Households looking to prepare and cook in one place
You want one central appliance for meals that involve several preparation steps before cooking, rather than an appliance designed solely for cooking.
Who are these appliances for?
People who mainly want to set a cooking programme
You often prepare rice, slow-cooked dishes or steamed food, and want to keep an eye on the cooking less, without necessarily needing automatic chopping or mixing.
Households that already have cooking appliances
You’re happy with your cooking appliances, but preparing ingredients is still a chore. In that case, consider an appliance without built-in cooking before adding another one that duplicates what you already have.
What sets these options apart?
Start with the steps that genuinely take up your time: preparing ingredients, following a recipe or setting a cooking programme. UFC-Que Choisir distinguishes between the preparation functions of a food processor and the cooking functions offered by a food processor cooker or multicooker. The features and capacities then vary from model to model.
| Criterion | What to check | Who it suits |
|---|---|---|
| Preparing and cooking in one appliance | Check which steps the appliance can handle in sequence for your recipes, and which accessories are included. | If I chop or mix ingredients before cooking, I want to avoid switching between appliances; around 33% of consumers prioritise having everything in one place. |
| Following guided recipes | Check which features are available on the model you’re considering and what you need to do to access the recipe service. | When coming up with meal ideas and knowing which steps to follow hold me back, I look for cooking guidance first; around 27% of consumers share this priority. |
| Setting a cooking programme | Check that the cooking modes suit your dishes and read the filling limits in the instruction manual. | For rice or slow-cooked dishes, I mainly want to keep an eye on cooking less, even if I prepare the ingredients myself; around 20% of consumers prioritise programmable cooking. |
| Avoiding duplicate functions | Take stock of your cooking appliances and the space needed for food-preparation accessories. | If my appliances already cook my meals well, I mainly need help with chopping, grating or kneading; around 20% of consumers prioritise food preparation without built-in cooking. |
Mistakes to avoid before you buy
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Confusing bowl capacity with how much you can cook
According to UFC-Que Choisir, you may need to leave room in the bowl to prevent spills. The usable volume also depends on the recipe, so the stated capacity alone won’t tell you how many portions you can make.
Check the filling levels and guidance for the cooking methods you plan to use in the instruction manual, particularly for liquids, steaming or pressure cooking.
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Assuming all guided recipes will remain available
Access to a recipe service may change after an introductory period. For example, Vorwerk sets out renewal terms for Cookidoo; the fact that an appliance has an app doesn’t tell you what you’ll be able to use in the long term.
Before choosing a model for its recipes, check which features are available without a linked service, along with the applicable access and renewal terms.
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Expecting a multicooker to prepare ingredients
A cooking programme doesn’t mean the appliance can chop, grate or knead. UFC-Que Choisir notes that mixing in a multicooker is generally done by hand.
If you want to spend less time on preparation, check exactly which tasks the appliance can handle before choosing a cooking-focused model.
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Choosing based on the number of functions alone
A long list of functions doesn’t guarantee that they’ll suit the meals you usually make. UFC-Que Choisir points out that kitchen appliances won’t necessarily perform every task equally well.
Compare a few recipes you make regularly, then consider where you’ll store the accessories, which parts need cleaning and how much space you have.
Brands to consider for your needs
There are no brands to feature in this section.
Multicookers for cooking-focused meals
These appliances are suited to choosing a multicooker when your priority is cooking meals rather than automating ingredient preparation. To compare them, match their stated capacity and cooking modes to your recipes, then check the instruction manual for filling limits and care instructions.
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Instant Pot Classic 5.7L 7-in-1, Daydream Blue
Worth considering if you mainly want to set cooking programmes rather than automate ingredient preparation.
- Stated capacity of 5.7L; 7-in-1 multicooker with slow-cooking and steaming functions.
- Four customisable presets, as stated in the product name.
Check the instruction manual for the permitted fill level for your recipes and the steam-release guidance before pressure cooking.
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Instant Pot Rio XL 7.1L 7-in-1, stainless steel inner pot
Worth a look if you’re after a multicooker for preparing several portions, without expecting it to chop ingredients.
- Stated capacity of 7.1L and 7-in-1 designation.
- Stainless steel inner pot; the product name specifies electric pressure cooking.
The stated capacity isn’t the amount you can fill it with for every recipe. Check the filling limits and steam-release guidance in the instruction manual.
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Midea 9-in-1 8L 1200W, black
Worth considering if you want an appliance for cooking rice, slow-cooking dishes or steaming food.
- Stated capacity of 8L, listed power of 1200W and 12 preset menus.
- Non-stick inner pot; the product name mentions rice cooking, slow cooking and steaming.
Check the filling levels suited to your recipes, along with the cleaning instructions for the inner pot and accessories.
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Cecotec Programmable Cooker Model D 6 L
Worth a look if your main priority is setting a cooking programme rather than asking the appliance to prepare ingredients.
- Stated capacity of 6 L, nine cooking menus and a 24-hour timer.
- Frying and voice control functions mentioned in the product name.
Before pressure cooking, check the instruction manual for the exact settings, filling limits and pressure-release procedure.
Frequently asked questions
Can you still access guided recipes without a linked service?
Not necessarily; it depends on the model and service. Vorwerk sets out access and renewal terms for Cookidoo, while Moulinex describes My Moulinex as a free app. Check which features are available on the appliance you’re considering, both with and without a linked service.
Does a multicooker’s stated capacity match how much I can cook?
Not for every recipe. UFC-Que Choisir notes that you may need to leave room in the bowl, which can reduce the usable volume. Check the instruction manual for permitted fill levels and portion guidance for each cooking method.
Can a multicooker replace a food processor that chops and grates?
Not simply because it offers several cooking programmes. UFC-Que Choisir says that mixing in a multicooker is generally done by hand. If chopping, grating or kneading is part of the meals you make, check separately whether the appliance offers these functions.
What should I do if an appliance bought from a trader doesn’t match its description?
In France, the statutory guarantee of conformity applies to goods sold by a trader to a consumer, including new, second-hand and refurbished goods, according to the Ministry of the Economy. Keep your proof of purchase and the product description so you can explain the problem to the seller. This legal protection is separate from a retailer’s returns policy.