Busy households in the evenings
If you often cook rice, stews or steamed vegetables, a multi-cooker could help you spend less time checking on your food once it’s cooking. Make sure its programmes suit the dishes you actually make.
Which option is right for you?
If you’re torn between cooking and food preparation
If chopping or mixing takes you longer than cooking, consider the difference between a multi-cooker and a cooking food processor. Les Numériques points out that a multi-cooker doesn’t grind, slice or blend ingredients.
Households that cook in batches
If you cook several portions or prepare meals in advance, check how much you can cook for your recipes rather than looking only at the bowl’s capacity. Allow space for the appliance, its bowl and its accessories too.
What should you compare before buying?
First, identify what’s slowing you down: keeping an eye on the cooking, preparing ingredients or simply organising the appliances you already own.
| Consideration | What to check | What I need |
|---|---|---|
| Programmed cooking | Check that the model you’re considering has settings to suit your recipes, time adjustments and a keep-warm function. A food processor without a cooking function won’t do this job. | I want to start cooking a hot meal and then spend less time checking on it. |
| Preparing ingredients | Check which tasks the appliance can handle. Depending on the model, a cooking food processor can combine food preparation and cooking, while a multi-cooker won’t slice or blend, as Les Numériques points out. | Chopping and mixing are what take up most of my time; an appliance that only cooks wouldn’t solve the problem. |
| Usable capacity | Check the cooking capacity and the filling guidelines for the specific model, setting and recipe. Que Choisir gives the example of a 6 L Cookeo bowl with a maximum cooking capacity of 4 L. | My usual portions need to fit in the bowl without exceeding the stated limits. |
| Cleaning and storage | Check which parts need washing and how much room you’ll need for the bowl, lid and accessories. Que Choisir includes cleaning and storage in its multi-cooker assessment process. | I’d rather not replace time saved during cooking with extra jobs after the meal. |
| Appliances you already own | Compare the functions you’re looking for with those of your saucepans, oven or pressure cooker. An extra appliance is only useful if it solves a specific problem in your routine. | If my current kitchen equipment meets my needs, I can save the space a new appliance would take up. |
What mistakes should you avoid?
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Choosing based only on the bowl’s capacity
The stated capacity isn’t always the amount you can cook. Que Choisir gives the example of a 6 L Cookeo with a maximum cooking capacity of 4 L; the limits can also vary depending on the recipe.
Start with your usual portions, then check the manual and the filling guidelines for the exact model, particularly for ingredients that expand.
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Expecting a multi-cooker to prepare ingredients
A cooking programme doesn’t eliminate the need to chop or blend ingredients. Les Numériques notes that a multi-cooker can’t do these jobs.
Think about which steps slow you down when making your usual meals. Consider a cooking food processor if food preparation matters as much as cooking.
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Assuming one programme will suit every recipe
A programme makes it easier to use the settings built into the appliance, but the recipe, quantity and model instructions still matter.
Look for programmes that suit the dishes you usually make, and check whether you can adjust the settings manually if you often adapt your recipes.
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Forgetting about the parts that need cleaning
The bowl, lid, seals and accessories all affect day-to-day cleaning and how easy the appliance is to use over time.
Before buying, check the model’s full reference and look up its care instructions, along with any compatible replacement parts you might need.
What do the brands offer?
These ranges showcase different functions. Always compare the specifications of the exact model rather than relying on the brand name alone.
Moulinex
The Cookeo range focuses on cooking, while Companion combines food preparation and cooking functions.
- Moulinex says the Cookeo+ CE851A10 offers settings including steaming, slow cooking, browning, reheating and pressure cooking.
- With the Companion model featured by Moulinex, bear in mind that you’ll have extra accessories to use, wash and store as well as the bowl.
Magimix
The Cook Expert Connect is designed for households that want to combine ingredient preparation with cooking.
- Magimix states that the Cook Expert Connect has a total capacity of 3,5 L and a usable capacity of 2,5 L.
- If your only aim is to get something cooking, consider how much use you’d make of its food-preparation functions and accessories.
Instant Pot
The brand’s electric pressure cookers are worth considering if you want to follow pressure-cooking instructions closely.
- The Instant Pot Pro Plus 60 manual states that the bowl has a capacity of 5,7 L.
- For this model, the manual says to fill the bowl no more than two-thirds full when pressure cooking, or half full for ingredients that expand. Check the manual for any other model before applying these limits.
Multi-cookers to consider on Joybuy
These appliances focus on programmed cooking rather than ingredient preparation. To choose between them, think about your recipes, the portions you plan to make, and any constraints around setup and cleaning.
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Instant Pot Classic 5.7L Daydream Blue
For hot midweek meals, compare this multi-cooker’s settings with the dishes you usually make. Its 5,7 L capacity is the stated volume, so check the model’s filling guidelines when working out your portions.
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Instant Pot Plus WiFi 5.7L
If Wi-Fi connectivity matters to you, check that the app is compatible with your devices and consider how you plan to use it. Also compare the filling limits with your usual portions: 5,7 L is the stated volume, not a guaranteed capacity for every recipe.
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Instant Pot Rio XL 7,1L
If you cook in larger quantities, check how much the bowl can hold for your recipes rather than relying on the stated 7,1 L capacity. Before buying, also confirm the model’s electrical specifications and check that they’re compatible with your home.
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Midea 9-in-1 8L 1200W, 12 menus
If you plan your meals in advance, look through the 12 advertised menus and focus on the ones you’d genuinely use. The 8 L capacity alone doesn’t tell you how much you can cook under pressure, so check the filling guidelines, how to care for the parts and whether the electrical specifications are suitable.
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Cecotec Model D 6 L, 9 menus and 2 pressure settings
If you want to programme your meals, this model has an advertised 24-hour timer; check how it works with the recipes you use. The bowl is listed as 6 L, so check the limits for each setting and ingredient, along with the care instructions and electrical compatibility.
Frequently asked questions
Can you always cook 6 L of food in a 6 L bowl?
No. Que Choisir gives the example of a Cookeo with a 6 L bowl that can hold a maximum of 4 L for cooking. Check the manual and filling guidelines for your chosen model when working out your portions, as the limit may depend on the recipe.
How full should the bowl be when pressure-cooking rice?
Follow your appliance’s manual. The Instant Pot Pro Plus 60 manual limits filling to two-thirds when pressure cooking, or half full for ingredients that expand. Don’t assume the same guidelines apply to another model.
Can you force open a pressure cooker while it’s still under pressure?
No. Instant Pot warns against forcing the lid open while the bowl is under pressure. Wait for the pressure to release and follow the opening instructions for your appliance.
Does a multi-cooker bought from a professional seller in France come with a legal guarantee?
Yes. The DGCCRF states that the legal guarantee of conformity applies to new, second-hand and refurbished goods sold by a professional to a private individual in France. Keep your proof of purchase, and remember that this statutory guarantee is separate from any commercial warranty that may be offered.