If you switch between rice, slow-cooked dishes, steaming and browning, a multicooker with settings to suit your recipes can reduce the need to keep an eye on things. However, check its usable capacity, which may be lower than the advertised volume. For long, slow-cooked dishes, a slow cooker may be all you need; if you mainly cook rice, look at rice cookers. A food processor with a cooking function is a different option if you also want to prepare ingredients, while an air fryer is better suited to roasted or crispy food than dishes with sauce.
If you cook everything from rice to slow-cooked dishes, a multicooker can bring several settings together in one pot. Compare the functions you’ll actually use, the capacity you need for your portions and the parts you’ll need to clean.
A slow cooker is worth considering if slow cooking matters more to you than browning or pressure cooking. For example, Crock-Pot describes its 2.4 L CSC061X as suitable for smaller households, with a timer adjustable from 30 minutes to 20 hours.
If chopping and mixing take up as much time as keeping an eye on the cooking, compare a food processor with a cooking function against a multicooker. Moulinex describes the Companion as an appliance that chops, mixes and cooks. Also consider the accessories you’ll need to wash and store.
Start with the dishes you cook most often, then check the settings, the amount you can prepare and the day-to-day cleaning.
| Feature | What to check | What you need |
|---|---|---|
| Cooking method | Compare the settings that suit your dishes: slow cooking, rice, steaming, browning or pressure cooking. A food processor with a cooking function also handles food preparation, while an air fryer is better suited to roasting and crisping. | Do I cook a mix of saucy dishes and rice, or do I nearly always make the same type of meal? If I also want to chop and mix, a food processor with a cooking function is worth considering. |
| Programmable settings | Check the timer, whether there’s a delayed start and whether the exact model has a keep-warm function. Read the manual for its settings and any instructions for the food you’re preparing. | I’d like to start cooking while I get on with other things at home, without having to keep coming back to adjust the appliance. |
| Usable capacity | Check the fill markings and the quantities allowed for different recipes. Que Choisir gives the example of a 6 L Cookeo pot with a maximum cooking capacity of 4 L. | I need enough room in the pot for my usual portions, without choosing an appliance that takes up more space than necessary. |
| Cleaning | Check which parts are removable and which the manufacturer says are dishwasher-safe. Also count any baskets, blades and other accessories you’ll use. | After preparing a meal ahead of time, I’d rather not be left with a long list of parts to wash and put away. |
| Long-term maintenance | Check the care instructions for the pot, as well as the availability of spare parts and service options for the model you’re considering. | I want to be able to look after the appliance and know how to replace a part if needed. |
The size of the pot doesn’t always tell you how much you can cook in it. Que Choisir cites a 6 L Cookeo pot with a maximum cooking capacity of 4 L.
Check the markings and the manual for your model, especially for liquid recipes or ingredients that expand as they cook.
The Tefal Easy Fry Infrared is described as an air fryer for hot-air cooking and crispy results. Slow-cooked dishes and meals with sauce call for a different type of appliance.
Make a note of the dishes you cook regularly: compare an air fryer for roasting with a slow cooker or multicooker for long, pot-based cooking.
In the list of categories published by the ministry responsible for the ecological transition on 8 January 2026, multicookers and rice cookers aren’t included among the products covered by repairability and durability ratings.
For the exact model, check the manufacturer’s information about spare parts and after-sales service rather than assuming a commercial commitment means it has an official rating.
A food processor that also prepares ingredients may come with extra accessories to look after, whereas an appliance designed just for cooking may have fewer parts to handle.
Before choosing, compare the included parts and check whether each one is dishwasher-safe, keeping your cooking habits in mind.
The brand offers Cookeo multicookers with a range of cooking settings, as well as Companion food processors that can prepare ingredients too.
The CSC061X is an example of a compact appliance designed for dishes that need to cook slowly for a long time.
The range mentioned includes a rice cooker with a keep-warm function and an air fryer for hot-air cooking. Choose according to the dishes you want to make.
This selection includes multicookers for a range of cooking methods and rice cookers for dishes where rice takes centre stage. Compare their functions with the meals you plan to set cooking ahead of time.
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For everyday meals in smaller quantities, compare the stated 2 L capacity with your usual portions. If you plan to set the cooking in advance, check the delayed-start settings and the installation instructions for this version.
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Compare this 5.7 L multicooker with the amounts you usually make if you’re preparing several portions. Check the fill markings for each cooking method and, if a delayed start is essential, make sure the programmable settings meet your needs.
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If rice and steaming are at the heart of your meals, this 4 L rice cooker is listed with a delayed-start and keep-warm function. Its product title describes it as suitable for 3 to 4 people; compare this with the fill markings and the quantities in your recipes.
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This 8 L pressure multicooker is listed with 12 preset menus for a range of dishes. If you plan to programme meals, check the permitted quantities for different ingredients and make sure the voltage, frequency and plug are suitable for your setup.
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This 7.1 L multicooker is worth considering if you prepare several portions. Before choosing it, check its fill limits and programmable functions, and make sure the plug is compatible with your setup.
Not necessarily. Que Choisir cites a 6 L Cookeo pot with a maximum cooking capacity of 4 L. Check the manual and fill markings for your chosen model and recipes.
Don’t assume so: Tefal describes the Easy Fry Infrared as an appliance for hot-air cooking and crispy results, while Moulinex lists slow cooking, pressure cooking and steaming among the Cookeo Simplicity’s functions. Choose according to the dishes you make most often.
Don’t assume it will have one: multicookers aren’t among the categories listed in the register published on 8 January 2026 by the ministry responsible for the ecological transition. Instead, check the information about spare parts and servicing for the exact model.
According to ADEME, you can put it in an in-store collection bin, return it to the retailer or use the container for electrical and electronic equipment at a recycling centre.