Households looking for variety in everyday meals
You want to cook rice, steam vegetables or make slow-cooked dishes in one appliance. UFC-Que Choisir’s guides explain how programmes can take care of the cooking once you’ve added the ingredients.
Who are these appliances for?
People who mainly plan to make slow-cooked dishes
You prefer to set a slow-cooking programme with minimal adjustments and choose a pot that suits your usual portions. Check the timer and keep-warm functions on the model you’re considering.
People who also want to prepare the ingredients
If chopping, mincing or mixing takes you as long as keeping an eye on the cooking, look at the functions and accessories offered by a cooking food processor. Moulinex, for example, highlights these tasks on some Companion models; features vary by model.
Which features should you prioritise?
Start with the recipes you actually make: a wide range of settings is only useful if you use them. Then consider the portions you can prepare and the work involved before and after cooking.
| Feature | What to check | Who is it for? |
|---|---|---|
| Range of cooking options | Programmes that match your recipes; time and temperature settings if needed. | If my meals vary between rice, steamed food and slow-cooked dishes, I want to avoid switching appliances for each recipe; around 40% of consumers would prioritise this versatility above all. |
| Usable capacity | Your usual portions and the maximum fill levels specified for each recipe. | When I plan to make slow-cooked dishes for several meals, the amount I can actually cook matters more than the stated capacity; this would be a priority for around 30% of consumers. |
| Specialist cooking | Rice and steam settings, included steaming basket and keep-warm function to suit your schedule. | If I mainly cook rice or steamed side dishes, I prefer functions designed for these meals; around 20% of consumers would make this their main requirement. |
| Ingredient preparation | Chopping and mixing functions, included accessories and the cleaning they involve. | When chopping and mixing are the main tasks I want to avoid, automatic cooking alone doesn’t meet my needs; around 10% of consumers would prioritise built-in preparation functions. |
Mistakes to avoid
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Confusing the pot’s capacity with how much you can cook
The permitted fill level may limit the amount you can prepare, depending on the recipe. UFC-Que Choisir gives the example of a 6 L Cookeo pot with a maximum cooking capacity of 4 L.
Compare your usual portions with the limits in the instructions, rather than relying on the stated capacity alone.
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Expecting a programme to prepare the ingredients
A multi-cooker mainly takes care of cooking once it’s loaded; you’ll still need to chop the ingredients and carry out any other preparation steps in the recipe.
Identify the tasks you actually want to delegate. If chopping or mixing is important, compare the functions and accessories available on a cooking food processor.
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Choosing a slow cooker without checking the recipes you usually make
A slow cooker is designed for slow cooking, but its settings differ from those of a multi-cooker or an electric pressure cooker.
Before choosing an appliance, check it has the settings you need for a few dishes you make regularly.
If a recipe needs a setting that isn’t available, you may have to use a frying pan or another appliance as well.
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Not keeping track of the appliance’s exact model
The exact model number helps you find the instructions and identify any recall notice that applies to the model you’ve bought.
Keep the model number and instructions, then check RappelConso if an alert seems to relate to your appliance.
Brands to know when comparing ranges
Moulinex
The Cookeo and Companion ranges make it easy to compare an appliance focused on cooking with a food processor that also helps with preparation.
- Moulinex offers accessories on some Companion models for chopping, kneading, mixing and steaming.
- These accessories need cleaning and are only useful if those steps feature in your recipes.
Tefal
The SpheriCook RK745800 is an example of an appliance that combines rice cooking with other programmes.
- For this model, Tefal lists 16 programmes, a 5 L pot, a delayed start and a keep-warm function.
- Before choosing a capacity, check the instructions for the settings you need and the maximum fill levels.
Crock-Pot
The brand offers slow cookers in several sizes for people who prioritise slow cooking.
- Crock-Pot describes the 2.4 L CSC046X as suitable for 1 to 2 people, with two temperature settings and a keep-warm function.
- The timer, settings and capacity vary by model, so choose one that suits your portions and routine.
Appliances for everyday cooking
These models cover two of the needs outlined above: varying your cooking with a multi-function pressure cooker, or focusing on rice and similar dishes. Compare their features with the recipes you make before choosing.
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Instant Pot Classic 5.7 L 7-in-1, Daydream Blue
Worth considering if you switch between pressure cooking, slow cooking and steaming. The product name lists four customisable programmes; check the usable capacity for your recipes, pressure-cooking requirements and whether it has a delayed start if you need one.
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Instant Pot Rio XL 7.1 L 7-in-1, stainless steel pot
If you’re considering a multi-function pressure cooker for larger portions, compare its stated 7.1 L capacity with the fill limits for your recipes. Also check the available settings, keep-warm function and pressure-release instructions.
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Instant Pot Rice & Grain Cooker 5 L 8-in-1 CarbReduce
Consider this if rice and grains are a big part of your meals. This 5 L cooker is listed with a steaming accessory and a slow-cook function; check the instructions for the permitted quantities when making dishes other than rice.
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ochama 4 L 860 W rice cooker with steaming basket
Designed for meals centred around rice, this model is listed as suitable for 3 to 4 people and has a delayed start, keep-warm function and steaming basket. Check the permitted quantities for each recipe and the care instructions for the non-stick pot.
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Midea 9-in-1 electric pressure cooker, 1200 W, 12 menus
If you want to make a variety of dishes using preset menus, this model offers 1200 W and 12 menus. Check the capacity of the exact model before deciding how many portions to make, then consult the fill limits and pressure-cooking instructions.
Frequently asked questions
Do you need to stay near a multi-cooker throughout cooking?
Not necessarily. According to UFC-Que Choisir, a suitable programme can manage the cooking once you’ve added the ingredients. However, you’ll still need to prepare the food, follow the fill limits and carry out any steps specified in the recipe and instructions.
How do you choose the capacity of a multi-cooker?
Choose one based on the portions you cook and the volume permitted for your recipes, not just the stated capacity in litres. UFC-Que Choisir gives the example of a 6 L Cookeo pot with a maximum cooking capacity of 4 L; check the instructions for the model you’re interested in.
Can a multi-cooker replace a cooking food processor?
It can take care of programmed cooking, but it may not prepare the ingredients. If you want the appliance to chop, cut or mix, compare the accessories and manual steps involved with cooking food processors.
Is the CE marking enough when choosing an electrical appliance?
No. The DGCCRF explains that the CE marking is not a certification mark. You should also identify the exact model, read its instructions and check RappelConso for any alerts relating to an appliance you own.