The INDY VAC 4-Quart Multi-Cooker is a slow cooker that doubles as a claypot, giving you braising and searing capability in one aluminum pot. It hits 1130 watts, which is high for a 4-quart cooker. That power translates to faster preheating and better searing performance than most slow cookers offer.

The 8-in-1 presets cover the basics: slow cook, braise, sear/sauté, keep warm, brown rice, white rice, oats, and pasta. Each function works with a single button press. The removable nonstick pot is oven-safe up to 450°F, so you can start a braise on the stovetop and finish it in the oven. The 4-pound capacity fits a small chicken or a layered lasagna without issue.

The aluminum construction heats evenly but doesn’t retain heat as well as ceramic or stoneware after the power shuts off. That means you’ll want to rely on the keep-warm function if you’re not serving immediately. For the price, it’s a versatile countertop tool that replaces a rice cooker, a stovetop pot, and a slow cooker in one olive-green package.