If you want to prepare several meals in advance, choose a programmable multi-cooker if you mainly cook dishes in a single pot and want to keep a closer eye on the cooking less often. A cooking food processor is also a good fit if your menus regularly involve chopping, grating or blending; several appliances may be useful if you need to cook different dishes at the same time. In every case, compare the amount you can actually cook, how much preparation is still needed and how easy the appliance is to clean.
If your menus feature soups, stews, rice or steamed vegetables, a multi-cooker can take care of the cooking. Check that the permitted quantity for your recipes matches the number of portions you have in mind: the pot’s capacity alone won’t tell you this.
If chopping, grating, slicing or blending regularly features in your menus, look at the functions of a cooking food processor and its usable capacity. Make sure it can handle the quantities you plan to cook.
Cooking rice while another dish simmers may be a good reason to have two separate appliances. This means you don’t have to use a single pot for every step, but it does take up more space and create more washing-up.
Worth considering: for recipes that are mainly cooked in one pot, when reducing the need to monitor cooking matters more than automating chopping.
Bear in mind: you’ll still need to prepare the ingredients, and the stated pot capacity doesn’t always match the amount you can cook.
Worth considering: if your weekly meal prep regularly involves chopping, grating, mixing or kneading as well as cooking.
Bear in mind: check the usable capacity for cooked dishes and the space needed for the accessories.
Worth considering: if your schedule calls for separate dishes to cook at the same time, such as rice and a stew.
Bear in mind: you’ll need more worktop space, have more parts to wash and coordinate more cooking times.
| What to consider | What to check | Think about your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Cooking capacity | Compare the stated capacity with the maximum fill level and the limits for different recipes and cooking modes. UFC-Que Choisir cites a 6 L Cookeo pot with a cooking limit of 4 L. | I prepare several portions of the same dish: the permitted quantity needs to fit in the pot, without assuming that all of its capacity is usable. |
| Programming | Look for programmes that suit your dishes, their settings and the instructions for delayed start or keep-warm functions. These features don’t replace safe food storage practices. | I’d like to get on with other tasks while food cooks, without having to keep adjusting the appliance. |
| Preparing ingredients | Distinguish cooking modes from chopping, cutting, blending or kneading functions. Also check whether the model stirs food during cooking when a recipe calls for it. | If my menus often involve chopping or blending, I want to know which steps the appliance actually takes care of. |
| Cooking several dishes at once | List the dishes you want to start cooking at the same time, then compare how many pots you’ll need with the space available on your worktop. | I want to cook a side dish while a main course simmers, without waiting for a pot to become free. |
| Cleaning and spare parts | Check which parts can be removed, how they should be washed and whether spare parts are available for the exact model reference. | After preparing several dishes, cleaning needs to remain manageable, and I want to be able to find the right parts for my model. |
The batch you have in mind may exceed the permitted quantity. UFC-Que Choisir gives the example of a 6 L Cookeo pot with a maximum cooking capacity of 4 L.
Estimate the volume of your usual recipes, then check the fill levels and limits specified for each cooking mode.
Programmable cooking doesn’t eliminate the need to chop or blend ingredients. Les Numériques distinguishes these tasks from the usual functions of a multi-cooker.
If these tasks come up regularly in your menus, compare the functions of a cooking food processor or plan to keep your food-preparation utensils.
Replacing a pot, lid or accessory can make an appliance harder to use if it’s difficult to find the right part for its model reference.
Search for the exact reference in the manufacturer’s spare parts catalogue and check how long parts are expected to be available for the model you’re considering.
The Cookeo range is a good example of choosing a multi-cooker to cook dishes in a single pot.
The Cook Expert Connect is a cooking food processor to consider if preparing ingredients is also an important part of your weekly cooking session.
The Fast & Delicious CY505E10 and Easy Cook+ RK732100 suit two different needs: cooking with a multi-cooker or preparing a side dish in a rice cooker.
These Joybuy models are designed for cooking dishes in a pot. To choose between them, start with your recipes and quantities, then check the fill limits and cleaning instructions for the model you select.
Image unavailable
For a variety of recipes cooked in one pot, this model includes rice, steaming and slow-cooking functions. Its stated capacity is 8 L; check the permitted fill level for the dishes you plan to batch-cook.
Image unavailable
If you alternate between pressure cooking and air frying, check which parts need fitting and cleaning for each use. The pot is stated to hold 6 L; check the fill limits and washing instructions before deciding on your portion sizes.
Image unavailable
If you’re preparing several portions of one dish, compare the stated 7.1 L pot capacity with the volume of your recipe. Before deciding on batch size, check the instructions for permitted quantities based on the ingredients and cooking mode.
Image unavailable
If you mainly cook dishes in one pot, compare its nine menus and two pressure settings with your recipes. The stated capacity is 6 L; follow the limits for the ingredients and cooking mode you’re using, then check the cleaning instructions.
Image unavailable
For dishes cooked in one pot, start with the stated capacity of 5.7 L, but don’t assume this is the permitted cooking volume. Check the fill levels for your recipes, especially when ingredients expand as they cook.
Not necessarily. UFC-Que Choisir gives the example of a 6 L Cookeo pot with a cooking limit of 4 L; check the instructions for your chosen model to find out the permitted levels for each recipe and cooking mode.
Not for everyday chopping or blending tasks: Les Numériques distinguishes these functions from those of a multi-cooker. If chopping, grating or kneading regularly features in your menus, compare the functions of a cooking food processor with those of the model you’re considering.
Check which parts can be removed and which are dishwasher-safe for the model you’re considering. Moulinex says that the pot with handles and steam basket for the Cookeo+ CE854B10 are dishwasher-safe; this doesn’t automatically apply to other models.
Look up the exact appliance reference in the manufacturer’s spare parts catalogue and check how long parts are expected to be available for that model. Magimix says parts for the Cook Expert Connect will be available for 30 years; Tefal also offers a catalogue of parts and accessories for its electric cooking appliances.