Choose a programmable multi-cooker if you switch between rice, slow-cooked dishes and other cooking methods in the same bowl. A slow cooker is a better fit if slow cooking is the mainstay of your meals; a cooking food processor is worth considering if you also want help preparing ingredients. Whichever you choose, check that it has the programmes your recipes need, the right cooking capacity and the scheduling options you want before relying on it to have a meal ready at a particular time.
You cook a range of meals during the week and want to get things started without having to stay by the appliance. A multi-cooker is worth considering if its functions suit the recipes you actually make, particularly for rice, slow cooking or steaming.
Soups and stews feature regularly on your menu. A programmable slow cooker could be a good fit for this specific need: check its timer settings and what happens when cooking finishes.
If chopping, blending or mixing takes as much time as getting the cooking started, consider a cooking food processor. Check which accessories your recipes need, how much space they take up and how easy they are to clean.
First, decide what you want the appliance to do for you: cook different types of dishes, slow-cook a meal to fit around serving time, or help prepare the ingredients too.
Worth considering: if you want to use different cooking methods in one bowl, provided its functions suit the dishes you usually make.
Bear in mind: programming mainly controls the cooking; don’t assume the appliance will chop or mix ingredients.
Worth considering: if soups and dishes that need a long, slow cook make up most of your meals.
Bear in mind: this specialist cooking method may not replace the other functions your recipes need.
Worth considering: if you regularly want help with chopping, mixing or kneading as well.
Bear in mind: accessories need space and care, and functions vary from model to model.
| Consideration | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Variety of meals | Look for the functions your recipes actually need and compare the cooking capacity with your usual portions. | I switch from rice to saucy dishes and want to use the same appliance for both. Around 50% of consumers would prioritise this versatility. |
| Mealtime | Check the instructions for the programmable time and what each function does when cooking ends, particularly the keep-warm setting. | My dishes cook slowly and I want to plan for them to finish around mealtime. This would be the main priority for around 30% of consumers. |
| Ingredient preparation | Check which tasks the appliance handles, which accessories you need and how much worktop space is available. | Before cooking, I’d also like to skip some chopping or mixing. Around 20% of consumers would make built-in food preparation their top priority. |
You may not be able to fill the bowl to its stated capacity: fill limits can reduce the portions you can prepare.
Check the fill markings in the instructions and compare the usable cooking capacity with your usual quantities, especially for ingredients that expand.
Its food-preparation functions may add little if you already prepare the ingredients and mainly want to schedule rice or slow-cooked dishes.
Before choosing between a cooking food processor, multi-cooker and slow cooker, list the tasks you want the appliance to handle regularly.
These functions work at different stages, and their availability can vary by model or programme.
Check the instructions for the model you’re considering to find out when cooking starts, when it stops and what happens afterwards.
According to Anses, poor food storage or a break in the cold chain can encourage bacteria to grow. Scheduling the cooking does not preserve the ingredients.
Follow the appropriate food hygiene and storage advice for the ingredients you’re using. Don’t choose a delayed start assuming it can replace refrigeration.
These models include electric pressure multi-cookers for a range of cooking methods, as well as a rice cooker for more focused use. Choose according to your recipes and check the model’s instructions to see which settings actually determine when your meal is ready.
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Worth considering if you switch between rice, slow cooking and steaming. The title lists 12 menus, 1200 W of power and an 8 L capacity; check how much you can actually cook and whether it has the scheduling settings your recipes need.
When pressure cooking, follow the fill limits and pressure-release instructions in the manual.
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Worth looking at if you want to schedule different types of cooking. The title lists 24-hour programming, 9 menus, 2 pressure settings and a frying function; check which programmes can be scheduled and what the appliance does when a cycle ends.
The stated capacity is 6 L: check the fill limits for the dishes you plan to make.
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Worth considering if you want to switch between slow cooking and steaming in a pressure multi-cooker. This 5.7 L version is described as a 7-in-1 appliance with 4 customisable presets; if the start time matters, check the manual for delayed-start settings.
Follow the fill limits and pressure-release precautions for pressure cooking.
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Worth looking at if you want a 3.8 L multi-cooker for smaller quantities. This pressure model is described as a 7-in-1 appliance; compare its fill limits with your usual portions and check the manual for the conditions for delayed start and keep-warm.
Follow the instructions for steam and pressure release.
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Worth considering if rice is your main reason for buying a cooker and you’d also like to make other dishes mentioned in the title, such as porridge or soup. It lists 860 W, a delayed-start function and keep-warm; check which programmes these functions work with.
If your dishes need browning or slow cooking, check that these functions are included before choosing this specialist cooker.
Start with the quantities you usually cook, rather than relying on the stated capacity alone. The fill markings in the instructions show how much you can use for different dishes, particularly when ingredients expand.
Not necessarily: it depends on the model and programme. Check the instructions to see whether the function starts automatically, which cooking methods it works with and under what conditions.
Don’t treat delayed start as a way to preserve them. Anses points out that poor storage and breaks in the cold chain can encourage bacteria to grow; follow the appropriate hygiene advice for your ingredients and the appliance instructions.
No, not if you mainly want to schedule the cooking of ingredients you’ve already prepared. Consider a cooking food processor if you also want the appliance to handle tasks such as chopping, blending or mixing.
In France, according to the Ministry of the Economy, the statutory guarantee of conformity covers new, second-hand and refurbished goods sold by a professional to a private individual. Keep your proof of purchase, the product description and your correspondence with the seller so you can report the issue.