Is the Our Place Dream Cooker Worth It?
Based on tests by America's Test Kitchen (May 2025). How we score
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Why
America's Test Kitchen rated it Recommended with Reservations. "The pressure-cooking function yielded significantly better results," but "This model notably struggled with slow cooking; even after 8 hours, the meat in beef stew remained tough and the vegetables were undercooked." Quick-releasing steam meant "The steam-release button on the lid had to be manually held down for the entire duration of the pressure release process (over 60 seconds)," and "Its nonstick coating bodes poorly for its durability." The Instant Pot Pro 6-Quart beat it on every test and costs less.
Cheaper alternatives, scored against the Our Place
Instant Pot Pro 6-Quart
From 1 tester: America's Test Kitchen
From 1 tester: America's Test Kitchen
Highly Recommended by America's Test Kitchen and rated higher than the Dream Cooker on all four tests: "It's a stellar pressure-cooker, and it also does an excellent job of searing and steaming food, cooking rice, and fermenting yogurt." Its steam-release switch keeps your hand off the vent. "It didn't perform well as a slow cooker," though still better than the Dream Cooker. Stainless-steel pot, no coating to wear. The listing doesn't state a warranty.
| Criterion | Our Place | Instant Pot Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Ease of use | 2/3 | 3/3 |
| Slow cooking | 1.5/3 | 2/3 |
| Pressure cooking | 2.5/3 | 3/3 |
| Searing/sautéing | 2.5/3 | 3/3 |
From America's Test Kitchen: The Best Multicookers (updated May 14, 2025)
Sources: America's Test Kitchen: The Best Multicookers (updated May 14, 2025)
6-Quart 9-in-1 Pressure Cooker
From 1 tester: America's Test Kitchen
From 1 tester: America's Test Kitchen
America's Test Kitchen's Best Buy, "a stellar performer at a great price," that "excelled in both pressure and slow cooking tests, producing perfectly cooked beans, meat, and vegetables"; slow cooking is where the Dream Cooker failed. Like the Dream Cooker's, its pot is nonstick, which ATK notes "won't last forever." The listing doesn't state a warranty.
| Criterion | Our Place | Cosori |
|---|---|---|
| Ease of use | 2/3 | 2.5/3 |
| Slow cooking | 1.5/3 | 3/3 |
| Pressure cooking | 2.5/3 | 3/3 |
| Searing/sautéing | 2.5/3 | 2.5/3 |
From America's Test Kitchen: The Best Multicookers (updated May 14, 2025)
Sources: America's Test Kitchen: The Best Multicookers (updated May 14, 2025)
Common questions
Our Place Dream Cooker or Instant Pot?
America's Test Kitchen rated the Instant Pot Pro Highly Recommended and the Dream Cooker Recommended with Reservations; the Instant Pot scored higher on ease of use, slow cooking, pressure cooking and searing.
Can the Dream Cooker slow cook?
Not well in America's Test Kitchen's test: after 8 hours, beef stew meat was still tough and the vegetables undercooked. For slow cooking, ATK recommends the Cosori 6-Quart.
Sources: America's Test Kitchen: The Best Multicookers (updated May 14, 2025), Manufacturer specs via Amazon listing
