches |
Take stock of these features:
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Delay start or programmable cooking timer
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Automatic keep warm once cooking finishes
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Built-in sear or sauté function
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Auto-adjusting temperature controls
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Removable ceramic or non-stick cooking pot
There’s More on the Menu
Winter warmers don’t stop at the main course. There are perfectly portioned pies to bake, silky smooth soups to savour and sweet treats worth saving room for!
Pie Makers
From classic beef and country-style chicken to sweet apple or custard, pie makers help make recreating your go-to bakery order at home easy as pie! With the choice of four generously sized round pies or eight individual rectangular serves, you can pull together an easy weeknight dinner, satisfy after-school appetites or fill the freezer for later. Give leftover lamb, curry or vegetables a delicious second act, with quiches, fritters, pancakes and tarts rounding out the menu.
Soup Makers & Blenders
Cold winter nights call for a bowl of creamy pumpkin, rich roast tomato or rustic vegetable soup, made from scratch and steaming hot. Dedicated soup makers keep things simple with one-touch cooking – just add your ingredients, select a program and let it simmer, stir and blend completely hands-free. Hot/cold blenders play double duty, warming you through winter with nourishing soups, then switching gears with smoothies, sauces and dips when the weather heats up again.
