7 On Your Side, Consumer Reports have gift ideas for the 'foodie' cook in your life

SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) -- Looking for a gift for your favorite "foodie?" Maybe you're considering this year's hot gift -- the Instant Pot! Consumer Reports tests hundreds of kitchen gadgets and appliances each year. In a partnership with Consumer Reports, 7 On Your Side's Michael Finney has some gift ideas for the cook in your life.

Arm yourself with some ideas from the experts at Consumer Reports.

"We test hundreds of kitchen appliances every year and we have a gift to fit a chef of any skill level," said Paul Hope, Consumer Reports Home Editor.

First, how about a gift that replaces several appliances?

The "7-in-1 Instant Pot" is a great option for someone who loves to cook as much as someone who just wants to make an easy "one-pot meal." It has seven functions that can make large batches of yogurt, perfectly cooked brown rice, fall off the bone slow cooked meals, and tender ribs. It costs $99.

Even the most basic chef will find this $260 Cuisinart Toaster Oven. It's very easy to use. It offers a convection setting, comes with an extra rack and pizza stone, and delivers whether you're broiling or baking.

If your chef has all the basics, why not give something the professionals use? A Sous-Vide appliance.

"Sous vide cooking is a process where you vacuum seal foods, and cook them in a hot water bath. It lets you cook through foods to a perfect internal temperature without over cooking them," said Hope.

The $199 Joule has an app, but must be controlled with your smart phone. The $149 Anova can be controlled by your phone. Or, keep it simple and manually set temperature and press "go."

Hope says, "The sous vide appliances we tested had different features, but we liked the results from both, as long as you follow the directions."

Consumer Reports testers say, whichever one you choose is sure to deliver tasty results.

In addition to gadgets and appliances, Consumer Reports also tested dozens of pots and pans this year. It found a $40 Cuisinart Case Lite Non-Stick. It performs almost as well as ones that cost twice as much. It is dishwasher safe and oven safe to 500-degrees Fahrenheit. And it can also be used with induction cook tops.

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