As a long time chef, I’ve seen my fair share of pots, pans, cookers, and various appliances, and true multifunctionality is hard to come by. If you have a small kitchen, you simply don’t have the space to store or use more than a few key appliances. So you know how great it can be to find a compact cooking tool that can do a multitude of things. That’s what makes Aroma’s Whatever Pot such a valuable kitchen essential, especially if you love dishes like hot pot. 

I got my very own Whatever Pot and put it to the test by taking it on the road with me, and it did not disappoint. Let’s talk about why this little pot is so incredible. 

About Aroma Housewares Co.

Aroma Housewares is all about creating kitchen appliances and cookware that make life easier, with a focus on quality or affordability. Based in San Diego, California, their mission is to provide reliable kitchen solutions, whether you’re whipping up white rice for a quiet dinner in or hosting a shabu shabu night with friends around a hot pot. That’s why their product line covers everything from electric hot pots to slow cookers. In fact, they’ve led the rice cooker game in America for over 40 years! 

What I love about Aroma is that it feels like they’ve put thought into every detail. So many of their products feature glass lids for easy viewing, smart sensors, and even BPA-free materials, which means I don’t have to worry when it comes to health.

In an effort to remain accessible, Aroma’s cooking tools are affordable, whether you’re shopping for a dorm room or looking for the perfect electric hot pot for a communal dining experience. They offer a ton of great options at prices that just make sense.

And, what I love most about Aroma, is that they’re a brand that’s deeply involved with the community. Not only do they donate to local causes like Rachel’s Women’s Center, but they also give to global causes, like Tucklets in Kenya. It’s clear they’re a brand that cares, which I find refreshing. 

The AMC-130 Whatever Pot

You’d be hard-pressed to find more kitchen versatility than in the AMC-130 Whatever Pot. It features an incredible dual cooking surface that works as both a grill and a pot. It’s the ultimate multi-tasker! You can make everything you need for soups, stews, and hot pots in one compact unit. It’s even got an adjustable temperature range (from 300° to 450°F) gives home cooks the ability to boil water for soups, sear veggies and meats, or simmer a hearty stew for a cloudy day. Looking to make a one-pot hot meal or a quick grilled dish? It can do both and more!

The 2.5-quart stainless steel inner pot gives you even heat distribution, which means rice cooks perfectly and soups stay at the perfect simmer. The tempered glass lid helps you keep an eye on everything and prevents splatters, which is super useful for both messy cooks and tiny kitchens. And speaking of small spaces, its size makes it a good choice for dorm rooms, tiny homes, or anyone looking to maximize kitchen real estate without having to sacrifice functionality.

If you love the vibe of hot pot restaurants, the Whatever Pot lets you bring that communal hot pot experience to your home dining table. Just toss in some napa cabbage, enoki mushrooms, and a little bit of sesame paste, and you’ve got yourself a quick and cozy meal. Or keep it super simple by swapping in the nonstick grill pan for a quick sear on meats or veggies.

The Whatever Pot also comes with safety features like stay-cool handles, and clean-up is a breeze with its dishwasher-safe parts. It’s truly perfect for a wide range of meals, from traditional Chinese hot pots to simple electric wok stir-fries to whatever TikTok cooking trends are happening this week. It’s an all-in-one stylish pot that’s can handle almost anything!

Some of My Favorite Things About the Whatever Pot

The Pros:

The Size & Multi-Functional Abilities: For work, my husband and I live part time in a travel trailer, and it takes an 8 hour commute to get to our place of business, which is on tribal land in a remote area. While it’s a great escape from Las Vegas city life, the nearest grocery store is a 60 minute round trip drive, and our kitchen is relatively small. So small, in fact, that I can’t fit more than a cutting board and a pot, which makes the Aroma Whatever pot the perfect appliance because it’s multifunctional and takes the place of at least 6 different appliances and pots, including a wok! 

The Heat: This pot’s heating abilities are kind of amazing. It gets HOT. Up to 450°F, which is perfect for stir-frying, searing, and making my own spaghetti sauce right at home.

The Shape: Some pots are too shallow or wide, and stir-frying in these means your food is going to get everywhere. But the shape and high lip of the Whatever Pot makes everything from pasta sauce to stir-fry incredibly easy and a lot less messy.

It’s Perfect For Making Hot Pot!: The Whatever Pot’s grill and pot combo make it the best appliance for whipping up hot pot! You can cook the meat, veggies, and broth all at the same time, without needing multiple pans or appliances. 

Great for Two: This pot cooks the perfect amount for two people. Dinner with the husband has never been easier!

The Cons:

The only downside I can think of is that the pot is stainless steel, which means it’s not immediately non-stick. This makes me a bit wary to cook rice in it. However, the grill portion is non-stick, so I’m glad that’s not something I have to worry about. 

Here’s a Tip!

Living out in nature has changed my cooking habits. We make our own meals each day and eat out a lot less (cuz there aren’t any restaurants around). And while we do our best to cook from scratch, sometimes that’s just not possible given the time and space. Sometimes you have to buy jarred pasta sauce, and that’s okay too!

When I’m going for that “semi-homemade meal” vibe, I still like to add a little extra something for a flavor kick. My secret weapon is mushroom powder! Yep, ground dehydrated mushrooms and spices can give your store-bought sauces (and other dishes) a massive umami boost. It adds depth and layers of flavor to something that’s usually one-dimensional and provides a richness to the sauce. 

Check Out the Whatever Pot in Action!

It’s Anything But Whatever

The Whatever Pot is perfect for anyone with limited kitchen space, dorm rooms, mobile kitchens like those in RVs, or any kitchen! It’s a powerful, versatile, multifunctional cooking tool that easily replaces a plethora of other appliances, and cooks multiple items simultaneously. It’s ideal for hot pot, grilling meats, sautéing veggies, and so much more. 

​Now, we want to hear from you! Are you a fan of hot pot? What would you cook in a Whatever Pot? Be sure to leave a comment letting us know!