For varied dinners that you want to cook with minimal supervision, choose a programmable multi-cooker if preparing the ingredients won’t take you long. A cooking food processor meets a different need: it can chop, mix or knead as well as cook, provided you have the space and will use its accessories. If your meals mainly revolve around rice or simple dishes, a specialist cooker may be enough. In every case, check the programmes, usable capacity and cleaning requirements of the specific model.
If you make sauces, steamed dishes or slow-cooked meals, a programmable multi-cooker can take care of some of the cooking once you’ve started the programme. However, UFC-Que Choisir points out that the appliance generally won’t stir the food for you.
If your meals regularly involve chopping, mixing or kneading before cooking, consider a cooking food processor. Check that the accessories you need for your recipes are included with the model you choose.
If rice, steaming or simple stews are regular dinner choices, a specialist appliance is worth considering. Compare its dimensions, capacity and programmes with the space you have and the portions you usually make.
Start with the tasks you want the appliance to take care of, then check how much you need to cook and how much space it will take up. If you want to prepare dinner with minimal supervision, the priorities below can help you identify what matters most when choosing.
Choose it if: you make a variety of dishes and mainly want a programme to take care of the cooking.
Bear in mind: you’ll still need to prepare the ingredients and carry out any other steps required by the recipe.
Choose it if: chopping, mixing or kneading is a regular part of your meal preparation, as well as cooking.
Bear in mind: the bowl and accessories need space, storage and suitable cleaning.
Choose it if: you mainly cook rice or a few simple, familiar dishes.
Bear in mind: its preparation functions and programmes depend on the model; don’t expect it to chop or blend unless these functions are specified.
| What matters | What to check | Who is it for? |
|---|---|---|
| Cooking with minimal supervision | Programmes suited to your dishes; any steps that still require stirring or adding ingredients. | If I can’t stay near the appliance in the evening, I want to be able to start a cooking programme that suits the dish. Around 39% of consumers would make this level of independence their top priority. |
| Portions and washing up | Usable capacity and fill limits; removable parts that need cleaning. | If I’m cooking several portions, the bowl needs to hold them all so I don’t have to run another cycle, and cleaning should be manageable. Around 23% of consumers would prioritise this balance between portions and washing up. |
| Preparing ingredients | Chopping, mixing or kneading functions that are useful for your meals; accessories actually included. | For soups, sauces or doughs that need hands-on preparation, I want help with more than just the cooking. Around 23% of consumers would put this versatility in food preparation first. |
| Space and specific needs | Dimensions and storage; programmes for the dishes you make regularly. | In a small kitchen where I mainly make rice or simple dishes, I’d rather check that a specialist appliance suits my routine without taking up too much space. Around 15% of consumers would put compactness and simplicity first. |
You may not be able to fill the bowl to its stated capacity. If the recommended fill level for your recipe is too low for the portions you need, you may have to cook in batches.
Check the manual for the usable capacity and fill limits, particularly for liquid or saucy dishes.
A cooking programme doesn’t mean the appliance can chop, mix or carry out preparation that requires a specific accessory.
Think of a few dinners you make regularly and check which functions and accessories are included with the model you’re considering for each one.
Depending on the model, an accessory you need for your intended use may be sold separately.
A cooking food processor can take care of some prep, but its bowl and accessories will also need cleaning and storing. UFC-Que Choisir includes maintenance and storage among its criteria for assessing appliances.
Measure the space you have with the bowl in place, and check whether each part you plan to use is dishwasher-safe.
The Cookeo range includes multi-cookers, while Companion covers cooking food processors. The features mentioned here apply to the models described by Moulinex, not every version in these ranges.
The Easy Cook+ and Classic 2 rice cookers offer options for regular cooking, with programmes that vary by model.
The Cook Expert range combines food preparation and cooking for meals that also involve mixing, chopping or kneading.
This selection includes multi-cookers that can take care of some of the cooking for your evening meals, as well as a cooking food processor to consider if preparing the ingredients is also important to you.
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Worth a look if you’d like to programme different types of cooking in one bowl. The name of this version specifies 12 pre-set menus and a power rating of 1200 W. Compare its usable capacity with the portions you make, and check the cleaning instructions.
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Consider it if your dinners call for several cooking modes and the air fryer lid specified in the name of this version would be useful to you. An integrated scale is also listed; check the manual for usable capacity, cleaning requirements and how the keep-warm function works before choosing.
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Worth a look if you’re after a multi-cooker for several portions, provided its usable capacity suits your recipes. Measure the space it will need, and check that the plug supplied is suitable for your set-up in France.
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Consider it if a timer and a range of menus suit the way you prepare dinner. The name of this version specifies a 24-hour timer, nine menus and two pressure settings. Check which steps need your attention, and whether instructions are available in French.
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Worth a look if you’d also like a cooking food processor to take care of some of the prep. The name of this version mentions a large touchscreen and 750 recipes. Check the usable capacity, the accessories needed for your dishes and the keep-warm instructions if you plan to serve later.
You can keep an eye on it less closely if the dish and its steps are suited to the programme you’ve chosen. However, UFC-Que Choisir points out that multi-cookers generally don’t stir food. Read the recipe and the instructions for your model before leaving it unattended.
Compare your usual portions with the usable capacity and fill limits in the manual, rather than relying on the stated bowl capacity alone. These limits are particularly important for liquid or saucy dishes.
A cooking food processor is worth considering if you regularly want help with chopping, mixing, whisking or kneading as well as cooking. Check which accessories are included, how they need to be cleaned and how much space you’ll need before choosing one.
Yes, if the programmes on that particular model suit the dishes you usually make. Depending on the model, Tefal’s manuals describe a keep-warm function or programmes for soups and stews. Check the features of the specific appliance, and don’t assume it can chop or blend.
For a new, second-hand or refurbished appliance sold to a consumer by a trader, the statutory legal guarantee of conformity is mandatory, according to the French Ministry of the Economy. Contact the seller with your proof of purchase so they can assess the fault; any commercial warranty is separate.