This 6-in-1 tabletop cooker has a built in extractor fan for indoor BBQs

From steaming and slow-cooking, to grilling, barbecuing and even pancake making, the claims of the modestly sized Panasonic tabletop multi-cooker are lofty.

I live in a small London flat with my partner and while small-space living has certain benefits, kitchen space comes at a real premium. When summer hits, we can’t throw some shrimps on the barbie because the smoke would annoy the neighbours, and there’s the small issue of its strict prohibition in my building. So when I saw that this Panasonic multi-cooker could act as a tabletop BBQ, my interest piqued.

There are six different plates including a deep pot, a flat plate, a grill plate and even a takoyaki plate. I’m a big hot pot fan, so the deep pot was of particular interest. I’ve spent the past few weeks trying a range of plates on this machine to assess how well it performs – keep reading for my full verdict on whether it’s worth adding to your kitchen.

Panasonic 6-in-1 tabletop multi-cooker

Rating: 5/5

Image from: This 6-in-1 tabletop cooker has a built in extractor fan for indoor BBQs

Why we love it

Effective built-in smoke extractor for indoor barbecuing
Multiple plates for different cooking functions
Easy to clean
Long cable for ease of use

Take note

Heavy appliance

The set-up of the Panasonic 6-in-1 tabletop multi-cooker is super easy, as is using any of its six integrated plates. An attractive colour display that features all the different options including BBQ, slow cooking, steaming and more, with a corresponding picture will light up for a quick start. Simply press the one you’re cooking with that day and the pre-set temperature and time will appear, although this is completely customisable.

The first thing I tried was the hot pot setting. For anyone who hasn’t tried Chinese hot pot before, it’s a great option for a dinner party because everyone helps with the cooking. I filled the deep pot about halfway with filtered water and a spicy soup base, and waited for that to come to a gentle boil before adding the raw ingredients for cooking. The multi-cooker kept an even temperature, and managed to never to overflow or lose its power too much (both very irritating for hot potters).

If you add frozen ingredients it’ll bring the soup temperature down, but the temperature is easy to adjust. I set the time for three hours to be safe, as a hot pot evening can last a long time, but time can be added if it’s running out. The timer can be set for up to 12 hours at a time, which is useful for slow cooking.

The various modes available (Samuel Mathewson / The Independent)

The BBQ setting is where this machine really shines and it’s quite revolutionary, thanks to the smoke fan that draws in practically all the smoke required for a good barbecue char. We had a Japanese style dinner of yakiniku, where raw meat is put on the table and steadily cooked as and when you desire. Before adding anything to the pan, there is a drawer that needs to be filled with some water, which is where the smoke will be neutralised. We grilled beef, seafood, vegetables and more all night long and I can safely say that there was no layer of smoke in the room and no lingering smell on my clothes afterwards.

Clean-up is also quick and efficient as the plates can all be put in the dishwasher, and the smoke vent is magnetised so can easily come off and be hand-washed. The pull-out drawer can also be quickly rinsed and hand-washed.

There’s a lid that covers all the replaceable pans, which comes in particularly handy for steaming, allowing the hot steam to circulate and quickly cook fish, vegetables or dumplings. I can imagine this will come in handy for steaming vegetables for a Sunday roast.

Prepping for an indoor BBQ (Samuel Mathewson / The Independent)

Breakfast can become much more fun with the pancake plate, which can also cook eggs. The portability of the multi-cooker means you can do this on the table rather than taking on the sometimes lonely task of cooking in the kitchen. It’s much more interactive and (well supervised) kids can even help out around the table.

The cable is a whopping 2.5m long, which is plenty for my flat and can sit comfortably on the dining table where everyone can reach. But there is nowhere to wrap the cable, so it does tend to drop down the side of the shelf where I store appliances.

The multi-cooker is also quite a heavy piece of equipment, so ensure that it isn’t stored too high or too low on shelves or in cupboards.

Key specifications

Buy now £179, Amazon.co.uk

Is the Panasonic 6-in-1 tabletop multi cooker worth it?

The Panasonic 6-in-1 multi-cooker makes parties and hangouts much more fun and there are countless occasions to bring this out. For me, that was hot pot nights, indoor BBQs and fun breakfasts. It will suit a multitude of families and cooking styles. Although it’s on the heavy side, this appliance is easy to use, easy to clean and performs well across its ambitious range of cooking styles.

How I tested

I arranged three dinner parties, inviting people to use the machine in real situations. Four of us gathered for hot pot, spending a whole evening dipping meat and vegetables in the spicy soup. Then I hosted a yakiniku BBQ to test out the grill setting and to make use of the built-in smoke extractor fan. I also hosted a breakfast to test how eggs and pancakes cook.

Why you can trust Indybest reviews

Samuel Mathewson is audience lead for the shopping team at The Independent, with nearly four years of product testing under his belt. From coffee machines and other kitchen appliances to food and drink hampers, he has reviewed hundreds of products and knows the pain points that can make or break a product. IndyBest rigorously tests all its products and we would never recommend something without thorough, real-world testing.