Choose a multi-cooker if your dinners really do alternate between rice, slow-cooked dishes, steaming and browning, and you’ll use its programmes in the same pot. If you like to get dishes cooking several hours ahead, a slow cooker may be enough; if you mainly cook rice or steam food, a specialist appliance could be a better fit for your kitchen. In every case, compare the usable capacity, any steps the recipe still requires you to do, and the space you have available.
If your weekday meals alternate between rice, soup, dishes with sauce and steamed food, you’re probably looking for programmes that take care of the cooking once you’ve started them. UFC-Que Choisir points out, however, that some recipes still need you to get involved.
If you prepare dinner when you get home, on-screen steps and pressure cooking may matter more than a simple timer. Check that the available modes suit the dishes you actually make.
If you already have a rice cooker, steamer basket, frying pan or saucepan, weigh up what a new appliance would do that your current kit can’t, against the space it would take up. A multi-cooker is only useful if its extra functions suit the meals you usually make.
To choose between these appliances, start with when you can get dinner cooking and the methods you already use. Capacity and cleaning are the next things to compare.
Consider one if: you regularly use several modes in the same pot; a guided model with pressure cooking meets a different need for speed on the day.
Bear in mind: programmes don’t remove every step, and pressure-cooking instructions vary by model.
Consider one if: you start dishes with sauce several hours before dinner and value a keep-warm function.
Bear in mind: slow cooking isn’t suited to a quick dinner after a late start.
Consider one if: rice is often on the menu and your other appliances can handle the rest of the meal.
Check: functions beyond rice vary by model.
Consider one if: steaming is your main cooking method and you already have what you need to prepare other dishes.
Bear in mind: on its own, it won’t replace the browning or slow-cooking steps.
Keep using them if: your current kit covers your weekday recipes without supervision or washing-up that gets in your way.
Bear in mind: preparing a meal may mean coordinating several pieces of cookware.
| Criteria | What to check | Who is it for? |
|---|---|---|
| Versatile cooking with little supervision | The modes that suit your recipes and any steps that still need you to get involved. | I’d like to cook everything from rice to a slow-cooked dish without constantly watching the heat, but I can step in if the recipe calls for it. Around 36% of consumers prioritise this flexibility for a variety of meals. |
| Speed and guidance | Whether the model you’re considering offers pressure cooking and guided instructions. | When I get home late, I want to make fewer decisions about preparation and can’t rely on having started cooking several hours earlier. Speed with guidance is a priority for around 29% of consumers. |
| Cooking capacity | The maximum fill level for your recipes and the appliance’s dimensions. | I cook dinner for several people, sometimes with leftovers, so everything needs to fit in one cooking session. Around 21% of consumers put a capacity that suits their household first. |
| Washing-up and counter space | Which cooking methods your current appliances already cover and which parts are dishwasher-safe, if that suits your routine. | I’d like to use fewer utensils without adding an appliance to the worktop that simply duplicates what I already have. Avoiding that duplication is a priority for around 14% of consumers. |
The stated capacity isn’t always the maximum amount you can cook. UFC-Que Choisir gives the example of a 6 L Cookeo pot that can hold a maximum of 4 L for cooking; the permitted amount also depends on the recipe.
Check the fill limit for the programme you plan to use and compare it with your usual portions, particularly for liquids and pressure cooking.
Slow cooking needs to be started in advance. A timer and keep-warm function won’t turn a dish designed to cook for several hours into a quick meal when you get home.
If you start cooking that evening, compare the modes available on multi-cookers instead, particularly guided cooking and pressure cooking if they suit your recipes.
According to UFC-Que Choisir, multi-cookers generally don’t stir ingredients. Browning, adding ingredients or stirring may still be part of the recipe.
Read the steps for a few programmes that suit the dishes you usually make, and check whether the model you’re considering comes with a stirring accessory.
A multi-cooker takes up space even if you already have appliances for cooking rice, steaming and slow-cooking dishes.
Compare your weekday meals with the kit you already own: choose a specialist appliance if there’s just one cooking method you’re missing, or a multi-cooker if you’ll use several of its modes.
Moulinex offers both classic multi-cookers and Cookeo models with pressure cooking and guided programmes.
The programmable SCCPRC507B slow cooker is designed for households that can get dinner cooking several hours ahead.
The Cook @ Home collection featured by Russell Hobbs lets you compare specialist appliances with multi-cookers that focus more on rice.
These Joybuy models suit anyone looking for a programmable multi-cooker to prepare a range of dinners in one appliance. If you mainly slow-cook, cook rice or steam food, compare this option with the equipment you already own.
Image unavailable
Worth considering if you alternate between several cooking methods for evening meals.
The model name indicates pressure cooking, slow cooking, steaming and four custom presets.
Before use, check the instructions for recipe-specific fill limits and how to open the cooker after pressure cooking.
Image unavailable
Compare this model if your household is looking for a smaller-capacity multi-cooker for dinner.
The model is described as serving up to four portions; its name also indicates pressure cooking.
Check the permitted quantities for your recipes and the pressure-cooking instructions for this model in its manual.
Image unavailable
Worth a look if you cook large quantities and want to choose from several programmes.
The product name lists a non-stick pot, along with pressure-cooking, rice, steaming and slow-cooking functions.
Compare the usable capacity for your recipes with the space the appliance needs; check the pressure-cooking instructions and how to clean the parts for this model.
Image unavailable
Worth considering if you’re looking for a higher stated capacity for a variety of dinners.
This electric multi-cooker features pressure cooking and a stainless steel inner pot.
Check the manual for recipe-specific fill limits and instructions for opening the cooker after pressure cooking.
Image unavailable
Worth a look if you’d like to programme dinner and have a choice of cooking modes.
The model name lists a 24-hour timer, a frying function and voice control.
Before choosing this model, check the usable capacity for your dishes, the pressure-cooking instructions and the language of the instructions.
Compare the maximum amount allowed for your recipes, not just the capacity printed on the pot. UFC-Que Choisir cites a Cookeo with a 6 L pot that can hold a maximum of 4 L for cooking; check the manual for the fill limits that apply to the programmes on the model you’re considering.
No: it can take care of some of the cooking once started and bring several cooking steps together in one pot, but some recipes still require you to add or stir ingredients. UFC-Que Choisir notes that these appliances generally don’t mix food; also check how to clean the pot, lid and accessories on the model you choose.
Read the fill and opening instructions in the manual for your appliance. For its 6 L Nutricook pressure cooker, SEB says the cooker should be opened once the pressure has been released; follow the instructions from your model’s manufacturer rather than applying those for another appliance.