If your main aim is to get a regular meal cooking and then spend less time keeping an eye on it, start by comparing programmable multi-cookers. Check how much food you can actually cook, which programmes are available and which parts need cleaning. If preparing the ingredients also takes up time, a food processor cooker meets a different need. For meals that are mostly slow-cooked or based around rice, a specialist appliance may be all you need.
You want to fill the bowl, choose a programme and spend less time watching over your meal. Check whether the specific model has a delay-start function and keep-warm setting: you can’t assume that every multi-cooker has them.
You already own a rice cooker, steamer or food processor. Compare what these appliances can do with the cooking options and programming features you’re actually missing.
If chopping, mixing or kneading takes up as much time as keeping an eye on the cooking, look at the food preparation functions of a food processor cooker, as well as its accessories and how easy they are to clean.
First, decide whether you mainly want to hand over the cooking, or the preparation as well. The features mentioned below vary by model, so compare each appliance with the meals you usually make.
Worth considering: if you want a range of cooking options while spending less time keeping an eye on things once cooking has started.
Bear in mind: you’ll need to load the bowl and, generally, prepare and mix the ingredients yourself.
Worth considering: if chopping, kneading or mixing are also tasks you’d like to hand over.
Bear in mind: there are more accessories to store and check when it comes to cleaning.
Worth considering: if you mainly make meals that need to cook slowly for a long time.
Bear in mind: it’s a specialist appliance, so it’s less suited to the need for a variety of cooking methods.
Worth considering: if these types of cooking cover most of your needs and you already have the rest covered.
Bear in mind: it’s a specialist appliance rather than an all-round solution for a variety of meals.
| What matters to you | What to check before buying | Who this matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Keeping an eye on the cooking | Programmes suited to your meals; how the delay-start and keep-warm functions work on the model you’re considering. | I want to get a meal cooking without staying next to the appliance, while knowing which steps still need my attention. Around 33% of consumers with this need would put reducing the need to keep watch above all else. |
| Usable capacity | Maximum fill level for each programme and portions that suit your recipes. | I need enough usable space for our usual portions, rather than just a large capacity figure on the product page. This would be the top priority for around 27% of consumers with this need. |
| How your appliances work together | Cooking methods or preparation tasks that your current appliances don’t cover. | I can already cook rice or prepare ingredients; I’m looking for an extra function, not a duplicate. Around 20% of consumers with this need would put how well appliances complement each other first. |
| Cleaning and storage | Removable parts, which components are dishwasher-safe and how much storage space you’ll need. | After a late dinner, I don’t want the time saved during cooking to be swallowed up by washing up. Easy cleaning and storage would come first for around 20% of consumers with this need. |
The permitted fill level may be lower than the stated capacity. UFC-Que Choisir, for example, cites a 6 l bowl that is limited to 4 l of cooking capacity, depending on the appliance and recipe.
Check the fill limits in the instruction manual for the meals you make most often.
Its programmes may manage the heat and cooking time, but chopping, kneading and mixing are generally separate tasks.
If ingredient preparation is your main sticking point, compare the functions of a food processor cooker. Otherwise, focus on the cooking modes you’ll find useful.
The bowl, lid, seals and accessories may all need different care. UFC-Que Choisir assesses programming, cleaning and storage separately in its testing process.
Check the instruction manual to see which parts can be removed and which are actually dishwasher-safe.
Delaying the start of cooking doesn’t keep ingredients that need refrigeration cold. Anses highlights the importance of correct temperatures and maintaining the cold chain to prevent foodborne illness.
Follow the recipe and appliance instructions. Don’t leave perishable ingredients at room temperature just because a delay-start function is available.
The brand lets you compare a multi-cooker focused on programmed cooking with a Companion food processor cooker that also prepares ingredients.
A useful option to consider if you’re looking at a specialist rice cooker rather than an appliance designed for a wider range of cooking methods.
Worth considering if you mainly plan to make slow-cooked meals, rather than dishes that need several different cooking modes.
These appliances suit different needs for busy evening meals: several multi-cookers, a rice cooker and a food processor cooker. Compare how each one works with the task you actually want to spend less time on.
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Worth a look if you’d like several cooking modes in one appliance.
The model name indicates a capacity of 5.7 l and nine functions, including pressure cooking and sous vide. Check the permitted fill level for your recipes, whether delay start is available and exactly how the Wi-Fi controls work before relying on these features.
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Worth considering if rice and related dishes are your main priority, rather than a wide variety of cooking methods.
The product name indicates a delay-start function, keep warm and a steaming basket. Check the fill limits for your portions, as well as the cleaning instructions for the different parts.
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Compare this model if your meals need several cooking modes and you’re looking for a large stated bowl capacity.
The model name indicates a capacity of 7.1 l and a stainless steel inner bowl. Check the instruction manual for maximum fill levels and confirm that it has the programming features you need.
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Worth a look if you’re after a pressure cooker with a range of cooking menus.
The product name indicates nine menus, two pressure settings and a 24-hour timer. Check the usable capacity for your recipes and whether the timer can actually delay the start. Also check the language of the instructions before you buy.
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Worth considering if you’d like the appliance to take care of preparation as well as cooking.
The model name indicates built-in scales and 680 recipes. Its operating instructions say not to leave it unattended, so it’s not the right choice if you need to leave it while it’s running. Also check the usable capacity for your portions.
No. The fill limit depends on the appliance, programme and recipe. UFC-Que Choisir cites a 6 l Cookeo bowl that is limited to 4 l of cooking capacity. Check the instruction manual for the dishes you usually make.
No. Check that both functions are available for the specific model and programmes you’re considering. Moulinex lists them for the MK708810, but that doesn’t mean they’re included on every multi-cooker. The instruction manual explains how to use them.
Yes, if preparing ingredients is still your main sticking point. Moulinex’s Companion food processors include functions for chopping, kneading and mixing, among other things. If your current appliances already cover these tasks, compare how useful another appliance would really be before buying one.
Check the instruction manual for the model you’re considering to see how to clean the bowl, lid, seal and accessories. If some parts are listed as dishwasher-safe, don’t assume that applies to every component.
Don’t treat delay start as a way to keep these ingredients safe at room temperature. Anses stresses the importance of correct temperatures and maintaining the cold chain. Follow the recipe and appliance instructions rather than leaving perishable food to stand before cooking.