Choose according to what you want the appliance to do: a multi-cooker for a range of cooking methods, a slow cooker for planned, long-cooked dishes, a rice cooker if rice is a staple in your meals, or a cooking food processor if you also want to prepare the ingredients. Then compare the actual programming options, keep-warm function and the amount the cooking pot can hold, rather than relying on its stated capacity alone.
If you alternate between rice, vegetables and dishes with sauces, a multi-cooker lets you choose different cooking modes without having to stay by the hob. Do check the modes available on your chosen model and the filling limit for your recipes.
If soups, stews and other slow-cooked dishes often feature on your menu at a predictable mealtime, a programmable slow cooker is worth considering. Planning ahead doesn’t remove the need to store ingredients safely before cooking.
If your main need is to cook rice and then keep it warm, a rice cooker with a few extra programmes may be all you need. Check its programming functions before relying on it to start at your chosen time.
Worth considering: if you want to use several cooking methods in the same pot; some models also offer pressure cooking.
Bear in mind: the capacity stated on the pot doesn’t necessarily reflect how much you can cook in it.
Worth considering: for slow-cooked dishes when you can plan what time you’ll eat.
Bear in mind: it doesn’t meet the same need as fast pressure cooking; avoid leaving perishable ingredients at room temperature for too long.
Worth considering: if rice is a regular part of your cooking and a few other programmes are enough for you.
Bear in mind: the extra programmes may not replace the specific modes your other recipes need.
Worth considering: if you want to prepare ingredients and cook in the same appliance.
Bear in mind: accessories and food-preparation parts also need space and cleaning.
Worth considering: if you prefer to manage each step yourself using the cookware you already have.
Bear in mind: this option doesn’t offer the automatic programmes you’re looking for to take the work out of cooking.
| What to consider | What to check | Who it’s for |
|---|---|---|
| Varied meals and programming | Useful modes for your recipes; the difference between cooking duration, delayed start and a planned finish time. | When dinner changes from one day to the next, I want to start a suitable cooking programme and get on with something else. Around 42% of consumers prioritise this versatility. |
| Usable capacity | Filling guides for different recipes; space needed to set up and store the appliance. | If I’m cooking several portions or want leftovers, I need to know how much will actually fit in the pot. Around 25% of consumers prioritise this capacity. |
| Rice and keeping food warm | Rice programme, switch to keep-warm mode and instructions for washing the pot. | If I mainly cook rice, I prefer a simple cycle and want to know how the food will be kept warm. Around 17% of consumers prioritise this use. |
| Food preparation built in | Food-preparation functions you need; accessories included and parts to clean. | To avoid switching between utensils, I also want to mix or chop ingredients in the appliance I’m cooking with. Around 16% of consumers prioritise this built-in preparation. |
UFC-Que Choisir cites a Cookeo with a 6 L pot that can only be filled to a maximum of 4 L for cooking. The filling limit may also depend on the recipe.
Check the guides in the instruction manual, particularly for liquid mixtures or ingredients that expand.
A countdown timer sets a duration; on its own, it doesn’t tell you whether the appliance will start later or finish at your chosen time.
Check separately for delayed start, a planned finish time and the switch to keep-warm mode.
A programming function doesn’t keep food chilled. Anses advises against leaving food at room temperature for more than two hours before refrigerating it.
If the recipe needs to wait a long time before cooking starts, store the ingredients appropriately instead of leaving them in the appliance.
Just because a cooking pot or lid is described as dishwasher-safe, that doesn’t automatically apply to other parts or models.
Check the separate instructions for the pot, lid, seal and accessories, and don’t immerse the electrical base.
The Cookeo range includes guided multi-cookers, while Companion combines food preparation and cooking.
The Easy Cook+ RK732100 is designed with rice in mind, and includes other cooking programmes.
The range includes slow cookers designed for dishes that need a long cooking time.
The French catalogue features rice cookers and multi-cookers in a range of sizes.
These Joybuy appliances offer two ways to take some of the work out of dinner: rice cookers for more specific tasks and multi-cookers for a range of cooking methods. Compare their programming functions before choosing one to suit your mealtime.
Image unavailable
For a household that mainly cooks rice, as well as porridge or soup, this model lists a delayed start and a keep-warm function. Its pot is listed as 4 L, serving 3 to 4 people, and it comes with a steaming basket. Check the filling limits and how the delayed-start function works in the manual.
Image unavailable
For a range of cooking methods in one appliance, this 9-in-1 model lists pressure cooking, steaming, slow cooking and app control. If you need to schedule a start rather than select a cooking mode, check that this function is available, along with the filling limits and safety instructions in the manual.
Image unavailable
For preparing a range of meals in advance, this model lists 12 programmes, a delayed timer and a keep-warm function. Its stated capacity is 8 L: follow the filling guides, including the halfway line indicated for ingredients that expand, and check the manual before using the delayed start with perishable ingredients.
Image unavailable
For switching between pressure cooking, slow cooking and steaming, this 7-in-1 multi-cooker also lists a keep-warm function and four customisable presets. Check the manual for the permitted capacity, steam safety precautions and whether a delayed start is available if you need to schedule the start of cooking.
Image unavailable
Designed mainly for rice and porridge, this model is listed as suitable for 2 to 3 people and offers seven functions and a keep-warm function. It has a timer, but check whether it can delay the start, as well as the filling limits and instructions for washing the pot.
Start with the quantities in your recipes, not just the pot’s stated capacity. UFC-Que Choisir cites a 6 L pot with a maximum cooking capacity of 4 L. Check the markings and the limits for your particular model and the ingredients you’ll be cooking.
Avoid leaving perishable ingredients at room temperature for a long time before cooking starts. Anses advises against keeping food at room temperature for more than two hours before refrigerating it; programming the appliance is no substitute for proper storage.
Check separately whether the pot or cooking bowl is removable and which parts the manufacturer says are dishwasher-safe. Crock-Pot lists the CSC066X cooking bowl and lid as dishwasher-safe; follow the instructions for the model you’re buying.
Note down the full model number and look for the manual, accessories and services that match that exact model. If a model is older or listed as discontinued, confirm what after-sales support is available before you choose it.