A programmable multicooker can be a good choice for preparing a variety of rice dishes, steamed food and meals with sauces, as long as you’re happy to prep the ingredients and check which steps still need your attention. A slow cooker is better suited to slow-cooked dishes, a cooking food processor is a good option if you also want to prepare ingredients, and a specialist appliance may be best if your needs are more limited. Que Choisir Ensemble points out that the stated capacity doesn’t always match the permitted cooking volume, so check the fill limits, the number of portions you need and how much space the appliance requires.
If you make rice, vegetables or meals with sauces during the week, a programme can free you up to do something else once cooking is under way. You’ll still need to check the prep steps and any intervention required by each recipe, as Que Choisir Ensemble and Les Numériques point out.
If you cook for several people or want to save portions for later, compare the quantities permitted for your recipes rather than relying on the stated capacity alone. Que Choisir Ensemble notes that the bowl’s capacity and its usable cooking volume may differ.
If space is limited or you already own food preparation appliances, identify which functions would genuinely duplicate what you have and how much room the base and accessories will need. Que Choisir Ensemble recommends considering the appliances you already own and the space available.
Best for: switching between different cooking methods, such as rice, steaming and meals with sauces.
Keep in mind: programmes don’t necessarily chop or stir ingredients, so check the recipe’s filling limits too.
Best for: meals that mainly consist of slow-cooked dishes you can prepare in advance.
Keep in mind: it may offer fewer settings and modes than a multicooker, so check that they suit your recipes.
Best for: chopping, slicing or mixing ingredients as well as cooking, if you’ll use those functions.
Keep in mind: accessories need to be stored and cleaned. Compare the bowl’s usable capacity and consider which other appliances you’ll still keep.
Best for: if you mainly need to cook rice or steam food.
Keep in mind: a specialist appliance may not meet your needs for browning or cooking meals with sauces, so check that it has the functions you’ll use.
| What matters to you | What to check | Who it matters most to |
|---|---|---|
| Fewer hands-on steps | Compare the preparation steps and any action needed during cooking for two or three recipes you make regularly. | If you want to be able to step away once cooking has started, check which steps you’ll still need to do. Around 26% of consumers prioritise reducing the amount of intervention required. |
| Enough portions | Compare the usable volume and the fill guides given for your recipes. | If you cook for several people, look for the quantity actually permitted rather than relying on the stated capacity alone. Around 21% of consumers prioritise the number of portions. |
| Avoiding duplicate appliances | Take stock of the appliances you’ll keep and measure the space available for the base and accessories. | If you already own food preparation appliances or have limited storage space, check what the new appliance would genuinely replace. Around 21% of consumers prioritise saving space and avoiding duplication. |
| Planning mealtimes | Check separately whether it has a delay-start function and a keep-warm function, and read the food storage guidance. | If you want to time cooking around mealtimes, check which functions are available and what food storage precautions you’ll need to follow. Around 16% of consumers prioritise being able to plan when their meal is ready. |
| Easy cleaning | Check which parts can be removed and which are dishwasher-safe for the exact model. | If you use the appliance often, find out which parts will need cleaning after each meal. Around 16% of consumers prioritise easy care. |
Fill limits depend on the model and recipe. Que Choisir Ensemble gives the example of a Cookeo with a stated capacity of 6 L but a maximum cooking volume of 4 L; this limit doesn’t automatically apply to other appliances.
Compare the quantities you usually cook with the fill guides in the manual for the exact model.
A programme can manage the cooking without chopping or stirring the ingredients. The steps required vary by appliance and recipe.
Before choosing, check what you’ll need to do before starting and during each programme you’re interested in.
A delay-start or keep-warm function doesn’t replace proper food storage precautions. Anses recommends not leaving food at room temperature for more than two hours before refrigerating it.
Plan your preparation in line with Anses recommendations and the instructions in the appliance manual.
The Cookeo and Companion ranges cater to different needs, depending on whether you’re mainly looking for guided cooking or want food preparation functions too.
The Duo range is an example of a multicooker with several modes for preparing a variety of meals.
The Plat Multi-Usage slow cooker reviewed may suit you if most of your recipes are slow-cooked dishes.
The Cook Expert range may appeal if you want to prepare ingredients and cook with the same appliance.
The Classic 2 rice cooker is a specialist option if rice and steaming cover most of your needs.
These models are mainly for meals prepared with a programmable multicooker. The KitchenCook Model Kyoto White is better suited to more specific needs, such as cooking rice, soup and steamed food.
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For varied meals, with several cooking modes and enough capacity to prepare multiple portions.
6 L bowl, 5 L usable capacity, serves up to 12, 9 menus, 2 pressure levels and a 24-hour timer.
The timer doesn’t replace proper food storage precautions; follow Anses recommendations and the instructions in the manual.
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Designed to serve up to four portions, with several cooking modes.
3,8 L capacity; 7 functions, including pressure cooking, slow cooking, sautéing, steaming and keep warm.
Follow the fill limits for pressure cooking and ingredients that expand.
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Switch between several cooking modes in a bowl designed to serve six portions.
5,7 L capacity; 9 functions, including pressure cooking, slow cooking, rice, steaming and sous vide; app control as indicated in the model name.
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For preparing larger meals with several pre-set programmes.
8 L capacity, serves up to 10, 12 pre-set menus and 1200 W power; modes include rice, yoghurt, slow cooking and steaming.
The delay timer doesn’t replace proper food storage precautions; follow Anses recommendations and the instructions in the manual.
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An appliance with programmes focused on rice, soup and steaming, for more specific needs.
Capacity for 2 L of uncooked rice; programmes also include porridge and cake, with a 24-hour timer and automatic keep-warm function.
Allow at least 40 cm of clearance above the appliance and 10 cm on each side, as instructed.
Not necessarily. Programmes manage some cooking settings, but you’ll still need to prepare the ingredients and, in most cases, stir them. Check the steps involved in your recipes and the functions available on the model you’re considering.
Compare the usable volume and the limits specified for your recipes, not just the stated capacity. Que Choisir Ensemble gives the example of a Cookeo with a stated capacity of 6 L but a maximum cooking volume of 4 L; this figure doesn’t automatically apply to other models.
It depends on the model and the part in question. Russell Hobbs France states that the bowl and lid are dishwasher-safe on the slow cooker reviewed. For other appliances, check the manual, especially for the lid and accessories.
A delay-start function isn’t a food storage method. Anses recommends not leaving food at room temperature for more than two hours before refrigerating it. Plan your recipe accordingly and check the appliance manual.
Subject to its terms, the statutory guarantee of conformity applies to new, second-hand and refurbished goods sold by a trader to a consumer. The French Ministry of the Economy states that it can be claimed within two years; it is separate from an optional commercial guarantee.