I tried the Appetite Pap Maker and almost didn’t give it back. Here’s why

What was supposed to be a weekend-long test ended up with me hogging the Appetite Pap Maker, a nifty multi-cooker that can cook maize pap, oats, samp, rice and soup, for close to a month, thinking up excuses not to give it back. Here’s my honest review.

South Africa has a rich and varied food culture that differs from community to community. But let’s be honest, if you offer pap at the braai, chances are your guests will be cleaning the bowl. Pap is always a winner! I’m one of the very few that prefers to eat my starch in the form of potatoes or bread, but my family loves pap. Which is a problem, as I never learned to make it. In walks the Appetite Pap Maker.

The brains behind the bowl

The appliance is the brainchild of local entrepreneur and innovator, Oscar Mthimkhulu. Driven by a desire to modernise a culinary staple while honouring tradition, he set out to solve an age-old kitchen dilemma: how to achieve the perfect, consistent texture of traditional pap without standing over a hot stove, constantly stirring and risking a burnt pot base. His creation blends deep cultural appreciation with clever, modern engineering.

The Specs: What’s under the hood?

At its core, this is a specialised multi-cooker designed with specific intelligent programming. It features a heavy-duty, non-stick inner pot, an automated motorised stirring paddle that replicates the traditional fukuza (stirring) action, and precise temperature sensors. It boasts a powerful heating element tailored to handle the dense consistency of maize meal, an intuitive digital control panel with pre-programmed settings for different styles of pap, and a robust, modern countertop footprint.

Putting it to the test

I tested nsima (stywe pap), slap pap (porridge), and rice, and it all came out perfectly. And then the pot cleaned itself. Winning at life! The machine handles the timing and temperature beautifully, taking the guesswork out of the texture. I didn’t manage the krummelpap perfectly but blame me and not the pot – mastering the exact maize-to-water ratio for the crumbly texture takes a bit of personal fine-tuning.

What I liked

The “self-cleaning” function

Anyone that cleans up after himself is welcome in my house. If you’ve ever cooked pap you know the nightmare of scrubbing the crusty layer left at the bottom of the pot. Thanks to the high-quality non-stick coating and smart heat distribution, the pot practically cleans itself with a simple rinse.

User-friendly

The interface is highly intuitive. You essentially add your ingredients, select your program and portions, and walk away. It removes the labor-intensive monitoring entirely.

What I didn’t like

The Footprint

It is very large and takes up considerable counter and cupboard space. It’s not a problem if you use this daily or have a big family, but for smaller families and small kitchens, it can be a deal-breaker. It would be nice to get a “mini version” down the line, similar to the size of a rice-cooker.

The Price Tag

It is still quite pricey for a single-focus appliance. However, value is relative: if you want to cook pap daily, the time and effort saved mean it will be well worth the investment.

Standard vs. Deluxe: Which one to choose?

The appliance comes in two distinct variants: the Standard Automatic Pap Maker and the multi-functional Deluxe version. While the Standard model does an excellent job if you strictly want automated, perfectly stirred pap and morning porridge, the Deluxe model is undoubtedly the better investment for most kitchens. By transforming into a full multi-cooker, it expands far beyond its namesake, boasting versatile programming for slow cooking, stews, steaming, and even tricky South African favourites like samp and beans or slow-cooked mogodu. Opting for the Deluxe model completely alters the value proposition; it justifies that hefty price tag and the valuable counter space by doubling as a comprehensive culinary companion, rather than a single-focus appliance.

Buy it from takealot.com for about R1950

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