To prepare several meals in advance, choose an appliance based on the task that takes you the most time: a multicooker for cooking in one pot, a cooking food processor to combine preparation and cooking, or an air fryer for cooking separate portions. A blender or chopper can complement your cooking equipment, but won’t replace it. Whatever you choose, check the usable capacity and the space you’ll need to use and clean the appliance.
If you mainly prepare rice or slow-cooked dishes, look at a multicooker’s cooking programmes and timer rather than focusing on its chopping functions. UFC-Que Choisir points out that the usable volume of the cooking pot may be lower than its stated capacity.
If you chop, blend or mix ingredients before cooking, a cooking food processor can bring several steps together. Check, though, that it comes with the accessories you need and that they’re easy to clean for weekly use.
If you prepare side dishes or reheat two foods with different cooking times, check the size of an air fryer’s drawers. UFC-Que Choisir includes cooking synchronisation in its testing process for models with two independent zones.
Start with the task you want to make easier each week, then check that the appliance’s usable capacity and cleaning requirements suit the quantities you prepare.
| Priority | What to check | Who it’s for |
|---|---|---|
| One-pot cooking | The maximum capacity allowed for your recipes and the cooking programmes available. | When I prepare rice or slow-cooked dishes for several meals, I want to be able to start cooking without having to keep an eye on the appliance. Around 31% of consumers put this kind of unattended cooking first. |
| Preparation and cooking in one appliance | Accessories included, bowl capacity and how easy it is to clean the parts you use each time. | For soups or sauces, I’d rather chop and blend before cooking without having to transfer ingredients between appliances. This all-in-one preparation is a priority for around 31% of consumers. |
| Separate cooking | Usable drawer dimensions, fill limits and, for two-zone models, whether cooking can be synchronised. | If my side dishes need different cooking times, I want to prepare them separately rather than cook a large quantity in one pot. Nearly 23% of consumers prioritise cooking different foods separately. |
| Ingredient preparation | Accessories suited to the tasks you do most often, how easy they are to dismantle and clean. | I already have cooking covered; it’s chopping, slicing or blending ingredients that slows me down. For around 15% of consumers, preparation before cooking comes first. |
You can’t necessarily fill a cooking pot right to the brim. UFC-Que Choisir distinguishes between a multicooker’s stated capacity and its usable volume.
Check the instruction manual for the maximum fill level for the recipes you make most often.
According to UFC-Que Choisir, an air fryer’s limited cooking space restricts the quantities you can prepare.
Compare your usual portions with the usable dimensions and fill instructions. If needed, plan to cook in several batches.
A function will only make your cooking session easier if the appliance has the right accessory and you can clean it easily after use.
List the tasks you repeat each week, then check which accessories are included, how to care for them and where you’ll store them.
In France, the Ministry of the Economy explains that the statutory guarantee of conformity applies to goods sold by a business to an individual consumer. Any additional commercial guarantee is subject to its own terms.
Ask for these terms in writing and check what they add to the rights you already have when buying from a business.
These appliances cover one-pot cooking with a multicooker, food preparation with a cooking food processor and separate cooking in a dual-drawer air fryer. Start by choosing the type of appliance that suits the meals you make each week.
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Worth considering if you mainly prepare rice and slow-cooked dishes in one pot. The product title lists 1 200 W and 12 pre-set menus. Check the instruction manual for the permitted fill level for your recipes before planning your batches.
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A multicooker to consider if you want to prepare several portions in one pot. The 7.1 L stated in the product title doesn’t mean you can skip checking the instruction manual for the permitted fill level for each type of dish.
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Worth considering if you want to combine food preparation and cooking in one session. The product title mentions built-in scales and a large touchscreen. Check the bowl’s usable capacity, the accessories you need and how to care for them.
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The two drawers are useful if you want to keep different foods separate. The product title lists six functions and a total capacity of 7.6 L. Check the permitted quantity for each drawer and make sure you have enough room on your worktop.
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Worth considering if you tend to cook smaller quantities, particularly rice. Don’t assume the 2 L stated in the product title applies to every recipe: check the fill limits and the space you need to leave around the appliance.
No. The stated capacity isn’t necessarily the usable volume. UFC-Que Choisir highlights this distinction, so check the instruction manual for the maximum fill level for your recipe.
Two drawers let you keep different foods separate, but they don’t guarantee there’s enough room for large quantities. UFC-Que Choisir notes that air fryers have limited cooking space, so compare the usable dimensions of each drawer with your portions.
Check which parts can be removed and how to clean them, then measure the space you have for using and storing the appliance. UFC-Que Choisir includes cleaning and ease of use in its testing processes for kitchen appliances.
If you bought the appliance from a business as a consumer, contact the seller under the statutory guarantee of conformity. The Ministry of the Economy explains that this guarantee applies, among other things, to goods that don’t match their description. Keep your proof of purchase and a copy of the product listing.
Compare its written terms with the statutory guarantee that already applies to your purchase. The DGCCRF distinguishes between these guarantees and warns that information about commercial guarantees can be ambiguous. Check, in particular, the exclusions, which parts are covered and what steps you need to take.